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When you work in an office, why keep all the great information to yourself? That would be like finding an incredible restaurant around the corner office and never mentioning it to your colleagues as a lunch possibility. Youd never do that. In the same vein, when you read a book that changes the way you think, give everyone in your office a copy (or at least text them a link to its online description).

Whether youre spearheading an executive book club or looking for works to inspire your staffs creativity, youll appreciate these messages in these books. Each offers a different bent, allowing you to springboard conversations and rev up your teams collective idea machine.

Author Academy Elite

Does it seem as if everyone you know is crazy busy? Dont assume the world has to run on caffeine, energy bars and sheer willpower. As Garland Vance argues inGetting (un)Busy, people often can accomplish more if they switch from high to low gear. If the members of your team have been moving at lightning speed, encourage them to slow down and smell the copy paper. Theyll regain both their breath and their passion. Im becoming a believer in the efficacy of un and will practice it more frequently by unplugging, unfretting and unbusying.

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LIoncrest

At your next meeting, ask your coworkers to describe what your brand means. Not what you sell or a rundown of your operations manual, but the purpose behind your products or services. Chances are good everyone will be tongue-tied. Thats when youll be glad you can shareStand for Somethingwith them. Brian Burkhart superbly justifies why we need to take a standwhatever that means to our businessesto earn devotees. Im stirred by this challenge and eager to dig deeper into my businesss brand identity with my colleagues.

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Post Hill Press

Sometimes we all just need to stop overanalyzing everything. That can be hard in this data-driven age, but Michael Fanuele persuasively argues that magical inspiration rarely comes via scheduled brainstorming exercises. Rather, it appears suddenly in the form of a hovering musical lick or snippet of lyrics, both destined to top the charts and revolutionize a generation.Stop Making Sensemakes all the sense in the world; Im excited to free my mind and allow for untold possibilities. If your team has been stuck, help team members find their muses with this page-turner.

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Sound Wisdom

InGoals, sales genius Zig Ziglar unpacks a no-brainer truism: Being successful involves taking the first step. While taking action sounds easy, its not. If it were, everyone would reach all their goalsyet few teams are in that boat. This book outlines how to lay out goals and see them to fruition. To be honest, I have a few dreams that have lingered too long at the to-do list stage. This book serves as a reminder that I need to make a concrete plan to accomplish them.

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Get SMart books

Its hard not to focus purely on data points. We all get mesmerized by numbers, especially on social media. Pat Flynn demonstrates why teams need to find and cultivate individual superfansand not just collect likes and followers. By grooming diehard advocates, businesses can experience explosive growth. Superfans dont just come knocking, though; They must be wooed carefully by organizations that actually care enough to foster deep, symbiotic business-buyer relationships. After readingSuperfans, Im eager to talk to my team about ways we can uncover, develop and assist our strongest supporters.

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St. Martin's Griffin

Have you focused your teams professional development on the art of persuasion and the science of storytelling? After readingFive Stars, youll see how valuable it can be if everyone on your team understands how to sell their ideas more effectively. This book definitely belongs on your teams read and discuss list. I personally think it could be the basis for a long-term workplace training series. In any event, its inspired me to ensure that my employees and clients develop their communication skills to become five-star, confident influencers.

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Cloud Rider Publishing

Lets face it: We give lots of lip service to balancing our personal and professional lives. But what we usually end up doing is pouring our energies into developing our careers. Only then do we plug family time into the remaining slots in our schedules. Cory Carlson illustrates why that type of thinking can lead to overall job dissatisfaction and general unhappiness. He makes the case for putting home on par with the officeabove it, even. Ill be keeping this message in mind so I can better model for my team what true work-life balance should be.

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7 Books Everyone On Your Team Should Read - Forbes