Feb 25 2009
Managing People: Book Recommendations
In my discussions following the Manage, Influence and Motivate workshop, I’ve repeatedly come back to a cluster of book recommendations:
I was really happy to recommend any of Macolm Gladwell’s books as an easy introduction to some very interesting areas. His latest, “Outliers” explores how ‘geniuses’ are made rather than genetic… his work has some profound implications about how we nurture our talented youngsters and what gifts we might be unknowingly throwing away. I’d probably recommend The Tipping Point and also Blink even more highly – but take a look to find out more about these books.
The work of inner change is more personal. We need to set real targets for progress, get out of our own way, deal with inner doubt or limiting beliefs… “Taming Your Gremlin” by Rick Carson – an absolute classic and an introduction to the art of mindfulness. Micheal Neill might be less well know but he is a master. His book is entertaining, practical, jargon-free and grounded in real life. I was concerned that the title “You can have what you want“, would reflect a very self-centred approach to getting “stuff” – not at all. It’s a book about becoming who you are with authenticity. It is one of the best self-coaching books I know. As for Paul McKenna, you might love him or hate him… set aside your predjudice and enjoy a practical book that comes with a useful CD.
When it comes to communication there are many different options. I can’t recommend Robert Cialdini highly enough… He is a master at explaining the hidden power of influence. You need to know this stuff! Likewise Allan and Barbera Pease are established masters in their field of exploring body language. A slightly small book with lots of excellent pictures is “Body Language At Work” by Peter Clayton but this doesn’t seem to be availavle at Amazon… The Andrew Curran book is a delight, particularly for the biologists amongst you but is accessible to all (just don’t get hung up on the neurobiology!) .
Do have a browse – if you have books you particularly like, do share them with me!
