Anyone looking for a great book on careers or the psychology of work is easily overwhelmed by the thousands of books out there to choose from. Thankfully, you need not look any further. Here is a list of some of the best that I can strongly recommend for you. Each of them is well written and provides thoughtful advice about navigating the subtleties of career management.
Happy reading!
ReThinking Work
by Cliff Hakim
Hakim is a deep thinker. In this groundbreaking work he shows us how we can find lasting happiness by taking a good, hard look at what makes us tick as human beings. He shows us that when we are truly motivated by what we do, work can indeed seem effortless and deeply pleasurable.
The Office Survival Guide
by Marilyn Puder-York, Ph.D.
The individual who does not quite understand how organizations really work is bound to make errors in his or her job. Puder-York, a clinical psychologist by training, gives real-life examples of her HR consulting work. Her vignettes can at times be painful to read because they can be a powerful reminder of past errors.
Career Distinction
by William Arruda and Kirsten Dixson
Aruda and Dixson understand what it takes to stand out as a professional in a highly competitive business environment. Much of their advice is commonsense, but they often also go beyond what’s obvious. You will, most of all, learn how you can go about building a stellar reputation as a doer and go-to person.
Portfolio Life
by David Corbett
The over-fifty crowd can be anxious about its relevance in a high-speed, youth-driven marketplace. Corbett reassures us that there are plenty of opportunities for experienced boomers who are willing to take stock of their interests and skills and put together a portfolio of experiences and activities.
CEO of Me
by Ellen Ernst Kossek and Brenda Lautsch
When the world around us seems to pull us in a thousand directions it can sometimes be hard to be in touch with what we want and we need professionally and personally. This book does a terrific job helping us sort through our natural inclinations and our current needs to create the right mix of work, family and finances.
It’s All Politics
by Kathleen Reardon, Ph.D.
Success in business requires a good amount of political sensitivity and skill. Reardon’s convincingly argued tome is an intelliegent reflection on the necessity of paying close attention to delicate interpersonal dynamics when conduction tricky negotiations or making well-orchestrated career moves.
On Becoming A Leader
by Warren Bennis
Bennis’ book is a classic for the ages. Anyone with an interest in the art and science of leadership is guaranteed to enjoy this book. You won’t find any magic bullets there, but rather a reflective meditation on what it means to lead.
The Seven-Day Weekend
by Ricardo Semier
Maverick billionaire serial entrepreneur Ricardo Semier asks dozens of provocative questions about how a business can be run that most managers and CEOs would rather avoid entirely. He questions some of the most established “truths” about hierarchy, information sharing, labor policies, and profit sharing.
Taking Advice
by Dan Ciampa
Leaders often complain about how lonely it can be at the top. Ciampa tells us it does not have to be that way. He is full of wise and fully tested suggestions about how leaders can build advisory networks that will help break the isolation, increase effectiveness and thrive even in difficult times.