Reading and ongoing education is THE key to success. It's no secret that successful people make it a point to read, and especially read business books that offer insights, strategies, and inspiration. In today's fast-paced business world, it's more important than ever to stay ahead of the curve and stay informed. In this newsletter, I’ve attempted to bring to you a curated selection of business books that have been making waves in the past 1-10 years. These books offer practical advice, real-world examples, and thought-provoking insights that will help you succeed in today's business landscape.
For me, reading can be a powerful and life-changing experience. I gravitate to non-fiction books, for they often provide me with valuable insight into different perspectives and give me a more comprehensive understanding of myself, and the world as it occurred or is occurring. They help develop analytical thinking skills and encourage me to think critically about the information they convey. When I can find time, which is a hard thing to do, reading business books has helped me to develop new skills, expand my knowledge, and gain new perspectives on my profession and the industries we serve. Intentional reading has provided me with strategies and inspiration to help me achieve my goals and the goals of my clients, which has led to greater success in both my personal and professional life. Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
Finding time to read can be challenging though, especially in today's fast-paced world where we are constantly bombarded with distractions and demands on our time. Many people struggle to find time to read due to busy schedules, long work hours, and the pull of technology and social media. Additionally, reading requires a certain level of focus and concentration, which can be hard to come by when our minds are constantly preoccupied with other tasks and responsibilities. Furthermore, some people find it hard to read because they're not in the habit of it and might not know where to start. All these factors can make it difficult for people to make reading a priority and can make it hard to carve out time for this important activity. You just have to do it though. You have to. Whenever, wherever, and however it is done, finding time to read, think and innovate is vital. May this newsletter, which takes a shallow-end wade into the waters of recent must-reads for any ambitious entrepreneur or business leader help you in kickstarting your 2023 reading journey by giving you a short list of page-turning, money in minutes books that could change your life.
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear: This is a book that explores the idea of small, incremental changes leading to significant improvements in one's life. The book encourages the reader to focus on building good habits and breaking bad ones through a system of small "atomic" habits, which are easy to implement and maintain. Clear argues that small, consistent changes can lead to significant results over time. He also emphasizes the importance of creating a system, rather than relying on motivation, to achieve one's goals. Atomic Habits provides practical strategies and techniques to help readers create and maintain good habits, such as creating a cue, a craving, and a reward to trigger the habit, using a habit tracker, and creating an environment that supports the habit. Clear also explains how to break bad habits by identifying the cue, craving and reward and replacing it with a new habit or by creating an environment that makes it hard to perform that bad habit.
The book also provides insight into the importance of self-awareness, reflection and understanding one's identity and values when it comes to building habits. Clear explains that habits are not just actions, but they are also influenced by our identity and what we believe in, hence understanding oneself is important when it comes to making sustainable changes. He also emphasizes on the power of small wins, and how they can lead to big wins in the long run.
By way of example, the book provides little techniques that can lead to big changes of habit:
- Habit Stacking: This technique involves taking a current habit that you already do consistently and "stacking" a new habit on top of it. For example, if you currently make your bed every morning, you can stack the habit of reading one chapter of a book before going to bed on top of that. By using a current habit as a cue, it makes it easier to remember to do the new habit.
- The Two-Minute Rule: This rule states that to make a new habit easier to start, you should reduce the initial time commitment. Starting with a tiny habit that takes two minutes or less to complete, such as flossing one tooth or reading one page of a book, makes it more likely that you will stick to it. The idea is that once you've built momentum, you can gradually increase the time and difficulty of the habit.
- The Four Laws of Behavior Change: This technique involves understanding the Four Laws of Behavior Change, which are: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. By following these laws, you can create an environment that makes it easier to build good habits and break bad ones. For example, if you want to start exercising, you can make it obvious by putting your workout clothes in plain sight, make it attractive by finding a fun form of exercise, make it easy by keeping your gym bag packed and ready to go, and make it satisfying by rewarding yourself after each workout.
2. Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman: While this book is over 15 years old, it is still instrumental to providing readers with invaluable insight and actionable steps to help business owners create a unified and focused environment. Wickman presents his Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), which is based on the 6 Key Components of People, Data, Issues, Process, Vision, and Traction. He goes into depth on how to better assess strengths and weaknesses as well as how to prioritize goals. By going through the practical exercises in the book, readers can learn how to seek clarity in their business and all aspects of their lives. Ultimately, this book is a must-read for entrepreneurs looking to keep control of their business, increase profitability and grow an effective team that works harmoniously together.
It contains an array of best practices and lessons to help bring success to any organization, large or small. The standout technique in the book is EOS: Entrepreneurial Operating System. This method brings focus by helping to define roles, accountabilities, meetings and processes within a company. Wickman’s goal-setting process helps ensure businesses stay on track and make significant steps forward each quarter. Additionally, he emphasizes the importance of building strong leadership teams and makes several references to value adding initiatives such as creating consistent core values and vision within a company culture. Clearly, Traction has much to offer anyone striving for success in their business endeavors!
3. Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker: "Why We Sleep" is a book written by Matthew Walker, a neuroscientist and sleep expert. The book provides a comprehensive look at the science of sleep and the impact it has on our overall health and well-being. Walker delves into the latest research on sleep, discussing the various stages of sleep and their functions, as well as the effects of sleep deprivation and sleep disorders.
