They say that knowledge is power, and nowhere is this more true than in your career. The right tools and strategies will help you impress higher-ups and seize new opportunities, while a lackluster approach may keep you stuck on a professional plateau. So if you’re hoping to learn more about smart, efficient career development, look no further than the seven books below.
Backable: The Surprising Truth Behind What Makes People Take a Chance on You
By Suneel Gupta
It’s not what you know—it’s who you know. But as Harvard professor Suneel Gupta writes, it’s also not enough to just know the right people. You also have to persuade them to take a chance on your potential, and this book is written with that exact goal in mind. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life
By Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas
It turns out that a broken funny bone doesn’t just make you a buzzkill at parties; it can also put a damper on your professional life. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a comedian, this book by Stanford professors Jennifer Aaker and Naomi Bagdonas can help you use humor to improve your negotiation skills and generally perform better on the job. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
BE 2.0 (Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0): Turning Your Business into an Enduring Great Company
By Jim Collins and Bill Lazier
Legendary business thinker Jim Collins honors his late mentor Bill Lazier in this new-and-improved version of his classic book, Beyond Entrepreneurship. Four new chapters and fifteen new essays make this a must-read for veteran entrepreneurs and newcomers alike. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
The Long-Distance Teammate: Stay Engaged and Connected While Working Anywhere
By Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel
In our socially-distanced, remote-working reality, we now have to be supportive and collaborative from far away. But the interpersonal skills we picked up during years at the office won’t be enough to help us make the transition; fortunately, leadership experts Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel are here to help. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Acting with Power: Why We Are More Powerful Than We Believe
By Deborah Gruenfeld
We tend to believe that power belongs to the person with the loudest voice or the highest salary. But as Stanford psychologist Deborah Gruenfeld shows, we all have much more power than we might think. Her new book is all about discovering where that power comes from, and how to use it wisely. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Winning Now, Winning Later: How Companies Can Succeed in the Short Term While Investing for the Long Term
By David Cote
It feels like a familiar trade-off: Should we prioritize our immediate needs, or prepare for the more distant future? Fortunately, acclaimed CEO David Cote believes that we don’t have to choose. By addressing both short-term and long-term goals, any leader can guide their company toward lasting success. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
Friday Forward: Inspiration & Motivation to End Your Week Stronger Than It Started
By Robert Glazer
It all started with a weekly note called “Friday Forward” sent by global business leader Robert Glazer to his small team of forty. Today, more than 200,000 people enjoy Glazer’s inspiring, thought-provoking messages—and with his new book, you too can start your weekend feeling energized and ready to take on the world. View Our “Book Bite” Summary
To enjoy “Book Bite” summaries of these titles and more, download the Next Big Idea App today:
