Skip to content

 

 

 

 

 

07.09.25

Personal and Professional Growth Toolkit for Women: Building Your Own ‘Chapters of Change’ List

By Brin Braathen, Director of Programs, FMWF Chamber

Two women having a conversation at the June Women Connect event, Chapters of Change

Two women having a conversation at the June Women Connect event, Chapters of Change.

Discover how to build your toolkit to support personal and professional growth for women, with inspiration and resources from Women Connect.

Books have a way of finding us when we need them most. Podcasts can drop a single sentence that reframes an entire challenge. Sometimes, it’s not the loudest ideas, but the most personal ones that lead us to clarity, confidence and courage. 

That’s the spirit behind Chapters of Change, a special summer event that is part of the Women Connect program, where women from across our community gathered to swap the resources that have transformed how they lead, grow and live. 

But the event was more than a one-time exchange of recommendations. It was an invitation to build something lasting: your own personal growth toolkit. 

What’s a ‘Chapters of Change’ List?

Think of it as your go-to collection of mindset-shifting resources. The pages you return to when you need perspective, the voices you trust in your earbuds, the stories that sparked something in you when nothing else could. 

A strong list might include: 

  • A book that changed the way you lead a team 
  • A podcast that reframed what success looks like 
  • A resource that helped you set better boundaries 
  • A quote you now keep on your desk 

Having your own curated list can serve as a compass when you feel stuck, stretched or unsure of your next step. It can also become one of your most meaningful gifts to others. 

Where Do You Start?

If you’re ready to build your own toolkit for personal and professional growth, here are a few ways to begin: 

Reflect: What resource helped you most in a tough season? What book or podcast do you always recommend? 

Exchange: Ask your circles what has helped shaped them. Friends, mentors and coworkers can be great sources of learning. 

(Pro tip: your local library may already have a curated list, just like the Fargo Public Library and West Fargo Public Library, who shared theirs at the event on Tuesday, June 24.) 

Organize: Create a simple list in your notes app or journal. Consider categories like leadership, personal growth, creativity or wellbeing. 

Update it regularly: The best toolkits evolve as you do. Add new finds. Remove what no longer serves you. 

What kind of resources are available?

We asked our Women Connect community: What’s helped you lead better, live fuller and connect more deeply? 

The answers weren’t one-size-fits-all. They were personal, powerful and practical. From dog-eared leadership books to mindset-resetting podcast episodes, this list is full of resources that lead to personal and professional growth for women, and they are ALL worth bookmarking and sharing. 

Why It Matters

Personal and professional growth for women rarely happens in isolation. It’s sparked by conversations, community and the courage to ask questions like, what’s helped you thrive? 

That’s the power of programs like Women Connect and the ripple effect of shared resources. By exchanging stories and suggestions, we’re not just passing along good recommendations. We’re building each other up.

Not sure where to start? View our curated lists of the top resources below:

Your Next Chapter Starts Here 

Turn reflection into action and don’t miss our next Women Connect session: 

Reclaiming Yourself in Leadership: From Quiet Drift to Radical Clarity™ 
Tuesday, July 29 | 3:30 to 5 p.m. | Armory Event Center 

Led by Radical Clarity™ creator Kristi Huber, this powerful session will help you reconnect with your values, align your leadership and redefine success on your own terms. 

Come for the clarity. Leave with direction. 

Register now and keep growing. 

SHARE

More Stories

Upcoming Events

Subscribe to email newsletters