One of the key takeaways from the book is the importance of getting enough quality sleep on a regular basis. Walker explains how sleep is essential for physical and mental health, and how a lack of sleep can lead to a wide range of health problems, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. He also discusses how sleep is crucial for maintaining cognitive function, including memory, attention, and decision-making.
Another important aspect of the book is the discussion of the impact of modern technology on our sleep. Walker explains how the blue light emitted by electronic devices such as smartphones and laptops can disrupt the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycle. He also provides recommendations for how to improve sleep quality, such as avoiding electronic devices before bed, creating a dark and cool sleep environment and sticking to a regular sleep schedule.
This year I painfully learned how sleep has a significant impact on professional and business performance. Getting enough sleep helps keep us mentally sharp and focused, ensuring that we can perform optimally when tackling difficult tasks or complex decision-making. Additionally, well-rested individuals have more energy and are able to maintain their productivity throughout the day, allowing them to get more done in less time. Improved sleep also helps reduce stress levels, which can lead to a healthier work environment, better team morale, and improved communication between colleagues. Finally, good sleep hygiene is associated with improved focus and creativity – two essential components for success in today's competitive business world. Overall, "Why We Sleep" is an informative and engaging read that provides a valuable insight into the science of sleep and its impact on our overall health and well-being.
4. Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss: Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator, provides readers with a comprehensive guide on how to effectively negotiate in any situation. Voss draws on his extensive experience as a negotiator to provide practical strategies and tips for achieving successful outcomes. One of the key takeaways from the book is the importance of active listening and understanding the other person's perspective. Voss stresses the importance of paying close attention to the other person's words and body language in order to gain insight into their thoughts and feelings. He also recommends using open-ended questions and mirroring techniques to build rapport and create a sense of trust.
Another important aspect of negotiation that Voss covers is the concept of "tactical empathy." This involves being able to put yourself in the other person's shoes in order to understand their motivations and concerns. Voss also emphasizes the importance of being able to identify and articulate one's own interests, as well as the other person's, in order to find common ground and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. Overall, "Never Split the Difference" provides a comprehensive guide to effective negotiation strategies and is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their negotiation skills.
As a lawyer and businessman, I’m regularly looking for ways to shore up my persuasive techniques and negotiation capabilities. Negotiations can be a tricky business, especially when both sides have different goals in mind. To ensure successful negotiations, it's important to plan ahead and develop an effective strategy. In addition to the lessons of “Never Split the Difference”, here are some tips for negotiating effectively:
- Prepare: Research your topic thoroughly and create a written plan to articulate your expectations and objectives. Effective bilateral expectation management comes from preparation.
- Assess the Situation: Before beginning negotiations, take time to assess the current environment and the needs of both parties. Understanding the other side's interests and constraints can help you create win-win solutions. An effective negotiation is never a flattening steamrolling session. In fact, it is just opposite. Creating win-win situations is essential in successful negotiations, as mutual wins create an atmosphere of trust and encourage ongoing collaboration.
- Clarify Expectations: Make sure that both parties are clear on their expectations before engaging in negotiations. It is also important to seek out common ground and determine if there might be room for compromise or trade-offs that could benefit both sides.
- Focus on Solutions: Rather than getting stuck debating positions or arguing about why something won't work, focus instead on finding effective solutions that meet everyone’s needs.
5. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: "Thinking, Fast and Slow" is a book written by Daniel Kahneman, a Nobel laureate in economics and a leading expert in the field of behavioral economics. The book provides a comprehensive look at how our minds work and how we make decisions. Kahneman draws on his extensive research and experience to explore the two systems of thinking that drive our decision-making: System 1, which is fast, intuitive, and emotional, and System 2, which is slow, logical, and reflective.
One of the key takeaways from the book is that our minds are often susceptible to cognitive biases and heuristics, which can lead to errors in judgment and decision-making. Kahneman provides a detailed analysis of these biases and heuristics, such as the availability heuristic, the sunk cost fallacy, and the framing effect, and how they can influence our thinking and decision-making.
Another important aspect of the book is the discussion of the concept of "narrow framing," which refers to the tendency to focus on a specific aspect of a problem or situation, rather than considering the broader context. Kahneman argues that narrow framing can lead to suboptimal decision-making and recommends using "consider the opposite" as a tool to help overcome this bias. Kahneman is particularly effective at discussing the role of emotions in decision-making and how they can influence our thinking and perception of the world. He argues that emotions are often the driving force behind our decisions, and that by understanding and acknowledging the role they play, we can make better decisions and avoid cognitive biases.
Overall, "Thinking, Fast and Slow" is an engaging and thought-provoking read that provides a valuable insight into the way our minds work and how we make decisions. Kahneman's clear and concise writing style makes the book accessible to a wide audience, and his research and insights provide valuable tools for anyone looking to improve their decision-making and problem-solving skills.
Overall, these five books provide a wide range of perspectives and stories that are both entertaining and informative. No matter what subject or genre you are interested in, there's something here that can appeal to everyone. From thought-provoking business systems analysis, to captivating personal reflection on health, these books are sure to help entertain, educate, and inspire readers of all professional levels and trade.
Whether it’s business, psychology, systems, or health related topics that interest you, these books offer an in-depth and engaging look into the complexities of what makes the whole person successful in business. Not only will readers gain a better understanding of each subject, but they may also find themselves able to apply the information to everyday life. So what are you waiting for? Take a deep dive into these books and unlock the secrets of success hidden within their pages!
