(82) 10 of my most favorite books read in 2018
For the last few years, I have been writing summaries of the best books I have read in the year. In comparison to earlier years, I am guilty of not been able to read more books in 2018. I often pick books based on my need at any given point of time or due to strong recommendations from friends or social media. For this year, I picked up three books on strategy because I felt the need for acquiring mental models and frameworks on building product strategy. The three strategy books I read are Good Strategy/Bad Strategy, Strategic Learning and The Essential Advantage. Also, I always make sure to have a healthy dose of books on personal effectiveness and motivation. They provide me the necessary drive and ammunition to keep going. The books that I read this year on this category are The One Thing and Lead Yourself First. A good supply of learning on workplace effectiveness is also very important to me. The books that I read on this category are, The Culture Code, Crucial Conversations, Great at Work, and Radical Candor. The last category are books related to my industry and functional domain. Monetizing Innovation and Machine Platform Crowdfall under that.
So, here are my top 10 picks for this year along with links to their book summaries. I have missed out on the book summaries on some of them. I will write them in the next few weeks.
Books on Strategy
1. Strategic Learning 100%
Ratings: 5/5
Of the three books on strategy this year, Strategic Learning by Willie Pietersen was my most favorite for its sheer practical value and ready-to use advice that you can apply immediately to your strategy.
- Notes from the book: https://medium.com/power-books/strategic-learning-how-to-be-smarter-than-your-competition-and-turn-key-insights-into-competitive-10900e3ad624
2. Good Strategy/Bad Strategy -50%
Ratings: 4/5
I picked this on recommendation from Julie Zhuo, VP, Product Design, Facebook. The book outlines what is needed to create good strategies, explaining what goes into the “kernel” of good strategy.
- Notes from the book: https://medium.com/power-books/strategic-learning-how-to-be-smarter-than-your-competition-and-turn-key-insights-into-competitive-10900e3ad624
Books on Personal Effectiveness
3. THE ONE THING: The Surprisingly Simple Truths Behind Extraordinary Results 100%
Rating: 5/5
This book by Gary Keller is a dynamite of inspiration. I was pretty much pumped reading the book. It talks about the power of sustained focus in just about everything in life. It is a must read for anyone who needs that much needed reaffirmation on the power of focus.
- Notes from the book: https://medium.com/power-books/the-one-thing-the-surprisingly-simple-truths-behind-extraordinary-results-a09aa021f439
4. Lead Yourself First
Rating: 5/5
I was looking for a book on leading self. Came across this from authors Mike Erwin and Judge Kethledge. The foreword from Jim Collins pushed me to read it. The book is organized around particular qualities that solitude can enhance, such as analytical clarity and creativity. In each section, the authors use the experiences of leaders both historical and contemporary to illustrate how solitude can enhance the quality at hand.
- Notes from the book: To be up soon
Books on professional effectiveness
5. The Culture Code
Ratings: 4/5
Daniel Coyle, the author of The Culture Code draws lessons from 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 successful. He demystifies the culture-building process by identifying three key skills that generate cohesion and cooperation, and explains how diverse groups learn to function with a single mind.
- Notes from the book: https://medium.com/power-books/the-culture-code-the-secrets-of-highly-successful-groups-389f5ac7cc3a
6. Crucial Conversations 100%
Ratings: 4/5
This is a book that about managing crucial conversations. Not just in business but in personal and social lives most of our defining moments come from crucial or breakthrough conversations.
I chanced upon this book at a local store and lapped it up. It eventually turned out a powerful book and its timely access proved precious to me. The book is aptly titled Crucial Conversations, written by 4 eminent writers a Kerry, Joseph, Ron and Al Switzler. They are experts in the field of organisational behaviour and sociology.
- Notes from the book: https://medium.com/power-books/crucial-conversations-tools-for-talking-when-stakes-are-high-a-book-summary-part-1-e931486a3aef
7. Great at work (50%)
Rating: 4/5
I picked this book on recommendation from someone I admire a lot. And I was thrilled not to be disappointed. The book provides ready to apply suggestions to excel at your workplace. The most notable advice I took from this book is to, work less then obsess.You minimize the amount of things you work on and then obsess over the one task or topic.
- Notes from the book: https://medium.com/power-books/great-at-work-how-top-performers-work-less-and-achieve-more-4998e9966608
8. Radical Candor
Rating: 5/5
I picked this book battling the fear of missing out. I was under immense pressure from hearing so much of praise and accolades for the book. A much needed book for anyone who is battling the travails and chaos of being a good boss.
- Notes from the book: To be up soon
Books on professional field
9. Monetizing Innovation
Rating: 5/5
To begin with, let me start with a strong recommendation to anyone who is in the business of selling anything in the market. BUY THE BOOK.
Simon Kutcher is the world’s largest pricing and monetization consulting firm. The book is the product of the lessons that Simon-Kucher & Partners has learned over the last 30 years.
The book is packed with great insights about pricing just about any product.
- Notes from the book: To be up soon
10. Machine, Platform, Crowd: Harnessing Our Digital Future
I received this book while attending Platform Economy Summit at Berlin a month ago. I am half way through the book but have absolutely it so far. The book explores three powerful trends unleashed by the digital revolution: first, as machine learning either complements or supplants human minds, secondly, as platforms drive the selection, production and distribution of products and services, and thirdly, as on-line crowds increasingly augment or surpass the core functions of companies.
- Notes from the book: To be up soon.
