LONGLISTED FOR THE FINANCIAL TIMES AND SCHRODERS BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024A NEW STATESMAN BOOK OF THE YEAR 2024'A great book ... a wonderful way of talking about our current world' Rory Stewart'Mischievous and fiercely intelligent' Ed Smith, New Statesman'One of the most insightful books I've read in a long time' Sam Freedman'The kind of book from which you look up to find the world suddenly more comprehensible' Guardian'One of the most useful books of 2024' EconomistWhen we avoid taking a decision, what happens to it? In The Unaccountability Machine, Dan Davies examines why markets, institutions and even governments systematically generate outcomes that everyone involved claims not to want. He casts new light on the writing of Stafford Beer, a legendary economist who argued in the 1950s that we should regard organisations as artificial intelligences, capable of taking decisions that are distinct from the intentions of their members.Management cybernetics was Beer's science of applying self-regulation in organisational settings, but it was largely ignored - with the result being the political and economic crises that that we see today. With his signature blend of cynicism and journalistic rigour, Davies looks at what's gone wrong, and what might have been, had the world listened to Stafford Beer when it had the chance. Read more

A Disney executive VP shares his indispensable time management secrets in this guide to accomplishing more every day.   During Lee Cockerell’s career as the senior operating executive of Walt Disney World Resorts, he led a team of forty thousand employees. He was responsible for the operations of twenty resort hotels, four theme parks, two water parks, and the ESPN Sports Complex. Having so many responsibilities taught Lee a lot about time management, and he began to share his expertise on the subject to help others make the best use of their time.   The time management secrets Lee developed have become one of his most requested corporate training lectures and are now available to you in this tell-all book. However, this book is not just about managing your time. It is about life management as well. The executive time management secrets contained in this book will help you keep all parts of your life under control and jump-start your personal and professional growth. Lee’s first piece of advice is “Don’t underestimate what you can achieve.” Read more

'I like listening to people who know things that I don't,' Gareth Southgate told me. 'That's how you learn.' Former Olympian and best-selling author Matthew Syed is one of the advisors Gareth Southgate engaged from outside football in order to find new ways of working as a team. In Rebel Ideas, discover how Southgate 'the man with the plan' replaced 50 years of hurt with two major tournament semi-finals in three years.' Matthew Syed's phenomenal book will change the way you think about success - for ever. 'Syed is a superb storyteller. I couldn't put the book down, and I learned so much. A stunning achievement' Tim Harford, author of The Undercover EconomistRebel Ideas examines the power of 'cognitive diversity' - the ability to think differently about the world around us.It explains how to harness our unique perspectives, pool our collective intelligence and tackle the greatest challenges of our age - from climate change to terrorism. It draws on a dazzling range of case studies, including the catastrophic failings of the CIA before 9/11, a fatal communication breakdown on top of Mount Everest and a moving tale of deradicalisation in America's Deep South.Rebel Ideas will strengthen any team or organisation, but has dozens of individual applications, too: from the art of reinvention to the remarkable benefits of personalised nutrition. It shows us how to become more creative, how to collaborate in a world becoming more interconnected, and how to break free of echo chambers that surround us all.'A gripping read, full of intelligence and perspective' James Dyson'Will change the way you think about success and even about life' Judy Murray'A master of the genre' The Times Read more

‘Books have the power to change how we think. Unlearning Silence goes one further: a book that has the conviction to change how we act' Megan Reitz, Fellow at Saïd Business School, Oxford University and author of Dialogue in Organisations‘This book will transform your relationship with silence so that your voice can finally be heard' Simon Alexander Ong, author of Energize'A must-read for every leader' Deepa Purushothaman, author of The First, The Few, The OnlyHaving a seat at the table doesn't mean that your voice gets heard. Knowing something is wrong doesn't make it easy to speak up. But this silencing - intentional or not - has profound consequences on our work and life. It blocks talent, skews decisions and causes teams and individuals to fail. So what if there was another way?Drawing on her experience as a lecturer at Harvard Law School and as a Managing Partner at one of the world's leading leadership development companies, Elaine Lin Hering delves into the roots of silence, examining the patterns that keep us trapped, and showcases the impact that rewiring unconscious behaviours can have on innovation, creativity and collaboration.From the boardroom to the classroom, from personal relationships to wider communities, Hering shows us how we can have more authentic conversations, foster inclusive spaces and amplify all voices. Because only by unlearning silence can we fully unleash talent, speak our minds, and be more complete versions of ourselves... and help other people do the same. Read more

