If there is one commonality I have noticed in the world of success, it is that successful people are life-long learners! I have had the privilege to interview hundreds of very successful individuals and one question I always ask is, "What books/CDs/podcasts/learning systems do you recommend?"
So, in the spirit of my "favorite question" I will give you a few of my favorite books of 2009. While many of these books were not written in 2009 I encourage you to read them before 2009 comes to a close!
My Top 10 Favorite Books of 2009
Predictably Irrational: by Dan Ariely
- In Dan's book Predictably Irrational you will begin to see why irrational behavior can become predictable. Dan injects the business world with a dose of behavioral psychology. Beware: This book will mess you up! After reading this book I began to realize that logic is not as prevalent as we may think. It is a a great book and will keep you thinking for months to come.
Click Here to Buy "Predictably Irrational" from Amazon.com
Buy-ology: by Martin Lindstrom
Coca Cola and white headphones! Martin Lindstrom addresses the dominance of certain companies and products in a way I have never heard before. Martin also takes a scientific approach to why we are attracted to one product/company and not another. If you are focused on the branding and marketing of your product...you will LOVE this book!
Click Here to Buy "Buy-ology" from Amazon.com
The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life: by Alice Schroeder
How can you make a billion dollars fixing pinball machines? Ask Warren Buffett! In The Snowball you will be submerged into the life of one of the world's greatest success stories. Alice Schroeder will walk you through the life of Warren Buffett and will illustrate how he went from selling golf balls to buying private planes. While it is a pretty long read (over 800 pages), it was worth worth every second.
Click Here to Buy "The Snowball" from Amazon.com
Grown up Digital: by Don Tapscott
Are you a forward-thinker? Do you have kids that fall into Gen X or Gen Y? Do you manage a cast of young professionals? If you answered "yes" to any of those questions then this book is a MUST! Being a young professional myself, I can say that Don is "right on" with his writing! This is a roadmap to mastering the "Net Generation"
Click Here to Buy "Grown Up digital" from Amazon.com
Negotiation Genius: by Malhotra & Bazerman
One of the best negotiation books I have ever read (and I have read a lot!). This book provides tactics AND reason all in one enjoyable read. The book is very well written and illustates the "what to do" and "why to do it" of negotiating. If you negotiate in your profession and you don't read this book...you are leaving money on the table!
Click Here to Buy "Negotiation Genius" from Amazon.com
Wooden On Leadership: John Wooden
It doesn't matter if you are the GM of a Honda dealership or the CEO of an oil company...this book will apply to you. John Wooden, who is one of the most dominant leaders of all time, gives you a genuine account of what it took for him to win and win big! I highlighted more in this book than I did in my college chemistry book. It is an amazing book and would probably be in my Top 5 favorites of all-time!
Click Here to Buy "Wooden on Leadership" from Amazon.com
What Would Google Do? by Jeff Jarvis
My most recent read. I picked this book up at the airport last week and read it in 2 days. If you blog or Tweet or do ANYTHING around the internet then you must read Jeff's book. Jeff walks through some of the internet's most dominant companies and communicates why they have been so powerful. In What Would Google Do? Jarvis will show you how to approach your "community" in the same way Google, facebook, and Craig's List does. One of the best books of the year!
Click Here to Buy "What Would google Do?" from Amazon.com
Outliers: by Malcolm Gladwell
Success doesn't occur in a vacuum. There are many things that play into the success of a team or individual. In Malcom's book Outliers, he discusses the many different variables that create an opportunity for success. I have read all of Malcom's books and this one may be his best one yet. It is almost scary how creative this guy is!
Click Here to Buy "Outliers" from Amazon.com
Flight of the Buffalo: by Belasko & Stayer
One of the best leadership books ever written. In Flight of the Buffalo the authors compare the leadership style of buffalo and that of geese. It is an intriguing comparison that will hit home with anyone in a position of leadership. Are you in a company that you hope will continue to prosper when you are gone? If so, this book is for you.
Click Here to Buy "Flight of the Buffalo" from Amazon.com
Josh Hamilton: Beyond Belief: by Hamilton & Keown
I save this book for last because it hit me the hardest! Josh Hamilton (outfielder for the Texas Rangers) tells his very emotional story in one of the best books I have ever read. If you are a man or woman of faith then you cannot pass this book up. Josh tells his story of alcohol and drug abuse in a genuine fashion. He also shares his thoughts on what it took for him to rise from the streets to the cleats! You may want to start reading this one on a Saturday morning because you won't be able to put it down! It is truly an inspirational story!
Click here to buy "Beyond Belief" from Amazon.com
Enjoy!
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