We all work. Some are lucky and talented enough to do what they love. Others have learned to love what they do. Some folks – both! But no matter your position, there are marvelous things to learn from the following 3 books. Enjoy!

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us… And it isn’t all about money. Like all things, once our basic shelter, food and safety is taken care of, there are other things that are often equal to or more important than money. They are Autonomy, Mastery and Purpose. I believe that budding entrepreneurs can learn a great deal about themselves by reading this book. Management definitely needs to read this if they want to keep great employees.

Author Daniel H. Pink is not just talking about the creative, highly skilled employees either. He gives perfect examples of the same drives in basic service jobs. A lesson to us all to see with new eyes the people who work all around us.

Right along with this book is Rework which is written by the founders of 37Signals, Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson. On the cover it reads: Ignore this book at your own peril!

Let me quote just one small part:

We’ve all seen job ads that say “Five years of experience required.” That may give you a number, but it tells you nothing.

….it requiring some baseline… It makes sense to go after candidates with six months to a year of experience. It takes that long to internalize the idoms, learn how things work, understand the relevant tools, etc.

But after that, the curve flattens out. There’s surprisingly little difference between a candidate with six months of experience and one with six years. The real difference comes from the individual’s dedication, personality and intelligence.

The bold is mine! WOW! There’s a thought provoker. This is an awesome book and speaks to anyone looking for the best employees today and in the future. The beautiful part is in the end when they talk about Inspiration.

Inspiration is perishable… a magical thing, a productivity multiplier, a motivator. But it won’t wait for you. Inspiration is a now thing. If it grabs you, grab it right back and put it to work.

The third book I just completed is by Robert B. Cialdini:Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive. This is a most interesting book. But more importantly, their continual reminder that ethical persuasion IS possible and is valuable to all involved in the transaction. The book is not anecdotal, but instead gives many examples from small business to corporations, to international situations.

This easy to read little book has something for every business/entrepreneur. Take time to read it. You won’t be disappointed. You may be very surprised at the small things that can make a BIG difference! But here is an intriguing example:

… trimeth labs are more commonly known as coffee shops…. we doubt Howard Schultz (Starbucks Corp.) ever dreamed that the beverages he’d made available on every street corner and in every shopping mall could be a potential tool of influence and persuasion.

…Shortly after drinking the juice (spiked with caffeine) all the participants read a series of messages containing very good arguments advocating a certain position on a controversial issue. Those who had consumed the caffeinated beverages before reading these arguments were 35 percent more favorably disposed toward that position that were those who drank the unadulterated drink.

…the results showed that caffeine has little persuasive power reading messages containing weak arguments!

…Given a choice, then, you should make your presentations when people are most alert – shortly after they’ve had their morning coffee fix, and never right after lunch.

There you are- although it’s been nearly 2 months since I’ve posted, in that time I’ve enjoyed these books. Let me know if any of them inspire you!
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