*AS HEARD ON THE DIARY OF A CEO PODCAST*MAKE YOUR NEXT CONVERSATION THE ONE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING'Go and get this book, there's very few like it' Steven Bartlett'If you are a student of what makes people tick, you need this book' Chris Voss, internationally bestselling author of Never Split the Difference---What’s the best way to handle a heated conversation?How do I stand my ground with confidence?Is there an effective way to work with difficult personalities?Trial lawyer Jefferson Fisher has gained millions of followers through short, simple, practical videos teaching people how to argue less and talk more.And now he offers a tried-and-true framework that will show you how to transform your life and your relationships. His down-to-earth teachings and actionable strategies have helped countless people navigate life’s toughest situations. You will learn:Why you should never “win” an argumentHow to set boundaries and frame conversationsWhy saying less is often moreHow to overcome conflict with connectionEverything you want to say, and how you want to say it, can be found in The Next Conversation.---'Embracing the knowledge in The Next Conversation will vastly improve your life.' Andrew Huberman, PhD, professor, Department of Neurobiology at Stanford University School of Medicine and creator of the Huberman Lab Podcast'Knowing exactly what to say when the pressure runs high is where we get stuck. No one is better than Jefferson Fisher to show you how to start' Mel Robbins, bestselling author and host of The Mel Robbins Podcast Read more

THE HUGE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLERA former FBI hostage negotiator offers a field-tested approach to negotiating - effective in any situation. 'Riveting' Adam Grant'Stupendous' The Week'Brilliant' Guardian____________________________After a stint policing the rough streets of Kansas City, Missouri, Chris Voss joined the FBI, where his career as a kidnapping negotiator brought him face-to-face with bank robbers, gang leaders and terrorists. Never Split the Difference takes you inside his world of high-stakes negotiations, revealing the nine key principles that helped Voss and his colleagues succeed when it mattered the most - when people's lives were at stake.Rooted in the real-life experiences of an intelligence professional at the top of his game, Never Split the Difference will give you the competitive edge in any discussion.____________________________PRAISE FOR NEVER SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE'Such a great book that is relevant to more than just FBI negotiations: it's relevant to my relationship with my partner, to my business, to everything in between.' Steven Bartlett, entrepreneur and host of the Diary of a CEO podcast'It's rare that a book is so gripping and entertaining while still being actionable and applicable.' Inc.'A business book you won't be able to put down.' Fortune Read more

A common-sense guide to living rich . . . instead of dying rich Imagine if by the time you died, you did everything you were told to. You worked hard, saved your money, and looked forward to financial freedom when you retired.   The only thing you wasted along the way was . . . your life.  Die with Zero presents a startling new and provocative philosophy as well as practical guide on how to get the most out of your money—and out of your life. It’s intended for those who place lifelong memorable experiences far ahead of simply making and accumulating money for one’s so-called “golden years.”   In short, Bill Perkins wants to rescue you from over-saving and under-living. Regardless of your age, Die with Zero will teach you Perkins’s plan for optimizing your life, stage by stage, so you’re fully engaged and enjoying what you’ve worked and saved for.   You’ll discover how to maximize your lifetime memorable moments with “time-bucketing,” how to convert your earnings into priceless memories by following your “net worth curve,” and how to navigate decisions about whether to invest in, or delay, a meaningful adventure with your “fulfillment curve” and “personal interest rate.”   Using his own life experiences as well as the inspiring stories and cautionary tales of others—and drawing on eye-opening insights about time, money, and happiness from psychological science and behavioral finance—Perkins makes a timely, convincing, and contrarian case for living large. Read more

