"You are the same today as you will be in 5 years, except for 2 things, the people you meet and the books you read." Charlie T. Jones

"We are what we read." Steven Sample

Business/ Personal Finance Books:

Little Black Book of Connections 6.5 Assets for Networking Your Way to Rich Relationships by Jeffrey Gitomer Click here for book notes

Living the 80/20 Way by Richard Koch Click here for book notes

Never Check E-Mail in the Morning: by Julie Morgenstern Click here for book notes

The One Thing You Need to Know by Marcus Buckingham Click here for books notes

The Rules of Business: Fast Company’s Editors and Writers Click here for book notes

Success Built to Last by Jerry Porras, Stewart Emery, Mark ThompsonClick here for Book Notes

4 Hour Workweek Click here for Book Notes

Good to Great by Jim Collins Thorough analysis of the unique differences of the 11 companies who outperformed the market 3 to 1 over a 10 year span. This is the best business/leadership book I have ever read. Check out his website at www.jimcollins.com Click here for Book Notes

The Contrarian's Guide to Leadership by Steven Sample (President of USC) Leadership advice that runs contrary to conventional wisdom. Click here for Book Notes

First, Break All The Rules by Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman Research project on managers with great results: what makes them different? Answer: Don't try to change people. Instead play to their strengths. Check out the website at www.gallupjournal.com Click here for Book Notes

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni A business fable. I picked up this book after listening to a speech by the author at WillowCreek's 2003 Leadership Summit. He was the best speaker at the event in my opinion. This book is all about having the guts to hold others accountable on tough issues. Great info on how to encourage healthy conflict in meetings...he argues that meetings are worthless without a little healthy conflict. Check out his site at www.tablegroup.com Click here for Book Notes

Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, Switzer. Good book on dealing with conversations in which stakes are high, opinions vary and emotions run strong. The book gives some solid practical advice for taking control of your thoughts and emotions during "crucial conversations". Book Notes

The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive by Patrick Lencioni A business fable. Continues theme from the above book about healthy conflict, accountability and focus. A great leadership book. Book Notes

Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham & Donald Clifton Sequel to the above book First, Break All The Rules. Invest more in your maximizing your strengths rather than trying to improve your weaknesses. Book offers a great tool for helping to discover your top 5 characteristics. Click here for Book Notes

Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute A business fable. Similar to "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Lencioni. Authors point out how we are often blinded to reality by a distorted perspective of ourselves. Great book for introspection to search for hypocrisy in our own lives. Book Notes

How to Become a Rainmaker by Jeffrey Fox Excellent quick read jam packed full of practical tips on sales and marketing. His style is similar to Harvey Mackay very short 2 or 3 page chapters. Click here for Book Notes

The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach Simple personal finance book about the basics. The key idea is pay yourself first and make it automatic via payroll deduction. Click here for Book Notes

Selling the Invisible by Harry Beckwith Short one/two page chapters with golden nuggets on sales and marketing.

Invisible Touch by Harry Beckwith

The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch Spend time thinking before doing so that you make sure you are majoring in the majors and not the minors. Click here for Book Notes

Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty by Harvey MacKay This book is all about the power of networking and how to build strong networks in all areas of your life. Harvey is one of my favorite business authors. I have read all of his books and this one and Swim with the Sharks without being eaten alive are my favorites. His style of writing is very short 2 or 3 page chapters...very easy read packed with practical ideas.

The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton Great book on personal finances that reads like a story. Short simple book that teaches great principles for striving towards becoming financially independent.

The Millionarie Nextdoor by Stanley & Danko Teaches us that the average millionaire is extremely frugal and we would probably never guess they have money. The people who look like they have millions are usually up to their eyeballs in debt.

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki This book helped shape my perspective on becoming an entrepreneur. The author drives home the idea of pursuing business ownership versus becoming self-employed. When you are self employed the business owns you. When you are a business owner you set up a business that can run itself. The book does a good job of explaining the principle of leverage.

Rich Kid, Smart Kid by Robert Kiyosaki I listened to the book on tape. Explains how to teach Rich Dad concepts to your kids.

Wooden by John Wooden with Steve Jamison Good book filled with Coach Wooden's favorite maxims. The man is a genius when it comes to leadership. I was amazed by his attention to the smallest details. Click here for Book Notes

Willow Creek's Leadership Summit 2004 Click here for Speaker Notes

Favorite Business Buzz Words & Phrases

Fundamentals of Success: Various Quotes