Beyond the Book: People Untapped launch inspiring new club!

Beyond the Book: People Untapped launch inspiring new club!

Last Monday marked the inaugural session of the People Untapped Associates’ ‘Beyond the Book’ club – a dynamic new space where our community comes together to exchange insights, recommend thought-provoking resources, and explore practical applications of key ideas. In our first session, we were fortunate to engage with three powerful books, each offering valuable tools for personal and professional growth.

DOSE

DOSE by Iain Price & Dulcie Swanston

Presented by its authors, DOSE is described as “part life guru, part practical manual, and part choose-your-own-adventure guide to energy, life, and happiness”.

Key Takeaways:

  • The book offers 52 practical and scientifically backed tips to help individuals stay motivated, fit, and well.
  • These techniques trigger the release of dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins (DOSE) – chemicals that contribute to happiness and resilience.
  • Habit stacking can amplify the effects of these strategies, rewiring the brain for long-term positive change.


Application in Learning Programmes:

  • Supporting resilience and mindfulness initiatives.
  • Providing coachees with quick, practical ways to enhance motivation and wellbeing.
  • Encouraging activities like ‘Walk and Talk’ coaching or using the ‘Flip it!’ technique for immediate impact.


Who Benefits Most?

Everyone! The strategies in DOSE are universally applicable and can support individuals navigating change, seeking enhanced performance, or looking to boost overall wellbeing.

The Culture Map by Erin Meyer

Carolyn Didsbury presented The Culture Map, highlighting its insightful approach to understanding and navigating cultural differences in global business.

Key Takeaways:

  • The importance of cultural intelligence and adaptability in leadership.
  • The book’s eight-dimensional framework provides a structured way to compare leadership and communication styles across cultures.
  • The section on evaluation and feedback is particularly useful for facilitators and business leaders.


Application in Learning Programmes:

  • Essential for global business professionals dealing with cross-cultural communication and leadership.
  • Helps facilitators tailor their approach to presenting feedback and analytics to diverse audiences.
  • The book’s anecdotal examples bring cultural theories to life, making them more relatable and applicable.


Who Benefits Most?

Business professionals, team leaders, and facilitators working in cross-cultural environments who need to navigate differences in communication, leadership, and negotiation.

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

Angela Steel introduced The Let Them Theory, a transformative book that reframes how we respond to the actions of others and take control of our own lives.

Key Takeaways:

  • The power of two simple words –“Let Them” – to reduce frustration and regain personal control.
  • When you say “Let Them,” you allow others the freedom to experience their emotions without making it your responsibility to fix them.
  • When you say “Let Me,” you empower yourself to make choices that are right for you, even when they may not align with others’ expectations.


Application in Learning Programmes:

  • A valuable tool for coaching individuals stuck in patterns of over-responsibility or frustration.
  • Helps teams define their circles of control, influence, and concern, fostering greater resilience and accountability.
  • Provides a structured way to manage interpersonal dynamics and improve team motivation.


Who Benefits Most?

This concept resonates with anyone navigating workplace dynamics, personal relationships, or leadership challenges – making it a universally applicable mindset shift.

Looking Ahead!

Our first Beyond the Book session was a fantastic opportunity to learn from each other, reflect on fresh perspectives, and uncover actionable insights. The discussions sparked curiosity, challenged assumptions, and provided practical ideas for applying these concepts in real-world learning and coaching scenarios.

We can’t wait to continue exploring new books and ideas in our future sessions scheduled for June and October. Stay tuned for our next gathering and book choices!

Marisa Knowles | CEO | UK

Marisa is the heart and soul behind People Untapped. As CEO, she brings 20+ years of HR leadership – from global corporations to scaling start-ups – and is a Qualified Executive Coach, TMSDI accredited, and a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses UK Programme alumna on a mission to help leaders and teams unlock their full, untapped potential.

🎓 Her expertise spans organisation design, strategic talent management, cultural transformation, and building high-performing teams. Marisa blends big-picture strategy with a down-to-earth, creative style that makes transformation feel thrilling (not terrifying).

💡 Her leadership is equal parts straight-talking and supportive – she’ll ask the tough questions and champion you as you discover breakthrough answers. Expect bold conversations that shift perspectives and drive real change.

Fuelled by coffee, curiosity, and carefully curated playlists that energise any room, Marisa lives for lightbulb moments. Her philosophy? Think bigger. Be bolder. Go further – together. Watch out world!