For the next several posts in this series, I will be making some book recommendations in various categories. The lists will neither be exhaustive nor full scale endorsements of everything in each one. I generally read to learn (not to be entertained) and welcome points of view from a broad perspective.
The books mentioned will categorized this way:
- Biographies
- Favorite authors
- Sport
- Theology
- Coaching
- Leadership
- Psychology
- Business Management
- History
- Christian Living
Psychology -
Mindset by Dr. Carol Dweck - This book is outstanding! It makes the science and research of neuroplasticity and other very technical factor in how minds work and makes them very approachable for knuckleheads like me. In particular, her juxtaposition of "fixed mindset" and "growth mindset" is tremendously applicable to our work in sport. I highly recommend this book.
The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey - This book was recommended to me by a college basketball coach. I immediately bought it to better understand his mindset and his approach to the mental side of sport. It is certainly not a Christian book and it's full of references to other religions, but it is valuable for understanding how many elite level competitors are approaching their mental approach to their sports.
Business Management -
The Starfish and The Spider - The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations by Ori Brafman and Rod. A Beckstrom - I read this book in 2007 and it has been transformational in how I serve in organizations, many of which operate more like networks than multi-level hierarchical organizations. Several of their insights have been invaluable to my connections with and facilitation of colleagues across the USA and around the world. This is a tremendous book.
Start with Why by Simon Sinek - This book has been most helpful in the process of maintaining my focus on what is most important, "keeping the main thing the main thing," and budgeting time, money, and other resources. Iti is well written, simply illustrated with excellent diagrams, and full of practical examples of the differences between, "What, How, and Why."
Good to Great by Jim Collins - I read this at least twenty-five years ago, and some of its major points still shape my approach to making decisions about opportunities. The concepts like, "flywheel and hedgehog" are strong metaphors that stick in our minds. Like most books based on research, the author wants to tell you more about his research than you want to hear, but the results are worth the time to plow through the information.
Linchpin by Seth Godin - Seth is a blogger on business and marketing. His writing is direct and simple. It's also very applicable to us who serve in ministry. In particular, his thoughts about making yourself indispensable to your organization are very insightful. His assertion that, "Writers write. So if you want to be a writer, write something. Put it out there," (paraphrased from memory) has been a challenge that I have accepted and often challenge others to accept.