The Five Books That Transformed My Life as a Woman, Leader, and Dreamer

By Inga Rose, CEO

The Five Books That Transformed My Life as a Woman, Leader, and Dreamer

Books have an incredible way of shaping the way we see the world and ourselves. Certain books hit us at just the right moment, providing insights, inspiration, or even a much-needed kick in the pants. As a female founder, entrepreneur, wife, mom, and person always striving for growth, these five books have left a lasting impact on me. Here’s what earned them a top spot on my list and the game-changing lessons I took from each one.

1. As a Woman: Girl, Stop Apologizing by Rachel Hollis

This book is packed with confidence-building, motivational advice. One of my biggest takeaways? The idea that when you make plans for you — like "I’m going to work out this afternoon" — those should be promises to yourself, and you should not cancel those plans. For example, when I make plans with a close friend or family member, I rarely cancel. But when I’m accountable to myself, I tend to cancel 8 times out of 10. Learning how to make realistic plans with yourself, and keeping them, is a powerful shift in mindset that fosters self-respect and accountability.

Another game-changer was adding the word yet to any limiting belief. “I haven’t been a CEO... yet!” That one tiny word flips a self-doubt-ridden sentence into a powerful, forward-thinking statement. It’s a small change that carries a huge impact. I now use this in every aspect of my life, from personal development to work conversations, and it’s been amazing to see how my mindset—and confidence—have evolved. Hollis also talks about the importance of showing up for yourself unapologetically, and as a woman in business, that message resonates deeply.

2. As a Startup Founder: Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh

According to Hsieh (the founder of Zappos), “Happiness is really just about four things: perceived control, perceived progress, connectedness (number and depth of your relationships), and vision/meaning (being part of something bigger than yourself).” I became obsessed with these four elements and used them as a guiding principle when developing Reference Medicine’s culture, benefits, and approach to partnerships. 

One of the core takeaways? The idea of “delighting” people. Whether it’s customers, partners, or employees, the goal should always be to create experiences that bring unexpected joy and connection. That philosophy has become ingrained in how we operate and interact with those around us.

I remember one specific moment when we were deciding on a small but meaningful way to surprise our clients. Inspired by this book, we started including a personalized note with each shipment, thanking them in a way that felt warm and genuine, along with a fun and memorable sticker. The feedback we got was overwhelming — small gestures truly make a difference. 

3. As a Leader: The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp

Since reading it, I have recommended this book to every leader and HR professional I’ve met. Its insight into victim mentality—when someone feels like the world is happening to them rather than for them—is transformative.

This book not only helped me lead better at work but also gave me tools to help others (team members, friends, and even my kids) shift their perspectives. Its teachings go beyond the workplace and truly apply to life as a whole.

I once had a team member who constantly felt overwhelmed and defeated by every challenge. After I introduced some of the key concepts from this book—especially the idea of taking radical responsibility—there was a noticeable shift in their attitude. Instead of saying, "This is happening to me," they started asking, "How can I take ownership and find a solution?" It was a pivotal change that not only improved their productivity but also their personal confidence.

4. As an Individual: Atomic Habits by James Clear

If you’re trying to build better habits or break bad ones, this is the book to read. I picked this up after the COVID-19 lockdowns when I needed to reset my routine and undo some habits I had developed while being home all. the. time.

What I loved most were the tactical tips. This isn’t just theoretical advice—it’s a blueprint for making small, meaningful changes that add up over time. If you’re in a slump or trying to start something new, Atomic Habits provides a solid framework to make it happen.

For example, one of the most valuable lessons from the book is "habit stacking"—pairing a new habit with an existing one. I started implementing this by linking my daily coffee routine with gratitude journaling. Over time, writing a few thoughts each morning became second nature. Another insight? The idea that true progress comes from small, consistent actions rather than giant leaps. It’s something I now apply to business, fitness, and personal goals alike.

5. As an Entrepreneur: Play Bigger by Al Ramadan, Dave Peterson, Christopher Lochhead, and Kevin Maney

When Reference Medicine was still just an idea, Play Bigger helped me lean into my visionary side. This book is all about category design—how companies can carve out entirely new markets and become dominant players within them.

It gave me permission to dream big, embrace creative thinking, and push beyond the obvious. If you’re in the early stages of building something—or just need a reminder to think boldly—this book is a must-read.

One of my favorite insights from Play Bigger is that the best companies don’t just enter a market; they create one. This shifted my approach to Reference Medicine. Instead of thinking, "How do we compete in the existing specimen provider space?" I started asking, "How do we redefine this space altogether?" That shift in perspective has influenced every strategic decision we’ve made since.

These books have shaped my mindset, my leadership style, and my approach to life. Whether you’re looking for motivation, leadership insights, or a fresh way of thinking about your business, I highly recommend checking them out.

Have you read any of these? Or do you have a book that completely shifted your mindset, lit a fire under you, or made you see the world differently? I’d love to hear what books have stuck with you—let’s swap stories, share game-changing reads, and build a powerhouse reading list together!