Networking Skills & Career Development | Books for Personal Growth
Insanely often we say on our website that the ability to communicate with people correctly is 90% of success in any career. Believe me, even developers who rarely communicate with people need to be able to do it right. Today I want to talk about books that helped me to properly build my business conversations and learn everything I need in the shortest possible dialogues without taking a lot of time from colleagues and without wasting a lot of my extra time. Here is a list of books that I have prepared for you.
Never Eat Alone
"Never Eat Alone" by Keith Ferrazzi is a captivating book that explores the power of networking and building relationships in both personal and professional life. The book emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships and building a strong personal brand. Ferrazzi provides practical advice and strategies on how to network effectively, make meaningful connections, and turn those connections into opportunities.
The book is well-written and engaging, with numerous real-world examples that make it easy to understand and relate to. Ferrazzi's writing style is conversational and relatable, making it an enjoyable read.
One of the key takeaways from the book is the concept of "relationship currency," where Ferrazzi emphasizes that building relationships is not just about what you can get from others, but also what you can give. This approach of building genuine relationships based on mutual trust and respect is refreshing and practical.
Never Eat Alone - Cover
📌 Book is available via link.
The Art of Possibility
"The Art of Possibility" by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander is a powerful and inspiring book that challenges readers to adopt a new perspective on life and leadership. The book provides a unique and refreshing approach to creativity and problem-solving that encourages readers to think outside the box and embrace new possibilities.
The Art of Possibility - Cover
The authors use a combination of storytelling, personal anecdotes, and practical exercises to convey their message, making it both accessible and enjoyable to read. The book is structured around a set of twelve practices, each of which provides valuable insights and actionable advice.
One of the key element from the book is the concept of "leading from any chair," where the authors encourage readers to take ownership of their lives and embrace their innate creativity. The book also highlights the importance of embracing failure as a necessary step on the path to success.
"The Art of Possibility" is a thought-provoking and inspiring book that challenges readers to reframe their perspective on life and leadership. The book provides valuable insights and practical advice that can help anyone tap into their creativity and unlock their full potential. Anybody seeking both personal and professional success should read it. This book was recommended to me by my project manager some time ago and gave me an exam on this book. Comic of course, but still an exam.
📌 Book is available via link.
The Start-Up of You
"The Start-Up of You" by Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha is a highly informative and practical book that provides readers with valuable insights into how to build and grow their careers in the modern era. The authors draw on their extensive experience in the tech industry to provide a roadmap for success that is both inspiring and actionable.
The book is structured around a set of key principles, each of which provides valuable insights and practical advice for readers. The authors emphasize the importance of treating one's career as a start-up, where the focus is on building a product or service that is both unique and valuable to the marketplace. They also stress the importance of cultivating a strong network of contacts and mentors, as well as embracing a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation.
The Start-Up of You - Cover
One of the most valuable concept from the book is the concept of "ABZ planning," where readers are encouraged to develop multiple career plans that reflect different levels of risk and opportunity. This approach allows readers to be agile and adaptable in the face of changing market conditions, while also maintaining a focus on their long-term goals.
"The Start-Up of You" is a must-read for anyone looking to build a successful and fulfilling career in the modern era. The book provides valuable insights and practical advice that can help readers take control of their careers and achieve their full potential. It is a highly recommended read for anyone who is interested in personal and professional development. I was also recommended to read this book at my first job when I was working as a technical support specialist and I still remember it with fond feelings.
📌 Book is available via link.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie is a timeless classic that provides readers with practical and actionable advice for building strong and lasting relationships. First published in 1936, the book has sold millions of copies worldwide and remains a popular resource for people seeking to improve their social skills and influence.
How to Win Friends and Influence People - Cover + Contents
One of the key themes of the book is the importance of treating others with respect and kindness. Carnegie emphasizes the importance of showing genuine interest in other people, listening to their concerns, and making them feel valued and appreciated. He provides readers with a range of practical tips and strategies for building these kinds of relationships, including how to make a good first impression, how to remember people's names, and how to handle difficult conversations.
