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Our 2020 Must-Reads
08 Jan, 20205
At Understanding Recruitment we put a huge emphasis on self development. So much so that one of our values is dedicated to being the very best you. We also host our monthly Book Club meetup where we discuss our latest reads. Here are the team's favourites for you to enjoy!
THE SLIGHT EDGE BY JEFF OLSON
What it’s about
The Slight Edge shows you how to create powerful results from the simple daily activities in your life, by using tools that are already within you. And all you need to make that happen? Discover that "one" thing that will help you achieve that goal, realize a life-long dream or propel you up the ladder to success.
About the Author
Jeff Olson has built several multimillion-dollar sales and marketing organisations, hosted seminars in every major city in the United States and produced more than 900 television programmes centred on personal development. Over the past twenty years, Jeff has helped hundreds of thousands of individuals achieve better levels of financial freedom and personal excellence.
SHOE DOG: A MEMOIR BY THE CREATOR OF NIKE BY PHIL KNIGHT
What it’s about
In 1962, fresh out of business school, Phil Knight borrowed $50 from his father and created a company with a simple mission: import high-quality, low-cost athletic shoes from Japan. Selling the shoes from the boot of his Plymouth, Knight grossed $8000 in his first year. Today, Nike's annual sales top $30 billion. In an age of start-ups, Nike is the ne plus ultra of all start-ups, and the swoosh has become a revolutionary, globe-spanning icon, one of the most ubiquitous and recognisable symbols in the world today. But Knight, the man behind the swoosh, has always remained a mystery. Now, for the first time, he tells his story.
About the Author
One of the world’s most influential business executives, Phil Knight is the founder of Nike, Inc. He served as CEO of the company from 1964 to 2004, as board chairman through 2016, and he is currently Chairman Emeritus.
CAN’T HURT ME: MASTER YOUR MIND AND DEFY THE ODDS BY DAVID GOGGINS
What it’s about
For David Goggins, childhood was a nightmare — poverty, prejudice, and physical abuse coloured his days and haunted his nights. But through self-discipline, mental toughness, and hard work, Goggins transformed himself from a depressed, overweight young man with no future into a U.S. Armed Forces icon and one of the world's top endurance athletes. The only man in history to complete elite training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger, and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, he went on to set records in numerous endurance events, inspiring Outside magazine to name him “The Fittest (Real) Man in America.” In Can't Hurt Me, he shares his astonishing life story and reveals that most of us tap into only 40% of our capabilities. Goggins calls this the 40% Rule, and his story illuminates a path that anyone can follow to push past pain, demolish fear, and reach their full potential.
About the Author
Goggins has competed in more than sixty ultra-marathons, triathlons, and ultra-triathlons, setting new course records and regularly placing in the top five. A former Guinness World Record holder for completing 4,030 pull-ups in seventeen hours, he's a much-sought-after public speaker who's shared his story with the staffs of Fortune 500 companies, professional sports teams, and hundreds of thousands of students across the country.
THE COACHING HABIT: SAY LESS, ASK MORE & CHANGE THE WAY YOU LEAD FOREVER BY MICHAEL BUNGAY STAINER
What it’s about
In Michael Bungay Stanier's The Coaching Habit, coaching becomes a regular, informal part of your day so managers and their teams can work less hard and have more impact.
Drawing on years of experience training more than 10,000 busy managers from around the globe in practical, everyday coaching skills, Bungay Stanier reveals how to unlock your peoples' potential. He unpacks seven essential coaching questions to demonstrate how--by saying less and asking more--you can develop coaching methods that produce great results.
About the Author
Michael is the founder of Box of Crayons, a company that helps organizations do less good work and more great work. Michael has written for or been featured in numerous publications including Business Insider, Fast Company, Forbes, The Globe & Mail and The Huffington Post.
7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE BY STEPHEN COVEY
What it’s about
To live with security and wisdom, and to have the power to take advantages of the opportunities that change creates, we need fairness, integrity, honesty and human dignity. Quite a tall order when you consider that most of us live our lives in a permanent state of flux, questioning our ideals and values and fighting a daily battle with the lack of self-confidence that stops us from taking risks of any kind. But, in The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey manages to make it sound as if changing the way, we look at ourselves and the world around us so that we can become more successful both personally and professionally an absolute doddle.
About the Author
Stephen R. Covey is a renowned leadership authority, family expert, teacher, organizational consultant, and co-founder of FranklinCovey Co. He is author of several international bestsellers and was named one of TIME Magazine's 25 Most Influential Americans.
FIRST MAN IN: LEADING FROM THE FRONT BY ANT MIDDLETON
What it’s about
No one is born a leader. But through sheer determination and by confronting life’s challenges, Ant Middleton has come to know the meaning of true leadership. In First Man In, he shares the core lessons he’s learned over the course of his fascinating, exhilarating life.
