Mindset: Changing the Way You Think to Fulfil Your Potential by Carol Dweck is a transformative book that explores the power of mindset in shaping our abilities, achievements, and personal growth. Dweck introduces the concept of a growth mindset versus a fixed mindset and demonstrates how adopting a growth mindset can lead to greater fulfilment and success in various areas of life.
In Blind Spots: Why We Fail to Do What's Right and What to Do About It, Max H. Bazerman and Ann E. Tenbrunsel delve into the psychological and social mechanisms that cause individuals and organisations to act unethically despite their intentions to uphold moral standards. The book explores the gap between who people think they are and how they actually behave, focusing on the concept of "bounded ethicality"—the idea that our ability to act ethically is limited by cognitive biases and situational pressures.
"Selling to the Top: David Peoples' Executive Selling Skills" by David Peoples offers a comprehensive guide to mastering the art of selling to top executives in organisations. Drawing from his extensive experience as a sales professional and consultant, Peoples provides practical insights, strategies, and techniques for effectively engaging with high-level decision-makers and securing their buy-in.
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.
"Value-Added Selling: How to Sell More Profitably, Confidently, and Professionally by Competing on Value, Not Price" by Tom Reilly is a comprehensive guide that revolutionises traditional sales techniques by shifting the focus from price to value. Reilly argues that in today's competitive market, selling solely based on price is a losing proposition, and instead, sales professionals should concentrate on communicating and delivering unique value propositions to their customers. Through a combination of theory, practical examples, and actionable strategies, Reilly equips readers with the tools they need to become value-added sellers.
“Managing for Stakeholders: Survival, Reputation, and Success" by R. Edward Freeman, Jeffrey S. Harrison, and Andrew C. Wicks is a comprehensive examination of stakeholder theory and its application in modern business. The book argues that organisations should prioritise the interests of all stakeholders—not just shareholders—to achieve long-term success and sustainability. This approach, known as stakeholder management, involves identifying, understanding, and balancing the needs and concerns of various groups that are affected by or can affect the organisation.