I don’t enjoy reading per se. For some reason, most books don’t hold my attention. I’m not sure if it’s me, or the writing. Though, I do enjoy the discovery of a golden nugget or two to help me and/or my clients grow.
As we roll into summer, you might be looking for several book ideas. I’m predominantly a non-fiction reader. I’d like to change that. For now, here’s a few books in my current rotation:
Search Inside Yourself by Chade-Meng Tan
This is a great read on emotional intelligence. In my opinion, the best communicators effortlessly assess, identify, respond, and control the emotions of themselves and others. Meng’s writing has a great balance of research, case studies, humor, and tips to develop your own emotional intelligence with ease.
The Supermanger by Greg Blenscoe
I virtually bumped into Greg while commenting on another blog post. He’s a former CEO of a start-up. This is a quick easy read, with common sense approaches to managing your team. My challenge to you? Put one of his seven principles into action each month. Write me to say what changed for you and your team.
Act Like You Mean Business: Essential Communication Lessons From Stage and Screen by Rob Biesenbach
I became interested in the author’s story because we both have a love for theatre. Rob is a corporate communications consultant, actor, author, and speaker. He’ll show you how to improve your communication skills and have fun in the process. (I did a double take the other day when I saw Rob on a Scottrade commercial.)
High-Profit Selling: Win The Sale Without Compromising On Price by Mark Hunter
I attended one of Mark’s webinars and enjoyed his energetic common sense approach to selling. In my former life, I was a sales executive for 20 years. I’m always looking for a sales book to learn something new. Selling is more about mindset than anything else. If you’re in sales, this is a must read.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
I asked a former leader what he’s been reading lately and “Unbroken” was his recommendation. He said I’ll get emotional reading this one. The focus of the book is WWII POW vet, Paul Zamperini. Since I enjoyed Ms. Hillenbrand’s “Seabiscuit” so much, I’m looking forward to her latest work.
So, what are you reading? I could use several fiction recommendations.
I am not much of a reader either. But I heard about a book that has peaked my interest. It is called Getting Things Done by David Allen.
I’ve heard good things about GTD.
Let me know what you think about it Joanne.
Thanks for stopping by! 😉
Steve,
For shame that you don’t enjoy reading that much! Jump into some great fiction by reading Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. These books are very funny and a great departure from the every day drama.
I think I’m going to take your suggestion and read Search Inside Yourself. I like the topic of emotional intelligence– very interesting. Looking forward to reading that book.
Thanks for the suggestions!
Jaime
OK, I’ll check out “One for the Money” and let you know if it keeps my interest.
Thanks Jaime!
p.s. Meng emailed me this morning saying he doesn’t like to read either, per se. 🙂
I luv Janet’s books.. Those are some of my favs!!!
There’s two votes for Janet Evanovich. Thanks Joanne!
Steve,
Thanks a bunch for mentioning “The Supermanager”!
Like you, I don’t read fiction very much. I prefer to watch movies instead.
Two books that have influenced me a lot are “The Fountainhead” and “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand. They are both very long and definitely not for everybody, but I really enjoyed them both.
Another book I love is “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. And another is “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho.
Thanks Greg. I’ll put Ms. Rand’s books on my list.
A contact once gave me Carnegie’s classic as a gift. At one point he said, “You’re doing the things talked about in the book.”
“The Alchemist” is a classic though I didn’t enjoy it as much as others I’ve read.
One of my favorite books is “Not Fade Away: A Short Life Well Lived.” I’m reading it for the third time. http://ow.ly/bwJ2t
Someone I met at a leadership workshop recommended a book which I plan to read – the 2nd edition of “Leaders Make the Future:…..” by Bob Johansen. Here is an insert..
We are in a time of disruptive leadership change. In a VUCA world—one characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity—traditional leadership skills won’t be enough, noted futurist Bob Johansen argues. Drawing on the latest ten-year forecast from the Institute for the Future—the only futures think tank ever to outlive its forecasts—this powerful book explores the external forces that are shaking the foundations of leadership and unveils ten critical new skills that will be required in the future, skills that you can learn.
Thanks Rodeth.
I’m always looking for a good leadership book. Though my first choice is “The Leadership Challenge” by Kouzes and Posner. I’ve read it several times and will do so again soon.
I looked up Johansen’s book and found a summation of his 10 skills required of leaders to make a better future:
1 – Maker instinct (leaders approach their leadership with commitment of a job and energy of a passionate hobby)
2 – Clarity (leaders being clear about what they are making but flexible about how it gets made)
3 – Dilemma Flipping (turning problems that can’t be solved into opportunities)
4 – Immersive Learning (learning by doing)
5 – Bio-empathy (understand, respect and learn from nature)
6 – Constructive depolarization (calming tense situations and bringing people from divergent cultures towards constructive engagement)
7 – Quiet transparency (ability to be open and authentic about what matters to you without self-promotion)
8 – Rapid Prototyping (ability to create early versions of innovations)
9 – Smart mob organizing (creating, engaging and nurturing social networks)
10 – Commons creating (stimulate, grow and nurture shared assets that can benefit other players)
I’ll give it a look very soon.
Steve, thanks again for the review! I’d also recommend another book from the Brigantine Media portfolio that takes a similar approach to mine. It’s called The Big Picture, and it’s a bunch of short chapters, each taking a scene from a great movie then applying it to business — not just communications, but skills like branding, leadership, etc.
http://208.131.134.137/osc_catalog/product_info.php?products_id=55
That looks like my kind of book Rob.
I’ll be talking about you more when it makes sense.
Thanks for stopping by.
I know I’m getting to this post, oh, 3 years late, but you sent it to Twitter, so I’m guessing you still need fiction reading recs for summer 🙂
I’m re-reading all of the Sherlock Holmes stuff; it’s a good reminder to be observant, and it’s available free at Project Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.org/)
Also, if you haven’t read them, Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s novels Shadow of the Wind and The Angel’s Game (read them in that order) are beautiful pieces of literature, even in translation.
Heh Josh! Sounds like you’re enjoying the new envrions of the south.
Yes, I’m always looking for new pieces of fiction to read.
I will check out all of your recommendations.
The author I’m reading now is Haruki Murakami. This winter I read a page turner called 1Q84. I’m currently reading his memoir What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.
Thanks for stopping by.