Leading by reading
Richard Branson,
the Virgin Group founder and self-described “tie-loathing billionaire”, still
finds time in his busy schedule to read. In a recent blog post, he lists some
titles that kept his attention
Black Box Thinking
by Matthew Syed
Failure is a key component of any successful system,
but only if the people at the controls understand what went wrong. In Black
Box Thinking, journalist Matthew Syed explores why some people try to
ignore their mistakes and others confront them deliberately. Syed pushes people
to adopt a growth mindset, as the psychologist Carol Dweck calls it, rather
than a fixed mindset.
Branson’s take “It advocates for
changing attitudes towards failure, and understanding that the only way we learn
is by trying things and altering our behaviour based on the results.”
Ending the War on Drugs
by Richard Branson
Edited by Branson himself (“I couldn’t resist
sneaking in a book I contributed to,” he writes) Ending the War on
Drugs is a compilation of essays about the global drug war and the
many failed attempts to end it.“It brings together such a smart group of
experts to explain why global drug policy reform is so important,” Branson
writes. The list includes philanthropist George Soros, former Mexican president
Ernesto Zedillo, and former Swiss president Ruth Dreifuss, among others.
Branson’s take “Attitudes
towards treating drugs as a health issue and not a criminal problem are
changing fast and anyone who reads this book will understand why.”
Travels with Charley in Search
of America
by John Steinbeck
Criss-crossing the US with his French poodle in tow,
Steinbeck shares his experiences meeting America’s most down-home folks.
Steinbeck drives through national parks, back country roads, small towns, and
big cities. Branson looks upon the book less as a guide for leading, he says,
than as a guide for living.
Branson’s take “It opens your
eyes to the small pleasures of life, and the great wonders of humanity in the
little moments that matter.”
If I Could Tell You Just One
Thing
by Richard Reed
Author Richard Reed has an insatiable desire to learn
what guides other people’s lives, and he makes it known by asking anyone and
everyone for advice. Reed brings together the best pieces of advice he’s
received over the years from notable celebrities, athletes, politicians, and
entrepreneurs (Branson included).
Branson’s take “They highlight
tangible lessons from a diverse range of interesting people, and I like to read
a chapter every now and then to get inspired.”
Winners
by Alastair Campbell
Journalist and political aide Alastair Campbell takes
an exhaustive look at what ingredients make up a success story. Some of the
wealthiest people all rely on similar patterns of behavior to get the most out
of their days, whether it’s waking up and exercising at certain times of the
day or finding time to check email.
Branson’s take “I read a few
chapters at a time to remind himself how far he’s come and where he still has
room to grow.”
businessinsider.in
ETP 7DEC17
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