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9 books for better humans

Here’s a collection of books that have influenced my thinking over the last year and might just be of value to you too.

Start with Why – Simon Sinek

What you’ll learn: Many of you may be familiar with Simon Sinek’s work. I however, had come very late to the party but still in time to benefit from his insight.

Essentially, it’s all about discovering why you do what you do.

A good read even if you have seen many of his talks. 

Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life – Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

What you’ll learn: The answer to the question, why do you rise in the morning?

Tools of Titans – Tim Ferriss

What you’ll learn: Valuable tactics, routines and insights from lots of interesting people. You’re bound to get some golden nuggets out of this.

Tribe of Mentors – Tim Ferriss

What you’ll learn: That you can find mentors everywhere and this book is proof of that. With so many words of wisdom packed into these pages, you’ll feel like Gandalf from LOTR, able to fire out the right thing to say at any time.

Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl

What you’ll learn: The hope can be found in even the most unthinkable of events. I’ve heard a lot about this book over the years and it has been recommended by so many people but it was only this year that I got down to reading it myself.

It’s a short book split in two with the first section focused on the authors experiences in concentration camps in WW2 and the second unpacks his work in logotherapy. It’s an emotional ride for sure, yet it might just put things into perspective for you.

Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink + Leif Babin

What you’ll learn: Leadership lessons from the battlefield and how they can be translated to the corporate world.

Meditations – Marcus Aurelius 

What you’ll learn: So much that I wrote a whole separate article about it. My most recommended book of all time and for good reason. This text really put the problems of life into perspective for me.

Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Handbook of Silicon Valley’s Bill Campbell – Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg + Alan Eagle

What you’ll learn: That coaching is a valuable skill which can benefit all. This particular book focuses on the legend of Bill Campbell who was a coach to many Silicon Valley Superstars including Steve Jobs, Sheryl Sandberg and the majority of the who’s who at Google.

A World of Good: Lessons from Around the World in Improving the Employee Experience – Gethin Nadin

What you’ll learn: That the employee experience is much more than the random appreciation day. We all have the potential to make the world of work even better if we just take some of the insights from this curation of best practices the world over.

Before you go… 👋

If you like my writing and think “Hey, I’d like to hear more of what this guy has to say” then you’re in luck.

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