In continuation of our reading list series, we’ve asked Managing Partner and Senior Investment Advisor Mitch Reiner to share his top-ten favorite books of all time. In no particular order, they are:
1. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, Angela Duckworth
Comically called “inspiration for non-geniuses everywhere,” Duckworth’s book offers proof that anyone striving to succeed can. Her secret formula to outstanding achievement is “grit,” an intentional blend of passion and persistence.
2. The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek
In Sinek’s piece on leadership, he advises on “the infinite game” – the one that we’re all in that, unlike football or Monopoly, has no end. Individuals who commit to Sinek’s infinite game mindset will commit to a vision and build it week after week, month after month, year after year. These leaders create more innovative and more inspiring organizations – and lead us into the future.
3. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t, Jim Collins
This management book explains how companies make the transition from being good companies to being great companies. “Greatness” is defined by Collins as a company that achieves financial performance “several multiples better” than the market average, over a sustained period. Collins identified several key characteristics in companies that leaped from good to great, including leaders who are humble but driven to do what’s best for the company, and those that get “the right people on the bus, and then figure out where to go.”
4. Stillness Is the Key, Ryan Holiday
Ancient wisdom is made wildly popular in this book by Ryan Holiday, a New York Times best-selling author. Using both stoic and Buddhist philosophy, Holiday describes how slowing down is actually the secret weapon to those leaders and businesses charging ahead. On the personal side, Stillness Is the Key offers a simple solution to what we all seek – a path to contentment, meaning, and excellence in our lives and our world.
5. Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill
When initially published in 1937, this book was promoted as a self-improvement book. Hill stated that, when writing Think and Grow Rich, he was inspired by the ultra-successful businessman Andrew Carnegie. In Hill’s piece, he presents his research from over 20 years on the traits of those who amassed personal fortunes. Among his conclusions are a series of “principles,” such as “Thoughts are Things,” “Organized Planning,” and “Persistence.”
6. How to Win Friends & Influence People, Dale Carnegie
This legendary book on how to be successful personally and professionally has been around for decades, but the advice still rings true today. Carnegie encourages readers that they can take any situation and make it work for them. This piece aims to help everyone achieve their maximum potential by making people like them, winning people over to their way of thinking, and changing other people without creating resentment.
7. Shoe Dog: A Memoir by The Creator of Nike, Phil Knight
Like Dan, Mitch appreciated the challenge of rethinking and redefining set ideas about success that Shoe Dog presents.
8. Never Split the Difference, Chris Voss
Voss is a former international hostage negotiator for the FBI who rose to the ranks after a career as a police officer in the rough neighborhoods of Kansas City, Missouri. In Never Split the Difference, Voss offers his field-tested approach to high-stakes negotiations. Voss teaches readers the importance of becoming more effective negotiators in any scenario through nine principles for their personal and professional lives. His advice is perfect for the boardroom and at home.
9. Measure What Matters, John Doerr
In this New York Times bestseller, venture capitalist John Doerr breaks down how the goal-setting system of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) has helped businesses achieve explosive growth. This system isn’t limited to Silicon Valley tech companies; it can help any organization thrive. OKRs reveal an organization’s most important work, and they focus efforts and foster coordination while keeping employees on track. Doerr believes OKRs unify and strengthen an entire company while enhancing workplace satisfaction and boosting retention all along the way.
10. A Man in Full, Tom Wolfe
In Tom Wolfe’s highly acclaimed novel, the setting is in urban Atlanta and racial undertones run throughout the story. At the focus is character Charles Croker, a 60-year-old real estate developer, and one-time college football hero. Croker’s vast, diversified empire is now tottering on the brink of collapse under the weight of significant debt. A Man in Full follows Croker and weaves in storylines of other principal characters affected by Croker’s decisions. The result is a rich tale that will be a “fast read” despite the book’s length.
Have you read any of the books on this list? If not, consider adding these to your reading list and share your book recommendations with us!
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