So here are my five favourite books that have inspired profound and positive change for me. I hope they can do the same for you.
When researching reviews for each of my favourite books I came across this one from Tom Butler-Bowdon. Tom is the author of bestselling 50 Classics series. The concept is based on the idea that every subject or genre will contain at least 50 books that encapsulate its knowledge and wisdom. I really like this idea and his mission too of “more people knowing more”.
Here’s a snippet of Tom’s review of Who Moved My Cheese:
A group of old school friends is gathered for dinner and the topic of conversation gets on to change – in career, relationships and family life. One of those present contends that change no longer bothers him after having heard ‘a funny little story’ called Who Moved My Cheese? In this artful way, Spencer Johnson introduces the reader to his fable on how to cope positively with change.
Author J.D. Meier best describes this book: “Carol Dweck shares how a simple idea about the brain can create a love of learning and a resilience that is the basis of great accomplishment in every area of work and life”
He also included 10 Big Ideas from Mindset: The New Psychology of Success in his review which are also worth a read.
There’s also great stuff in this book on our lizard brains which we also wrote about on the topic of fear of failure.
In Legacy, best-selling author James Kerr goes deep into the heart of the world’s most successful sporting team, the legendary All Blacks of New Zealand, to reveal 15 powerful and practical lessons for leadership and business.
Legacy is a unique, inspiring handbook for leaders in all fields, and asks: What are the secrets of success – sustained success? How do you achieve world-class standards, day after day, week after week, year after year? How do you handle pressure? How do you train to win at the highest level? What do you leave behind you after you’re gone? (Goodreads)
1: The four stages of organisational change
2: A winning organisation is an environment of personal and professional development, in which each individual takes responsibility and shares ownership.
3: The importance of reflection within a culture.
4: Ask myself: ‘what steps do I need to consider taking so I can prepare for the second curve, without prematurely leaving my current success (on the first curve) behind?
5: The biggest challenge is success
As the author of the book says “Everyone has a Why. Why do you get up in the morning? Why does your organisation exist? Your Why is the purpose, cause or belief that inspires you to do what you do. When you think, act and communicate starting with Why, you can inspire others”.
Simon Sinek’s START WITH WHY helped me find my why and allows to help others and organisations find theirs.
Ps…My ‘why’ is to build success culture in people and organisations!
It would be silly of me not to share my very personal story about this book and how it changed my whole approach to life personally and professionally, particularly how I work with organisations for success. You can read it all here.
I love pretty much everything about the philosophies of this book but I particularly love Chapter 6 which talks about quantum leap culture and that being bad.
Quantum leaps relate to the instant gratification culture we’ve become and how it’s not about the big things that happen in your life, it’s about little things you do, consistently. The simple concept of putting one foot in front of the other, and doing it even when you have all the good reasons not to get up off the couch and do.
There’s no such thing as an overnight success. Success (like failure) does not just happen. It develops progressively over time. When you work it to your favour, toward a goal or ambition, taking small steps consistently, every day, that is using The Slight Edge.