Another key theme of the book is the importance of persuasion and influence. Carnegie stresses the importance of understanding other people's motivations and desires, and he provides readers with a range of techniques for persuading and influencing others in a positive and ethical way. He emphasizes the importance of being honest and genuine, and he provides readers with a range of examples and case studies that illustrate these principles in action.
"How to Win Friends and Influence People" is a must-read for anyone who wants to improve their social skills and build stronger relationships. Carnegie's timeless advice is just as relevant today as it was when the book was first published, and his practical and actionable tips will help readers to achieve greater success and happiness in both their personal and professional lives.
📌 Book is available via link.
The 2-Hour Job Search
"The 2-Hour Job Search" by Steve Dalton is a highly practical and effective guide for job seekers who want to streamline their job search process and achieve faster results. The book provides readers with a step-by-step framework for conducting a focused and efficient job search that can be completed in just two hours per day.
The 2-Hour Job Search - Amazon
The author emphasizes the importance of using a targeted approach to job searching, and he provides readers with a range of techniques for identifying potential job opportunities and making effective job applications. One of the key strategies that Dalton advocates is the use of informational interviews, which he argues can be highly effective for building relationships with potential employers and securing job offers.
The book is highly actionable, with each chapter providing readers with a range of exercises and templates that they can use to implement the strategies outlined in the book. Dalton's writing style is clear and engaging, and he provides readers with a range of real-world examples and case studies that illustrate the principles he advocates in action.
"The 2-Hour Job Search" is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to accelerate their job search and achieve faster results. The book provides readers with a range of practical and actionable advice, and its focus on efficiency and effectiveness makes it an invaluable resource for job seekers of all levels of experience.
📌 Book is available via link.
Networking Like a Pro
"Networking Like a Pro" by Ivan Misner, Brian Hilliard, and David Alexander is a comprehensive guide to building effective professional relationships through networking. The book provides readers with a step-by-step framework for developing a strong network of contacts that can help them achieve their career goals.
The authors emphasize the importance of building relationships based on trust and mutual benefit, and they provide readers with a range of strategies for building and maintaining those relationships over time. They cover a range of networking activities, from attending events and conferences to using social media and other online platforms to connect with potential contacts.
Networking Like a Pro - Perlego
One of the strengths of "Networking Like a Pro" is its practical focus, with each chapter providing readers with a range of actionable tips and exercises that they can use to build their networking skills. The authors also provide readers with a range of real-world examples and case studies that illustrate the principles they advocate in action.
"Networking Like a Pro" is an excellent resource for anyone who wants to develop their networking skills and build a strong network of professional contacts. The book is highly accessible, with clear and engaging writing that makes it easy to understand and apply the strategies outlined in the book. Whether you are just starting out in your career or are looking to take your networking skills to the next level, this book is an invaluable resource.
📌 Book is available via link.
The Art of Strategy (Bonus)
I put this book in the bonus group for a reason. The thing is, it's not really about communication. This book built in me an algorithm by which I could achieve the goals and objectives set earlier from the dialogue. This is an excellent resource for project managers who often negotiate and negotiate with someone.
The Art of Strategy - Cover + Contents
The book teaches building the right strategy of behavior in general and in business, work and life, not only in communication. This book is gripping, and the story doesn't let go until the very end. When I read it, I really liked its structure - everything is very consistent and easy to explain.
To my regret, not much is said about the book and few of my acquaintances have heard about it at all, which is a pity, because it contains a huge amount of practical advice on how to properly build a strategy for your life, how to achieve goals correctly, representing it all as game theory. I recommend reading!
📌 Book is available via link.
Conclusion
Developing your networking skills is a key component of career development. Reading books that focus on personal growth and career development can be a great way to improve your networking skills and open up new opportunities. The books listed above are just a few examples of the many great books available on this topic. By investing time in developing your networking skills, you can build meaningful connections, learn new skills, and achieve your career goals.
I stopped only at those books that I myself read or began to read and read now. I did not add books to this collection that everyone is talking about, but I myself have not heard anything about them, because in this case the article would lose its relevance and meaning.