Recommended reading: Top 10 books this Summer
But even then, many of us don't want to switch off from work entirely! We want to read genuinely helpful books that will enrich ourselves and our teams when we return. Here's a quick rundown of the to 10 books that have received our seal of approval this summer!
"Schneider believes that all enterprises fall into four types, and each type has a corresponding customer promise, employment culture, and leadership style. "Once you've identified your company's type, you'll know who you need to hire, and you'll understand how best to lead and manage performance - keeping employees motivated and customers satisfied." Read or listen to the full review.
"This book argues that the best way to encourage collaboration in a multi-generational workforce is not to search for the answers online, but to get people talking face to face. "Good conversations can help bridge the divide between generations, easing the stress and negative energy that can come from working with people we don't understand." Read or listen to the full review.
"According to 'Stealing Fire,' innovative solutions can be found by attaining a state of consciousness in which we transcend everyday logic, silence our inner critic, and let our innate creativity take the lead." Read or listen to the full review.
"Most of us do have hidden biases and blindspots. And these biases can guide our behavior, opinions, and attitudes, even when we're not aware of it. But if we're willing to take a close look at our perceptions and beliefs, and if we're willing to acknowledge that these stereotypes and biases might exist, then we can work on eliminating them." Read or listen to the full review.
"We have far more commitments than we realize. And we're not just talking about the tasks on our to-do list. David Allen says that anything we feel responsible for doing or handling is a commitment, or an 'open loop,' as he calls them. Our open loops could be big, like drafting a presentation for the CEO. Or small, like answering an email or changing the light bulb on our desk lamp." See our review of David Allen's classic text, but look out for an upcoming review of the new edition, as well as his supplementary guide for teens and their parents!
"A sobering expose of the risks of sleep deprivation“ to our organizations, our economies, our health, and our happiness. "In this book, Matthew Walker takes us on a journey through the world of sleep, explaining what happens to our bodies and minds when we sleep. He explores how much of it we need, and warns us of the harmful side effects of poor sleep. And he offers tips to help individuals and organizations perform better." Read or listen to the full review.
"This book offers tried and tested strategies to help us manage the impossible people in our lives and take back control in challenging situations. "You'll learn techniques to shift power dynamics, calm angry or distraught co-workers or partners, and keep your poise when your buttons are pushed. You'll also learn how to tame your own irrational side." Read or listen to the full review.
"Consumers are bombarded with choice, and their expectations are high. They want products and services that are robust, easy to use, and that look and feel great. "Companies need to appeal to people's hearts, as well as their heads, if they want to beat the competition." Read or listen to the full review.
"Joseph Hallinan picks apart why us humans are so prone to error. The author looks at quirks like why we forget our passwords so often, why we pay for expensive gym memberships and never go, and why we can easily remember faces but not names. "This is a book that exposes our dumb decisions, our goofs, and our tendencies to be overconfident and biased." Read or listen to the full review.
"Perhaps the most important lesson we learn is that you can be hard-working and happy, rich and fulfilled, even though it's not guaranteed. Being successful doesn't mean sacrificing a happy life. We just need to approach things from the other way around, because what makes you happy can make you successful. "So instead of prioritizing our careers and expecting happiness to follow, we should make happiness and a fulfilling life our highest goal, and let career success follow naturally from that." Read or listen to the full review.
Have you read any of these books? If so, did you find them useful? Have you enjoyed any other career-enhancing books recently? Share your thoughts and recommendations below.
Lead Right for Your Company's Type: How to Connect Your Culture With Your Customer Promise by William Schneider
"Schneider believes that all enterprises fall into four types, and each type has a corresponding customer promise, employment culture, and leadership style. "Once you've identified your company's type, you'll know who you need to hire, and you'll understand how best to lead and manage performance - keeping employees motivated and customers satisfied." Read or listen to the full review.
You Can't Google It! The Compelling Case for Cross-Generational Conversation at Work by Phyllis Weiss Haserot
"This book argues that the best way to encourage collaboration in a multi-generational workforce is not to search for the answers online, but to get people talking face to face. "Good conversations can help bridge the divide between generations, easing the stress and negative energy that can come from working with people we don't understand." Read or listen to the full review.
Stealing Fire: How Silicon Valley, the Navy SEALs, and Maverick Scientists Are Revolutionizing the Way We Live and Work by Steven Kotler and Jamie Wheal
"According to 'Stealing Fire,' innovative solutions can be found by attaining a state of consciousness in which we transcend everyday logic, silence our inner critic, and let our innate creativity take the lead." Read or listen to the full review.
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald
"Most of us do have hidden biases and blindspots. And these biases can guide our behavior, opinions, and attitudes, even when we're not aware of it. But if we're willing to take a close look at our perceptions and beliefs, and if we're willing to acknowledge that these stereotypes and biases might exist, then we can work on eliminating them." Read or listen to the full review.
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
"We have far more commitments than we realize. And we're not just talking about the tasks on our to-do list. David Allen says that anything we feel responsible for doing or handling is a commitment, or an 'open loop,' as he calls them. Our open loops could be big, like drafting a presentation for the CEO. Or small, like answering an email or changing the light bulb on our desk lamp." See our review of David Allen's classic text, but look out for an upcoming review of the new edition, as well as his supplementary guide for teens and their parents!
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
"A sobering expose of the risks of sleep deprivation“ to our organizations, our economies, our health, and our happiness. "In this book, Matthew Walker takes us on a journey through the world of sleep, explaining what happens to our bodies and minds when we sleep. He explores how much of it we need, and warns us of the harmful side effects of poor sleep. And he offers tips to help individuals and organizations perform better." Read or listen to the full review.
Talking to Crazy by Mark Goulston
"This book offers tried and tested strategies to help us manage the impossible people in our lives and take back control in challenging situations. "You'll learn techniques to shift power dynamics, calm angry or distraught co-workers or partners, and keep your poise when your buttons are pushed. You'll also learn how to tame your own irrational side." Read or listen to the full review.
Well Designed: How to Use Empathy to Create Products People Love by Jon Kolko
"Consumers are bombarded with choice, and their expectations are high. They want products and services that are robust, easy to use, and that look and feel great. "Companies need to appeal to people's hearts, as well as their heads, if they want to beat the competition." Read or listen to the full review.
Why We Make Mistakes by Joseph T. Hallinan
"Joseph Hallinan picks apart why us humans are so prone to error. The author looks at quirks like why we forget our passwords so often, why we pay for expensive gym memberships and never go, and why we can easily remember faces but not names. "This is a book that exposes our dumb decisions, our goofs, and our tendencies to be overconfident and biased." Read or listen to the full review.
If You're So Smart, Why Aren't You Happy? How to Turn Your Career Into Life Success by Raj Raghunathan
"Perhaps the most important lesson we learn is that you can be hard-working and happy, rich and fulfilled, even though it's not guaranteed. Being successful doesn't mean sacrificing a happy life. We just need to approach things from the other way around, because what makes you happy can make you successful. "So instead of prioritizing our careers and expecting happiness to follow, we should make happiness and a fulfilling life our highest goal, and let career success follow naturally from that." Read or listen to the full review.
Have you read any of these books? If so, did you find them useful? Have you enjoyed any other career-enhancing books recently? Share your thoughts and recommendations below.
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