I don’t always exercise or floss every day, but one daily habit I rarely skip is reading. If you love a good book that changes the way you think, act, or believe, take note! Here are my top 10 1/2 professional development reads this year, as well as a takeaway from each.
1. The One Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan. What matters most to you – and what are you going to do about it? A great resource for focusing in on the one thing that’s going to make the difference in your work and life.
2. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. Filled with experiences and lessons learned, this is an incredibly important book to remind us how we need to call ourselves – and those around us – up to our greatness. (Lean In is also one of our 2014 ASPIRE Success Club picks.)
3. Quiet by Susan Cain. Whether you are a manager, parent, teacher, or leader of another sort, you’ll bring out the best in others (and yourself) when you know their preferences and styles. Learn the differences, similarities, and unique advantages between introverts and extroverts, as well as how to gracefully lead and work with both.
4. The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle. If you think master athletes, musicians, business people, and other elites were born that way – think again. This book shows how deliberate practice, ignited environments, powerful coaches and other key factors determine mastery more than genes.
5. The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor. Research-based strategies shared by a very humorous author (his TED Talk is fantastic!) make this a great read! You’ll learn how to elevate your happiness and why this is critically important in the business world today.
6. The Four Disciplines of Execution by Stephen R. Covey & Chris McChesney. Quick: What is your Wildly Important Goal (WIG) and how are you eliminating the Whirlwind in order to reach it? If you can’t answer that, you’ll be able to – and excel at work – once you read this enlightening book.
7. Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. I was surprised how taken I was by this book, since it sat on my shelf for some time before I was drawn to open it. Quit living steeped in fear and step into your greatness with the helpful insights from this excellent researcher. (Read my book summary and takeaways here.)
8. Mindset by Carol Dweck. Do you avoid activities where you might fail, or do you approach them with a learner’s attitude? Discover how your mindset affects everything you do, how to praise people to encourage further growth, and the importance of an expansive mindset in work, sports, parenting, and every other aspect of life.
9. Wonder by R. J. Palacio. Yes, a Young Adult novel made it onto the professional development list. The main character in this book is a role model for us all, as are many of his friends and relations. The principal’s speech at the end is outstanding.
10 1/2. Drop Dead Healthy by A.J. Jacobs and Blue Zones by Dan Buettner. To be successful at work, you need to be as healthy as possible, and these two books inspire and educate: Drop Dead Healthy with humor, Blue Zones with awe-inspiring interviewees. I now want a treadmill desk for my office!
What books would you add to the list?
