Your Strengths - Marcus Buckingham

I have recommended these books to hundreds 

In 2008 I listened to this first book on audio and it started me down a path of self discovery and love of business books. 

Then I read took the Strength Finder 2.0 test and found out a couple insights into my business character that were SO powerful and different, they changed the way I thought about myself and how I do business. It is my hope that you pick this book up and it helps you.

The "Strength Based" movement is not just simple, but one of the keys to finding a more rewarding business life, and frankly a damn fun one too. 



Speaking of fun, the most awesome read ( again I ate these on audio in just days including copious notes taken on the subway ) was his three follow up books ( First, Now , Go ) that help you take what you've learned about you - and rip your business a new workhole. 


Ok, I've calmed down now. But you get my point.

Again, this is a short post but it's because I've been recommending these so long the people I sent them to have bought copies and shared them with others. Recently I learned someone I helped embrace a strength-based life bought copies of the Strengthfinder for all 100 employees of their company.


If it's in your budget, certainly if you are an entrepreneur or leader in a sector then MAKE time to attend the Art of Leadership on June 5. 

But whatever you do, don't miss picking up at least one of these books and as always, if you want to talk about them and what you've learned, coffee's on me.

Paul

Ps. His follow up book on Leadership was a best seller if you get hooked and want to keep going.

UnMarketing: Revised and Updated by Scott Stratten

The integrity of Scott Stratten to update and revise his book simply astounds me.

Here's my previous post on why this book ALREADY ruled.

Frankly. The book was still one of the leading voices and still my number one most recommended to understand the what, the why and the tone of business + social media. 

The cycle wasn't over, the book wasn't overly stale. 
There was money left to squeeze Scott.

Scott does a lot of talk about authenticity in the book.
He walked that talk with his actions not his words.

I tip my hat to you sir. ( and tweet it too )
And I'll share your message every chance I get.

Enjoy a damn good updated talk by Scott below...

Paul

End Malaria: Good Cause Great Read

I don't often ask readers to buy books but for $20 you'll help this cause AND yourself. Talk about a win-win.

One of the last of Seth Godin's Domino Project publications this book is insanely packed with high-value ideas from 62 business authors you probably know and love.

A 1 minute video on the book:



I love that Michael Bungay Stanier even wrote a thoughtful reflection on "Working at the Speed of Seth" and even put a FREE podcast featuring all authors online.


Why did this book appeal to me? LOOK at this author list!!!


Now, I read it flying to a conference. For the business traveler I think this is the perfect thought-instigator to read in transit. Me personally, it hit at that moment when you're between the clouds - above operations, below pie-in-the-sky ideas: Where ideas about how to improve your real work world can happen


Some items I found invaluable:

• Kevin Kelly, founder of Wired: What is the pinnacle of personal, professional skill? His insight from experience moved me. 
• Roger Martin, of the Rotman School drops some operational wisdom on how his concept of "thin slicing" actually opens up time for leaders to do their best work. 
• Mitch Joel, of Twist Image is the ultimate person to advise today's professional on how to be CEO of Me Inc. His thoughts stung with 2012 truth on what Google says about you. 
• Three words from Ann Landers from another social media leader Scott Stratten are a great reminder of what matters and what's fluff. 
• Premal Shah of Paypal now of Kiva who scaled from $1MM in 1 year to now $1MM each 5 days talks about how to plan for and handle rapid growth ( and not to fear it!! ) 
• Michael Bungay Stainer a powerhouse in his own right talks about the power of scars and how we tell our own story. To ourselves as well as others. 
• Gary Vaynerchuk on the best marketing strategy in the world is as always, viciously on point. 
• Sally Hogshead of Fascinate never disappoints with her cheeky but powerful style: A note for the 'haters' and why having them is good for business. 
• BizRockstar Tom Peters' 5 tips on achieving excellence found it's way to my fridge in 24 hours. 
• Business book Titans; Nancy Duarte of Slideology, Patrick Lencioni, Keith Ferrazzi and of course the awesome Seth Godin himself the list goes on and on!!!

