1) Outliers: The Story of Success, by Malcom Gladwell - Why do some people succeed, living remarkably productive and impactful lives, while so many more never reach their potential? Challenging our cherished belief of the "self-made man," Gladwell makes the democratic assertion that superstars don't arise out of nowhere, propelled by genius and talent: "they are invariably the beneficiaries of hidden advantages and extraordinary opportunities and cultural legacies that allow them to learn and work hard and make sense of the world in ways others cannot." Examining the lives of outliers from Mozart to Bill Gates, he builds a convincing case for how successful people rise on a tide of advantages, "some deserved, some not, some earned, some just plain lucky."
Adapted from amazon.com, editorial review, Mari Malcom
2) Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Other Die, by Chip Heath and Dan Heath - Why do some ideas thrive while others die? And how do we improve the chances of worthy ideas? In Made to Stick, accomplished educators and idea collectors Chip and Dan Heath tackle head-on these vexing questions. Inside, the brothers Heath reveal the anatomy of ideas that stick and explain ways to make ideas stickier, such as applying the “human scale principle,” using the “Velcro Theory of Memory,” and creating “curiosity gaps.”
Made to Stick is a book that will transform the way you communicate ideas. It’s a fast-paced tour of success stories (and failures)–the Nobel Prize-winning scientist who drank a glass of bacteria to prove a point about stomach ulcers; the charities who make use of “the Mother Teresa Effect”; the elementary-school teacher whose simulation actually prevented racial prejudice. Provocative, eye-opening, and often surprisingly funny, Made to Stick shows us the vital principles of winning ideas–and tells us how we can apply these rules to making our own messages stick. Adapted from barnesandnoble.com, editorial review, The Publisher
3) What Would Google Do? by Jeff Jarvis – Jarvis, columnist and blogger about media, presents his ideas for surviving and prospering in the Internet age, with its new set of rules for emerging technologies as well as industries such as retail, manufacturing, and service. We learn that customers are now in charge, people anywhere can find each other and join forces to support a company’s efforts or oppose them, life and business are more public, conversation has replaced marketing, and openness is the key to success.
Jarvis offers thought-provoking observations and valuable examples for individuals and businesses seeking to fully participate in our Internet culture and maximize the opportunities it offers. It is unclear what role Google played, if any, in the preparation of this book, which provides excellent advertising for the company.
Adapted from amazon.com, editorial review, Mary Whaley
4) How The Mighty Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In, by Jim Collins - Consider this book Jim Collins's stand-alone trilogy topper to his resilient Good to Great and Built to Last. In How the Mighty Fall, he states what every successful CEO fears: That even the best-built institutions are vulnerable to decline. The good news is that company leaders and even middle managers can identify the "silent creep of impending doom" and systematically set a viable correction course. In these troubled times, when every business might strengthen its framework, this book provides tools to get through and thrive. Powerful remedies; convincing presentation.
Adapted from barnesandnoble.com, editorial review, Barnes & Noble
5) Death by Meeting, by Patrick Lencioni - In his latest page-turning work of business fiction, best-selling author Patrick Lencioni provides readers with another powerful and thought-provoking book, this one centered around a cure for the most painful yet underestimated problem of modern business: bad meetings. And what he suggests is both simple and revolutionary.As in his other books, Lencioni provides a framework for his groundbreaking model, and makes it applicable to the real world. Death by Meeting is nothing short of a blueprint for leaders who want to eliminate waste and frustration among their teams, and create environments of engagement and passion.
Adapted from barnesandnoble.com, editorial review, The
Publisher
6) The Culturally Proficient School: An Implementation Guide for School Leaders, by Randall B. Lindsey, Laraine M. Roberts, and Dr. Franklin Campbell Jones – "The blend of theory with practical exercises, including reflective activities, allows this book to have a profound impact on the thinking and professional behavior of current and prospective educational leaders." (Michael Dantley, Associate Professor of Educational Leadership). "If our schools are to be successful, leaders, teachers and parents need improved cultural proficiency. This book clearly will help all these stakeholders serve children better." (Kent Peterson, Department of Educational Administration).
Adapted from amazon.com, Editorial Reviews
7) Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time, by Susan Scott - Susan Scott believes that interpersonal difficulties–at work and at home–are a direct result of our inability to communicate well. Fierce Conversations is based on principles from her international consulting practice, in which she teaches executives how to conduct such exchanges more dynamically and ultimately more effectively, thereby improving the relationships they enjoy with their various dialogue partners "one conversation at a time."
Adapted from amazon.com, amazon.com review, Howard Rothma
The Fourth Way: The Inspiring Future for Educational Change, by Andy Hargreaves and Dennis Shirley - "In some places, Third Way politics have barely begun. In others, they have been pushed as far as they can go. It is high time for a new Fourth Way of social and educational reform. In this unique and excellent text, Andy Hargreaves and Dennis Shirley set out this way for the very first time, and also provide crystal clear examples of what it looks like in practice." (Anthony Giddens, Director, London School of Economics). "In this timely and inspirational book, Andy Hargreaves and Dennis Shirley challenge our current thinking about educational change. Their argument for interdependence, empowerment, collective courage, and professionalism will resonate with all who have wrestled with these issues. It will leave a lasting impression. Read it!" (Steve Munby, Chief Executive).
Adapted from amazon.com, Editorial Reviews
9) Instructional Rounds in Education: A Network Approach to Improving Teaching and Learning, by Elizabeth A. City, Richard F. Elmore, Sarah E. Fiarman, and Lee Teitel - Walk into any school in America and you will see adults who care deeply about their students and are doing the best they can every day to help students learn. But you will also see a high degree of variability among classrooms much higher than in most other industrialized countries. Today we are asking schools to do something they have never done before educate all students to high levels yet we don t know how to do that in every classroom for every child.
Adapted from amazon.com, Editorial Reviews
10) Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization, by Yong Zhao – At a time when globalization and technology are dramatically altering the world we live in, is education reform in the United States headed down the right path? Are schools emphasizing the knowledge and skills that students need in a global society–or are they actually undermining their strengths by overemphasizing high-stakes testing and standardization? Are education systems in China and other countries really as superior as some people claim? These and other questions are at the heart of author Yong Zhao’s thoughtful and informative book.
Adapted from amazon.com, Editorial Reviews