Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World

Adam Grant

Grant recognizes that success with one idea does not mean success for the next. Innovators who choose to learn from this will change the way they think and act on ideas down the road. With stories from innovators who found success again doing this, Originals challenges readers to push their own boundaries and look with new perspective.

Takeaway: We can’t idolize Steve Jobs and his minimalist aesthetic forever. Hearing the stories of other successful thinkers may just inspire your next great idea.

Born for This

Chris Guillebeau

Is money or fulfillment more important to you in your career? What if you could have both? Guillebeau’s book goes further than a personality quiz in figuring out which type of work is best for you, and will lead you to (hopefully) go home happy at the end of the work week. Because at the end of the day, burning yourself out for a mission you don’t believe in probably isn’t worth it.

Takeaway: Can you imagine going into work on Monday morning and smiling through the week? It could happen.

Smarter, Faster, Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business

Charles Duhigg

Duhigg’s already written a NYT bestseller with the Power of Habit, in which he explained why we do what we do. Now he’s come up with eight foolproof ways to improve on these decisions and be more productive in the workplace. Like Guillebeau, Duhigg aims to let people stress less and make more — all through anecdotes that anyone can relate to.

Takeaway: The best and brightest in business clearly have a deep understanding of what works, and probably why it works too. Duhigg’s advice pushes past that.

How to Have a Good Day

Caroline Webb

Though an economist herself, Webb delves into the fields of neuroscience and psychology to change how we think about our workdays. With her step by step instructions readers can improve their business performance, professional interactions and daily satisfaction by changing the way they prioritize tasks, make choices and, ultimately, look at their careers.

Takeaway: All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Don’t let it happen to you.

The Industries of the Future

Alec Ross

After a stint as Senior Advisor of Innovation for Hillary Clinton during her stint as Secretary of State, Alec Ross has emerged as an expert on predicting what’s to come for businesses — and didn’t limit himself to Silicon Valley. While sci-fi movies like Ex Machina aren’t so far off with their predictions for the expanding fields of tech, Ross poses possibilities of cyberwar and how parenting will evolve over the next decade. The future is now. Prepare yourself.

Takeaway: studying the success of past practices isn’t effective in today’s society. The only way to get ahead is to look ahead.

Superbosses: How Exceptional Leaders Master the Flow of Talent

Sydney Finkelstein

Fresh takes on what it means to be successful in your industry — from fashion to sports — all resulting from more than 200 interviews conducted by a Dartmouth professor. Finkelstein has explored all types of superbosses looking for the best approaches to track down, cultivate and support great people for your business.

Takeaway: The best bosses are mentors and friends — those who support and appreciate their employees on a personal level will find the most success on both a professional and personal level