About the Author
Ant Middleton is the front man for Channel 4’s hit show, SAS: Who Dares Wins. Born in Portsmouth and raised in rural France, Ant set his sights on a career in the armed forces and didn’t stop striving until he achieved his goal. Over the course of his career he has served in the Special Boat Service, the Royal Marines and 9 Parachute Squadron Royal, achieving what is known as the ‘Holy Trinity’ of the UK’s Elite Forces.
HIGH PERFORMANCE HABITS: HOW EXTRAORDINARY PEOPLE BECOME THAT WAY BY BRENDON BURCHARD
What it’s about
It's one thing to know that habits are important, it's another to know the secret rituals of the world's most successful people. Twenty years ago, author Brendon Burchard set out to discover why some people can easily change, develop skill rapidly and rise in their chosen career field, while others work hard but struggle for decades. What he discovered is a unique set of habits that apply across all areas of our lives, that when practiced lead to success across any domain.
In this book, you'll learn:
- How the world's highest-performing people think, respond to challenge and achieve goals faster than their peers
- Why high performers shirk the advice of 'just be yourself' and 'do what comes naturally to you'
- Why motivation, grit and practice are not enough despite the recent buzz
- When to give up or start over so that you can move ahead faster
- Tactical advantage habits that help you become 30% more productive in 7 days
- Absolutely must-do habits to immediately follow for your health, relationships and career. And much more!
About the Author
Brendon Burchard is one of the most watched personal development trainers in the world. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, his books include The Motivation Manifesto, The Millionaire Messenger and Life's Golden Ticket. Brendon dedicates his life to helping others find their charge and share their voice with the world.
HOW TO DEAL WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE: SMART TACTICS FOR OVERCOMING THE PROBLEM PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE BY GILL HASSON
What it’s about
Whether it’s a manager who keeps moving the goal posts, an uncooperative colleague, negative friend, or critical family member, some people are just plain hard to get along with. Often, your immediate response is to shrink or sulk, become defensive or attack. But there are smarter moves to make when dealing with difficult people. This book explains how to cope with a range of situations with difficult people and to focus on what you can change.
This book will help you to:
- Understand what makes difficult people tick and how best to handle them
- Learn ways to confidently stand up to others and resist the urge to attack back
- Develop strategies to calmly navigate emotionally charged situations
- Deal with all kinds of difficult people hostile, manipulative and the impossible
- Know when to choose your battles, and when to walk away
About the Author
Gill Hasson delivers teaching and training for educational organisations, voluntary and business organisations and the public sector. She has 20 years’ experience teaching and writing on a range of personal development issues; confidence and self-esteem, communication skills, assertiveness and resilience.
THE CHIMP PARADOX: THE MIND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE SUCCESS, CONFIDENCE AND HAPPINESS BY DR STEVE PETERS
What it’s about
Do you sabotage your own happiness and success? Are you struggling to make sense of yourself? Do your emotions sometimes dictate your life?
The Chimp Paradox is an incredibly powerful mind management model that can help you become a happy, confident, healthier and more successful person. Prof Steve Peters explains the struggle that takes place within your mind and then shows how to apply this understanding to every area of your life so you can:
- Recognise how your mind is working
- Understand and manage your emotions and thoughts
- Manage yourself and become the person you’d like to be
The Chimp Mind Management Model is based on scientific facts and principles, which have been simplified into a workable model for easy use. It will help you to develop yourself and give you the skills, for example, to remove anxiety, have confidence and choose your emotions. The book will do this by giving you an understanding of the way in which your mind works and how you can manage it. It will also help you to identify what is holding you back or preventing you from having a happier and more successful life.
About the Author
Dr Steve Peters is a Consultant Psychiatrist and has worked in the clinical field of psychiatry for over 20 years. He specialises in optimising the functioning of the mind and holds degrees in mathematics and medicine. Dr Peters is Undergraduate Dean at Sheffield University Medical School and resident psychiatrist with the British Cycling and Sky ProCycling teams.
GRIT: WHY PASSION AND RESILIENCE ARE THE SECRETS TO SUCCESS BY ANGELA DUCKWORTH
What it’s about
In this must-read for anyone seeking to succeed, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth takes us on an eye-opening journey to discover the true qualities that lead to outstanding achievement. Winningly personal, insightful and powerful, Grit is a book about what goes through your head when you fall down, and how that – not talent or luck – makes all the difference.
About the Author
Dr Angela Duckworth is a 2013 MacArthur Fellow and an associate professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. She is an expert in non-IQ competencies, including grit and self-control. A highly sought-after international speaker, her TED talk on grit has been viewed by over 10 million people.
