The Books On My Shelf At Work

Sam, an EntreLeadership Podcast listener, recently asked what books are on my bookshelf at work. So, I turned my chair and snapped a picture. The funny thing is that it’s been so full for so long, I have most of the books at home. So here are just a few if you can make them out.

One of the most impactful business books for me was Execution by Ram Charan and Larry Bossidy. It’s about the discipline of getting things done. As far as the Christian genre, Follow Me by Jan David Hettinga was huge. It examines the roadblocks that keep us from following Christ.

Question: What’s on your bookshelf at work? What book has changed your life?

Posted in

72 thoughts on “The Books On My Shelf At Work”

          1. holly

            please share with your fan club the books you have on your shelf. It’s hard to tell just from the picture.

            Your fan holly

  2. Anonymous

    Ah, we need a full inventory of that :)! With title, author, editions, and printing :).

    Oh, and don’t forget the make/model of the boat :).

    Ah, I see you have a book by a Mr. Ramsey, I hear he’s not bad :D.

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  3. jjedlin

    Favorite book on my work bookshelf right now is Made To Stick by the Heath Brothers. It asks the question “Why do some ideas thrive while others die?”. I loved reading about the urban legends we all grew up hearing and what made them stick throughout the generations! It’s a fun book to read. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an idea.

    Reply
  4. tufbooktravathy Malone

    Latest, Your Life, Uploaded, forward by Bill Gates, by Gordon Bell, researcher Microsoft on how capturing what goes on in your life (which we do in a small way now) would/could impact/make life better, very interesting.

    Onward by Howard Schultz of Starbucks, how he came back and rebuilt the company, I laughed, cried, great stuff, The One Thing You Need to Know by Marcus Buckingham (get printed copy, how to get along with your spouse in 1st section, not in audiobook, one of the best things I have ever read),

    Audiobooks, eMyth by Gerber (painful, too true as small biz, about learning to work on your biz not just in it), anything by Jeffrey Gitomer, he is to marketing what Dave is to biz/finances, about providing value to your prospective clients so they come to you, in every variation, everything by Seth Godin (each audiobook different), master of the digital marketing/business building age,

    Just went through a series of audiobooks as a result of the Borders closeout (criteria, <$10 and non-fiction), wound up with an awesome selection that I would never have picked otherwise, in this order: Patrick Swayze, re pancreatic cancer (friend with it now), Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox, inspiring, "if you could give me life back before Parkinson's, I would say take a hike", about embracing where you are, Embracing the Wide Sky, functioning autistic/tauret's guy who became cured, very interesting view of the mind and its possibilities, including how autistics "see" numbers, ?? 1 other re guy cured of Tourette's syndrome & how his parents stood by him (for 18 years!), took the words "I have to" out of my vocabulary, Michael Phelps, 8-time Olympian, see the power of written goals for real.

    Reply
  5. Garrison

    The art of war by Sun Tzu is a great book that can be applied to many situations.

    One of the most influential books that has changed my life would be The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. That book taught me to get out of debt and change my family tree. It has also helped propel me to be a better giver and volunteer.

    Reply
  6. Teresa

    Chages That Heal by Henry Cloud. Same guy that authored Boundaries, but this one goes way deeper.

    It’s where I first learned that I was not put on this earth to kiss butt. Jesus had very specific boundaries and so should we! : )

    Reply
  7. Brandon Peterson

    Good to Great by Jim Collins, Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, It’s Your Ship by Michael Abarshoff, and Type Talk at Work by Otto Kroeger

    Reply
  8. Jana Botkin

    First, thank you all commenters for book recommendations that are now added to my very long list.

    Second, who has time to read at work???

    Third, I have art books on my shelves in my studio but mostly pull them down to show someone a page or two or to share them. Why? Because I am WORKING in my studio, not reading.

    It is hard enough to get through the tasks of the day, the reading of certain blogs (ahem), the following of all the shoulds for marketing – I reiterate WHO HAS TIME TO READ AT WORK??

    Reply
        1. jjedlin

          Some books are better fits than others…like we started reading ReWork by Jason Fried & David Hansson but it just didnt connect with my team. Jason and David are the founders of 37 Signals, a company that is only a decade old. Our company has been around for a century so some of the things they were saying were really hard to apply.