Discover the gritty gangland read from bestseller, Kerry KayaPerfect for fans of Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers.Nothing to lose…When nineteen-year-old Tommy Carter throws away a promising career to work for local villain Davey Abbott, everyone thinks he’s made a huge mistake - collecting debts and working in strip clubs is no life for a young lad just starting out in life.Everything to gain.A brutal fighter, Tommy quickly earns a reputation for himself – feared and respected by everyone - and becomes Davey’s trusted right-hand man. But when Davey is murdered Tommy is shocked to learn that Davey has left his entire business empire to him.Tommy’s the boss now.No one believes Tommy will succeed. But there is only one rule Tommy Carter lives by - always back the underdog. Because Tommy is on the way up.Praise for Kerry Kaya:'Crime writing at its best! Believable characters - a must read!' Bestselling author Gillian Godden'So many twists and turns, I couldn't put it down!' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader review'Non stop action from beginning to the end!' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader review'Her creativity is amazing, her characters believable. Her story lines are crazy and full of love, hate, violence and betrayal and even though she writes about villains you can’t help but like them' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader review'You know when Kerry Kaya has a new book out you're going to need time to relax and enjoy the ride! Well once again I was hooked from the very first page' ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Reader reviewThis book was previously published as Barking Boy. Read more

Whether you like it or not, talking out loud informs almost every aspect of our lives, but an estimated 77 per cent of people have some level of anxiety around public speaking. In the age of technology, we’re getting worse at communicating by the day, but the good news is, everyone can improve the way they communicate.In Don’t Say Um, public speaking expert Michael Chad Hoeppner equips you with the physical tools you need to quickly improve your public speaking - for good. Packed with simple-to-master practical exercises like finger-walking to stop yourself using filler words to deep breathing to fix quivering, you'll discover how to transform how you communicate - because how you say something matters more than what you say.Whether you want to learn how to captivate a group, deliver an engaging presentation or effectively tell a joke with complete confidence, Don't Say Um provides you with the expert toolkit you need to become a master communicator. Read more

The foundational and wildly popular go-to resource for influence and persuasion—a renowned international bestseller, with over 5 million copies sold—now revised adding: new research, new insights, new examples, and online applications.In the new edition of this highly acclaimed bestseller, Robert Cialdini—New York Times bestselling author of Pre-Suasion and the seminal expert in the fields of influence and persuasion—explains the psychology of why people say yes and how to apply these insights ethically in business and everyday settings. Using memorable stories and relatable examples, Cialdini makes this crucially important subject surprisingly easy. With Cialdini as a guide, you don’t have to be a scientist to learn how to use this science.You’ll learn Cialdini’s Universal Principles of Influence, including new research and new uses so you can become an even more skilled persuader—and just as importantly, you’ll learn how to defend yourself against unethical influence attempts. You may think you know these principles, but without understanding their intricacies, you may be ceding their power to someone else.Cialdini’s Principles of Persuasion:ReciprocationCommitment and ConsistencySocial Proof Liking AuthorityScarcityUnity, the newest principle for this editionUnderstanding and applying the principles ethically is cost-free and deceptively easy. Backed by Dr. Cialdini’s 35 years of evidence-based, peer-reviewed scientific research—including a three-year field study on what leads people to change—Influence is a comprehensive guide to using these principles to move others in your direction. Read more

