Need a new book to read this summer? We’ve got you covered!
Our brilliant, talented, and extremely well-read Lucid Champions have shared a few of their favorite books in the category of professional development.
Whether you’re looking to improve your daily habits, sharpen your communication skills, or embody the qualities of a strong leader, these books will give you the guidance you need to thrive in your career.
So grab a comfy spot by the pool and get ready to dive into these transformative reads. Let’s make this summer one of personal and professional growth!
Brief: Make a Bigger Impact by Saying Less by Joseph McCormack
This book is a must for anyone who presents data for or manages projects. The B.R.I.E.F. approach, which stands for Background, Relevance, Information, Ending, and Follow up, helps simplify and clarify complex communication.
John S.
Conversations with Things: UX Design for Chat and Voice by Jacci Tidwell
This book helped me learn to write in a more human-centered way instead of sounding like a robot.
Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
I think the light-bulb moment for me was realizing that not everything is as bad as it seems. Although the book was corny, I definitely feel like it has changed my attitude about my viewpoint in my career. Not everything has to be absolutely perfect, but the key is to start somewhere and give it your best and it’ll gradually become perfect. Strive for perfection, but don’t let that stop you from being happy in the meantime.
The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
The whole concept of this book is about infinite games vs. finite games. Finite games are like most sports. They have a set, finite set of rules, a finite set of players, a clear beginning and end, and a score. Infinite games, on the other hand, have far less rules, no beginning or end, and an infinite number of players that can change at any time.
The point of infinite games is not to have the highest score and win, but really to keep playing the game as much as you can and as best as you can. Sinek posits that things like business and life are infinite games, and infinite-minded business leaders are the ones who really do the most for their company (Steve Jobs, for example).
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
The concept of identifying product risks early and testing them with an appropriate/minimum amount of cost is a fundamental approach covered in many product management publications. But “The Lean Startup” did it best through an impactful definition: Wizard of Oz test. While not all early tests actually need to leverage only manual interactions in the back end, the example works and I’ve used it multiple times to help bring software engineering teams in alignment on approach.
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown et al.
“When you practice elaboration, there’s no known limit to how much you can learn. Elaboration is the process of giving new material meaning by expressing it in your own words and connecting it with what you already know. The more you can explain about the way your new learning relates to your prior knowledge, the stronger your grasp of the new learning will be, and the more connections you create that will help you remember it later.”
This is one of my favorite quotes from the book that I repeatedly share with learners. As we discuss learning, reflection, elaboration, and retrieval, Lucidspark and Lucidchart are uniquely great tools for supporting these cognitive processes. They enable users to create visual representations, organize thoughts, make connections between new material and prior knowledge, and foster collaborative learning and critical thinking.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
“The Power of Habit” is a terrific book that explores the science of habits and how they shape our lives, both personally and professionally. It offers valuable insights into understanding and changing habits to improve productivity and overall effectiveness.
One significant takeaway from the book is the concept of the habit loop, which consists of three components: cue, routine, and reward. Understanding this loop and how habits are formed can be transformative for personal and professional growth. The light-bulb moment occurs when readers realize that they can reshape their habits by identifying the cues that trigger certain behaviors, modifying the routines associated with those cues, and providing alternative rewards that satisfy the same cravings.
The Power of Your Leadership by John C. Maxwell
This book discusses how success is not simply monetary, and urges leaders to think of how their actions impact others in the long-term. It encourages leaders to make decisions based on their own purpose and explains how to find that purpose in order to feel fulfilled both as a leader and as an individual.
The last page of the book is also very impactful in determining if you feel as though you have purpose as a leader! Would highly recommend to emerging leaders.
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
“The War of Art” is all about consistency and finding your true calling. I read it a few times a year to bring myself back to center.
Storytelling with Data by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic
This book helped me learn how to use data and make presentations that tell stories to persuade business executives.
We hope you found some inspiration for your summer reading list! There is no better companion than a good book, and your future self will thank you.
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