Optimism booklist
We asked our bootcamp contributors to share their favourite books on optimism, resilience and embracing change. Featuring everything from memoirs to fiction to business essentials, this is the definitive reading list for these turbulent times.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Recommended by Megan Larnach-Jones, People and Projects Director, WHSmith
“Michelle’s strength and determination is incredible. For her, no issue is too difficult to deal with, and she handles every situation she finds herself in with honesty and grace. Her ability to reflect on and learn from her mistakes is something every leader should aspire to.”
There is Nothing Wrong with You by Cheri Huber
Recommended by Manish Singh, Mindfulness Expert and Founder, Sensational Intelligence
“Cheri is a Zen teacher and founder of the Mountain View Zen Center in California. In this simple but powerful book she talks about how there is so much hidden unkindness in our relationships – primarily with ourselves! The cost to our wellbeing and performance is enormous. She explains why this toxic dynamic exists and what can be done to change it, as well as the benefits of doing so, for ourselves and the people and world around us. ‘Any time a voice is talking to you that is not talking with love and compassion, DON’T BELIEVE IT!'”
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Recommended by Andrew Northcott, CEO, Roubler
“This book is a true classic, and one I revisit time and time again. It answers the question: why some companies make the leap to become a great enduring company and others don’t. In my opinion it is the best business book ever written. The application of the concepts that Jim Collins and his research team explore throughout the book were instrumental in taking my last business from a $10 million business to $100 million in five years.”
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Recommended by Dominique Lamb, CEO, National Retail Association
“This extraordinary book is full of beauty and hope. Based on the true story of a Holocaust survivor, it is a wonderful story about surviving adversity and finding joy, humanity and life even in the darkest of places.”
The Resilience Project by Hugh van Cuylenburg
Recommended by Kathryn Charge, VP of Sales and Operations, Roubler
“This book looks at the common traits of contentment: gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. The author was volunteering as a schoolteacher in India and was amazed by how positive the children were compared with those he taught back in Australia, despite the poverty and adversity they faced. This book is a lesson in being grateful for all that you have.”
Scaling Up by Verne Harnish
Recommended by Nigel Ritson, VP & Director, South East Asia and EMEA, Roubler
“Scaling up is an essential part of my business toolkit. It nicely maps out the framework for successfully scaling up a business, focusing on key aspects of growth around people, strategy, execution and cashflow. What I love about it, is the practical tools it gives an entrepreneur or business leader around streamlining these functional areas of the business and optimising the way a company scales. I’d also recommend Sweat, Scale, Sell by Pavlo Phitidis and The Upside of Down by Bruce Whitfield.”
Phosphorescence by Julia Baird
Recommended by Fleur Murphy, Marketing Manager, Roubler
“This is a beautiful and personal meditation from journalist Julia Baird on finding and nurturing the light within ourselves, even during dark times. Despite living in an age of supposed self-awareness and enlightenment – where everyone seems to have a life coach, a daily yoga practice and a go-to mindfulness app – we still struggle to maintain a sense of inner peace and contentment. An incredibly timely book, considering the wild ride 2020 has taken us on so far.”
The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
Recommended by Ivan Brewer, Profitability Coach, Restaurantology
“The allegorical nature of the writing, as well as its sublime depth, has informed how I view the hospitality industry, which is at its heart a manufacturing industry with a retail front. In hospitality we sell units of time, and how well we understand how to use those units determines our profitability.”
