The ten BEST books on workplace culture
What are the best books out there related to developing a healthy, high-performing workplace culture? I put this question out to my network on LinkedIn several months ago and waited with eager anticipation for a barrage of answers and opinions. I got three responses. Thankfully, one of them was a gem: this fantastic list of ten books that I received from my friend Lorie Corcuera from SPARK Creations. She knows a lot about culture and she’s an avid reader so I know this is a high-quality book list
Full disclosure: I have not read all of these books. I haven’t even read many of these books. One could argue I’ve read some of them, where “some” would probably be a number less than three and read using Blinkist. I have never been a big reader of business books, preferring to learn by talking with people, listening to podcasts, etc. I’ll typically break down and read a business book when several people I trust have recommended it. A recent example of this is the book “Scaling Up: How a Few Companies Make It…and Why the Rest Don’t (Rockefeller Habits 2.0)”. It’s a crazy long title, but in the last month I’ve had at least four different people talk about how great it is. I’ll let you know how it goes.
But I digress.
The list is in the order Lorie sent them to me, which I don’t think is in any particular order. I’ve included some very brief summaries and handy links to Amazon where you can buy them. Of course, it’s not an exhaustive list. There are lots of books on, or that touch substantially on, workplace culture. If there’s one you feel strongly about that you think Lorie has missed throw it in the comments below. I’ve heard that folks like Brené Brown and Simon Sinek are more or less required reading for workplace culture experts. I’ve seen their TED Talks and they seem pretty smart.
Anyway, without further ado here’s the Top Ten BEST Books on Workplace Culture!
1. The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups
Daniel Coyle goes inside some of the world’s most successful organizations — including the U.S. Navy’s SEAL Team Six, IDEO, and the San Antonio Spurs — and reveals what makes them tick. Any book with “secrets” and “code” in the title must be really good.
2. Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business
In this book, Whole Foods Market cofounder John Mackey and professor and Conscious Capitalism, Inc. cofounder Raj Sisodia argue for the inherent good of both business and capitalism. Possibly the only book on this list that Donald Trump might read. (Just kidding Donald, I know you don’t read books. Please don’t attack me with your Twitter machine.)
3. Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family
Robert Chapman and coauthor Raj Sisodia show how any organization can reject the traumatic consequences of rolling layoffs, dehumanizing rules, and hyper-competitive cultures. Not to be confused with the book titled, “The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your Family Like People”.
4. Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead
Laszlo Bock, the visionary head of Google’s innovative People Operations, brings a groundbreaking inquiry into the philosophy of work-and a blueprint for attracting the most spectacular talent. Wins the award for best double entendre in a title. Please don’t make me explain it to you.
5. Good To Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t
Jim Collins looks at how good companies, mediocre companies, even bad companies without great DNA can achieve enduring greatness. I wonder if he talks about using CRISPR to fix that bad company DNA?
6. Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t
Simon Sinek imagines a world where almost everyone wakes up inspired to go to work, feels trusted and valued during the day, then returns home feeling fulfilled. I read this one! Oh no wait, that was “Zombies Eat Last”.
7. Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility
Patty McCord helped create the unique and high-performing culture at Netflix, where she was chief talent officer. She shares what she learned there and elsewhere in Silicon Valley. Most of what I’ve learned about Silicon Valley has been from Silicon Valley.
S. Chris Edmonds shows leaders how to create a high performing, values aligned culture through the creation of an organizational constitution. Wins the award for longest book title in our list.
9. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts
Brené Brown talks about how you cultivate braver, more daring leaders, and how you embed the value of courage in your culture. Better than the original title, “Tough Work. Whole Conversations. Brave Hearts.” Just kidding, Brené, you know I love you. Or you do now.
10. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone
Brené Brown argues that we’re experiencing a spiritual crisis of disconnection, and introduces four practices of true belonging that challenge everything we believe about ourselves and each other. I’m sensing a theme of “bravery” here?
Well, that’s the list of ten. If you have suggestions for others or feedback, please post it below, or visit our website for more Culture Assassins interviews, stories, and posts!
“If you’re not in the arena also getting your ass kicked, I’m not interested in your feedback.” -Brené Brown