“You are what you read.”
It sounds cliché, but it is so true. I took an informal poll of what the people of ASLAN are reading during the quarantine and wanted to share with you all.
It will come as no surprise that many of us are reading self-improvement books. It is times like this when great innovation can occur for both individuals and companies alike. Remember the recession of 2008? Check out this incredible list of start-ups born out of that crisis.
So turn off the TV and the news and focus on learning and developing your mind. You may come up with a great idea for your company or even for a company you want to start.
Different: Escaping the Competitive Herd by Youngme Moon
A book for people who don’t read business books. Actually, it’s more like a personal conversation with a friend who has thought deeply about how the world works and who gets you to see that world in a completely new light. “A new and refreshing way to think about differentiating your solution.” – Tom Stanfill, Founder and CEO
Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance by Bob Buford
The writer, Bob Buford, left a very successful corporate life to give back to others. He wrote Halftime and founded the Halftime Institute to help others move from accumulation to significance. This quote sums up his philosophy: “As for me, I have decided that just about all that will be left of me when I leave this earth is what I can let go of to invest in the lives of others. The fruit of my life and my work will grow on other people’s trees.” – Dan Howngton, ASLAN Certified Reseller
Turn the Ship Around by David Marquet
A true story about how the captain of a nuclear-powered submarine moved his crew from last to first in the fleet when he stopped taking control and started giving control. David Marquet, an experienced Navy officer, was used to giving orders. As newly appointed captain of the USS Santa Fe, Marquet was responsible for more than a hundred sailors, deep in the sea. In this high-stress environment, where there is no margin for error, it was crucial his men did their job and did it well. But the ship was dogged by poor morale, poor performance, and the worst retention in the fleet. – Tab Norris, Founding Partner
It’s all about masterful coaching of different personality styles (Kobe, Shaq, Jordan, Pippen). It’s a great study aboutin what motivates each person differently. It’s also about how you have to keep changing as a coach: what worked with one player doesn’t always work with a new player. Truly masterful. (And I love the Chicago Bulls!) – Bobbi Kahler, ASLAN Certified Coach
The courage, wisdom, and faith he displayed throughout his life around the world and across different cultures is inspiring always, but especially at this juncture in time! – Anne Utt, ASLAN Certified Reseller
“However the past has shaped you, your future is yours to shape.” Be Unstoppable is a crash course on how to handle challenges through the lens of a Navy Seal Platoon Commander, inventor, entrepreneur, and family man. The entire book is good, but Chapter 6, Improvise, really stands out. The quote I love: “Before you improvise, ask yourself, do I need to Improve, Innovate or Invent to succeed at the task at hand?” Lately I’ve been asking myself this question daily. – Jermaine Donaldson, Regional Vice President
Measure What Matters by John Doerr
Legendary venture capitalist John Doerr reveals how the goal-setting system of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) has helped tech giants from Intel to Google achieve explosive growth – and how it can help any organization thrive. – Linda Tolman, ASLAN Certified Reseller
Bleed a Creed by Matt Carcieri
If you’re like most business leaders today, you believe in the power of purpose. That makes you part of one of the biggest movements in the history of business. Like a glacier reshaping the contours of commerce, purpose is fundamentally changing the discipline of management, the experience of employees, the fruits of capitalism and the future of the world. In a time where many businesses are now forced to reevaluate in general, why not start with getting back to WHY you started in the first place? – Scott Cassidy, Vice President of Marketing
How Full is Your Bucket by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton
Negativity kills individual productivity and team morale. Good sales leaders must relentlessly identify and remove negative thoughts and actions before they undermine performance. “Negative employees can tear through a workplace like a hurricane racing through a coastal town” (p 37).
“Managers, take note: Praise is rare in most workplaces. One poll found that an astounding 65% of Americans reported receiving no recognition for good work in the past year” (p 39). – Joe Colavito, ASLAN Certified Reseller
Join in on the conversation and drop a comment down below of what you are reading. Feel free to reach out to any of us through our Linkedin pages which are clickable after each book recommendation and stay safe out there.
Enjoy the books!
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