This book helps you think and rethink every aspect of business life but to me the value is in helping you:


1) Deal with problems you face now
2) Cultivating your own and team excellence
3) Creating a practical but better future

I also have a whole new list of great authors added to my twitter feed that are now rocking my daily world! 

If you're a @Strombo fan from CBC he featured the book on his program and Seth today too - enjoy!


So TODAY ( and on April 25th especially ) buy and enjoy this book. 

Congrats to the team on the latest award too!


Ending Malaria is what you'll do for the world.
Creating power in your world is what you'll do for you.


Paul

End Malaria!

Ps. If you haven't seen the cool books in the Domino Project, take a peek!

Teams and Trust

What a delicious business book moment! My favourite business news column reviewed two of my all time favourite books on the concept of trust in teams!  

If you don't follow the Globe Careers team on Twitter or LinkedIn - I highly recommend them. 

Patrick Lencioni is one of my all time favourite business book authors because of how he uses the fable format. It makes for a more readable book, more memorable lessons because you are discussing theory AND case studies at the same time - powerful. 

The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team is one of his global best sellers because it addresses the real challenges that teams face in the office and comes up with solutions I know work as I now know over 10 teams who have used it to solve issues and boost productivity. I'm a fan of the audio book.

( Tip: If you are a consultant, you're going to want to read his latest book )

The second book in the article is Stephen MR Covey's "The Speed of Trust" 

One of the shortest audio books around, and the most powerful in it's discussion points and office solutions for issues around Trust. Don't let the simplicity and the aw-shucks attitude fool you - this book solves real problems.

Lastly a quick plug for the thoughts from a peer I trust greatly, Promod Sharma. An Actuary turned blogger and media expert, Trust is the topic of his 2012. Enjoy!

Some of the greatest office problems I have ever faced were solved using techniques from these two books and advice from Promod- enjoy the read and as always please share your thoughts below!

Continued success in all you do,

Paul


Bonus. Two quick great video's on the books!

 

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking

Six Word Review: Required reading for the thinking class.

I have read hundreds of books that I "recommend" and one or two that I share often but can't recall a business book so profound in its' importance. In my many speaking sessions on the mechanics of networking I have found in the 50+ books I've read on the topic that "introverts do it better" but I have never been able to prove it. Until now.

Who is an introvert? Definitions vary but without them we wouldn't have:

The theory of gravity
The theory of relativity
Peter Pan
Orwell's '1984' and 'Animal Farm'
The Cat in the Hat
Charlie Brown'
Schindler's List,' 'E.T.,' and 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
Google
Harry Potter

The author's use of neuroscience and FMRI's to understand the brain and how humans are built is nothing new to my library of "the mechanics of networking" - but this author traveled the globe got her hands dirtier than any business author I've ever read and what makes the truth of this book so valuable.

How does anyone attack a horde army - you kill the King.
Yes. Tony Robbins.

The author doesn't read his books and snipe from the comfort of her home office no this introvert went to his $1000 session and scientifically dissected decades of business rantings from Tony and the armada he and his ilk have built.

But she doesn't stop there. No, it's on to Mordor. Yes, Harvard U.

On campus at Harvard she takes an objective eye to the way society has embraced the extrovert ideal and how one of the world's leading institutions has become it's cheerleader and chief marketing machine.

Examples of powerful influencers like the surprising story of Dale Carnegie, Gandhi, Theodore Geisel ( aka Dr. Suess who once admitted "In mass, children terrify me" ) and an in-depth example of Eleanor Rosevelt that I hope will inspire thousands more women to embrace their professional power as thinkers who can do, instead of doers who stop to think on occasion.

