“End-of-Year Reflection: Career Lessons from My 2024 Reading List” - Tuesday, December 24, 2024, 2:30 PM
As I reflect on 2024, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the growth, challenges, and opportunities that shaped this year—personally and professionally. From getting married to Korina (the best decision I’ve ever made) to welcoming two new nieces and nephews into the family, to scaling my businesses and leading impactful campaigns, this year has been a whirlwind and aptly entitled my year of “Overflow”. Throughout it all, my reading list has served as a guide, offering insights that resonated deeply with the work I’ve done and the life I’m building.
Below, I’ve shared not only how these books shaped my year but also cited principles from each book that I believe others can take to heart.
Persistence and Vision
“The Go-Getter” by Peter B. Kyne reminded me that perseverance is everything. This year, as I rebuilt the communications department at GLACVCD and spearheaded our mosquito and mosquito borne disease campaign impacting over 6.5 million residents in Los Angeles County, I saw firsthand the power of showing up, putting in the work, and staying focused on the bigger picture. Success isn’t just about vision; it’s about relentless execution.
Key Principle: “It shall be done” is more than a motto—it’s a mindset. Approach challenges with the unshakable belief that solutions exist.
The Art of Influence
From growing Unykrn to building public trust for GLACVCD, the principles in “Influence” by Robert Cialdini played a key role. Reciprocity, authority, and social proof weren’t just theoretical concepts—they became tools. Launching Unykrn’s freelance MBA consulting services and persuading stakeholders across 37 diverse cities to rally behind the District’s awareness campaign taught me the value of framing messages in ways that inspire action and trust.
Key Principle: “People prefer to say yes to those they like.” Build genuine rapport to earn trust and influence effectively.
Anticipating Change
If there’s one thing I’ve learned this year, it’s that nothing stays still. “Seeing Around Corners” by Rita McGrath hit home as I pushed TPC into new territory—expanding into the music industry. We’re preparing for two major events in 2025, and this book helped me understand that growth comes from recognizing and acting on inflection points before they pass.
Key Principle: “Inflection points are where the future begins.” Recognize the signs of change and act swiftly.
Adaptation and Resilience
Andrew Grove’s “Only the Paranoid Survive” reinforced a lesson I’ve come to live by: stay vigilant. Whether navigating new clients and IP at Unykrn or ensuring TPC’s services align with evolving industry needs, I’ve learned that survival depends on pivoting at the right moment. Being “paranoid” isn’t about fear—it’s about being proactive and prepared for whatever comes next.
Key Principle: “Strategic inflection points come about when the balance of forces shifts in significant ways.” Be ready to pivot when the landscape changes.
Relationships Matter Most
Marriage is a gift, but it’s also a responsibility. “Fight Right” by John and Julie Gottman and “The 6 Pillars of Intimacy” by Alisa and Tony DiLorenzo gave me tools to build a strong foundation with Korina. Conflict isn’t about winning; it’s about listening, understanding, and growing together. These lessons didn’t just apply at home—they also strengthened how I approached challenges at work. Whether it was negotiating partnerships or managing my teams, I realized relationships are the cornerstone of everything.
Key Principle (Fight Right): “Successful relationships aren’t devoid of conflict—they’re defined by how well you repair after conflict.”
Key Principle (6 Pillars): “Emotional intimacy is built on vulnerability and trust.”
Building Strong Teams
Reorganizing the GLACVCD communications department reminded me how crucial it is to hire well. “Who” by Geoff Smart and Randy Street provided a framework for identifying the right people. It’s not just about skills—it’s about finding individuals who align with the mission and values. This approach is something I’m taking into 2025 as I look to scale Unykrn and TPC further.
Key Principle: “A-Players create exponential results.” Focus on hiring high performers who fit your culture.
Marketing Smarter, Not Harder
This year, I embraced low-cost, high-impact strategies inspired by Ryan Holiday’s “Growth Hacker Marketing”. In our grassroots pre-launch of The Grammy Lab, we scaled TPC’s services into the music industry. The idea of thinking unconventionally and maximizing every opportunity has been a game-changer. You don’t need a massive budget to make a massive impact—you just need to think creatively.
Key Principle: “Focus on the product first—make it so good that people can’t help but talk about it.”
Legacy and Leadership
Reading “The Patriarch” by David Nasaw reminded me of the bigger picture. Like Joseph P. Kennedy, I want to leave a legacy—not just in my businesses but in my relationships, my family, and my community. This year was about laying the groundwork—building systems, nurturing connections, and preparing for what’s next.
Key Principle: “Leadership is about creating opportunities, not just for yourself but for others.”
