I have a confession to make. Two actually. Few people in Silicon Valley have not heard of the venture capitalist John Doerr. I watched John Doerr’s TED talk some time ago. Then I gave this book Measure What Matters by John Doerr to my best friend, but I ended up reading it first. For some … Continue reading Measure What Matters
Category: Business and Leadership
Power
This is an unusual reading choice. The little prince might say this is for grown-ups. Yet again, I do not recall how I stumbled on the book. It is definitely a great read, agreeing with or not agreeing with the author on everything. Generally speaking, I like books by academics, except on some occasions when … Continue reading Power
Women Leaders: Mastering Organisational Strategy
This weekend, I attended the Women Leaders: Mastering Organisational Strategy workshop given by Dikla Camel Hurwitz at Stanford Graduate School of Business. In short, my summary is: attend it if you have a chance, regardless of your gender. I personally think many discussions and practices we had would be very useful for male professionals as … Continue reading Women Leaders: Mastering Organisational Strategy
The Seven Levels of Communication
This book, the Seven Levels of Communication by Michael J. Maher, arrived in the post. Very excitedly, I opened the package. After a quick glance at its cover with the subtitle “Go from Relationships to Referrals”. My heart sank to the deep dark valley in King’s Canyon. “Relationships to Referrals” those words immediately projected to … Continue reading The Seven Levels of Communication
Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly
The skill of problem solving frequently lies in the interpretation and reinterpretation of high-level objectives. In this book John Kay argues that “the best way to achieve any complex or broadly defined goal, from happiness to preventing forest fires, is the indirect way. We can learn how to achieve our objectives only through a … Continue reading Obliquity: Why Our Goals Are Best Achieved Indirectly
A Whole New Mind
If you only have one minute, take the 20-10 test (originally by Jim Collins). It is included in Daniel Pink’s book: A Whole New Mind, paraphrased here: Ask: Would I still do what I am doing now if I had $20 million in the bank and knew I had no more than ten years to … Continue reading A Whole New Mind
The Effective Executive
I read a good number of Peter F. Drucker’s works as a postgraduate student. During the last few years, I browsed some passages on and off as the need arose. Last month, I was traveling and had the good fortune to have the company of his The Effective Executive during my Eurostar rides. Coincidentally, I … Continue reading The Effective Executive
Crucial Conversations
My book of this week is Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High. It is coauthored by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan and Al Switzler. I first browsed this book some years ago, either in the Waterstones branch I frequented or the Imperial College London Central Library. My memory fails me on … Continue reading Crucial Conversations
The Art of Possibility
A great lecturer and mentor of mine, John Steinhart, recently recommended the book The Art of Possibility. John specifically mentioned its audio recording. Although I have a reasonably lengthy list of books to read already, a recommendation from John no doubt sets me into motion to check both the audiobook and paperback out. The Art … Continue reading The Art of Possibility
Getting to Yes
Getting to Yes - Negotiating an Agreement without Giving in is written by Roger Fisher, William Ury, and Bruce Patton. This is another book that I borrowed from John Steinhart. It is one of John’s many recommended books on leadership and conflict management. I enjoyed reading the paperback tremendously, but had a lesser experience listening to … Continue reading Getting to Yes