“Now, Discover Your Strengths” by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton is the foundational work on strength-based leadership. The authors argue that people should focus on developing and leveraging their strengths, rather than trying to improve their weaknesses. The book includes Clifton StrengthsFinder assessment that identifies an individual’s top five strengths out of a list of 34 themes. The authors provide practical guidance and examples of how to apply strengths in various contexts, such as work, relationships, and personal development. I consider this book to be the #1 resource in strength-based personal and professional development.
Tom Rath. StrengthsFinder 2.0 provides an updated version of Clifton StrengthsFinder, and offers resources to understand and maximize the strengths. The book provides practical advice and exercises to help apply those strengths in personal and professional lives. Understanding your strengths is the key to building confidence and executive presence.
“Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert Cialdini. In his classic book, Cialdini identifies and explains six universal principles of persuasion: reciprocity, consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity. The book provides practical insights into recognizing and resisting unethical persuasion, as well as using the principles of persuasion to become a more effective communicator and negotiator. This is another brilliant foundational book.
“Getting to Yes” by Roger Fisher and William Ury. The book presents a method of “principled negotiation” or “interest-based negotiation” that focuses on identifying the interests of both parties and finding mutually beneficial solutions rather than simply compromising. Some of the core concepts are separating people from the problem, focusing on interests rather than positions, generating a variety of options before deciding on a solution, and using objective criteria to evaluate potential agreements. It also introduces the now widely used concept of BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement). The principles outlined in the book are considered a classic in the field of negotiation theory.
“Bargaining with the Devil: When to Negotiate, When to Fight” by Robert Mnookin, a negotiation expert and Harvard Law School professor. The book explores the idea of negotiating with difficult opponents, whom Mnookin refers to as “devils.” Through case studies (because Harvard!) of real-life negotiations, Mnookin offers a framework for deciding when to engage in negotiations and when to resort to other tactics, such as litigation or other forms of force. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding the motivations and interests of the opposing party, and the need for effective communication and creative problem-solving during negotiations. The book provides practical insights for a wide variety of high-stakes negotiations.