5 Books that changed my perspective (and why)

Linchpin by Seth Godin

I first encountered Seth Godin when this book appeared on the Air Force Chief of Staff’s reading list. Our Commander put out a voluntary program wherein we could read a book from the list on duty and use some of the duty day to build a presentation on the given topic to the unit. I read Linchpin and was captivated. Here was a framework that gave form to a philosophy, a system of work and life, I’d been practicing without articulating it. It’s become somewhat cliche to tell people they can lead from any level of an organization but Seth shows just how one can do so and in the process become indispensable.

Photo from Unsplash

I have gone on to become a two time graduate of Godin’s altMBA seminar (once as a new student, then in an alumni version he ran) as well as a huge proponent of the principles of his framework.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

This book probably needs no big introduction; it’s lauded in many circles as THE book about achievement on a massive level. I enjoyed the lessons therein, particularly about will and manifesting success.

However, for me, this book taught me something else. I don’t want success on the level of the people in this book. Many ubersuccessful people have terrible relationships with…