There is plenty of science, the value of which will help both introverts and extroverts who read the book. How to optimize your work, home and relationships - powerful stuff. It will help introverts who work in the professions of designation ( lawyers, accountants ) and are forced to network understand themselves better, and how to still be effective. To know that coming back from an enforced "holiday season" event having had just two meaningful business conversations is actually equal to the extrovert who powers through the room like a bee in a field of flowers, coming home with a stack of cards they will do nothing with and only follow up with two people anyway - Introverts don't know their power. This book is a call to arms.
Although any extrovert who reads this book will find themselves outright despising the author ( I'm a 70 - 30 extrovert split so there was a little gnashing of teeth ) her attendance at a class for professionals from Asia on how to understand North American extroverts is beyond eye opening, you will consider that if you don't change you will walk through life with the largest populations on earth thinking you are a fool.

Again, it feels like the author is taking the easy path in showing how extroverts were the cause of the great crash of 2008. But we have to learn from these events and there is no doubt her points are well researched and very valid, you'll find yourself shaking your head, knowing she's right.

One item I found has a huge business application is the myth of "collaborative office space". I think cubicles are a business necessity, and I respect that - but I have this thing about claiming open concept offices allow more creativity. The author goes into detail about this, any manager or CEO who gives a damn about productivity will read this to increase revenue ( because I know how you really feel about "treating your people well" ). That being said, I couldn't explain when I walked into the "Centre For Social Innovation" in Toronto that it felt so right, and the book explains how to do it right and now I know why it feels so right. Want to know? Buy the book.

What I highly respect is that the book ends up with a lot of practical discussions and tools on how to adjust our business life, help our schools, children even our spouses to consider the issues of sensitivity, introvert-needs and issues.

Sure there are so many places in the book I feel the author digging a little big, against no doubt the decades of tyranny of extroverts. Any extrovert who can get past this will find so much value in business, life and yes love.
I think we're all on the spectrum between introvert and extrovert (the author has a free quiz you can take online!) . When I first met my wife, a science student she was clearly an introvert but she was in a highly social role in student government at University. I asked her about her philosophy of networking and she said "I'd rather be thought of a fool than to open my mouth and remove all doubt", quoting Abraham Lincoln. Many in my network consider me a huge extrovert but I'm writing this on Saturday night, she's out on a stage singing karaoke while I'm happily at home with all the lights off but one, with my favourite music and non-digital magazine - this book blog is a testament to how much time I spent quietly reading, recharging from my time spent as "Mr. Networking".

Within the first week, this book instantly hit the New York times best seller list, was featured on TV, radio and in print around the business world. Susan recently joined the ranks of best selling disruptive thinkers interviewed by Dank Pink - worth a listen!

I think it will become the "How to Win Friends and Influence People" for what I call the thinking class, no seriously.

Sorry for the long post, but I think this book is that important. So!

Step 1: Watch or listen to the items below

Step 2: Buy the book. Read the book.

Step 3: Give it to a thinker in your life.
Join the Quiet revolution.

Step 4: NEW - If you want to learn more from Susan I've created this  digital scrapbook of her articles and videos

Paul



Susan's 2012 record breaking TED talk!!

Offord Group Magazine: The Boomer Effect

Whose desk isn't over flowing with "things I should read"

Sector stuff, some stuff you pay for
...you never get to it.

Of the actual publications put out by consultants in the Canadian philanthropic sector a solid stand out is the magazine from the Offord Group
( mind you KCI's Philanthropic Trends is no slouch )

This issue about Boomers was so well put together and so important for my professional passion, planned giving - I had to flag it for my network as a must read.

Doesn't hurt that it's a damn good looking publication, a fun read, a thinking read, one you want to share and talk about.

What makes this issue a must read?

I have been sounding an alarm in presentations I've been giving for the past few years. The Boomers are coming and they are going to change philanthropy and the way we fundraise. The issue starts off with a fascinating article on how charities should think about positioning themselves in this change. Doesn't hurt that it's from a professor from Queens eMBA.