A new, updated and expanded edition of this New York Times bestseller on how to reconstruct your life so it's not all about work Forget the old concept of retirement and the rest of the deferred-life plan - there is no need to wait and every reason not to, especially in unpredictable economic times. Whether your dream is escaping the rat race, experiencing high-end world travel, earning a monthly five-figure income with zero management, or just living more and working less, this book is the blueprint. This step-by step guide to luxury lifestyle design teaches: * How Tim went from $40,000 dollars per year and 80 hours per week to $40,000 per MONTH and 4 hours per week * How to outsource your life to overseas virtual assistants for $5 per hour and do whatever you want * How blue-chip escape artists travel the world without quitting their jobs * How to eliminate 50% of your work in 48 hours using the principles of a forgotten Italian economist * How to trade a long-haul career for short work bursts and frequent 'mini-retirements'. This new updated and expanded edition includes: More than 50 practical tips and case studies from readers (including families) who have doubled their income, overcome common sticking points, and reinvented themselves using the original book as a starting point * Real-world templates you can copy for eliminating email, negotiating with bosses and clients, or getting a private chef for less than £5 a meal * How lifestyle design principles can be suited to unpredictable economic times * The latest tools and tricks, as well as high-tech shortcuts, for living like a diplomat or millionaire without being either. Read more

OVER 45,000 COPIES SOLDLess hustle, more flow – riding the waves of your creativity.In an age where anyone can create anything with a click, ideas matter more than ever. AI, automation, and ever-accelerating change promise to make us more productive, yet leave us overwhelmed and distracted – causing us to question our very worth as humans.Some recoil into nihilism. Some say "slow down." Others reject the very notion of productivity. But productivity isn't the problem. It's the centuries-old paradigm behind how we define it: time management.“An exhilarating but highly structured approach to the creative use of time.”—Kirkus ReviewsThe way forward is to reject the rubric that measures our value by pace of output, as if one step always leads to the next. To shed the expectations that shackle us to every second.Those who thrive in this new age will make space for a dance between their energy and their ideas. Not only to reach the depths of focus from the shallows of distraction, but to explore every contour of their creative minds.In Mind Management, Not Time Management, veteran indie creator David Kadavy shares the fruits of his decade-long deep dive into how to be truly productive in an ever-changing world.Quit your daily routine. Use hidden patterns around you to let insights emerge from the rhythm of life.Do in five minutes what used to take all day. Tap into your “passive genius” to do your best thinking when you're not even thinking.Wield the power of technology, without distraction. An obscure but inexpensive gadget can unlock your creative superpowers.Keep going, even when chaos strikes. Your next unexpected detour might be the road to your Big Idea.Mind Management, Not Time Management isn’t your typical productivity book. It’s a gripping page-turner chronicling Kadavy’s global search to unlock the future of creative work.You’ll learn faster, make better decisions, and turn your best ideas into reality. Start reading today. Read more

Best Books of the Year – The Financial Times and The EconomistShortlisted for the Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year Award 2023World expert Bent Flyvbjerg and bestselling author Dan Gardner reveal the secrets to successfully planning and delivering ambitious projects on any scale.‘Important, timely, instructive and entertaining’ – Daniel Kahneman, bestselling author of Thinking, Fast and SlowNothing is more inspiring than a big vision that becomes a triumphant new reality. Think of how Apple’s iPod went from a project with a single employee to an enormously successful product launch in eleven months. But such successes are the exception. Consider how London’s Crossrail project delivered five years late and billions over budget. More modest endeavours, whether launching a small business, organizing a conference, or just finishing a work project on time, also commonly fail. Why?Understanding what distinguishes the triumphs from the failures has been the life’s work of Oxford professor Bent Flyvbjerg. In How Big Things Get Done, he identifies the errors that lead projects to fail, and the research-based principles that will make yours succeed:Understand your odds. If you don’t know them, you won’t win.Plan slow, act fast. Getting to the action quick feels right. But it’s wrong.Think right to left. Start with your goal, then identify the steps to get there.Find your Lego. Big is best built from small.Master the unknown unknowns. Most think they can’t, so they fail. Flyvbjerg shows how you can.Full of vivid examples ranging from the building of the Sydney Opera House to the making of the latest Pixar blockbusters, How Big Things Get Done reveals how to get any ambitious project done – on time and on budget.'Entertaining . . . compelling . . . there are lessons here for managers of all stripes' – The Economist Read more

