Reading Recommendations

Leaders are Readers! Since reading is one of the most efficient ways to gain knowledge and insights into another persons mind- I find myself often recommending books. After making also a commitment to spend even more reading- I decided that a way to reflect about the wisdom gained, would be this list. Hope you enjoy- I will update this List regularly with new books I read or review.

Reinventing Organizations by Frederic Laloux

This book changed my life. It gave me a clear understanding in the importance of organisational structure for life, society and business success. Laloux examines how different form organisations performs better and gives individuals a more fulfilled life. You will learn how organisations developed around time and how experiment with holistic organisations created new forms of organisations.

Mad Business by Joerg Bartussek and Oliver Weyergraf 

This book is hilarious. It narrates what happens in German corporates and how decisions are made on a daily basis. It is entertaining and realistic. Basically it is a typical week of a Top-Executive in a big organization. Every chapter contains insights on policies, cultures and mindsets that might appear bizarre for the rational mind. Real veridicts of different industries confirm these and cause and additional laugh while reading the story. It is also not one-sided but rather balanced, pointing out many virtues also. 

Gary Vaynerchuk's #AskGaryVee

A lot of insights into Gary Vs History and Point of views on many things. Often insightful, sometimes controversial. The audiobook is narrated by Gary himself and his pronunciation on many things - puts the message out clearer. Sometimes the author is to obsessed with himself, and people who are not too familiar with him(like me) why this would be beneficial to know. Besides from that (5-10% of the book) the guy is energetic, brillant and really interesting.

Kollegah's "Das ist Alpha"

Kollegah is germanys undiscussed number one rapper-king. He is both a businessman and a musician with a purpose. He is the last winner of germany's Echo and also author of my favorite song Fokus ! In his book he adresses teenagers and yound adults in challenging their mindset. It reminded me very much to "No one ever told us that" by John D. Spooner and even to Jordan Petersons lessons on life. If you are over 30, maybe you jump directly to chapter 2. Kollegah's viewpoints on Kant and Empathy are unique and his choice of words also. One negative point would be the contant mocking of the reader, since he uses provocation as a method to indulge action. If you can accept that the purpose is not to offend you, but to really change the mindset of a young person into beeing a rightful and hard-working individual- then it is ok. Also like Gary V- the audiobook(in german) is narrated by Kollegah himself!

Das Cafe am Rande der Welt by Jon Strelecky

Normally I am not the biggest fan of fictional books. But this one has a special connotation. A very close person passed away a few weeks ago. As I was cleaning up his appartment, I noticed that he left the book unread after only one chapter. I believed that it was my duty to finish this book. It is a very short book, I must say. And also a very interesting one. Questions about why we are here and what our purpose is in life are asked and the reader needs to ask himself those and some other questions to really absorb the book. It is important in my view to have a clear purpose and reason for beeing- since it explains and justifies all actions we have in life.

The Ultimate Question 2.0 by Fred Reicheld

I have read this book at least a dozen times in my life. Fred Reicheld is the inventor of the NPS? System. He implemented NPS programs across nations, industries and verticals. In his book he states that only companies who manage to create great customer experiences are able to grow in their respective industry. He gives examples how this can be measured and achieved. Among CX Experts this book is called the "yellow bible". I don't know when I will read it again, I just know that I will.

12 rules for life by Jordan. D. Patterson

Peterson is a controversial profesor who became famous on quora for responding his thoughts on life sense and how to approach it. In his book he summarizes his quora answers and gives context to them. His first rule is "stand up straight with your shoulders back". He claims that statue is older than any society and is present among every animal. By standing up straight with our shoulders back, we make sure to not get thrown in a downspin of loosing. He claims that it is rewarding to win - and it is impossible to win if you don't stand up straight. If you like this rule - look into this book.

Die Kraft der Gegenwart by Eckhart Tolle

This is one of the most life-changing reads you can do. Eckhart Tolle is a mastermind on Happiness. His theory claims that humans consist of thinking and feeling. While we overemphasize our thinking and define ourselves by thinking, it is the feeling of what really makes us be. We only can feel in the present, neither future nor past is useful for it. It touches the main points of human life and helps to awake us. Thanks for the people who recommended me reading it.

The 4 Disciplines of Execution by Sean Covey and Jim Huling

The basic Theorem of 4DX is that strategy is so much easier than execution. It delivers a great concept and framework in how to consistenly achieve results for any given goals.

The 4 Disciplines are: Focus on wildly important goals(Focus!), Only measure lead measures(not lag measures), Use Scoreboards and establish a system for accountability.

Once introduces at @Honestly we were pretty quick in adapting them. It just feels natural and the feeling of winning creates a lot of engagement.

Führen, Leisten, Leben by Fredmund Malik

This is management book with principles of managing a organisation effectively. Ihave read it some weeks ago and completely forgot what it is about. I'd have to reread to put here anything useful.

The Code of the extraordinary Mind by Vishen Lakhiani

Like Tolle, Vishen is really a forward thinker and he is able to transform belief systems, reality, perception and energy status of people. In this book you will learn how to use your thought as part of your weapons to achieve what you believe is worth achieving. The master of #bendreality will share his experiences and secrets. This book is definetly a must for anyone looking for inspiration and personal growth.

PRINCIPLES by Ray Dalio

Principles by Ray Dalio is a transforming book. Ray Dalio is one of the masterminds of organisational development and the radical but highly human way he managed to form his organisation is something that astonished me in a very very high way.

Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg

Often we tend to be very reactive in our communication. Either making others feel the way we feel or fulfilling our need to express ourselves. Most of the time this way of communication is not effective in the way that we will not achieve a change of behaviour and we will not make the other person understand why we feel the way we do. Most often we will only irritate the relationship with no real advancement. Nonviolent communication focuses in how to communicate in a way that will actually make progress in the relationship and help us achieve our goals.

The main points I got of it:

• Observe, state facts and not judge or evaluate(especially not moral observations, comparisons, missed expectations)
• Express how you feel without putting the burden of the feeling on other people ( do not deny responsibility for the feeling, do not be vague, do not use authority)
• Be thoughtful, not impulsive
• Respect basic human needs in your conversation
• Request what you want and not what you don't want
• We block our empathy by advising, correcting, storytelling, shutting down, interrogating, sympathizing
• Intelectual understanding blocks emotional understanding (empathy)
• Transform limiting beliefs and self judgements (shame, guilt, duty, extrinctic reward, extortion or punishment)
• Be appreciative and receive appreciation, cultivate an awareness on what others attribute to your world and tell them