You can learn more political acumen by yourself if you want to.
At Consultants Consultant we like to read. We are always influenced by what we read and are constantly incorporating this into our coaching training and other interventions. Cindy’s Kindle is full of samples and books. But here are our favourite influencers in 2012.
Learn more Political Acumen: The books that influence us
Anything by Dan Ariely, particularly The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty: How We Lie To Everyone Especially Ourselves (here) and Predictably Irrational: the Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic (here).
Anything by Malcolm Gladwell, especially Blink: the power of thinking without thinking (here) and Outliers: the Story of Success (here).
Anything by Dan Pink. I enjoyed A Whole New Mind: Why Right Brainers Will Rule The Future (here) and Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us (here).
I’m looking forward to his new book: To sell is Human: The Surprising Truth About Moving Others (here). If, that is, I can ever get a copy on my Kindle (apparently copyright restrictions are stopping me getting an copy on the day it’s issued!).
For its practicality in understanding the human brain and it is clear checklists so you can read it really fast really enjoyed 100 things every designer needs to know about people by Susan Weinschenk Ph.D (here). Even if you’re not a designer it’s a great way to see the practical applications of recent neuroscience and psychological research.
Seeing The Big Picture Business Acumen To Build Your Credibility Career And Company by Kevin Cope (here) is quite useful from the business acumen side of things.
So is What The Ceo Wants You To Know: How Your Company Really Works by Ram Charan (here).
On life balance, The Third Space: Using Life’s Little Transitions To Find Balance And Happiness by Australian author Dr Adam Fraser is worth a look here.
For a bit of future gazing I’m loving Cognitive Surplus: Creativity And Generosity In A Connected Age By Clay Shirky (here).
There is also Clever: Leading Your Smartest, Most Creative People by Robert Goffee and Gareth Jones here
If you’re interested in reading Cindy’s Kindle highlights from any of these books send us an email and we will send them to you.
Learn more Political acumen: Worth subscribing to
Your inbox is probably already overfull, but just in case here are my top readings.
http://www.influenceatwork.com/
Influence at work summarises new and old research on influence. If you haven’t read Robert Cialdini’s original book or his follow-up works it’s a must – and get the occasional newsletter.
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/
Seth Godin’s blog is an everyday in my inbox. I’m not always that excited about his books, but his random blog thoughts are often exactly what a client, colleague or friend has talked about or needs to hear.
http://www.bakadesuyo.com/
http://www.farnamstreetblog.com/
Barking up the Wrong Tree always has some useful ideas about what I love to know, as does Farnam Street. These two were recommended by Dan Pink.