Have you ever found yourself struggling with information overload? Have you ever felt both overworked and underutilised? Do you ever feel busy but not productive? If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is to become an Essentialist. In Essentialism, Greg McKeown, CEO of a Leadership and Strategy agency in Silicon Valley who has run courses at Apple, Google and Facebook, shows you how to achieve what he calls the disciplined pursuit of less. Being an Essentialist is about a disciplined way of thinking. It means challenging the core assumption of ‘We can have it all’ and ‘I have to do everything’ and replacing it with the pursuit of ‘the right thing, in the right way, at the right time'.By applying a more selective criteria for what is essential, the pursuit of less allows us to regain control of our own choices so we can channel our time, energy and effort into making the highest possible contribution toward the goals and activities that matter. Using the experience and insight of working with the leaders of the most innovative companies and organisations in the world, McKeown shows you how to put Essentialism into practice in your own life, so you too can achieve something great. Read more

From the author of the global bestseller, The Power of Habit'This is not just a riveting read about how to understand others better. It’s also a revealing look at how to be understood.' - ADAM GRANTIf you want to improve your communication skills at work and in life, this book is the place the start.' - ARTHUR C. BROOKS Professor, Harvard Business School, and #1 New York Times bestselling author___________________________________________________________Who and what are supercommunicators? They're the people who can steer a conversation to a successful conclusion. They are able to talk about difficult topics without giving offence. They know how to make others feel at ease and share what they think. They're brilliant facilitators and decision-guiders. How do they do it?In this groundbreaking new book, Charles Duhigg unravels the secrets of the supercommunicators to reveal the art – and the science – of successful communication. He unpicks the different types of everyday conversation and pinpoints why some go smoothly while others swiftly fall apart. He reveals the conversational questions and gambits that bring people together. And he shows how even the most tricky of encounters can be turned around. In the process, he shows why a CIA operative was able to win over a reluctant spy, how a member of a jury got his fellow jurors to view an open-and-shut case differently, and what a doctor found they needed to do to engage with a vaccine sceptic.Above all, he reveals the techniques we can all master to successfully connect with others, however tricky the circumstances. Packed with fascinating case studies and drawing on cutting-edge research, this book will change the way you think about what you say, and how you say it._______________________________________________________________'Charles Duhigg goes through a mountain of research – and some riveting stories – and unearths practical tactics to show that anyone can become a more effective listener, speaker, and even social media poster.' - DAVID EPSTEIN, bestselling author of Range and The Sports Gene Read more

The most important business/self-help book since EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE and THE ONE-MINUTE MANAGER.How often do you get to the end of another long and frantic day and wonder why so many important things didn't get finished? We've never worked so hard and felt so unproductive and unfulfilled. 18 MINUTES takes this challenge and turns it on its head. Peter Bregman, top HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW columnist and global management consultant, shatters the myth of getting it all done by offering a clear and simple plan for getting the right things done. He shows how the best way to fight distracting interruptions is to create productive ones ourselves, a practice that can be easily implemented in 18 minutes a day. The result is a simple yet comprehensive approach to managing your life a year, a day, and a moment at a time so that your life moves forward the way you want and at the pace you want. Read more

In this bestselling guide to social success, communication expert Debra Fine reveals the techniques and strategies anyone can use to make small talk in any situation.Does striking up a conversation with a stranger make your stomach do flip-flops? Do you spend time hiding out in the bathroom at social gatherings? Do you dread the very thought of networking? Is scrolling your phone a crutch to avoid interacting?Help is on the way with The Fine Art of Small Talk, the classic guide that's now revised for the modern era. Small talk is more than just chitchat; it's a valuable tool to help you climb the corporate ladder, widen your business and social circles, and boost your self-confidence. With practical advice and simple conversation 'cheat sheets,' this book offers easy-to-learn techniques that will allow you to feel comfortable in any type of social situation-from a video meeting to a first date to a cocktail party where you don't know a soul. Communication expert Debra Fine will show you how to:- Learn to connect with others regardless of the occasion, event or situation- Come across as composed and self-assured when entertaining - Avoid awkward silences and 'foot in mouth' disease- Convey warmth and enthusiasm so that other people feel good about being near you - Make a positive, lasting impression from the minute you say hello. Once you master The Fine Art of Small Talk, you'll excel at making others feel included, valued and comfortable. Let Debra Fine turn you into a small-talk expert - and watch the contacts, business deals and social relationships multiply before your eyes! Read more

