Summer Reading List for Professionals

Happy Summer!   Summer is a great time for relaxing with a good book by the pool, lake, or your front porch. Summer is an ideal time for professionals to delve into books that can enrich their careers and personal lives. Here’s a curated list, something for everyone to enjoy.

1. Leadership & Personal Development:

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck: Explores the power of having a growth mindset – the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.
• Dare to Lead by Brené Brown: Focuses on the importance of courageous leadership, embracing vulnerability, and navigating difficult conversations to build stronger teams and relationships.
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey: A timeless classic offering a principle-centered approach to personal and professional effectiveness.
• Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek: Explores the importance of leadership that prioritizes the well-being and security of the team, fostering a sense of trust and collaboration.
• Atomic Habits by James Clear: Offers practical strategies for cultivating good habits and breaking bad ones, resulting in sustained improvement and increased productivity.

2. Career Growth & Success:

• Deep Work by Cal Newport: A guide to focused success in a distracted world, emphasizing the importance of deep, concentrated work for professional achievement.
• The Squiggly Career by Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis: Offers an alternative perspective on career paths, suggesting that success can be found by embracing opportunities and designing a career that fits your unique interests and skills.
• The Restart Roadmap by Jason Tartick: A guide to restarting or changing your career, offering actionable steps for achieving financial, professional, and emotional success.
• Take the Leap by Sara Bliss: Packed with inspiring stories and practical advice for professionals looking to make a career change and find their dream job.
• Designing Your Work Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans: Helps readers apply design thinking principles to their work life, enabling them to create a job that is fulfilling and meaningful.

3. Business & Innovation:

• Good to Great by Jim Collins: Identifies the core reasons why some companies achieve sustainable success while others do not, providing insights into Level 5 Leadership and other key principles.
• The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle: Explores the secrets of highly successful groups and the importance of fostering a culture of safety, shared vulnerability, and purpose.
• The Lean Startup by Eric Ries: A guide for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to leverage a “lean” methodology for innovation and success.
• Think Again by Adam Grant: Encourages professionals to challenge their assumptions, rethink their solutions, and embrace a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation.

4. Communication & Interpersonal Skills:

• How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie: A classic guide to building strong relationships, communicating effectively, and increasing your ability to get things done.
• Radical Candor by Kim Scott: Offers a framework for providing honest, open communication and feedback in the workplace, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability.
• Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, and Emily Gregory: Provides tools and techniques for handling high-stakes conversations effectively.

5. Other Inspiring Reads:

• Educated: A Memoir by Tara Westover: An inspiring memoir about overcoming adversity and the power of education and resilience.
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho: A fictional story that encourages readers to pursue their dreams and find their legend.

For personal and professional, remember to choose books that align with your specific interests and goal development. Enjoy your Summertime reading!

Happy Summer!