There’s a saying that “not all readers are leaders,
but all leaders are readers.”
As my nose is often found in a business book I often get asked for book recommendations. So I’d love it if you might consider me your leadership book concierge.
Curating and sharing with you those books which, in my humble opinion, truly move the dial in the lived working world- aka – I’ve read them and tried them out in my own life, and so consider them worthy of your time, investment and practical application.
(If you want to know my view on which books I wouldn’t touch again with a barge pole, ask me in person; I don’t fancy being sued).
Because my nose is often found in a book, I often get asked for book recommendations. So I’d love it if you might consider me your leadership book concierge. Curating and sharing with you only those books which, in my humble opinion, truly move the dial in the lived working world- aka I’ve read them and tried them out in my own life, and so consider them worthy of your time and investment.
So here goes, if I could, I’d buy you each a copy of the following, or at least get it on your Blinkist!
(PS If you want to know my view on which books I wouldn’t touch again with a barge pole, ask me in person; I don’t fancy being sued).
So here goes, if I could, I’d buy you each a copy of:
Lauren’s
Library
Lauren’s
Library
Lauren’s
Library
Think Again by Adam Grant
I’m a big fan of Adam Grant and this book is a must-read for anyone who considers themselves to be a leader in their field. We can get really far in the working world by creating and holding on to opinions and then sharing them with others. But we need to be so careful of what we’re so certain of. What if holding onto our most treasured opinions is actually a barrier keeping us from being open to the new information we now need today? I wouldn’t want to fly on a plane with a pilot who couldn’t change their thinking when new information presented itself, would you want to be lead by one? Learning that humility is in fact powerful starts here.
Drive by Daniel Pink
The first time I had the responsibility of handing out promotion and compensation news it felt like a complete disaster. Particularly when I thought I was handing someone the equivalent of the Oscars and they cried, and not out of joy. It started me on a road to better understand how other people are wired and motivated at work. Read this book if you want to understand what truly drives and motivates you and the individuals in your team. It might just surprise you.
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkman
I have a little coin on my office desk which reads “Momento Mori” (remember I will die). Morbid, perhaps, but it’s a physical anchor to remind me that my days left on Earth are ticking down. This book suggests we decide what to do in our life with the same in mind and stop trying to do “all the things” and instead find meaning by doing a few things, well. Indeed, what is it that I plan to do with this one wild and precious life? What might you decide to do? Tick, tick, tock.
The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
I once devoured this book in one sitting on a flight to New York. As a lawyer who is trained to scan the world for the negative this was truly ground breaking when I first read it. It turns conventional wisdom on its head: you know, that old tale that if we work harder and are more successful, happiness will undoubtedly ensue (how is that working out for you?). This book sets out how the opposite is in fact more true: that happiness fuels success, not the other way around. This book sets out scientifically backed tactics for how we can reprogram our brains to become more positive and in doing so gain a competitive (happier) work advantage. It happily continues to work for me.
Working Identity by Herminia Ibarra
I have given out more copies of this book than any other. In fact, I once made a friend come back home with me in the pouring rain so I could give her my copy there and then. If you find yourself wanting to change roles but don’t yet know how, read this book. We can’t think our way into a new perfect career, rather we need to take imperfect action and assess what we learn along the way (P.S. I can help you to do that!).
Peak Performance by Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness
Ever worry that rest and recovery is great for athletic performance but a bit too soft for the high performance corporate world? Then read this book. It takes the best, science-backed tools found in the world of performance to optimise physical and mental well-being without a positive affirmation or crystal in sight. If these tools are good enough for Olympians perhaps they could work for us corporate athletes too?
If you are interested in Executive Coaching with me
then please contact me for a chat.
Either complete the contact form on this page,
or email
lauren@compassleading.com
I look forward to hearing from you.
If you are interested in Executive Coaching
then please contact me for a chat.
Either complete the contact form on this page,
or email
lauren@compassleading.com
