Books That Changed My Life
Image - Tommaso Riva
Remember that time someone recommended you a book? And you said "Yeah, I'll give it a go" - and you never read it? Maybe you didn't think it was actually worth reading, or it's in the depths of your notes app.
Well, we’d argue this list of books actually are worth your precious time. Why are we so smugly confident? Because the list was compiled by our Strategic Advisory board; all of whom are captains of industry in their various fields. They've carefully selected 1 book that's had a significant impact on their lives, so you can consider this a sound and credible resource to inspire your next read.
Without further ado...
'Principles'
By Ray Dalio
- Frank Jasper, Asuwere Chairman, CFO Whiparound, Former CIO at Fisher Funds
Image - Principles
"A good thinker and book he has written that greatly influenced me, is Ray Dalio of US mega hedge fund Bridgewater Associates.
Making decisions is hard. Decisions about life, decisions about work, about money, even decisions about what to wear (thankfully we have Asuwere for that!!). Ray Dalio has built a decision-making, life-shaping machine for how he operates and how he has built his business.
By having a set of principles, essentially a guiding framework, he has been able to reduce the complexity of what can be a chaotic world and consequently be more effective while building an incredible legacy. The book is a great read and Dalio’s principles are powerful.
But more powerful, in my view, is the idea that a systematic framework that represent our own priniciples can be a springboard to help us be our very best. Definitely worth pondering!"
Available from MightyApe
'How to Win Friends & Influence People'
By Dale Carnegie
- Poohan Nathan, CEO Asuwere, Former CFO at Whip Around
Image - Medium
"One of the most important things I took away from this book was ‘Give unto others what we would have others give unto us’. From the book, I learned more that we are complex creatures; have different personalities, temperaments, motivations but when everything is taken away, there are some core values that are similar in all of us.
Our actions spring from what we desire, we crave appreciation, feeling of importance, and we want to be respected and listened to. This book tells us to peer into our minds and learn about ourselves.
The book has helped me improve the way I understand people and why they may say things the way they do. It has also equipped me to approach conversations more positively and always see the good in people."
Available from Amazon
'Meatball Sundae'
By Seth Godin
- Scott Coldham, Strategic Advisor to Asuwere, CMO Whiparound, Former MD at Colenso BBDO
Image - Edublog
"It feels weird thinking about a marketing book I’ve read given so many of the content pieces we consume today for work or business are digital in form. So I went back to the old school.
Meatball Sundae by Seth Godin, 2007. I read it 15 years ago, but I remember it vividly for the impact it had on me while traveling for work through America. It calls out old business models trying to adopt new technologies - without addressing their fundamentals for the modern era.
Furthermore, it makes a case for how marketing is everything we do. Product. Service. Experience. Advertising. People. And how it all needs to be in sync or none of the individual pieces will reach their potential.
Done brilliantly - consumers have the tools at their disposal to make you world famous.
Done poorly, consumers have the tools at their disposal to make you world famous, for other reasons.
Worth a read for anyone looking to build their brand."
Available from Fishpond
'Belonging'
By Owen Eastwood
- Dan Carter, Asuwere Clubroom Chairman, All Blacks Legend, Co-founder at Glorious Digital
Image - Whitcoulls
"I think in order to move forward and succeed, you need to know who you are and where you came from.
It was a big part of the All Blacks culture to know, respect and acknowledge the All Blacks players and teams that had gone before you. That was our history that shaped the team it is today, and once you understand your whakapapa, it then becomes your duty to enhance the legacy that has gone before you.
'Belonging' is a great book that show cases this as well as the art of learning more about yourself and your belonging to inspire you to be the best version of yourself; a true Asuwere value."
Available from Whitcoulls
'When Breath Becomes Air'
By Paul Kalanithi
- Sam Jenkins, Strategic Advisor to Asuwere, Co-founder & CPO at Trinity, Former Head of Product at Whip Around
Image - Go Places Digital
"When Breath Becomes Air tells the incredible story of Paul Kalanithi, a neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with and died from cancer in his mid-thirties.
The book details his extraordinary journey in search of the meaning of life in the face of death. The power of this book lies in Kalanithi's eloquent insistence that we are all confronting our mortality every day, whether we know it or not.
The real question we face is not how long, but rather how we will live. Without a doubt the most beautiful and impactful book I've ever read."