Leadership Exchange - Summer 2010

WHO’S READING WHAT
Six Books to Boost Your Career in 2010

➊ Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

by Daniel Pink (Riverhead, 2009)

Pink makes the case that there’s much more to motivation than money— autonomy, improvement, and a deeper sense of purpose push people more strongly. Drawing on scientific research, Pink profiles companies and entrepreneurs who are taking a nontraditional approach to lighting fires under their workers.

➋ Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? by Seth Godin (Little Brown, 2010)

The title is pretty explanatory in the latest from Godin, a powerhouse marketer/author known for books like “Purple Cow” and “Tribes.” Godin argues that the best and most coveted employees connect cowork-ers, catalyze deals, and see opportunities that others don’t. He also tries to create a roadmap for how to become such an uber-pro. If Godin’s advice for building a personal brand is as popular as his material on corporate brands and customer demographics, his theories will be well-received.

➌ Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath (Random House, 2010) Weaving psychology and sociology through a number of anecdotes, the authors show that some of the most transformative managers follow a pattern of change. They argue that the trick to making things happen quickly on a large scale is to sync emotional thinking with rational thinking. That sounds wishy-washy, but the authors bring legitimate credentials. Chip Heath is a business professor at Stanford University, and Dan is a consultant at The Aspen Institute.

➍ Louder Than Words: Take Your Career from Average to Exceptional with the Hidden Power of Nonverbal Intelligence

by Joe Navarro (HarperCollins, 2010)

In poker, reading an opponent’s gestures, or “tells,” can make all the difference. The same is true in an office, according to Navarro. He breaks down body language, bad habits, and behavioral ticks as essential to understanding what is really going on in a company, a business meeting, or even a phone call.

Navarro also advises how to use these intangible forces to get ahead on the job.

➎ The Little Big Things: 163

Ways to Pursue EXCELLENCE by Thomas J. Peters (HarperCollins, 2010) Peters, most known for his 1982 book In Search of Excellence, cranks out some more counterintuitive management advice in his latest offering—encouraging bosses to cherish “weirdness,” focus on common sense, and step away from their computers.

➏ Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson (Crown Business, 2010)

Dubbed as “inspirational” and a “mini manifesto,” Rework comprises hundreds of simple rules for success. The book also plays the counterintuitive card heavily with advice ranging from “fire the workaholics” to “planning is guessing.” Rework has received positive reviews from career counselors.