          Reply
    3. Scott

      Most of my coworkers go out for lunch and I usually eat in. Dave Ramsey says I can’t go to a restaurant unless I work there lol. So I do some reading during that time. I also have a thirty min. drive to work and if I have time left over after a conversation with the Lord I usually start up an audio book.

      But I could definitely see reading being part of the job for the Ramsey team, seeing how leadership, growth, and inspiration are their products. I can’t imagine an interview on the EntreLeadership Podcast (every TWO weeks…but I digress) taking place without the interviewee’s book having been read.

      Reply
    4. Louise Thaxton

      Jana – I don’t READ at work – but I usually keep my books at work! One library at home – but the business books at work. Never know when you will have to grab a book as a resource!

      Reply
  9. Joel Fortner

    First off, this is the second post in a row that hasn’t mentioned candy. Tom is wondering what’s up? But on the subject of books, one of the best I’ve read in a while is Why Should the Boss Listen to You: The Seven Disciplines of the Trusted Strategic Advisor by James E. Lukaszewski. It’s helped me become a better follower, which has helped me be a better leader. It’s interesting how that works.

    Reply
  10. Eric Speir

    This is the second time I’ve heard of the book “Execution”. I need to add it to my book list. I’ve got too many on my shelves from work. One that changed my life was by John Eldredge called “Wild at Heart.” It’s totally a guys book but I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if I hadn’t read it. I changed jobs and moved because of it!

    Reply
    2. Jana Botkin

      “Wild at Heart” may be a guy’s book, but it introduced me to Eldredge and he is a fantastic writer! “Journey of Desire” was a real eye-opener for me (but it’s not on my work bookshelf). Love hearing how his writing changed your life, Eric.

      Reply
    3. Scott

      I was just recommending this book to someone yesterday. I fired up the audiobook just to refresh my memory on how the book began and before I knew it I was half way through the book again. Good stuff, although it makes me want a Claymore sword….

      Reply
  11. Eric Speir

    Do you ever find yourself loving a book because you needed it during that season of your life? Some books that I’ve read have helped me because of the place of life that I was in. Anyone else besides me have this experience?

    Reply
  12. Terry Davis

    My desk looks pretty empty since as of my books are on my kindle but it is convenient to have them with me whenever I get a chance to read or reread.

    Reply
  13. Tom Brichacek (@tbric)

    I guess I need a bookshelf at work! Who knew you could read at work! I do have a few books in a cabinet at work. One is the Counselor Salesperson and the others are about Lean 5S.

    The book that changed my life is TMM by Dave Ramsey. I didn’t read it at work though. It is applying both at home and at work. Entreleadership is a close second.

    I AM wondering (thanks to Joel) how you can answer all these other questions about books at work, but not candy. Very disappointing! 🙂

    Reply
  14. Anonymous

    I am a tech person, so these might be a bit more boring; on my work bookshelf are:

    Webster’s dictionary/thesaurus

    CCENT/CCNA ICND1 640-822 Official Cert Guide, 3rd Edition By Wendell Odom.

    CCNA ICND2 640-816 Official Cert Guide, 3rd Edition By Wendell Odom.

    31 Days Before Your CCNA Exam: A day-by-day review guide for the CCNA 640-802 exam, 2nd Edition By Allan Johnson.

    CCNA Portable Command Guide, 2nd Edition By Scott Empson.

    Wireless# Certification Official Study Guide by Tom Carpenter

    The Cold War by Teresa O’Neal.

    The Iraq War by John Keegan

    Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt

    Super Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt

    What Everyone Should Know About Economics and Prosperity by James D. Gwartney

    The Codebreakers by David Kahn (1968 printing, found this classic tome used for $20)

    Reply
  15. jonstolpe

    1. Execution by Bossidy and Charan

    2. The Seed by Jon Gordon

    3. Leadership Is Dead How Influence Is Reviving It by Jeremie Kubicek

    4. The Bible

    Reply
  17. Alexis Lockhart

    One of my all time “re-reads” (because I continually read it) is “How To Win Friemds & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. I find it works in business, with personal friends, spouses & even raising children. Timeless principles.

    Reply
  18. Marcos Guerra (@marcosguerra7)

    Start with why by Simon Sinek its a GREAT book. I always had a little obsession in figuring in out the reasons people did what they did. This book helped me understand the reason we follow our leaders (or movements, or companies, etc)

    Thanks for sharing Chris.

