Gary Recommends
Gary’s Recommendations for the Best Books for Personal & Professional Growth
- All
- Culture
- Entrepreneurial
- Financial
- Leadership
- Operations
High Output Management
Leadership
Providing a practical and insightful guide to managing people and operations in a business. The book emphasizes the importance of effective communication, delegation, and measurement in achieving high levels of productivity and output. It covers a range of topics, including team-building, decision-making, and performance management, and provides actionable advice and real-world examples for managers at all levels.
Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box
Leadership
Offers a unique perspective on leadership and interpersonal relationships. The book explores the concept of “self-deception” – the tendency to see others as objects or obstacles, rather than people with their own perspectives and feelings – and provides practical strategies for recognizing and overcoming it to build more effective and fulfilling relationships, both personally and professionally.
Conversations Worth Having, Second Edition: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Fuel Productive and Meaningful Engagement
Leadership
Introducing the concept of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) as a powerful tool for having more productive and meaningful conversations. The book provides practical guidance and examples for using AI to shift conversations from problem-focused to strengths-based, and from blame and criticism to collaboration and innovation, ultimately leading to more positive outcomes and relationships.
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
Culture
Exploring the power of purpose and inspiration in leadership and business. The book argues that great leaders and organizations start with a clear sense of why they exist and what they stand for, which inspires others to take action and creates a sense of loyalty and commitment among customers and employees.
The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, Updated and Expanded
Culture
Provides practical guidance and strategies for executives and leaders to effectively navigate the crucial first 90 days in a new role or organization. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the business context, building relationships, and taking decisive action to achieve success during this critical transition period.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, 20th Anniversary Edition
Culture
Presents a fictional story that illustrates the common dysfunctions that can undermine the effectiveness of a team, such as lack of trust, fear of conflict, and absence of accountability. The book provides practical strategies and tools for leaders to address these dysfunctions and build strong, cohesive teams that can achieve their goals.
The Infinite Game
Culture
Exploring the concept of business as an infinite game – one in which there are no winners or losers, only players who continue to play and evolve over time. The book argues that businesses must shift their focus from short-term gains and competition to long-term purpose and collaboration in order to succeed in the infinite game of business.
Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine
Financial
Offers a simple and practical cash management system for businesses to ensure consistent profitability and financial stability. The book advocates for a unique approach to managing cash flow by focusing on profit first, rather than relying on traditional accounting practices.
The Richest Man in Babylon
Financial
Offering timeless financial advice and wisdom through parables and stories set in ancient Babylon. The book emphasizes the importance of sound financial practices, such as saving, investing, and living within one’s means, and provides practical guidance for building wealth and achieving financial security.
Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us
Operations
Advocates on the importance of building and leading tribes – groups of people united by a shared interest or goal – in today’s society. The book explores the power of tribal leadership and the impact that individuals can have by becoming a leader and connecting with like-minded people.
Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
Operations
Emphasizes the need for businesses to stand out from the competition and be remarkable in order to succeed in today’s crowded marketplace. The book offers practical insights and strategies for creating products and services that are truly remarkable, unique, and valuable to customers.
Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork
Operations
A new approach to achieving big goals by focusing on finding the right people (Who) rather than figuring out how to do it all by oneself. The book emphasizes the power of teamwork and delegation to achieve greater success.
