BOOK SPECIAL ...... Books These Successful Executives Say Inspired Them the Most (11 TO 16)

Books These Successful Executives Say Inspired Them the Most (11 to 16)

11. "Working" by Studs Terkel 

"Studs Terkel conducted a series of personal interviews with working people from all walks of life. Although the book is a bit dated--originally published in 1974--these stories still provide a profound sense of the impact work has on people's lives. It shows that work can be a source of happiness and pride or a burden. And the difference in how people feel about work is often not due to the work itself but the relationships workers have with their managers, coworkers, and customers. Its ultimate message is that work is about people. We should never lose sight that every employee in every job is a unique and important person with their own hopes, burdens, families and dreams."

--Dr. Steve Hunt, SVP of human capital management research at SAP SuccessFactors.

12. "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries"

[It] combines proven principles of supply chain, agile software development, design thinking and customer development to shift the way we think about Innovation and building software. I found the approach completely relevant to IT and how we source, build and deploy new capabilities. The focus on a minimum viable product (MVP) and the commitment to the 'build, measure, learn' cycle frees us from traditional massive IT projects that take too long, cost too much and often end up not delivering the value intended. Building the hypothesis together with business customers who think they know what they want before they talk to IT is a great way to introduce joint accountability for the outcome and commit to jointly learn and adjust along the way."

--Graeme Thompson, SVP and CIO of enterprise data integration company Informatica.

13. "Power Play Book" by La La Anthony"

[It] really helped me understand that in my business--or any business, for that matter--you have to trust your instincts and yourself because you ultimately are the person that truly knows what you want and what you are looking for."

--Latasha McRae, CEO and owner of Peeks Cosmetics.

14. "The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy" by John Sutherland

"Trying to get a new business off the ground while working hard at your present career takes a lot of energy. [This book] kept me focused and positive while working through the learning process of developing an idea into a business."--Kelly Josberger, co-owner and founder of Stumpy's Hatchet House.

15. "Winning" by Jack Welch

"The CEO of GE lead the company to year-after-year success around the globe, in multiple markets, against a tremendous amount of competition. This book is [an] honest story of how to be the best, with a great deal of focus on his people, teamwork, and--of course--profits."

--Gavin Keilly, CEO and founder of GBK Productions.

16. "The Sell: The Secrets of Selling Anything" by Fredrik Eklund

"This is my go-to book for constant inspiration. I keep it by my nightstand and read and re-read certain passages almost every other day. I have followed Fredrik's career for a while now and I admire his work ethic. That book is both witty and fun with a human touch but also serious and straightforward at the same time. Fredrik wants others to succeed and I appreciate his advice."

--Joy Fennell, co-owner of soy candle company, The 125 Collection.