Inspiring books for Christmas
The Christmas season is here and as per usual it might cause a bit of stress regarding Christmas presents. But fret not, here are some book recommendations from some of the members of the cluster.
The Brand You 50 by Tom Peters, recommended by Sverre Alvik, Director for the Energy Transition research program in DNV
“There are two points I took with me from the book that I often tell my colleagues: 1. That you get to use the best of your knowledge 2. That you have fun. If these two things fall into place, then you are at the right place. If one of those things is missing, then you are probably not at the right place. If this happens, we need to help you improve the things that are missing. This does not necessarily mean that every day needs to be fun, but in the long run, you need to thrive and look forward to going to work”
In 50 essential points, Tom Peters shows how to be committed to your craft, choose the right projects, how to improve networking, why you need to think fun is cool, and why it’s important to piss some people off. He will enable you to turn yourself into an important and distinctive commodity. In short, he will show you how to turn yourself into . . . Brand You.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, recommended by Turid Storhaug, Director of New Technologies, Eastern Hemisphere, of NOV
«The Little Prince» by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry may not be the obvious book about leadership. But I think this gem of a book contains a lot of clever philosophy and wisdom. My main takeaways are that I must take care of those I am responsible for, continue to listen to my internal voice, and keep a childish curiosity to the world around me.”
A pilot crashes in the Sahara Desert and encounters a strange young boy who calls himself the Little Prince. The Little Prince has traveled there from his home on a lonely, distant asteroid with a single rose. The story that follows is a beautiful and at times heartbreaking meditation on human nature.
Built to last and From Good to Great by Jim Collins, recommended by Arild Selvig, CEO of ZEG Powers
“Built to last” and “From Good to Great” by Jim Collins . His research team explored – across industries – what are the key success criteria to grow and to maintain profitable growth over decades. One of the key findings in these books – which resonate well with my belief in sound leadership – is the slogan “get the right people on the bus, and THEN find out what to do”. In other words, quality people is the single-most-important criteria for success.”
Built to last: Filled with hundreds of specific examples and organized into a coherent framework of practical concepts that can be applied by managers and entrepreneurs at all levels, Built to Last provides a master blueprint for building organizations that will prosper long into the 21st century and beyond.
From Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t is a management book by Jim C. Collins that describes how companies transition from being good companies to great companies, and how most companies fail to make the transition.
Autobiography of a yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda, recommended by Moina Medbøe Tamuly, Co-Founder & Co-CEO of Ntention.
With engaging candor, eloquence, and wit, Paramahansa Yogananda tells the inspiring chronicle of his life. Autobiography of a Yogi is profoundly inspiring and at the same time vastly entertaining, warmly humorous, and filled with extraordinary personages.
Selected as “One of the 100 Best Spiritual Books of the Twentieth Century,” Autobiography of a Yogi has been translated into more than 30 languages and is regarded worldwide as a classic of religious literature. Autobiography of a Yogi has introduced meditation and yoga to many Westerners since its publication. The book has many famous advocates, particularly in the business and entertainment communities, among other Steve Jobs, George Harrison, and Elvis Presley.
Ona Fyr by Ingebrigt Steen Jensen, recommended by Kristin Færøvik, Managing Director at Lundin Energy Norway
«I think most of the so-called Leadership-literature I have started have been extremely boring or predictable, but Ona Fyr by Ingebrigt Steen Jensen, I have read twice. I hope I can create some excitement, which is the sentiment that I remember best from the book. »
Ingebrigt Steen Jensen writes with intensity, liberating self-irony and considerable knowledge about how it is possible to get others involved and move on. Be it in companies, organizations, corps, or sports teams. His motivating power and enthusiasm is rare!