Rebecca Barraclough

When people find out that I often read three or four books at once, they usually ask the same thing: “Don’t you get them mixed up?” I laugh, because no—I don’t confuse a book on mindfulness with a fast-paced mystery about a missing art dealer. If anything, reading across genres is what keeps me sharp, curious, and grounded. Over the years, I’ve found that the books I read—especially self-help and mystery thrillers—have shaped the way I move through both my personal life and my professional world.

Reading has always been a deeply personal part of my growth. The first book I ever read in English was The Dragon Children, and I still remember the feeling of finishing it. That moment planted the seed for a lifelong love of reading, which continues to be one of my favorite ways to learn, reflect, and recharge. These days, I find that the two genres I reach for most often—self-help and mystery—aren’t just entertaining. They’ve taught me a lot about leadership, resilience, creativity, and even the art of problem-solving.

Solving the Puzzle: What Mysteries Teach Us About Work and Life

I’ve always been drawn to mystery thrillers. There’s something about a good whodunit that pulls me in—the layered storytelling, the quiet clues hidden in plain sight, the slow unraveling of something complex and human. But it wasn’t until I started working in program management and instructional design that I realized how much mystery novels have influenced the way I think.

In a lot of ways, leading a complex project or designing a training program is like solving a mystery. You’re constantly gathering information, noticing patterns, identifying what’s missing, and piecing together a path forward. A good mystery teaches you to pay attention—not just to what’s obvious, but to what’s unspoken or overlooked. That same skill has helped me in my work when leading teams through change or navigating ambiguity. It reminds me to listen closely, ask the right questions, and stay open to unexpected answers.

Mystery novels also highlight the importance of perspective. The same event can look different depending on whose eyes you’re seeing it through. That’s been a valuable lesson in my professional life. When designing a learning experience, for example, I try to step into the learner’s shoes and think about how they’ll experience the content. What’s clear to me might be confusing to someone new. That mindset—shifting perspective—helps create more thoughtful, inclusive, and effective solutions.

Self-Help and the Power of Pause

On the flip side, self-help books have been a lifeline for me in moments of change, burnout, or uncertainty. They don’t give all the answers, but they offer tools, language, and gentle reminders that growth isn’t linear. Many of the principles I’ve picked up—like setting boundaries, cultivating self-awareness, or embracing failure—have become part of how I lead both myself and others.

In a world that often celebrates productivity and constant movement, self-help books give me permission to pause and reflect. They’ve helped me reframe “success” as something more than just outcomes or achievements. Success can be feeling aligned with your values. It can be doing work that lights you up. It can be showing up with kindness in a high-stress meeting. These insights have changed the way I approach leadership, especially when guiding teams through learning and development.

Self-help books have also helped me get better at coaching others. I’ve learned how to ask more open-ended questions, how to encourage a growth mindset, and how to create space for people to reflect on their own journey—rather than rushing to offer advice. That has shown up in my volunteer work, in one-on-one meetings with colleagues, and even in parenting.

Bringing Books into Practice

I don’t just read for ideas—I try to bring what I’ve learned off the page and into real life. Sometimes that looks like using a self-help concept to navigate a difficult conversation. Sometimes it’s remembering how a mystery author slowly built tension and applying that pacing to how I roll out a training program.

Reading has also strengthened my creativity. The rhythm of language, the twist of a plot, or even a beautifully written paragraph can unlock something in my own brain. It reminds me that communication isn’t just about delivering information—it’s about telling a story that sticks.

Professionally, I’ve leaned on these lessons in many ways. When I led onboarding programs or supported large-scale change initiatives, I always tried to bring a balance of clarity and empathy—just like a good author does. I’d think about the “story” of the learning journey and how to guide people through it in a way that felt logical, empowering, and purposeful.

A Personal Ritual with a Professional Impact

Every evening, after the dinner dishes are done and my son is in bed, I curl up with a book. Sometimes I read a chapter that opens my heart. Other nights, I get swept up in a thriller that keeps me turning pages until midnight. No matter what, I always come away with something—a new idea, a fresh question, or a moment of stillness that reminds me of who I am beyond the to-do list.

That ritual keeps me grounded. It feeds the part of me that loves learning for the sake of learning. And it quietly, consistently, makes me better at what I do.

Books have been my companions, my teachers, and my mirrors. Whether I’m reading about unsolved crimes or untapped potential, I’m reminded that learning doesn’t only happen in classrooms or meetings. Sometimes, it begins with a quiet moment, a good story, and the courage to turn the next page.