Quarterly Book Review: 10 Reads That Shape My Thinking
Lessons in Decision-Making, Persuasion, and Personal Growth
Introduction
The first quarter of this year was an intentional learning period for me. I set out to expand my knowledge across multiple disciplines—leadership, business strategy, communication, history, and psychology. Reading has always been a cornerstone of my professional and personal development, and this quarter was no exception.
Among all the books I read, High Output Management by Andrew Grove was my favorite. Grove's ability to distill complex management principles into practical, real-world applications resonated deeply with me. His breakfast factory analogy, for instance, simplified intricate business concepts, making them easy to apply to knowledge work.
A close runner-up was The Catalyst by Jonah Berger. This book served as a reminder that persuasion isn’t about force but about removing barriers. Berger’s insights reinforced the idea that anyone can connect with others, regardless of how different their perspectives may seem. His approach to influence is invaluable, especially in business development and change management.
Book List
The Dichotomy of Leadership – Jocko Willink
The second book in the Extreme Ownership series, this book emphasized the importance of balance in leadership. My biggest takeaway was that effective leadership requires walking a fine line—between discipline and flexibility, between confidence and humility. It reinforced the idea that leadership is about nuance, not absolutes.
Your Next Five Moves – Patrick Bet-David
Bet-David’s journey from an immigrant working at a gym to leading a major insurance company was inspiring. His structured approach to decision-making, return on investment, and throughput made business strategy feel accessible. His insights reinforced my belief that anything is possible with the right mindset and strategic planning.
High Output Management – Andrew Grove
This management classic leverages manufacturing analogies to explain knowledge work. Grove’s storytelling makes complex management principles tangible. The breakfast factory example, in particular, simplified nebulous business concepts into digestible frameworks. This book fundamentally changed how I think about efficiency and throughput in my work.
Do You Talk Funny? – David Nihill
As someone who frequently speaks in public, Nihill’s book hit home. His humor-infused writing style underscored the importance of levity in communication. The book breaks down traditional comedic principles and shows how they can enhance public speaking at all levels. It encouraged me to embrace humor as a tool for engagement and impact.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things – Ben Horowitz
Horowitz’s firsthand account of leading startups through the Dot-Com bubble and recession highlighted the brutal realities of entrepreneurship. His experiences reminded me that building something meaningful is incredibly rewarding and stressful. His lessons on leadership and resilience are essential for anyone in business.
The Hero Effect – Kevin Brown
Brown’s HERO framework (Help others, create Emotional experiences, take Responsibility, and work with Optimism) serves as a simple yet powerful playbook for leadership. His short stories reinforced that leadership is about action, not a title, and that even small acts have a significant impact.
And There Was Light: Abraham Lincoln’s Biography – Jon Meacham
For years, I admired Lincoln’s leadership, but this book deepened my appreciation for the sheer difficulty of his decisions. Lincoln’s ability to endure relentless opposition while pursuing transformational change is a reminder of the power of values and grit. His example reinforced the importance of resilience in leadership.
The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
Housel’s key insight is that financial decisions are more emotional than logical. Our perceptions of money are shaped by upbringing and culture, meaning financial advice is rarely one-size-fits-all. This book encouraged me to be more self-aware about how I view money and to question whether financial advice aligns with my goals.
Catalyst – Jonah Berger
Berger focuses on creating change by removing friction rather than applying pressure. His principles are invaluable for business development, sales, and change management. The book reinforced my belief that persuasion is about understanding and addressing concerns, not just making a compelling argument.
Mastering Conversation Skills – Helen Stone
Communication is a fundamental skill, and Stone’s book provides straightforward techniques for improvement. Active listening was my biggest takeaway—it’s often overlooked but can transform interactions. In an era dominated by digital communication, mastering in-person conversations is more important than ever.
My Most Valuable Takeaways
1. Throughput is the Key to Efficiency
Your Next 5 Moves, The Hard Thing About Hard Things, and High Output Management all highlighted the importance of throughput. Increasing throughput—whether in decision-making, project execution, or personal productivity—makes everything else easier. I’ve applied this by leveraging AI for research, idea generation, and editing, significantly speeding up my workflow.
2. Everyone Has Hopes, Fears, and Dreams
Catalyst and Mastering Conversation Skills reinforced the importance of empathy. Recognizing everyone has struggles and aspirations makes conversations more productive and relationships more meaningful. Putting myself in others' shoes has helped me connect better and drive better outcomes.
3. Accountability Leads to Leadership
Both The Dichotomy of Leadership and The Hero Effect reinforced the importance of taking responsibility. A recent example from my work: I had to step up to salvage a program that was falling behind schedule. Acknowledging the problem early in February allowed me to rally the team and ensure we met our critical deadline by the end of March. Owning up to challenges made me a more effective leader.
My Reading Routine
People often ask how I manage to read so much. The key for me is consistency rather than speed. Here’s how I fit reading into my schedule:
Audiobooks: I listen during my commute while driving, and while moving around during the day—about 4 hours per week.
Hard copies: I read on weekends before bed—about 1 hour per week.
Plane travel: I use long flights to catch up on reading. I finished most of Catalyst and The Psychology of Money during work trips, adding up to ~8 hours per trip.
Total time spent this quarter: 20 hours of reading, and 50 hours of audiobooks.
Conclusion
Reading non-fiction books has played a crucial role in my professional and personal growth. It has helped me evolve from a technical engineer to a global leader, and I firmly believe that continuous learning is key to success.
I hope this book list inspires you in your learning journey. Have you read any of these books? What did you think? Do you have any recommendations for me in Q2? I’d love to hear your thoughts!