Add These Books and Podcasts to Your Arsenal For a Successful 2022
As the year winds down and you begin looking ahead to the exciting goals and challenges of 2022, you may be on the market for inspirational media that will help you get into a winning mindset. If so, look no further than this curated list of recommendations, straight from some of the leaders that help Keller Williams continuously excel within the industry.
KW Commercial division leader of education and training Alicia Shepherd shares, “I am an avid reader and always have two to three books going at once. My hack to have the bandwidth to do so is to time block two of my books – in the morning, I spend 30 minutes with one that is spirit or faith based, and in the evening before bed, I spend 30 to 60 minutes with a book that is business based. The third is always an audiobook that is something fun. More times than not, it is fictional or a biography.”
While you’re brushing up on the classics, including The Millionaire Real Estate Agent and The ONE Thing, consider adding the following titles into your monthly reads and listens.
kwx executive chairman Gary Keller:
Adam Grant, “Give and Take” – This bestseller looks at success through the prism of how we interact with others. In a work environment, a majority of people fit one of three categories: takers, matchers, and givers. Through his own research, Grant discusses these styles’ impact on success.
Head of agent growth and experience Matt Green:
Darren Hardy, “The Compound Effect” – The Compound Effect finds Hardy revealing the core principles that drive success in business, relationships, and more. The book discusses the idea that your everyday decisions shape your destiny, and presents you with an operating system that can help you achieve your goals.
KW Sports + Entertainment global director Jordan Stuart:
Oliver Burkeman, “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals” – For those who live to be 80 years old, that is about four thousand weeks. With that in mind, time is a valuable resource. Burkeman’s book looks at ancient and contemporary teachings from philosophers, psychologists, and spiritual teachers in order to guide readers through meaningful time management.
Greg McKeown, “Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most” – Burnout is no laughing matter. If you are a high achiever, you shouldn’t have to overextend yourself to the brink of burnout in order to succeed. McKeown teaches readers to focus on the essentials in order to achieve top-notch results.
David Deutsch, “The Beginning of Infinity: Explanations That Transform the World” – Deutsch’s book looks deeply into explanations: in the fields of science, history, art, moral values, etc. In his view, explanations have a fundamental place in the universe, and can drive progress in a variety of fields.
Og Mandino, “The Greatest Salesman in the World” – A 1983 classic, The Greatest Salesman in the World is to be kept bedside and revisited time and time again. Whether you are a veteran or a rookie, this book can provide value to you.
“Deep Questions with Cal Newport” Podcast – Cal Newport has spent years writing about work, tech, and the deep life. In his podcast, he answers reader-submitted questions, such as “Is the era of social media ending?” and “How do I defeat distractions?”
BONUS: Put together by UT Austin PhD professor Tolga Ozyurtcu, the SportsThink Newsletter offers weekly thoughts on the global world of sports – a perfect read for sports and entertainment agents looking to stay knowledgeable.
KW Sports + Entertainment chief operating officer Jason Ross:
Mark Cuban, “How to Win at the Sport of Business” – Top entrepreneur Mark Cuban shares his success story and unconventional ideas for building a successful business.
Tom Wheelwright, “Tax-Free Wealth” – A business essential, Tom Wheelwright’s book walks you through tax laws and provides knowledge in tax planning that can help your business function at its most optimal level.
Peter Thiel, “Zero to One” – This NYT bestseller discusses how to find singular ways to create new things, and encourages readers to ask the questions that will lead to innovation in the most unexpected places.
John Lee Dumas’ “Entrepreneurs on Fire” Podcast – This podcast is perfect for anyone currently on their entrepreneurial journey. John Lee Dumas interviews successful entrepreneurs and discusses topics of interest that can help budding entrepreneurs on their own expedition.
KW Commercial executive leader of strategy and growth Cynthia Lee:
Joseph Michelli, “The New Gold Standard: Five Leadership Principles …” – Michelli takes a behind-the-scenes look at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, exploring every level of leadership within the organization and pulling the curtain on the company’s ability to offer refined service time and time again.
Robert Sobel, “Trammell Crow, Master Builder: The Story of America’s Largest Real Estate Empire” – This book follows Crow’s journey, discussing the methods and strategies used along the way.
William Bragg Ewald, Jr. “Trammell Crow: A Legacy in Real Estate Business Innovation” – One more behind-the-scenes look into Crow’s pioneering real estate development tactics.
Oprah Winfrey, “The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life’s Direction and Purpose” – Oprah Winfrey states, “Your real job in life is to figure out as soon as possible what that (your purpose) is, who you are meant to be, and begin to honor your calling in the best way possible.” Include this book in your journey.
White Eagle, “The Still Voice: A White Eagle Book of Meditation” – A selection of readings: each one provides a theme for meditation and a short visualization.
KW Commercial division leader of industry engagement and investment opportunities John LeTourneau:
Chris Voss, “Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It” – How to handle high-stakes negotiations? Look no further than the expertise of a former international FBI hostage negotiator.
Richard Rothstein, “The Color of Law” – This important read discusses racial residential segregation as a result of government policy that has taken place since the conclusion of the Civil War and continues to the present day. A must-read.
“Hidden Brain” Podcast – In particular, LeTourneau shares, the ‘Work 2.0 The Obstacles You Don’t See’ and ‘Why Nobody Feels Rich’ episodes.
KW Commercial division leader of education and training Alicia Shepherd:
Patrick Lencioni, “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” – Lencioni uses storytelling to reveal the five dysfunctions which get teams struggling, as well as how these dysfunctions can be overcome.
Rick Warren, “The Purpose Driven Life” – This bestseller, designed to be read in 42 days, provides daily meditations and practical steps to help you live out your purpose. Shepherd shares she re-reads this book every December.
Byron Katie, “Loving What Is” – The author shares four questions that will enable you to see what you find troubling in a completely different light. These questions have helped the author push through depression, rage, and worse.
“Goal Digger” Podcast with Jenna Kutcher – A business podcast that explores redefining success and encourages listeners to go after their dreams.
“At the Table” Podcast with Patrick Lencioni – A podcast featuring leadership and business experts and heavily focused on teams.
What’s on YOUR reading list?
What are the topics that you are most interested in exploring this winter? Which books and authors have made it on your reading list? And which leadership-recommended books are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments section!
