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Change Your Mindset

50 Quotes From the Best Leadership Books of All Time

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How good are you at leading people and teams? For some it may feel like the most natural thing in the world, and for others it takes that little bit longer to master the art of leadership. But there is help at hand and it comes in the form of literature.

Recently, we brought you the top 50 leadership books to help guide you to become the very best leader you can be.  However, reading them all wouldn’t leave you much time to….well, lead. That’s why the experts at resume.io bought these books on Amazon’s Kindle, and used the ‘most highlighted’ feature to see which quotes connect with readers the most. 

Each of these top-rated books can help steer you in the right direction for whatever you need right now, but this list can also act as a good source of inspiration for whatever future problems may arise. Reading these snippets regularly can help you find your next read for whatever comes your way.

From positive thinking, to helping you understand how to become a better introvert whilst managing a team – let these words of wisdom inspire your next move:

1. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson

“Pretend to be completely in control and people will assume that you are.”

2. Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner

“There are three basic flavors of incentive: economic, social, and moral.”

3. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

“Practise isn’t the thing you do once you’re good. It’s the thing you do that makes you good.”

4. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell

“These three characteristics — one, contagiousness; two, the fact that little causes can have big effects; and three, that change happens not gradually but at one dramatic moment”

5. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

“When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.”

6. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

“Introverts, in contrast, may have strong social skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas. They prefer to devote their social energies to close friends, colleagues, and family. They listen…”

7. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey

“It’s not what happens to us, but our response to what happens to us that hurts us.”

8. Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson

“The fear you let build up in your mind is worse than the situation that actually exists”

9. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

“Learn to use your emotions to think, not think with your emotions”

10. The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

“First find a simple and obvious cue. Secondly clearly define the rules”

11. The Art of War by Sun Tzu

“Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. The difficult things in this world must be done while they are easy, the greatest things in the world must be done while they are still small.”

12. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg

“The most common way people give up power is by thinking they don’t have any”

13. The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli

“Upon this, one has to remark that men ought either to be well treated or crushed, because they can avenge themselves of lighter injuries, of more serious ones they cannot; therefore the injury that is to be done to a man ought to be of such a kind that one does not stand in fear of revenge.”

14. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance

“One thing that Musk holds in highest regard is resolve, and he respects people who continue on after being told no”

15. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make the Now the primary focus of your life.”

16. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill by Napoleon Hill

“That is one of the tricks of opportunity. It has a sly habit of slipping in by the back door, and often it comes disguised in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat.”

17. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

“Parkinson’s Law dictates that a task will swell in (perceived) importance and complexity in relation to the time allotted for its completion.”

18. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown

“Vulnerability is about sharing our feelings and our experiences with people who have earned the right to hear them”

19. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t by Jim Collins

“Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice”

20. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

“Getting things done requires two basic components: defining (1) what “done” means (outcome) and (2) what “doing” looks like (action).”

21. Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions by Dan Ariely

“Most people don’t know what they want unless they see it in context”

22. Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek

“There are only two ways to influence human behaviour: you can manipulate it or you can inspire it”

23. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck

“The view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life”

24. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink

“Type I behaviour emerges when people have autonomy over the four T’s: their task, their time, their technique, and their team.”

25. Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World—and Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling, Ola Rosling, Anna Rosling Rönnlund

“Our most important challenge in developing a fact-based worldview, according to Rosling, is to realize that most of our firsthand experiences are from Level 4; and that our secondhand experiences are filtered through the mass media, which loves nonrepresentative extraordinary events and shuns normality.”

26. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini

“A well-known principle of human behavior says that when we ask someone to do us a favor we will be more successful if we provide a reason. People simply like to have reasons for what they do.”

27. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni

“Politics is when people choose their words and actions based on how they want others to react rather than based on what they really think.”

28. Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes

“Happiness comes from living as you need to, as you want to. As your inner voice tells you to. Happiness comes from being who you actually are instead of who you think you are supposed to be.”

29. Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman

“In a very real way we have two minds, one that thinks one that feels”

30. The One Minute Manager by Kenneth H. Blanchard and Spencer Johnson

“If you can’t tell me what you’d like to be happening’ he said ‘You don’t have a problem yet. You’re just complaining. A problem only exists if there is a difference between what is actually happening and what you would like to be happening”

31. #GIRLBOSS by Sophia Amoruso

“Abandon anything about your life and habits that might be holding you back. Learn to create your own opportunities. Know that there is no finish line. Fortune favours action.”

32. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

“What we mean by “simple” is finding the core of the idea”

33. Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Amy Wallace and Edwin Catmull

“Getting the team right is the necessary precursor to getting the ideas right”

34. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

“I chose to,””Only a few things really matter,” and “I can do anything but not everything”

35. Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Jean Greaves and Travis Bradberry

“Self-management is your ability to use your awareness of your emotions to stay flexible and direct your behavior positively.”

36. The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande

“The volume and complexity of what we know has exceeded our individual ability to deliver its benefits correctly, safely, or reliably. Knowledge has both saved us and burdened us.”

37. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Al Switzler, Joseph Grenny, and Ron McMillan

“When it comes to risky, controversial or emotional conversations, skillful people find a way to get all relevant information (from themselves and others ) out into the open.”

38. Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by William Ury, Roger Fisher, and Bruce Patton

“Any method of negotiation may be fairly judged by three criteria: It should produce a wise agreement if agreement is possible. It should be efficient. And it should improve or at least not damage the relationship between the parties.”

39. The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu M. Goldratt

“Increase throughput whilst simultaneously reducing both inventory and operating expense”

40. Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath

“You cannot be anything you want to be—but you can be a lot more of who you already are.”

41. The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz

“It turns out that is exactly what product strategy is all about—figuring out the right product is the innovator’s job, not the customer’s job.”

42. Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

“Change is hard because people wear themselves out. And that’s the second surprise about change: what often looks like laziness is exhaustion.”

43. Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz

“Research shows that the best way to deal with negativity is to observe it, without reaction and without judgement. Then consciously label each negative feeling and replace it with positive, compassionate, and solution – based thoughts”

44. Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras

“It means less of your time spent thinking about specific product lines and marketing strategies, and spend more of your time thinking about organisation design”

45. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You by John C. Maxwell

“The main difference between the two is that leadership is about influencing people to follow, while management focuses on maintaining systems and purposes”

46. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

“On any team, in any organization, all responsibility for success and failure rests with the leader. The leader must own everything in his or her world. There is no one else to blame. The leader must acknowledge mistakes and admit failures, take ownership of them, and develop a plan to win.”

47. Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin

“Leadership on the other hand is about creating change that you believe in”

48. Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power by Jon Meacham

“Broadly put, philosophers think. Politicians maneuver. Jefferson’s genius was that he was both and could do both, often simultaneously. Such is the art of power.”

49. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown

“I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential”

50. Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box by The Arbinger Institute

“No matter what we’re doing on the outside, people respond primarily to how we’re feeling about them on the inside.”

Which quote resonates with you most?

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Change Your Mindset

The Art of Convincing: 10 Persuasion Techniques That Really Work

The knack for persuading others can act as a catalyst for change, open doors, forge alliances, and effect positive change

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how to be more persuasive

Persuasion is not as complicated as it may sound. In fact, it is something that we have been practicing since childhood. Do you remember convincing your parents to let you skip school, asking your teacher not to assign homework, or persuading your boss to give you a day off? Well, these are just small examples of what persuasion looks like. (more…)

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Personal Development

5 Key Reasons Why Perfectionist’s Procrastinate

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Procrastination Perfectionist Patterns

Hey there! I’m Joel Brown, a procrastination mindset specialist. In my world, it’s all about guiding my students through repatterning exercises to break free from the shackles that prevent them from scaling new heights in life.

Now, you might hear ‘perfectionist’ and think, “Ah, they’re destined for success!” But here’s the real deal: perfectionism is far from a superpower. It’s a sneaky villain in disguise, sapping emotional and physical strength, disrupting sleep, and fueling an endless cycle of rumination—all in the pursuit of getting everything ‘just right.’ This relentless chase is what we call the ‘Obsessive Idealist‘ procrastination type.

If you don’t know which out of. the 6 procrastination types you are then you can take this quick 3 minute procrastination type quiz on my Mindstrong Academy website.

Through my fourteen years of coaching, I’ve identified six procrastination types, but my journey started with a personal revelation—I am an Obsessive Idealist. I’ve been there, constantly toggling between creation and procrastination.

And today, I invite you to explore this path with me. If you’re nodding along, thinking, “That sounds like me; I’m a perfectionist too,” then stick around.

I’m about to shed some light on why you might be stuck in this cycle.

 

Here’s a perfectionist procrastination type video here of what I’m breaking down in this article for you:

The Obsessive Idealist: Unpacking the Perfectionist’s Paradox

First things first, make sure to take the procrastination quiz: mindstrongacademy.com/quiz to see where you stand. Now, let’s dive into the world of the Obsessive Idealist. Often labeled as high achievers or perfectionists, the core of their procrastination lies in the mind’s protective pause. It’s a shield against perceived threats, pitfalls of perfectionism, and the constant battle between the now and the future in our minds.

