Impact Recommended Reading
on Psychology
Outliers
Malcolm Gladwell
All too often we look at people who we consider to be successful and marvel at their innate talent and vision. Malcolm Gladwell argues that in doing so we miss the role that opportunity and persistence have played. This book evens up the argument in easy to read entertaining Gladwell fashion.
The Naked Ape
Desmond Morris
An oldie but a goodie. There are close to 200 species of apes. All are covered with hair except one, the naked ape, self-named Homo Sapiens. This book looks at us through a zoologists eyes, looks beyond the façade and shows how many of our everyday behaviours are driven by some very basic instincts.
What You Can Change
Martin Seligman Ph.D.
It sounds like a self help book … but it is a collection of the most recent and authoritative scientific research to help us realise exactly what we can and can’t change. Weight, childhood trauma, alcoholism, depression, propensity for anger and violence … it’s all in there.
One of the most underrated books available.
The Time Paradox
Philip Zimbardo
Positive and negative perceptions of the past, the present and the future will play a significant role in every important decision that you make … and until you read a book like this the effect is most likely unconscious. Again this book is based in solid scientific research and yet is also very readable. I particularly like the section that outlines suggestions for shifting your own perception of time.
The Brain That Changes Itself
Norman Doidge M.D.
Sub titled ‘Stories of personal triumph from the frontiers of Brain Science’ this book puts to bed the old notion that we are ‘unable to’ or ‘too old to’ change. Perhaps it could have been said in half as many pages though …
The Tipping Point
Malcolm Gladwell 2002 Back Bay Books. ISBN 0316346624
How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference This book is brilliant. It looks at what is required to take an idea, product, service or social behaviour and move it beyond the tipping point where it spread like wildfire and becomes the norm. The book is filled with dozens of mind blowing experiments, findings and conclusions.
Influence
Robert B. Cialdini Phd 1993 Quill Publishing. ISBN 0688128165
The Psychology of Persuasion A must for anyone who needs to persuade or influence large numbers of people from a distance. Cialdini has identified key principles around influence that are undeniably powerful.
Influencing with Integrity
Genie z. Laborde 1987 Syntony Publishing. ISBN 0933347103
Management Skills for Communication & Negotiation An incredibly detailed, insightful and skilful book. Genie’s expertise is astonishing!
Learned Optimism
Martin E.P. Seligman, PH.D. 2002 Random House. ISBN 1400078393
Yes. Optimism is a skill and it can be learned. In this book there is a questionnaire to test you level of optimism and the results will probably shock you even if you like to think you are already a pretty optimistic person. There are also some clear principles that optimists use for you to learn.
Flow
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 1991 Harper Perennial. ISBN 0060920432
The Psychology of Optimal Human Experience This book is awesome. It looks at how people can get themselves into ‘the zone,’ the flow state. It is the culmination of years of research by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Yes that is the authors name). It is not easy going but very rewarding.
on Thinking
Six Thinking Hats
Edward de Bono 1995 Penguin. ISBN 014013784X
A classic. How to manage you own and your teams thinking in a highly imaginative and practical way that will produce excellent results. A must have on anyone’s bookshelf.
Edward de Bono’s Textbook of Wisdom
Edward de Bono 1996 Viking. ISBN 0670870110
An arrogant title … and it delivers! More about thinking and how to approach issues from a ‘lateral logical’ aspect. A little light on the interpersonal/emotional side. Still a fascinating read.
Think and Grow Rich
Napoleon Hill 2004. ISBN 1593302002
An absolute classic. Few books could be said to change people … this is undoubtedly one. It teaches thousands of people a year practical steps to achievement and financial independence. A must read for anyone who wants more out of life.
on Philosophy
The Happiness Hypothesis
Jonathan Haidt
This is one of my favourite books of all time. The sub title to this book is ‘Putting ancient wisdom and Philosophy to the test of modern science.’ Jonathan Haidt is exceptionally well read and researched. His breadth and depth of knowledge combined with a eminently readable style makes this book a must … to anyone!!!
