Hala's List of Things
Books, ideas, people, places, and things: the inspirations and tools that shape how I think and move through my world.
Books that made me think differently.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
A classic in leadership and organisational culture, this book explores why smart, capable teams still struggle to perform well together. Why this book stayed with me: It gave language to team behaviours many leaders sense but struggle to articulate. The idea that trust sits at the foundation of everything else felt obvious once I read it, yet I realised how rarely organisations, and leaders, actually invest in building it deliberately.
Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart
This is the book that made me read all of Gordon Livingston's books. They have all added to my way of thinking, but this was the first and it deals with thirty life lessons drawn from decades of working with people and observing how we navigate love, loss, ambition, and meaning. Why this book stayed with me: It’s the kind of book that prompted me to pause and reconsider the assumptions I carried around about happiness and success. I periodically reread his books as I always see something new.
The Mask of Motherhood
This book came at a time in my life where I was grappling with being a new mom, work and identity. Susan Maushart takes an honest look at the cultural expectations placed on mothers and the silent pressure many women feel to present motherhood as effortless and fulfilling at all times. Why it stayed with me: I appreciated the honesty. It names something many women feel but rarely say out loud, that motherhood can be deeply meaningful and deeply challenging at the same time. The book gave me permission to hold both truths without guilt.
Ideas that I’m paying attention to.
Idea #1
AI and Human Judgment: I’m watching how AI shapes decisions, and thinking hard about what judgment, context, and experience only humans can provide.
Idea #2
The Courage to Change Direction: I am noticing how some people pivot in their careers or lives with courage, even when the outcome is not guaranteed and how rare it is to act before certainty arrives.
Idea #3
Joy: I’m fascinated by how choosing to see, savor, and celebrate the ordinary can turn a routine day into something unexpectedly joyful. Like the sunlight that hit a section of the tree in front of my house this morning and lite just a tiny part of that tree a golden green colour.
Places that shifted my perspective.
Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo fascinates me with the way it quietly balances conformity and individualism. On the surface, there’s a rhythm and order to everyday life that feels seamless, almost choreographed...but look closer, and you see people expressing themselves in vibrant, unexpected ways. It’s a city that taught me how structure and creativity can coexist, and how belonging doesn’t have to erase uniqueness.
Petra, Jordan
Petra is a place that humbles you in the quietest way. Walking through its rose-colored cliffs and hidden pathways, I’m always reminded how history, ingenuity, and human determination can coexist with nature’s grandeur. It’s a space that invites reflection: on the past, on resilience, and on how small steps can leave a mark that lasts far longer than we imagine. I was inspired last time I visited this world wonder and it prompted this: https://humanosity.com.au/leadership-the-importance-of-looking-back/
Canberra, Australia
Canberra often gets a bad rap as the headlines make it sound like nothing but politics and drama. But scratch the surface, and it’s a city that feels both intimate and cosmopolitan. I’ve called it home for 30+ years, and it’s a place where ideas, culture, and nature coexist. From wandering the National Gallery to losing myself in the National Library, I’m quietly inspired here, and, bonus, I feel much love comes my way from this beautiful meeting place.
People I respect...
Antony Loewenstein
For his fearless reporting on Palestine and other overlooked injustices. His work challenges assumptions, uncovers uncomfortable truths, and reminds me why seeing the world clearly, clearly matters.
James Hollis
For his insights into the inner life: the choices, fears, and patterns that shape who we become. His extensive work of which I have read much of, always reminds me to pause, look honestly at myself, and consider the life I’m truly living.
Janine Garner
I am part of her business community and respect her for her sharp insights on business, leadership and strategy, especially for women navigating complex careers and transitions towards running their own businesses.
Things I’m using (for now).
Chia Seeds
Working hard to stay hydrated as a woman of a certain age, chia seeds have been a wonderful addition to my diet. They absorb liquid and expand, helping me feel nourished and sustained. Beyond their hydration benefits, they’re a simple way to add fiber, protein, and omega-3s to my day. All part of the small, consistent choices that quietly support energy, focus, and wellbeing that I am taking in my daily rituals.
Korean and Japanese Beauty Products
I love experimenting with new products, and right now I’m obsessed with Korean and Japanese skincare. Many brands are surprisingly affordable yet deliver noticeable results, making them a joy to try. My current favourites are the Ishizawa Lab Keana Nadeshiko Japanese Rice Face Mask (10 Sheets), which leaves my skin glowing, and the Beauty of Joseon Dynasty Cream, a soothing cream that feels like a ritual every time I use it.
SanDisk (or your fav backup device)
I’ve been getting a little paranoid about backing up my data, both on premise and in the cloud, so I make it a habit to do regular backups. It’s a simple step that saves enormous stress later, and a friendly reminder: make sure you set a password on your backup device! (Not a product recommendation — just a sanity-saving habit.)