Competing Against Luck: The Story of Innovation and Customer Choice by Clayton Christensen, Karen Dillon, Taddy Hall, David Duncan (Harper Business, 2016)
Is successful innovation random? Is there a reproducible way to identify opportunities to serve people and solve problems that no one else is doing? Do customers really know what they want? Why are some companies and organizations one hit wonders while others have a history of innovation and success? These are some of the questions the authors answer in this well researched book. I appreciate the case studies and numerous real world examples given. If you like to think creatively, solve problems, and move your organization forward then you’ll enjoy this book. This book has a 4.6 star rating on Amazon.
It happens to all of us. We get comfortable, complacent, and lose momentum. It happens as individuals, to organizations, and industries. Whitney Johnson has an incredible personal story of how she went from an administrative assistant, to an equity analyst, to one of the most influential managers and business thought leaders of our time. If you’re in a place where you know things need to change, or a disruption is needed, then read this book! It has great insights for both individuals and organizations. 86% of the people on Amazon that read it gave it five stars.
Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller (Penguin Books, 2014)
What does it look like to live your faith out at work? Far too often we reduce it to putting a cross up in your cubicle or having a Bible on your desk. Life as Christian in the work place is so much more deep and meaningful. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read in helping Christians see their work as meaningful, valuable, and good. Even if you’re in a difficult environment or you don’t like what you do, Keller will give you a new perspective as you go into work each day. If you want to have a greater impact and a better understanding of how God wants to work in and through your work then check out this book! 82% of people on Amazon gave it 5 stars.
If you want to be great at leading, coaching, consulting and helping develop others then you should read this book. We simply talk too much for others when trying to lead them. We hinder their growth, impose our own thoughts and ideas, and hold them back. Learn how to listen well and lead others by asking great questions. This book has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon and 365 customer reviews.