25 of the Most
Inspiring Books Everyone Should Read ….1 TO 4
Take it from these CEOs, founders, and other
high-achieving leaders.
Whether you turn pages, tap a tablet, or listen to audio, a good book
can be a perfect relaxation aid, tutor, or source of inspiration. Here are quotes from more than two dozen executives who name their favorite book and explain why it's worth your attention.
1. The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande
"A quick and illustrative book that
shows just how powerful well-designed and properly implemented checklists can
be in reducing mistakes in all kinds of fields. I've been on many
mountaineering adventures where your life depends on a good checklist to make
sure ropes, harnesses, and equipment are properly set up. Not everything in
life needs a checklist, but we see every day how they can deliver results. When
you're boarding a plane, you see pilots working through a number of preflight
checklists to make sure everything is in order and no steps are overlooked. At
our fast-growing business, checklists that we continue to tweak are critical in
building repeatable and scalable processes. Gawande sums it up well: 'You want
people to make sure to get the stupid stuff right. Yet you also want to leave
room for craft and judgment and the ability to respond to unexpected
difficulties that arise along the way.' No matter how good the checklists, they
themselves cannot make anyone follow them."
--Tom Martin,
CEO of Glance, a visual engagement solutions software company
2. The Four Agreements by Miguel Ruiz
"The book is marketed as 'a practical
guide to personal freedom,' but in a work setting I use it to check myself when
I'm trying to solve a problem, listen to criticism, give constructive feedback,
or resolve a conflict. The agreements--don't gossip, don't take things
personally, don't make assumptions, and do your best--help me start from a
rational position of trying to understand the issue at hand, without bringing
any negative mental baggage that may come along naturally if I weren't aware of
them. I also use the Four Agreements framework to analyze conflicts, so I can understand
why someone may be reacting in a negative or emotional way and to help me
remain calm if I'm involved in the conflict."
--Bob Armour,
CMO of interactive employee communication software company Jellyvision
3. The Only Game in Town: Central Banks, Instability, and
Avoiding the Next Collapse by Mohamed A. El-Erian
"During my time on Wall Street, I
witnessed both high and low times. If you want to understand the modern global
economy, you should read this book. El-Erian is an incredibly clear thinker and
explains complex ideas in an articulate way that is understandable to the
financial novice while engaging to a seasoned industry veteran. Although no one
can predict the future, this book comes close."
--Sallie Krawcheck,
co-founder and CEO of digital investment platform Ellevest and author of Own
It: The Power of Women at Work
4. The Varieties of Human Experience by William James
"I graduated from high school at age 16.
I honestly think the teachers pushed me ahead because they couldn't put up with
me anymore! I used my GI Bill benefits to enroll in college. In one of my
psychology classes, I was exposed to William James, the father of modern
psychology. He once said, 'If you can change your thinking, you can change your
life.' And that really resonated with me, so I sought to begin a program in
self-mastery. I started reading everything I could get my hands on about
successful people. What were their thoughts, habits, and philosophies? It
didn't take long to discover that my upbringing wasn't in alignment. Once I
realized that, I gradually shifted into an entrepreneurial mindset, and I
proved James's theory correct. William James really made me aware of what I had
been thinking and truly opened my eyes to examining the crippling power and
control of the past."
--Dan Lee,
director of NextDesk, a company that creates power-adjustable desks that can be quietly
raised from sitting to standing height
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