Inspiration
to Supercharge your career
Learn continually.
There's always 'one more thing to learn!'
Steve Jobs
Be inspired by these great reads…
Chimp Paradox
One of my favourites. There is the human element and the ‘chimp’ character in our brains. They have different agendas and behave differently, affecting how we think, act and behave. This provides incredible insight into how we think and act and provides strategies to manage the ‘chimp’.
Inside the Nudge Unit
Small, simple changes can make a big difference. This book is grounded in behavioural psychology and is loaded with examples of how strategies and approaches have led to significant behaviour change, with the ability to save lives, improve lives or save significant sums of money.
Black Box Thinking
No-one likes making mistakes, but mistakes are gift-wrapped opportunities that we can reflect on and learn from. This is key to success. This book compares attitudes to failure in healthcare, the aviation industry, Dyson and Team Sky among others and introduces the concept of marginal gains.
The 21 irrefutable laws of leadership
John Maxwell is one of the most renowned leadership gurus. This book covers 21 ‘leadership laws’ (unsurprisingly!) and will help you think about a variety of leadership competencies, exploring where you are strong, and where you could improve. This will add great value to your leadership.
Freakonomics
This book, written by an economist, explores how incentives and the way information is shared can influence culture. Everyday situations such as online dating or buying a house are explored, considering how our decision making is often irrational and the power incentives have on us.
Gravitas
Someone who has authority, is confident and intelligent is said to have ‘gravitas’. This book is all about how to communicate with gravitas. The book, written by a leading vocal coach, is about how to speak so that people will listen. Includes tips on techniques and practical exercises.
Influence
Why do people say ‘yes’? This book, written by a professor, uses evidence-based research to explain what moves people to change. Cialdini describes the 7 principles of influence, all of which you are likely to have experienced and may have used. This book is really insightful.
Blink
How reliable are our instincts? Is it possible to weigh up and sense a situation ‘in a blink’? This book is highly thought provoking, weaving real life examples in healthcare, relationships and police decision-making to explore behaviour, psychology, information, stereotypes and decision-making.
The 5 Love Languages
This one’s a bit different but was an 8-year New York Times bestseller for a reason! This book explores the 5 love languages, leading to reflection on how we show love and how we ‘receive’ love. This is an insightful book, focused on strengthening and enhancing our relationships.
Quiet
Another Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller. Personality is at the heart of who we are and what we do. One third of the world are ‘introverts’. This book values the introvert, drawing out the unseen strengths, talents and abilities, using examples and practical applications as inspiration.
Under the Wire
This is a incredible story of determination, perseverance and the human spirit. Bill Ash was a prisoner of war (POW) in WW2 and ended up in a POW camp, after his spitfire was shot down over France. Ash became a legendary escape artist, inspiring the Great Escape. This is gripping.
Limitless
The autobiography of Major Tim Peake, who started as a pilot and ended up as an astronaut. This account charts Major Peake’s life, with humour and inspiration in equal measures, sharing what it’s like to become an astronaut and first hand experience of being in space.
7 Habits...
Who doesn’t want to be effective?! This a great book unpacks the powerful habits that lead to effectiveness. It is a must read for anyone wanting to develop and progress and especially for those in leadership. There is a reason this classic has sold millions of copies worldwide!
Influencer
This book is packed with content to help you better understand what influence is and how you can be more influential. The authors discuss 6 sources of influence, covering motivation, ability, social elements and behaviours. Full of ideas and inspiration that you can apply and test.
Talent is overrated
This is a really interesting book. We all think of individuals who are born with natural talent, whether in sport, or business or academia. However, this book challenges that view, making the argument that ‘natural talent’ is somewhat of a myth and it all comes down to hard work and practice.