    I found your blog through listening to the podcast. Im glad i did. I look forward in learning from you.

    Reply
  19. Louise Thaxton

    Probably the book that truly changed my life the most was the book by Becky Tirabassi “Change Your Life” (DUH?!) – but it was about developing the discipline of reading the Bible through each year and journaling. And the Bible is the ONE book which can TRULY change your life. That was over 10 years ago – and the Word is new every day!

    Also, I see you have “High Trust Selling” by Todd Duncan! I spoke at his event (Sales Mastery) in Palm Desert couple of weeks ago – Check out my blog about the event! (http://actvra.in/mRc). I like that book but I LOVE his book “The Power to Be Your Best” which was incredible.

    Reply
  20. ginasmom

    At work 90% of my books are technical – probably what would be defined as a “geek’s” book list:).

    I have a bit of a commute, so i get to listen a ton of audio of books, which i borrow from the library. On this list is a lot of stuff already mentioned here, Gladwell Malcom, Marcus Buckingham, John Maxwell a ton of stuff on personal finance, economy and a bunch of other subjects. Recently just finished reading Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely – i’ll never at some things the same way again.

    But the one book i keep coming back to (I have a hard copy of this) is “The Juggling Act” by Pat Gelsinger. Pat is a leader in the technology field, and in the book he lays out a blueprint for balancing your faith, work and family while being wildly successful. His lessons on defining personal mission statements, mentoring and organizations skills are something i like to check in with every so often.

    When i have my kids in the car, we listen to a couple of kids books, but they one they can’t get enough of is “The cat in the Hat” read by Kelsey Grammer. We can all say the words out, but sounds better when read by Kelsey.

    Reply
  21. Scott

    These are the books I thought were good enough to read more than once:

    Foxe’s Book of Martyrs – Amazing book. Put’s my tiny sacrifices into perspective. Can’t read it at work because I get choked up.

    The Millionaire Next Door – Turns out they aren’t evil.

    Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America & 1776 – These books helped me to learn more about this place I call home and the things that took place for her to exist. They should be required reading in American schools.

    Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters – Changed the way I parent my girls.

    Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Good life lessons in this one.

    Think and Grow Rich – Only the old version though, the updated version just didn’t have the same effect on me. Also, if you enjoy audiobooks, the audiobook for the older version has audio clips of the original speaker peppered throughout.

    Kisses from Katie – Bought this for my oldest girl after D.R. mentioned it, but her reaction to it caused me to read it too.

    Wild at Heart – Great book, as already mentioned in comments.

    ….and um, Ender’s Game – I had to sneak in at least one fiction.

    I appreciate the book suggestions made in the comments. Though my to-read list itself looks more like a book everyday.

    Reply
  22. Uma Maheswaran S (@mahez007)

    Some of the powerful books which I have read this year:

    1. Leaving Microsoft to change the World – by John Wood

    2. Man’s Search for meaning – by Victor E Frankyl

    3. Today We are Rich – by Tim Sanders

    4. Jesus My Father CIA and Me – by Ian Morgan Cron

    5. urprised by Oxford – by Carolyn Weber

    Reply
    1. Scott

      Thanks Uma. Added some of those to my list. “Surprised by Oxford” sounds particularly interesting.

      Chris, this has gone on for seven days. It must become a weekly feature of some sort, or better yet another podcast – you could call it EntreShelf…no. BookLeadership…..no. We’ll have to work on that, but it will give you something to do during the ridiculous amount of time between EntreLeadership podcasts. 😛

      🙂 I promise I’ll let up eventually.

      Reply
  23. Misty Gilbert

    My bookshelf is in my bedroom…since I work from home, there is not one “at work”. 🙂 In the last year, the two books that I would say had the most impact on me was Fearless by Max Lucado and Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi. Fearless was great for me because I was the child who was driven by and lived in fear, it was powerful to me on multiple levels. Never Eat Alone had some great concepts that I thought were practical on many levels of relationships. Currently I am reading Everyone Communicates Few Connect by John Maxwell. I have a bunch “to read” on my bookshelf and hope I complete them all. Would love to hear from others their form of reading and how they implement, take notes, review what they have learned.

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.