Here’s the paradox: what seems like a strength for high achievers can become a crippling hindrance. Obsessive Idealists are in a constant struggle to avoid failure, aiming for 100% perfection. But let’s face the truth—no one is perfect. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, athlete, or any individual striving for excellence, embracing imperfections and learning from failures are crucial steps.

 

The Traps of Being an Obsessive Idealist Procrastination Type

Analysis Paralysis: Overthinking every detail to the point of inaction is a common pitfall. It’s like trying to get everything perfect, but in reality, it backfires, stalling your progress.

The Unrealistic Standards Syndrome: Setting impossibly high goals is like chasing a mirage. It’s not just about being competitive; it can lead to unfair self-criticism and unrealistic expectations of others.

The Time Trap: Believing there’s never enough time to complete a task perfectly leads to constant postponement. This selective focus on strengths, while avoiding areas of improvement, limits your true potential.

Avoidance of Criticism: Dodging feedback hinders growth. It’s essential to learn to accept constructive criticism without internalizing it as a reinforcement of the “I’m not good enough” narrative.

The All-or-Nothing Lie: Believing that you must operate at full throttle or not at all is a dangerous misconception. Embracing the middle ground, like delegating tasks and seeking mentorship, is key to balanced success.

Embracing Imperfection: The Path to True Progress

 

In the MindStrong Academy, where I teach conquering procrastination, we focus on managing these patterns effectively. Currently, we’re offering a 7-day free trial, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to transform your mindset: MindStrongAcademy.com The Academy is more than just a course; it’s a community where you’ll find support, accountability, and tailored resources like a 31-day planner and visualization audios to realign your focus.

 

In conclusion, recognizing and managing your tendencies as an Obsessive Idealist is crucial. By addressing the deep-rooted “I’m not good enough” narrative and embracing imperfection, you can shift from a state of constant stress to one of harmonized power.

Remember, movement doesn’t always equate to progress. It’s about finding balance, embracing downtime, and allowing yourself the space to grow and learn.

I encourage you to take the quiz, join the MindStrong Academy, and start your journey towards a more balanced, successful life.

Let’s break free from the chains of perfectionism together!

 

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Change Your Mindset

Unlocking Success: Subconscious Reprogramming, Mindset, and Transformative Strategies for Improved Wellbeing and Business Performance

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brittany victoria

What if I told you that the negative thoughts or self-limiting beliefs that you may have, are not actually yours?

In this article, I will discuss subconscious programming and how it can be reprogrammed in a way that allows you to reach your greatest potential. I will also provide tips on how you can integrate this information as a leader within the workplace.

The subconscious mind is shaped before we begin forming our own conscious thoughts, and these conscious thoughts are influenced by the subconscious mind. This means that even the thoughts that you’re consciously having, are merely an extension of that pre-existing conditioning. 

When something becomes deeply ingrained within your mind through repetition, and there are other supporting thoughts that reinforce it, you will identify this information as your truth. These repeated thoughts become beliefs, and your actions will align to support and validate these beliefs.

The Importance of Observing Your Thoughts

If you continuously tell yourself that you aren’t capable or good enough, how likely are you to put in the effort to challenge this narrative? If you’ve always been a procrastinator and tell yourself that you always will be, you’re going to continue procrastinating. If you run into an obstacle and don’t believe you can overcome it, you’re not going to look for solutions or try your best to resolve it.

It’s extremely important for you to become an observer of your thoughts and understand the impacts of how those thoughts can impact your life, relationships, and overall outlook on life.

Here are some questions to help guide you:

– What are your recurring negative thoughts, and how are they impacting your performance and relationships? 


– How have these thoughts held you back from achieving your goals and living the life that you’ve always dreamed of? 


– What have these thoughts already cost you and what else will they cost you if they don’t change?

Societal conditioning, influenced by a lower level of collective consciousness, has made the experience of debilitating thoughts highly prevalent. It’s not your fault that you have them, but it is your responsibility to change them and choose better ones.

The Subconscious Must Be Reprogrammed 

Reprogramming the subconscious involves positive affirmations, visualization, and consistent repetition to replace negative beliefs with positive ones. You have to become aware of the thoughts that make you feel bad and do not serve your best interest.

