This is a collection of the best books of 2024 that influenced our thinking. They may not necessarily be the most popular best sellers, or the ones that got the most press, but they are the ones that made us think the most, that challenged our worldview, and that gave practical advice we actually used.
Best book to challenge your deeply held beliefs
If you asked me for a book recommendation this year, there’s a good chance this was the one on my mind. The author, a neuroendocrinologist and sociologist, lays out a broad survey of different ways to think about the world, from genetics to quantum physics. Based on his observations and a lifetime of interdisciplinary study, Sapolsky makes the argument that there is no action we take that can be explained by free will and not by a series of chemical, hormonal, environmental, and evolutionary factors that do a better job explaining why we do what we do. His hesitant conclusion: There is no evidence for free will.
I’m not sure I fully buy it – or that I even fully understand the author’s fascinating deep dive into human nature. However, I do very much agree with the “so what?” that the author addresses. What does it mean if free will doesn’t exist? The author implores us to live with more empathy, to accept that we cannot possibly know everything that everyone else is going through and how it impacts their decisions. Even if we don’t reject the concept of free will, I think that idea is something that would be helpful for us to embrace.
Best books to challenge your day-to-day habits
In Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout, Cal Newport advocates for a deliberate approach to work that emphasizes quality over quantity. He identifies three core principles: focusing on fewer tasks, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality. By adopting these principles, individuals can produce meaningful work while avoiding the pitfalls of busyness and burnout.
It seems like an exhortation to work smarter, not harder – sure sounds great. It also appears to embrace the concept that if you are working as hard as you can, but going in the wrong direction it’s a waste of time, energy, and resources. That all sounds ok, but I’m curious how the approach would be applied in fast-paced industries that demand rapid turn-around, or in places where rapid iteration – often in the wrong direction – leads to breakthrough developments. Regardless, the author’s premise is worth exploring and I do think there are valuable takeaways for anyone in prioritizing fewer commitments, setting clear boundaries, and focusing on quality.
In Happier Hour, Cassie Holmes examines how intentional time management can promote happiness and life satisfaction. Pulling from her research and teaching at UCLA, Holmes rejects the pervasive sense of “time poverty” and provides several strategies for being more intentional with your time.
One powerful exercise Holmes encourages is to keep track of how much more time you have remaining in life to do something you love and care about. How many weekends do you have left with your children? Have you counted how many more walks do you get to take with your dog? How many more dinners do you get to have with your parents? Memento mori.
On a more tactical level, Holmes discusses the importance of “bundling” enjoyable activities with necessary but mundane tasks—such as listening to a favorite podcast while commuting.
While Holmes provides valuable tools for personal time management, I found that the book could have further addressed systemic factors that contribute to time poverty, such as socioeconomic constraints. However, her research-backed advice offers actionable steps for folks seeking to make their hours more meaningful.
See also:
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals, by Oliver Burkeman
Best book to inspire you to get outdoors
This one is pretty foundational for our approach to leadership development at Cairn Leadership Strategies – it must be experiential, and it must involve the outdoors. In The Nature Fix, Florence Williams jumps into the science behind nature’s profound impact on our mental and physical well-being. She presents compelling evidence that immersing ourselves in natural environments can enhance creativity, reduce stress, and improve overall health.
One practical insight from the book is the concept of “forest bathing,” a Japanese practice known as shinrin-yoku, which involves mindfully experiencing the forest atmosphere to boost mood and cognitive function. Additionally, Williams highlights that even brief interactions with nature—such as a 15-minute walk in a park—can significantly lower cortisol levels, the body’s primary stress hormone.
Best books to change your relationships with others
In Give and Take, Adam Grant explores how our interactions—whether we act as givers, takers, or matchers—profoundly influence our personal and professional success. He presents compelling evidence that those who prioritize helping others without immediate expectations often achieve more enduring success.
One takeaway I appreciated is the concept of “powerless communication,” where expressing vulnerability and seeking advice can foster trust and collaboration. If you ever think you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re either 1) in the wrong room, or – more likely – 2) deluded by your own ego…check yourself. Additionally, Grant emphasizes the importance of aligning giving behaviors with personal interests to prevent burnout and maintain motivation.
While Grant’s advocacy for generosity is inspiring, I am concerned it is a privileged approach to the world, which Grant addresses but not thoroughly. I would also be curious to discuss how this approach addresses situations where individuals might exploit givers, potentially leading to imbalances in professional relationships.
I had had about enough of allegorical business and leadership books, but when my brother enthusiastically recommended this (somewhat dated) book this year, I was curious.
In Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box, the Arbinger Institute explores how self-deception can hinder effective leadership and damage relationships. The book uses the metaphor of being “in the box” to describe a state where we see others as objects rather than individuals, leading to blame and justification of our own behavior. By recognizing and overcoming this mindset, we can build healthier and more mutually beneficial relationships.