MINDSET: CHANGING THE WAY YOU THINK TO FULFIL YOUR POTENTIAL BY CAROL DWECK
What it’s about
Dweck explains why it's not just our abilities and talent that bring us success-but whether we approach them with a fixed or growth mindset. She makes clear why praising intelligence and ability doesn't foster self-esteem and lead to accomplishment but may jeopardize success. With the right mindset, we can motivate our kids and help them to raise their grades, as well as reach our own goals-personal and professional. Dweck reveals what all great parents, teachers, CEOs, and athletes already know: how a simple idea about the brain can create a love of learning and a resilience that is the basis of great accomplishment in every area.
About the Author
Carol S. Dweck is an American Professor of Psychology. She is best known for her work on the mindset of psychological traits.
LEGACY: WHAT THE ALL BLACKS CAN TEACH US ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF LIFE BY JAMES KERR
What it’s about
Champions do extra. They sweep the sheds. They follow the spearhead. They keep a blue head. They are good ancestors.
In Legacy, best-selling author James Kerr goes deep into the heart of the world’s most successful sporting team, the legendary All Blacks of New Zealand, to reveal 15 powerful and practical lessons for leadership and business.
Legacy is a unique, inspiring handbook for leaders in all fields, and asks: What are the secrets of success sustained success? How do you achieve world-class standards, day after day, week after week, year after year? How do you handle pressure? How do you train to win at the highest level? What do you leave behind you after you’re gone? What will be your legacy?
About the Author
James Kerr specialises in leadership and high performance. He is the co-founder of Fable Partners, the Leadership and Change Consultancy.
UNSTOPPABLE: A 90-DAY PLAN TO BIOHACK YOUR MIND AND BODY FOR SUCCESS BY BEN ANGEL
What it’s about
Unable to overcome debilitating fatigue and depression, bestselling author and personal development expert Ben Angel set out on a 90-day mission to find and conquer the root of his rut.
The result of his journey is Unstoppable, a highly revealing book where Ben gives you a look into the world of nootropics, wearable devices, and nutrition and delivers a guide to help you reduce stress, increase focus, improve physical performance, and eliminate your fears. You’ll hear from world-leading biohackers, neuroscientists, doctors, and New York Times bestselling author Dave Asprey as Ben helps you:
- Identify the seven triggers causing your brain fog
- Discover the key to better health, more energy, and a better mood
- Optimize your mental performance and feel more alert with six nootropics
- Form new behaviours and break old patterns (the real secret to your success)
- Interrupt your stress response through breathing
- Align your biochemistry with your soul’s purpose in three easy steps
- Use progressive overload to become an upgraded version of yourself
About the Author
Ben Angel, author of CLICK, Sleeping Your Way to The Top in Business and Flee 9-5, is Australia's leading marketing authority. Founder of benangel.co, a site dedicated to providing entrepreneurs advanced online marketing courses and education, Ben provides easy-to-apply and even easier-to-understand strategies for reaching new customers with ease.
Order it here
EGO IS THE ENEMY: THE FIGHT TO MASTER OUR GREATEST OPPONENT BY RYAN HOLIDAY
What it’s about
It's wrecked the careers of promising young geniuses. It's evaporated great fortunes and run companies into the ground. It's made adversity unbearable and turned struggle into shame. Every great philosopher has warned against it, in our most lasting stories and countless works of art, in all culture and all ages. Its name? Ego, and it is the enemy - of ambition, of success and of resilience.
In Ego is the Enemy, Ryan Holiday shows us how and why ego is such a powerful internal opponent to be guarded against at all stages of our careers and lives, and that we can only create our best work when we identify, acknowledge and disarm its dangers. Drawing on an array of inspiring characters and narratives from literature, philosophy and history, the book explores the nature and dangers of ego to illustrate how you can be humble in your aspirations, gracious in your success and resilient in your failures.
About the Author
Ryan Holiday is the bestselling author of Trust Me, I'm Lying, Growth Hacker Marketing and The Obstacle is the Way. His books have been translated into seventeen languages and his writing has appeared everywhere from the Columbia Journalism Review to Fast Company. He was director of marketing at American Apparel for many years, and his strategies in growth hacking and advertising are used as case studies by Twitter, YouTube and Google.
THE POWER OF HABIT: WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO, AND HOW TO CHANGE BY CHARLES DUHIGG
What it’s about
We can always change. In The Power of Habit, award-winning New York Times business reporter Charles Duhigg translates cutting-edge behavioural science into practical self-improvement action, distilling advanced neuroscience into fascinating narratives of transformation.
Why can some people and companies change overnight, and some stay stuck in their old ruts? The answer lies deep in the human brain, and The Power of Habits reveals the secret pressure points that can change a life. From Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps to Martin Luther King Jr., from the CEO of Starbucks to the locker rooms of the NFL, Duhigg explores the incredible results of keystone habits, and how they can make all the difference between billions and millions, failure and success – or even life and death.
About the Author
Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter for The New York. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Business School, he has received the George Polk, the National Academies of Science and other awards.