What are the growth-oriented thoughts that would you rather have instead? Any time that a debilitating thought crosses your mind, always correct it with new thought that uplifts, encourages and empowers you. Be consistent, be patient and understand that your logical mind will not make this process easy for you at first.

Being Delusional vs. Consciously Creating a Better Reality for Yourself 

By definition, the term delusional means “holding false beliefs or judgments about external reality that are held despite incontrovertible evidence to the contrary”. When you have held onto debilitating beliefs for so long and your previous actions have served as evidence to confirm their truth, it is inevitable that your logical mind will deem your new thoughts as delusional. This is where embracing change tends to become most challenging, as it involves confronting this resistance with unwavering commitment. 

 

What you have to understand is that your former beliefs and former actions do not dictate your future, unless they remain the same. As the old beliefs become obsolete and new beliefs take their place, there will also be new aligned actions that produce different results, and this will serve as evidence to support your new truth. That being said, the most delusional thing that anyone can do is elect to keep an unfavorable mindset that was programmed for them by external factors and willingly relinquish their own personal power as a result of it.

Success is Fundamentally Rooted in the Mindset

How we show up for ourselves and others, communicate with employees, and perform in business are deeply connected to our mindset and everything that has shaped it. Let’s delve into these interconnected aspects and explore five transformative tips that will catalyze positive change in the workplace. 

 

A growth-oriented mindset encourages resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace challenges. On the other hand, a fixed mindset hinders progress and limits potential.

Tip 1: Embrace a Growth Mindset

  • Establish the belief that abilities can be developed.
  • View challenges as opportunities for learning and improvement.
  • Cultivate a positive attitude toward continuous growth and development.

Unpacking Trauma and Navigating the Impact

Unresolved trauma can cast a long shadow over our personal and professional lives. It shapes our reactions, influences decision-making, and impacts our interactions with others. Acknowledging and addressing trauma is essential for creating a healthier, more productive work environment.

 

Tip 2: Prioritize Trauma-Informed Leadership

  • Cultivate empathy and understanding for individual experiences.
  • Provide a safe space for open communication about trauma.
  • Implement support systems and resources for employees dealing with trauma.

 

Elevate Relationships and Sales Performance

To enhance relationships, communication, and sales performance, a holistic approach that intertwines mindset and trauma-informed practices is key.

 

Tip 3: Implement Empathy-Driven Communication

  • Train teams in active listening and empathetic communication.
  • Create an environment where open dialogue is encouraged.
  • Recognize and validate diverse perspectives, creating a culture of inclusivity.

Tip 4: Invest in Professional Development

  • Offer continuous learning opportunities for employees.
  • Develop leadership skills to enhance communication and relationship-building.
  • Prioritize sales training programs that align with evolving market dynamics.

Tip 5: Maintain a Positive Work Culture

  • Create a workplace where employees feel valued and appreciated.
  • Implement recognition programs to celebrate achievements.
  • Encourage a balance between professional and personal well-being.

By embracing a growth mindset, acknowledging and addressing trauma, and implementing empathetic, integrated strategies, individuals and organizations can create a transformative ripple effect. In this interconnected web of personal and professional growth, how we show up truly matters, influencing the outcomes we achieve and the impact we leave on those around us.

 

Enjoy the Journey 

As you embark on the empowering journey of subconscious reprogramming, remember that change takes time, and self-compassion is your greatest ally. Surround yourself with positive influences, whether it be supportive friends, inspirational books, or mindfulness practices. Seek guidance from mentors who have walked a similar path and found success in reshaping their mindset. Embrace the discomfort that may arise during this process, for it signifies the shedding of old layers to make way for the new. Reflect on your progress regularly, celebrating even the smallest victories, and be patient with yourself as you navigate the intricacies of transformation. 

In the spirit of rewriting your narrative, I encourage you to take the first step today. Commit to a daily practice of positive affirmations, visualize your desired reality, and consistently challenge self-limiting beliefs. If you would like support along the way, consider joining like-minded communities, Facebook groups, and curate your social media to reflect these new changes you want to embody.

Remember, thoughts become actions, and actions reinforce beliefs. It’s never too late to embark on an empowering journey to reprogram your mind, and achieve the life you have always dreamed of!

For more tips and strategies on how to improve your mindset, follow me at @bigdivineenergy.

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Change Your Mindset

How to Let Go of Unconscious Patterns That No Longer Serve You

Spending more and more time going inward will free you to move forward.

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Image Credit: Midjourney

I was chatting with a friend of mine who was recently laid off. The experience has been overwhelming for him in a myriad of ways, including feeling inadequate and not good enough to get another job. (more…)

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