One practical insight the book introduces is the concept of the “Influence Pyramid,” which emphasizes building relationships and understanding others’ perspectives as foundational steps before attempting to correct or teach. Though written as a fictional narrative, it dovetails neatly with Robert Sapolsky’s ultimate message in Determined (see above).
While the book offers valuable perspectives on self-awareness and interpersonal dynamics, I found the story somewhat repetitive, which diluted the impact of its central theme. However, its insights into recognizing and addressing self-deception are thought-provoking and can be beneficial for personal and professional growth.
Best books for navigating challenging work situations
Feedback is super important to us at Cairn Leadership. We have a rule that when receiving feedback, the only allowed responses are, “Thank you,” and “Tell me more.” This encourages reflection and a chance to search for what in the feedback resonates most.
Ultimately, feedback is a gift. It should be given with care—the same care you would put into choosing, wrapping, and giving a gift to a loved one. It should be received with gratitude and assuming the best intent from the one giving the gift. Even if that ideal is followed on both sides, it can still be difficult or disappointing.
In Thanks for the Feedback, Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen delve into the often-overlooked skill of effectively receiving feedback. They argue that while most often emphasis is placed on delivering feedback, the receiver’s role is important in determining whether feedback leads to growth or defensiveness.
One insightful takeaway is the identification of three types of feedback: appreciation, coaching, and evaluation. Recognizing the type of feedback being offered can help you tailor your response and get the most out of it.
Additionally, the authors discuss “triggers” that can impede our ability to accept feedback, such as truth triggers (disagreeing with the content), relationship triggers (issues with the person giving feedback), and identity triggers (threats to our self-image). Understanding these triggers can help manage reactions and facilitate personal growth.
Every interaction with another person is a negotiation of some type. Often it is not adversarial—and it doesn’t need to be! There are so many opportunities to “make the pie bigger,” but it takes some awareness and skill to do that well.
This fun to read, practical guide to negotiating will help you find common ground with just about anyone. Chris Voss takes stories and principles from hostage negotiation with the FBI and makes them accessible for leaders anywhere.
Voss shares his field-tested techniques for high-stakes negotiations, emphasizing the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy over traditional rational approaches. He argues that understanding and leveraging human psychology can lead to more successful outcomes in both professional and personal negotiations.
Additionally, Voss introduces the concept of “tactical empathy,” which entails seeking to understand your counterpart’s perspective and emotional state, and then acknowledging and validating that perspective to build rapport and influence their decision-making.
While Voss’s strategies are compelling and grounded in real-world experience, I found that some techniques, such as mirroring, might feel unnatural or contrived in everyday business settings without sufficient practice. However, his emphasis on the psychological aspects of negotiation provides valuable insights that can enhance your ability to navigate complex interactions effectively.
Best books on entrepreneurship
The Mac & Cheese Millionaire, by Erin Wade chronicles her transition from an unfulfilled corporate lawyer to the founder of Homeroom, a successful mac and cheese restaurant in Oakland, California. It had me at mac and cheese.
Through personal anecdotes, Wade shares her experience on the start-up roller coaster, emphasizing her focus on the creation of a unique, values-driven workplace culture that prioritized collaboration and employee well-being.
Wade also offers insights into innovative workplace leadership strategies, such as implementing a color-coded system to address harassment, which was later adopted by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Wade’s story is a pretty inspiring guide for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to align their business practices with personal values and societal impact. And you get some pretty good ideas for how to do mac and cheese right.
This was a recommendation from a client. We were discussing business growth strategies and disruptive technology while backpacking across Catalina Island. This CEO recommended paying close attention to the difference between early adopters, who are a small minority of an overall customer base, and the early majority, who make up the meat of the left side of the bell curve. There is a large gap between those two groups, and strategically setting up to make that leap is possible—and really necessary—to grow.
One practical insight Moore offers is the importance of targeting a specific niche market, or “beachhead,” to establish a strong foothold before expanding further. By focusing on a well-defined segment, companies can concentrate their resources and build a loyal customer base, facilitating broader market acceptance.
Additionally, Moore emphasizes the need to adapt marketing strategies to appeal to the “early majority,” who are more pragmatic and risk-averse compared to early adopters. This involves demonstrating product reliability, providing comprehensive support, and leveraging references from satisfied customers to build credibility.
Go read - Think deeply - And do something with it
This collection has clear themes, focusing on exploration, curiosity and humility; empathy and connection with others; and mindfulness of how you set the conditions to achieve excellence. These are our core values at Cairn Leadership: Exploration, Connection, Excellence. These values influence all of our decisions. How do your values show up in how you live, the decisions you make, and the books you read?
