Book Recommendations List + Book Club?

Posted July 31, 2020 in
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Connor DeLaney

"If you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original."

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I'd love to know what books everyone is reading, even if they aren't super business-y!
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Connor DeLaney
Here are a few that have come to mind for me over the last few days: 

Business-Related:
  1. Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen
  2. The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gwande
  3. Energy Leadership by Bruce Schneider 

Not So Business-Related:
  • Into Thin Air by John Krakauer
Morgan VanDerLeest
Checklist Manifesto was great! Read it years ago but still refer to those processes from time to time. Good choices.
Gio Smith
I am reading Steve Anderson and I am loving it!

The Bezos Letters: 14 Principles to Grow Your Business Like Amazon by Steve Anderson

Connor DeLaney
I haven't heard of that one before! I'll have to check it out. Would it be a crime to not buy it on Amazon? Haha
Bob Ruffolo
Some of my favorite business books:
  • They Ask, You Answer by Marcus Sheridan   (duh!)
  • Scaling Up by Verne Harish (duh!)
  • Life is Good, The Book by Bert & John Jacobs
  • Any of the Jim Collins books
  • Radical Candor by Kim Scott
  • The Sales Development Playbook by Trish Bertuzzi
  • Anything by  David Meerman Scott  
  • No Try, Only Do by  Andy Bailey  
Chris Marr
I just wrapped up The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge for the second time - this is a book for consultants and business leaders that's truly transformational in terms of how we think and see how businesses work in larger system.

I also just wrapped up The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. An absolutely incredible book on spiritual self awareness. 

I got stuck into David Brooks last month: 

  • The Second Mountain
  • The Road to Character

Both great books. I love David's writing and the amount of research he does. After reading these two I have many big questions that I need to address, both in terms of my character traits, and also what the next half of my life will looks like (will I find my second mountain and give myself to others, or will I focus on self?). I found them both hugely inspiring and gave me a real push to take my personal development to the next level. 

Also finished up:

  • White Fragility - I rated this a 5-star book, but it could also be a 1-star. It's really messed with my head. Was it a book about White Fragility, or was it the author renouncing her own white guilt? Anyway, I did take a lot of questions away from it, and it filled in some gaps for me in terms of racial self-awareness.
  • The Accidental Universe. I just love Alan Lightman's writing, and I'll read anything he writes. I've got Mr G on deck to read in August. 
Chris Carolan
Just finished listening to The Servant by James C. Hunter for the first time. Glad I finally got to it after being on the list for a while.

Started up Roadmap To Revenue by Kristin Zhivago for the second time. Might play a role early on in a possible new gig.

That may get interrupted by Own Your Greatness by Dr. Richard Orbe-Austin and Dr. Lisa Orbe-Austin. Stumbled across this title yesterday and have struggled mightily with imposter syndrome from time-to-time. Not a lot of reviews but she sounded good on the Hello Monday podcast lol. Hoping it delivers.
Connor DeLaney
I've stumbled across Own Your Greatness before but have had the same wonders since it's never really been spoken about that much.  Chris Carolan  please lemme know what you think! 
Vin Gaeta
Wrapped up Radical Candor a week or so ago and got The Experience Economy by Joesph Pine and James Gilmore delivered - excited to dive in. 
Connor DeLaney
Vin Gaeta keep me posted on The Experience Economy. Definitely a book I'm hearing a lot about lately. 
Morgan VanDerLeest
100% recommend. I think you’d get a lot of great ideas from it 👍🏻
Connor DeLaney
I can't believe I forgot to include this book on there, but one of my favorite books I've ever read and that has truly changed the way I approach my personal and professional growth is Mindset by Carol Dweck. The main focus is fixed vs growth mindset and that differentiation is something that literally changed how I look at everything.

Highly recommend it! (This is linked with the book!)
Greg DeVore
I am just finishing up Scaling Up by Verne Harish - it has been excellent and has really helped in develop a clearer strategy. Some of my other favorites are:
  • Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown - this has transformed how I approach so many things in my life.
  • Who by Geoff Smart and Randy Street - this is so helpful when you are hiring.
  • Multipliers by Liz Wiseman - all about getting the best out of people. In fact, it is time I read this again.
  • How Will You Measure Your Life - Clayton Christensen - another transformational book

Connor DeLaney
Essentialism sounds like it is calling my name as a book I need to read! Definitely going to add it to the list. Thanks for the recommendation  Greg DeVore !
Morgan VanDerLeest
I recently read The Experience Economy, and highly recommend it. You’ll rethink basically every aspect of your business. That’s a book I’ll be re-reading every few years.

I’m just getting into Atomic Habits by James Clear. Really enjoy his thoughts so hoping to get a lot out of that one.

Big fan of almost all Dan Kennedy’s books, such as Speak to Sell and No B.S. Price Strategy.

Otherwise I have a few technical books half-finished on my shelf, but not sure anyone else will be reading Metaprogramming Ruby with me 🙃
Connor DeLaney
A couple more books to add to this list!

Shoe Dog: How Nike grew to the empire that it is today, told first hand by their Founder Phil Knight. For small business owners looking how to scale as well as those looking for an inspirational story about entrepreneurship and working hard to succeed and build your dream, this book is an awesome read.

To Pixar and Beyond: The behind the scenes look at how Pixar grew from a struggling digital animation company to going public at a record high IPO to the largest acquisition Disney has ever made. This book talks all about how Lawrence Levy (Pixar CFO) navigated the challenges of balancing Pixar's business model with the goals of Steve Jobs. 
(Note: The last 5-6 chapters kind of fall off in my opinion.) 
Chazz Hirschfeld

Rob Hatch’s book, Attention! The Power of Simple Decisions in a Distracted World, was launched this week and became a #1 Best Selling Book in three separate categories on its first day on Amazon.

I’m a big fan of Rob’s work (and his business partner, Chris Brogan), so I bought the book the first day. And then I was so pulled in that I read half the book before I could tear myself away. Now, I’m taking it in smaller doses, because it is SO wonderful! And actionable! And I really don’t want it to end!

I’m probably going to gift this book to my son and my sister for Christmas. 

I believe this book is going to change the rest of my life for the better. I cannot more highly recommend any book I’ve read in the last five years. NOTE: I may add more to this review upon completion. 😊 

Connor DeLaney
I don't think I've heard of Rob Hatch before  Chazz Hirschfeld ! (Shame on me) Based on this raving review I'll have to add him to my author's list and this book to my reading list. Can't wait to hear what you think of the rest! 
Chazz Hirschfeld

It’s all good, Connor! You wouldn’t know Rob, as this is his first book. His partner, Chris Brogan, has nine New York Times Bestsellers!

Connor DeLaney
I just finished Demand Side Selling (recommended in a Virtual Peer Group) and LOVED it. Highly recommend for those in a sales or leadership position as well as the business book nerds like me :) 
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