I previously wrote about how books can be a great way to learn as a cost-effective and time-saving measure. This got me thinking of what books I would recommend. So without further ado, here is my list:
- Grit: The Power of Passion and Perserverence by Angela Duckworth
This book is excellent for better understanding what it takes to ‘make it’, setting out that one of the real key criterion for success is not being the smartest, but being the most committed. If you can continue with your goal when the chips are down, you are more likely to be successful (compared to your contemporaries who give up when the ‘going gets tough’). I would recommend this book for anyone, but especially those just starting out in their careers to help get to where they want to be.
2. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates us by Daniel Pink
As a recent first-time manager, this book was an absolute gold-mine to better understand how to motivate my employees. However, it was also a great way to learn about myself and my own motivations. Pink sets out the importance of internal or intrinsic motivators, which in reality are far more valuable than external motivators (e.g. rewards, punishment). As part of these internal motivators, Pink sets out that people strive for three things especially: autonomy, mastery and purpose.
3. Quiet: The Power of introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Speaking by Susan Cain
As an introvert myself (one that enjoys the company of people, until I get tired!) this book is revelatory in highlighting the importance of skills that introverts bring to the table. In a world where often leaders are assumed to need to be extroverted to be ‘charismatic’, this book dispels that myth by highlighting that actually a large amount of senior leaders are actually introverts who adapt. This is a great book if you are someone who is seen as a ‘bit quiet’ or naturally more reflective in nature, as it brings to the fore your true worth in the modern world.
There are other influential books such as Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman and Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ by Daniel Goleman which bring revolutionary concepts into the modern world on thinking and intelligence. A word of note though that these two books are more dense so will require more time investment than the others I’ve listed above.
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