At many Remodelers Advantage meetings, gatherings, podcast episodes, speaking events, etc. the subject of recommended books comes up frequently.
As a monthly feature here on PowerTips, we want to capture these recommendations and make them available for download/purchase. In the future we will tap into more of our member Roundtables groups, sponsors, associates and other thought-leaders who might give you the next great book to add to your growing library.
So to kick things off we started with recommendations from our amazing Facilitators & Staff here at Remodelers Advantage. I asked them to provide me with titles and a short description as to why they would recommend the book.
Paul Winans
“The Five Dysfunctions of Team” by Patrick Lencioni
I use this book in my work with a company. Prior to my arrival the entire company is to read it. Over the course of our work together Lencioni’s fable about a company facing challenges working together sparks insights from the attendees about their company and their respective behaviors.
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey
We read this book as a company two times. 30-60 pages at a time, followed by a one hour meeting to share what we learned. A remarkable experience each time. A powerful way to help your employees take on being more responsible for themselves.
Victoria Downing
“Crucial Conversations” by Kerry Patterson
It’s a fantastic book that spells out an easy-to-follow method for addressing an array of issues that an owner may experience when managing employees. Basically, it shares a script for handling conflict and uncomfortable conversations. I found the insights hugely helpful in developing the understanding of how to approach high emotion situations
Mark Harari
“Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert Cialdini
For anyone even remotely interested in Marketing this book should be considered required reading. But even for those who are not marketers, the book serves as a general communications skill-building tool. The concepts and techniques are foundational in contract negotiations, leadership, sales and more.
Rose Grabowski
“Smarter Faster Better” by Charles Dhuigg
Explains WHY people do what they do. The reader can get a better understanding of themselves, as well as those around them.
Doug Howard
“The Founders Mentality” by Chris Zook and James Allen
Speaks to the challenges of growing a business and keeping it true to original purpose and principles of the founder. It cites strategies for identifying and addressing this phenomenon and offers a framework for business owners that have had tremendous growth but may be struggling as they have drifted from that original perspective.
“Failure is Not an Option” by Gene Kranz
Is not written as a business book but has great lessons about leadership, creating processes and procedures, creating a culture and resiliency. It follows the progress from the earliest days of the space program to the successes and challenges of the Apollo program and the critical role played by Mission Control and an amazing group of leaders in that arena.
Judith Miller
The author’s introduction on the back jacket says “Ray Dalio is one of the great investors and entrepreneurs of our time.” Bill Gates says “Ray Dalio has provided me with invaluable guidance and insights that are now available to you in Principles.” Hard to argue with Bill Gates!
The book is divided into 3 parts: his history, Where I’m Coming From, his Life Principles and the meat of the book “Work Principles.” This section probably applies to any organization: what to do “To Get The Culture Right,” To Get the People Right,” and “To Build and Evolve your Machine.”
I’ve only started the book and at 552 pages it will probably take the rest of my life to finish. But any book which promises “a clear straightforward approach to decision making” called “believability weighting” AND proposes “an idea meritocracy that strives for meaningful work and meaningful relationships through radical truth and radical transparency” is worth that much time.
Thank You
A huge Thank You to our facilitators and team members for those great recommendations. Happy reading! More coming in 2018!
Disclosure: The links provided above are Amazon Affiliate links and that means, at no additional cost to you, Remodelers Advantage may receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.