In The Advantage: Why Organisational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business, Patrick Lencioni argues that the key to long-term success is not just intelligence, strategy, or innovation, but organisational health—the ability of a company to foster trust, clarity, and alignment among its people. He defines a healthy organisation as one where minimal politics and confusion exist, allowing employees to focus on their work productively. Conflict, in this context, is inevitable, but when managed properly, it can strengthen a team rather than weaken it.
Daniel Coyle’s The Culture Code explores what makes teams and groups work effectively together, offering valuable insights that team members can use to contribute positively to their teams. The book is based on research and real-world examples from highly successful groups in diverse fields, such as Pixar, Navy SEALs, and the San Antonio Spurs. Coyle identifies three key skills that build a strong team culture: creating safety, sharing vulnerability, and establishing purpose.
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall B. Rosenberg is a transformative guide to improving communication and fostering meaningful relationships. At its core, the book introduces the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) framework, which emphasises empathy, compassion, and clarity to resolve conflicts, build connections, and communicate effectively without causing harm.
Patrick Lencioni’s The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues is a practical guide that teaches you how to become a valuable and effective team member by focusing on three key qualities: humility, hunger, and people smarts. The book emphasises that teamwork is essential for success in any organisation and shows how you can grow these traits to work better with others and contribute meaningfully to your team.
Martha Gage’s The STAR Method Explained offers a detailed and practical approach to mastering behavioural interviews. The STAR method—an acronym for Situation, Task, Action, and Result—is a structured framework for answering behavioural interview questions effectively. Behavioural interviews focus on how candidates have handled past situations to assess their skills, competencies, and problem-solving abilities. Gage’s book is designed to help job seekers craft concise, impactful answers that showcase their experiences and qualifications.
60 Seconds and You’re Hired! by Robin Ryan is a practical, straightforward guide to mastering the art of job interviews. Designed to help job seekers make a powerful impression quickly, the book focuses on strategies to present yourself effectively, answer questions confidently, and secure job offers. Robin Ryan’s approach centres on concise communication and demonstrates how to position yourself as the ideal candidate within the first critical moments of an interview.