18th May 2026
Bite Size Blog 6 : Passing the Torch
Inspiration comes from all sorts of places
The inspiration for this blog came from a post and reply recently about Libraries on X. Thank you @AntigoneJournal & @chrissieA2.
I'm not posh enough to have a real library, you know, a specific room set aside for my books (well, I might be).
So my library consisted of a number of bookcases storing my collection of books compiled over many years.
Throughout my long and, dare I say, successful career I gathered together hundreds of books that supported my career.
These were the very best of the books on Business Management, Strategy & Quality Management. Some being Management Theory and some being far more practical.
All were read, and used, in varying degrees.
And all keep in perfect read condition.
However, about 3 years ago, it became apparent that I really ought to think about clearing the bookshelves.
What to do with this collection ?
It wasn't just a pile of books.
It was a curated set of books, the accepted great books, on these topics.
It was a Library.
I didn't want to dump them, I didn't want to take them to a charity shop.
I wanted someone to have the benefit of these to help their career, and enjoy them as I have. Someone at the start of their career. Someone that would appreciate this collection, and keep the collection together.
Lofty aspirations.
After some research and discussion, I found the perfect recipient.
A recent graduate who had just started on a Graduate Programme for Management in the Company I had worked for.
A very large & global Company.
And local.
It was fair to say, the recipient was absolutely delighted, as was I.
And it was clear to him & I that he would really appreciate this collection at the start of his career, all in one go, and put them to use over many years.
And we also discussed that he too would pay this forward at a suitable time.
No money was requested, no money was offered.
It was never about that.
It was about PASSING THE TORCH TO THE NEXT GENERATION.
In total I passed on approx 125 books, and I imagine these would cost approx £6-8k today. Maybe more.
I have listed just some of the collection below.
I am a huge believer in helping others, mentoring, passing on knowledge and assets.
Also enthusiasm, positive attitude, accountability & responsibility, and a can do attitude and approach.
To me, this is what 'passing on the torch' means in practical terms.
And if you get the chance to do similar things, I highly recommend it.
Thanks for reading.
Graham
Twitter : @apple_shwn
Please add any comments to my Twitter post at @apple_shwn