The Black Swan
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
The title of this book is now being used as a euphemism for all that is unpredictable. ‘You can’t predict the Black Swan!’ With an astonishing grasp of mathematics, philosophy, economics and human behaviour Taleb shows why there are no economists in the richest 500 people. It is a little dense on occasions and he could do with a good editor … but then editing ideas and flow of thought is against everything Taleb stands for.
The Consolations of Philosophy
Alain De Botton 2001 Penguin. ISBN 0140276610
This book makes philosophy accessible. Alain De Botton examines the work of some of the worlds greatest philosophers by starting with very human issues: Being unpopular, not having enough money, frustration, inadequacy, a broken heart and difficulties. It is a great read.
on Leadership & Management
Practical Performance Improvement … with Impact
Rod Matthews 2005 Impact Publishing ISBN 0975706608
- How to reduce the stress associated with leading a team of people
- How to improve the likelihood that things get done right … first time
- How to be an exceptional leader
Obviously I’m a bit biased … however … This is a highly practical book that takes you through the ‘how to’ of setting direction, objectively analysing performance, coaching, counselling, developing and what to do when all else fails. An easy read for those who are looking for application over academia.
Precision Recruitment Skills … with Impact
Rod Matthews 2005 Impact Publishing ISBN 0975706616
How to find the right person for the right job, first time Once again, another ‘… with Impact’ book. Precision Recruitment Skills provides tips tools and techniques for before during and after the interview. Essential reading for those dedicated to being “an Employer Of Choice” and attracting the right people. Another practical and easy read.
Organisations and Cultures – Software of the Mind
International Cooperation and its Importance for Survival
Geert Hofstede, Gert Jan Hofstede & Michael Minkov
2010 McGraw Hill ISBN: 978 0 07 166418 9
An astonishingly comprehensive analysis of cultures in over 70 countries conducted over a 40 year span. Hofstede suggests that our cultural imprint drives many of our values, beliefs, thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Many of these operate at the unconscious level … until you travel overseas and experience a different culture. The book measures and compares cultures on 6 dimensions and in doing so provides amazing insight into how to operate when living and working in a culture that you did not grow up in. A must for anyone who works with people from different cultures.
Made to Stick
Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Chip & Dan Heath
2007 Random House Group ISBN: 978 1 4000 6428 1
This book is a must for any one who is keen to communicate an idea and wants the idea to be remembered. I have read many books on presentation skills and story telling in my time and this would easily be one of the best. Chip and Dan Heath, show the science behind stories and ideas that stick. If you want to get your message across … read this first!
The Art of the Long View
Peter Schwartz 1996 Currency Doubleday. ISBN 0385267320
The definitive text on Scenario Planning. Provides an exceptionally usable tool for unlocking fresh perspectives of the future. A must for anyone interested in the area of strategic planning.
Managing the Human Animal
Nigel Nicholson 2000 Crown Publishing. ISBN 1587990318
While society has evolved beyond recognition from the days of prehistory, the biology of people has not. People are largely physically the same now as they were thousands of years ago. Nigel Nicholson takes our basic human behaviours, puts them into the corporate context and then builds a compelling management philosophy.
Other Books Include:
The Comic Toolbox
John Vorhaus
Rarely do you find a book that is so practical when it comes to a topic like comedy. John Varhaus has plenty of experience in writing and delivering comedy as a writer for episodes of ‘The Wonder Years,’ ‘Married … With Children’ and ‘Head of the Class.’ The fantastic thing about this book is John’s ability to successfully communicate ‘How To’ be funny. Brilliant!!!
Laugh and Learn
Doni Tamblyn
Aimed squarely at teachers, trainers and presenters. This book not only has dozens of things you can do to make your presentations far more ‘entertraining’ it also makes a water tight case for ‘why’ you need to increase the levels of humour in your presentations. Invaluable reading for anyone whose job it is to keep peoples attention.
Gerber, Michael E – The E-Myth – Harper Business
Covey, Stephen. – The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – The Business Library
