Top Influential books I read in the last few years.

Volker Balluedercb consulting

www.volkerballueder.com

Steve Jobs - Biography

After reading this biography, I not only got myself an iPhone, iPad, iMac and AppleTV but also learned a lot about motivation.

Steve Jobs, even if he was a bad manager, was a great leader, a great believer and motivator.

We are here to make a dent in the universe, why else should we be here?http://goo.gl/0ZGB3

The Diamond Cutter

A text which I read awhile back but it shows how to use Buddhist principles in everyday life.

Very influential.

http://goo.gl/0Oflc

Introduction to NLP

Best book to introduce NLP to yourself or learn about the basic principles of NLP.

http://goo.gl/pUw2Z

Clinton - My Life

I really enjoyed reading that book and realising that the American Dream is real and out there.

Clinton is an idol to me, independent from his political view. I read this as a book from a great leader.

http://goo.gl/YVd0M

Blair's book is on par but Clinton is the better one.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

A must read. Whilst my MBA tutors tried to tell me this is a fad, I believe in most of the 7 habits.

You can read the 8th habit and other books by Corvey but this one is a must read. If you haven't read it, you haven't understood what it is all about.

http://goo.gl/eyDRo

The Charge

A book about life really. A motivational book to get on in life, identify your goals and stay motivated.

Nothing special or extraordinary but a nice reminder about what you should do.

http://goo.gl/7AaNm

Good to Great

Another book I have read a long time ago.

The synopsis says it all: identifying why certain companies grow and others fail.

Maybe comparable to 'Crossing the Chasm', or 'Leadership Principles'. Also noteworthy that there is a follow up book: 'Build to Last'

http://goo.gl/b2lPL

Chasing Daylight

Inspirational book about a world class human being, successful in life and work, who has a few weeks/months left before he dies.

He writes a book.You will cry!

http://goo.gl/h7xsy

The Seed

Jon Gordon writes a lot of nice books about life and uses many metaphors and real life experiences to make the reader understand how s/he can transform her/his life.

http://goo.gl/c6guS

The way we are working isn't working....

Tony Schwartz points out the most obvious and simplest things: we cannot work 24/7, we need breaks and instead of measuring time at work, we should measure productivity.

It is not about time but about energy management.

http://goo.gl/mFwTQhttp://www.slideshare.net/ballueder/the-way-were-working

Start With the Answers

If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there.

Hence, start with where you want to go, and work it out from there.Great and inspirational book about what you should do in work and life!

http://goo.gl/WYEBwhttp://www.slideshare.net/ballueder/cb-consulting-productivity-deck-2010

The Nudge

A book about decisioning. I believe the key term was behavioural economics.

How can we help others to make a better choice. Classic example: put the school meals in an order so kids chose the healthiest option.

http://goo.gl/FjRFR

Peaceful Warrior

This book explains the journey of a boy to become a man and learn about life.

He starts understanding life. He sees great things.

Entertaining and a great read.

http://goo.gl/5MJzd

GTD

Getting Things Done by David Allen is very influential if you are interested in time and organisational management.

Simple techniques, well applied, easy to understand.

Must read for anyone wanting to be organised.

http://goo.gl/KyTAm

Thank you.

Volker Ballueder

May 2013

Let me know if you have any questions or what you think of those books.

www.volkerballueder.com