Some Sunday reads - my book recommendations.

Hi,
the theme for today's #februaryinleo, the initiative for increasing the interaction and the quality of posts, is about books. It fits perfect for the theme, #sundaythoughts.

So, today I want to present three books that had some influence in my life, or had an impact. Maybe I've read them when I needed to, or maybe they are real good books in the end, that can show a different world view.

I will start with the first, How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie.

Here are two editions, that I recommend, the original, and the revised one from 1981. The original has more to it, as it goes also into marriage advices and business letters, which somehow can be applied to today's e-mail exchanges.

It is a very basic self-help book, and needs to be taken with a grain of salt. It shows that by listening careful to the other people needs, in a genuine way, one can benefit long term.

I would summarize by feeding the other person, the personal needs, one will win that person over. Also, don't take credit for others people success and admit your mistake. This is the best advice from the book, in a nutshell. I'm working with a great team behind, and on every win, all the team is personally mentioned. Network and relationships are one of the most powerful tools in life and business.

Thick Face, Black Heart: The Warrior Philosophy for Conquering the Challenges of Business and Life by Chin-Ning Chu. It is based on South-East mentality and way of thinking. It is based on the book by Li Zongwu, Thick Black Theory, which was supposedly also inspired Mao, before taking over China.

Even if Thick Face, Black Heart: The Warrior Philosophy for Conquering the Challenges of Business and Life, is aimed to Western Civilisation, it is tough to read and comprehend. It needs several readings and analysis, before one can even feel the deeper sense. As in the past years, I've got some experiences with Asian cultures, I could identify some traits from that book in the behaviour of the colleagues and customers. It helped me to understand it, what their needs are and why some things are done the way they are done.

It is one of the best business books for Westerners that deal with Asian culture.

Main take out of the book, choose your fights wisely, follow your purpose and nurture it. If something comes that deviates you from it, fight it, so that you are on your track.

Source

And the last book is a German one, and it is a philosophical one, Ecce homo: Wie man wird, was man ist by Friedrich Nietzsche. It is his last book, and one that sums or crowns his ideas. Ok, it is very egoistic and self-centred on one side, but on the other shows great ideas on how to be a great as a human being.

It treats religion as a mean of fear, and when humans treat religion from a secular view, then they can become real great. Doing good, because you can, not because of fear of a deity is the key.

This would be my recommendations, in this order, as books. There are many more, but this three can have a big impact.

This is part of the initiative #februaryinleo, where you can still participate, even if you missed the post from the start, like I did. All the details are in here and in here.

Source

Posted Using InLeo Alpha