I won't hide my bias, that I have great respect for a fundraising leader I worked with at UofT, Avon MacFarlane who is now VP of the Offord Group. She has a strategic mind and I listen to everything she has to say and every word she writes. Period. Her article on the great wealth transfer, is of value to anyone who wants some of it! Tired of this topic? Her perspective is a refreshing one too as she addresses the fizzle that many of us waiting for this big transfer have felt for the past decade.

I've had a lot of fun this past year, getting up to speed with social media. All this fun took me a little off the path of why I was learning it. 90% of those who I interact with are Gen X, Y and Millennials but the reason I'm there is business, and if you want to do business with revenue-line results in social media right now... you better be aware of where boomers fit in. The wonderful Robin Fowler reminds us where that is.

Robert Harris, CEO of Altruvest provides some important insight about volunteer engagement that will soon be the new normal. Several of my peers are looking forward to hearing Robert at the February 3 Schulich Nonprofit Board Governance and Leadership conference - I hope he addresses this!

Having a strategic conversation about the demographics and future impact of boomers without talking to Founding President of Environics Michael Adams ( author of Stayin' Alive, on my ready to read list.. _) is like doing a mustache retrospective and not talking to Tom Selleck or Dom DeLuise. The issue includes a fun and thoughtful Q&A with him.

Now, it would be dishonest of me to claim I love the boomers. Full disclosure, I'm a Gen X'er who at times can have a less than sunny attitude towards them. With their "demographics has nothing to do with it, we're just that good" attitude. How Boomers donate and tips on working with them by Offord team member Prabha Mattappally had a nice Gen X edge to it. I tip my hat to you Prabha, one X to another.

So get over to the Offord site, I know they're not 2.0'd out and you have to submit an email address... but looking at their client list - they are all about making big players big money and big results. Their network are big thinkers who are changing the face of Canada and the world. So if you want to think smart in 2012, this is worth the trouble.

Couldn't be happier to see the recommendation to read CARP's "Zoomer Magazine". I've been a member on and off since I was 23. Yes, the Canadian Association of Retired People. Why? Because being a demographics nerd that they were going to change the very fabric of Canadian life. Why not ride the wave and have some fun? You can't beat demographics, why not join them? Not a believer? Check out this full page ad that Moses took out in the G&M. Funny and a little terrifying right?

They're coming.
Be ready.

Great job Offord team.

I leave you with some words from the Znaimer himself...

Paul

Say This Not That

Just in time for the Holidays when foots the world over, are placed in mouths

Funny enough, Gandhi & Mother Teresa were known for their sometimes scathing tirades instead of the peaches and cream platitudes we so often hear... not because they were bad people but their passion often lead them to demand more of others and it didn't always come off well...

I'm neither of them but I've had plenty of challenges communicating my intentions in my working life and beyond..

Swearing at work always confused me.
Don't get me wrong I love to swear like a sailor on my own time. Great fun. But at work I personally feel we should be able to express ourselves intentionally with professionalism. But it's hard some times, and I haven't spent a lot of time managing people. I know it's a challenge.

The darkest conversation I ever had at work was in 2011, a critical error and miscommunication led me to a blood boiling raised voice confrontation. I hated to be in that position and if not for some basic training I would have just quit my job that day..

Enter this tiny book. Not even 100 pages to read.

I took so many notes I think I may have transcribed the whole book! I WISH I had this book before that day.

This book not only gives you the words but the context for work, home, coaching, conflict

Learn to build trust, motivate and simply get your point across ( or listen to get someone else's point ) with everyday conversation

A must read for managers and client/donor service professionals

This book is so solid in its' simplicity you'll realize you're doing 80% but just not that last 20% - that's the magic, the words in this book aren't a stretch at all!

If you want to do more, get more in 2012 - here's a quick read to do just that.

Best wishes for a great holiday season! Keep those feet on the ground...

Some ninja tips.. Paul