Learning That Sticks
I’ve always been passionate about storytelling, and “Make It Stick” by Peter C. Brown showed me how to make lessons resonate. Whether it was through my writing, leading educational campaigns, or collaborating with my team, I’ve realized that lasting impact comes from real-world application and narrative. Facts inform, but stories inspire.
Key Principle: “Learning that is effortful is more durable.” Embrace challenges—they help knowledge stick.
Scaling Boldly
Reid Hoffman’s “Masters of Scale” was the perfect blueprint for growth. This year, I’ve seen the power of partnerships, especially as Unykrn brought on new advisory board members and GLACVCD launched a robust media campaign. The key takeaway? Big ideas only succeed with bold strategies and the right people.
Key Principle: “You can’t scale without letting go of some control.” Empower others to lead.
Love as the Foundation
Finally, “The Four Loves” by C.S. Lewis reminded me of the importance of love in all its forms—romantic, familial, and platonic. From starting my marriage with Korina to supporting my siblings through their big milestones, this year has reinforced that love is what gives everything else meaning. It’s the foundation for the legacy I’m building.
Key Principle: “Affection is the humblest love, but it is also the most universal. Never underestimate its power.”
Looking Ahead to 2025
2024 was about growth, learning, and laying the groundwork for what’s to come. Whether it’s preparing for TPC’s signature events, scaling Unykrn, or driving impact through GLACVCD’s mosquito and mosquito-borne disease awareness campaigns, I’m ready to take these lessons into the new year.
For anyone reading this: let your goals be big, your relationships be intentional, and your growth be constant. The books I’ve read this year have shaped me—but the work of applying them is just beginning.
Here’s to building, loving, and leading with purpose.
- David Pailin Jr.
The List
The Go Getter - By Peter B Kyne
Influence, New and Expanded - By Robert B. Cialdini
Seeing Around Corners - By Rita McGrath
Only the Paranoid Survive - By Andrew S. Grove
Fight Right - By John Gottman and Julie Schwartz Gottman
Make It Stick - By Peter C. Brown
The Patriarch - By David Nasaw
Growth Hacker Marketing - By Ryan Holiday
Who - By Geoff Smart and Randy Street
The Consulting Bible, 2nd Edition - By Alan Weiss
The Ultimate Sales Machine - By Chet Holmes
The Four Loves - By C.S. Lewis
Masters of Scale - By Reid Hoffman
The 6 Pillars of Intimacy - By Alisa DiLorenzo and Tony DiLorenzo
Special Thanks
First of all, thank you Korina for signing up for this crazy polarized life with me. Your love inspires me to take the necessary steps, big or small, each and every day. I love you dearly.
Thank you James and Charlotte for being the unwavering grounding forces that root this determined dreamer in reality and thank you Mom and Dad for sacrificing so much to pour into our family unit.
Greg and Tori, your brotherhood, wisdom and accountability have sharpened me for well over a decade, thank you for seeing past my many flaws as we help others forge bonds as strong as ours.
To Abhishek, Jenny, and Upali your behind the scenes work is what quite literally keeps the lights on. Thank you for your tireless efforts.
To Susanne, Allison, Caroline, Blake, Liliana, Laura, Veronica, Brenda, District Staff, and Board of Trustees it’s an honor to serve our residents alongside all of you and a joy to showcase your passion for public health.
Dr. Carter, Mr. Carter, Nicole, and Mike your counsel has been instrumental in the growing list of strategic decisions that have found their way to my doorstep. Thank you for your time and feedback, they are both invaluable.
To Matt, Dell, Kevin, and Nick few understand what it means to be a (successful) founder in 2024 and beyond, but you gentlemen are living proof of just that. It’s a pleasure to compare notes, share resources, and swap stories in this often lonely journey. See you at the top.
For anyone else that has read this far I want to share with you one additional resource. Most people skip and scan. Most people head straight to the bullet points then leave, but you are different. You do the work. You do the extra credit. You do both because you want more out of life and yourself. It’s not always rewarded immediately, but you know it always pays off at the end.
Well let me say a large part of my work is focused on supporting people just like you, so please accept this gift from me to the fellow strivers of the world. Below is a working document of the most comprehensive marketing guide for professionals in modern times.
It is currently being peer-reviewed before its scheduled publishing in 2025 but it already contains the core pillars, techniques, formulas, tools, channels, thought leaders, books, and case studies on the largest companies and marketing agencies.
This 159 page resource is now yours completely free because I know you are among the few that will actually put it to use. See you in 2025.
Marketing for Professionals (click to view)