A NEW YORK TIMES AND INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER'This book is a gift to anyone who needs to get a message across and make it stick.' New Statesman'Smart, lively . . . such fun to read.' Guardian_________________________________________________Mark Twain once observed, 'A lie can get halfway around the world before the truth can even get its boots on.' His observation rings true: urban legends, conspiracy theories, and bogus news stories circulate effortlessly. Meanwhile, people with important ideas - entrepreneurs, teachers, politicians, and journalists - struggle to make them 'stick'.In Made to Stick, Chip and Dan Heath reveal the anatomy of ideas that stick and explain how to make ideas stickier, such as applying the Velcro Theory of Memory, using the human scale principle and creating curiosity gaps. Along the way, they reveal that sticky messages of all kinds - from the infamous 'kidney theft ring' hoax, to a coach's lessons on sportsmanship, to a vision for a new product at Sony - draw their power from the same six traits.Made to Stick reveals the vital principles behind winning ideas - and tells us how we can apply these rules to making our own messages stick. It will transform the way you communicate._______________________________________________________'An entertaining, practical guide to communication.' Financial Times'This is great for anyone planning a speech or trying to get their message across at work.' Psychologies'The Heaths push beyond what sounds like it should work and explain why it actually does.' Time Magazine'Anyone interested in influencing others . . . can learn from this book.' Washington Post Read more

"The missing link that will prepare your business and your mind for the next stage of business growth." --from the Foreword by Gino Wickman, author of Entrepreneurial Leap and Traction Does your business own you more than you own it? Are you afraid it will collapse without you? Are you sacrificing your family, friends, and freedom to keep your business in business? What if, instead, your company could run on automatic while it continued to grow and turn a profit? It’s possible—and the revised and expanded edition of Clockwork makes it easier than ever.If you're like most entrepreneurs, you started your company so you could be your own boss, make the money you deserve, and live life on your own terms. In reality, you're bogged down in the daily grind, constantly putting out fires, answering an endless stream of questions, and continually hunting for cash. In Clockwork, Revised & Expanded, entrepreneurship expert Mike Michalowicz improves on his step-by-step method for getting more done by doing less – making it easier than ever to have your business run itself. The culmination of more than ten years research, with hundreds of new real-life case studies and improved processes drawn—drawn directly from Mike’s hugely successful training program—Clockwork, Revised & Expanded is your recipe for an ultra-efficient business. Among the many new and improved strategies, you will learn how to:Transfer any task off your plate and trust that your team will get it done right.Elevate your role in your company (and life) with one single word.Pinpoint the critical function your business must master to avoid mediocrity.Leverage the extraordinary power of the 3.2 hour productivity rule. And finally—do what you want, when you want, in your business and your life.  Clockwork Revised & Expanded even includes an entirely new section that details how to improve each team member’s efficiency – both individually and within teams – without leadership involvement. With Mike's Clockwork system, you will make your business finally work for you. Read more

You might already consider yourself a stellar conversationalist, but could you be even better? This book will help enrich your life, one conversation at a time. 'Reading TALK is like having a conversation with the world's best conversationalist' Angela Duckworth_________Conversation is at the heart of our relationships and decision-making - but the science behind our everyday interactions, and how to improve them, is little known.In Talk, Harvard Professor Alison Wood Brooks provides fascinating insights into the power of effective communication. She gives you the tools that her MBA students say transform their lives, bringing together psychology, linguistics, sociology and neuroscience in her original framework:T – Topics – including the surprising impact of preparing topics before a conversationA – Asking – why we need to do more (and why we do less than we think)L – Levity – how to find the fun in conversations with anyoneK – Kindness – how to be a better listener and not simply pretend to be one!Through her own original research, Brooks shows readers how small changes in how we communicate can make a big difference to our relationships, our careers and our lives. Read more