“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other” – John F. Kennedy
I bet you can name at least one major book that’s inspired you to pivot, pursue a new idea, or even change the way you think. So whether it’s for the C-suite, workplace development, or just your own personal journey, here are a few of my all-time favorite business and personal book recommendations. They’re the types of gems you’ll uncover something new from each time you read them.
BUSINESS
Credit: Goodreads
Drop the Ball
by Tiffany Dufu
Dufu teaches us how to say no to some things and instead focus on and excel at a few, rather than trying to do it all.
Credit: Amazon
The Culture Code
by Daniel Coyle
Building upon insights from some of the world’s most powerful organizational cultures, Coyle identifies fundamental principles that make groups successful.
Credit: Goodreads
Resonant Leadership
by Richard Boyatzis & Annie McKee
A research-backed guide for building the more intangible quality of resonance as a leader, and how to avoid the perils of stress and burnout to get there.
Credit: Amazon
Real Happiness at Work
by Sharon Salzberg
Written by one of the world’s leading meditation teachers, a must-read for integrating more mindfulness into work every day.
Credit: Simon & Schuster
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance
by Angela Duckworth
With a background in psychology and a heartfelt personal story, Duckworth shows us success depends much more on attitude than intelligence alone.
Credit: Penguin Random House
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
by Simon Sinek
One of the most important business books you’ll read, Sinek reminds us to always go back to our fundamental reason for starting – our why.
Credit: Amazon
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
by Greg Mckeown
Minimalism. Minimalism. Minimalism. Focus. Focus. Focus. McKeown reminds us it’s not about the amount, but getting the right things done.
Credit: Amazon
Leadership from the Inside Out: Becoming a Leader for Life
by Kevin Cashman
Now a classic, Leadership from the Inside Out changed the game, connecting personal growth with one’s ability to lead. With a new version this past Fall, you’ll want to highlight and return to often.
The Talent Code
by Daniel Coyle
Using research and stories from all over the world, Coyle shows us how to grow and ultimately fulfill our full talent.
Leading Quietly
by Joseph L. Badaracco, JR.
While the loudest leaders are often the ones who make headlines, Badaracco gives us a much-needed reminder that it’s those who lead quietly that tend to make the biggest differences in the end.
Tribe of Mentors
by Timothy Ferriss
This compilation of short profiles of the world’s top performers across industries will help give you guidance, no matter your question.
Give and Take
by Adam Grant
A manifesto for collaboration and how our willingness to put others before individualistic interests drives ultimate success.
Forces for Good
By Leslie R. Crutchfield & Heather Mcleod Grant
A non-profit management quick read that nicely distills the key things that make non-profits great.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
by Mark Manson
Mark Manson is not afraid to give it to you straight. All with an epic sense of humor, he’ll flip your world upside down and make you take a hard look at what you really care about.
Principles
by Ray Dalio
With so many unique principles and practices Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio personally developed and used over the course of his career, you’re sure to come away with at least a few new ideas to try.
What Great Salespeople Do
by Michael Bosworth & Ben Zoldan
A great guide for using the power of stories to influence and persuade. Applicable across roles and organizations both in and outside of sales.
Originals
by Adam Grant
By looking at leaders who choose to go against the grain, Grant shows us how true progress and innovation come from being brave enough to challenge the status quo.
The Coaching Habit
by Michael Bungay Stanier
A guide to developing and integrating coaching methods into your daily team dynamic. A must-read for every manager.
Big Potential
by Shawn Achor
Urging us to ditch the myth of individual achievement, this gem shows us how the greatest potential for success lies in the connections around us.
Quiet
by Susan Cain
Essential for anyone who has ever found themselves quieted by a society that overemphasizes the big and charismatic.
Building the Bridge as You Walk On It
by Robert E. Quinn
Transformation is rarely a smooth process. Instead, Quinn encourages an ethos of experimentation and a commitment to marching forward toward one’s purpose despite a lack of ultimate control.
The Heart Aroused
by David Whyte
In a completely original concept, Whyte applies the lessons of both classic and modern poetry to the workplace to reinvigorate the soul in today’s corporate environment.
OTHER
Books to read to be a better human…
Credit: Penguin Random House
The Book of Joy
by The Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu
Co-written by two of our generation’s most profound leaders, not to mention two who have encountered adversity more than most, The Book of Joy teaches us how to find joy despite hardship. A must-read for all walks of life.
Credit: Harper Collins
Horton Hears a Who
by Dr. Seuss
Because your word is everything!
The Art of Possibility
by Rosamund Stone Zander & Benjamin Zander
A masterful guide to unleashing your creativity, The Art of Possibility will teach you how to see possibility all around you.
Why Buddhism is True
by Robert Wright
Combining psychology, philosophy, and even evolutionary biology, Wright makes a compelling case for how a little bit of mindfulness can lead to a much more compassionate society as a whole.
Extraordinary Knowing
by Elizabeth Lloyd Mayer, PH.D.
With some of the most fascinating and unconventional research on the power of the mind, Mayer will open your eyes to a world of inexplicable phenomena. I’ll leave you to explore for yourself.
Seeing
by Jose Saramago
Masterful piece of fiction. I found it highly relevant to our current times as a country full of people peacefully, creatively and mysteriously rise up, together, against established, self-serving political/bureaucracy norms. It inspired hope in humanity.
Starla Sireno is an NYC Executive Coach. She partners with leaders to more effectively navigate the complexities of their roles, increase their influence at all levels, and hone their interpersonal communication skills in order to become more impactful both internally and in client-facing roles. Inquire how you can work with Starla or her team.