Steph's Business Bookshelf Podcast - podcast cover

Steph's Business Bookshelf Podcast

Most people don’t have time to read the books they want to. Each week join Steph (@stephsbizbookshelf), a life-long bookworm, as she brings you the lessons from the best non-fiction books she’s read. Steph will share the ‘three big things’ the books taught her, favourite quotes and actions she’s implemented since reading the book. If you have an ever-growing pile of half-read books on your bedside table, this podcast is for you. Steph's Business Bookshelf; doing the reading so you don't have to.

Episodes

How to Work With (Almost) Anyone by Michael Bungay Stanier

Liked this? Subscribe to the bookmark newsletter to receive more book, podcast, music, and tech recommendations straight to your inbox every month. About the book The quality of your working relationships determines your success and your happiness. Stop leaving it all to chance. Build relationships that are safe, vital, and repairable. One essential conversation. Five powerful questions. Your chance to build the best possible relationships with all the people who matter Source : https://www.mbs....

Jun 05, 202319 minSeason 2Ep. 203

What I read in April 2023; pre-releases, comedy, and books I didn't finish

It's April, and it's been a funny month of starting books, not finishing books, and desperately trying to squeeze books in so that I did finish them. So here we are; two books read, two books retired, and two books in progress. This month I'm talking about... Books I read 📚 Before and Laughter by Jimmy Carr (audiobook) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📚 How to Work With (Almost) Anyone by Michael Bungay Stanier (pre-release) Books I didn't finish 📚 Superforecasting by Philip Tetlock (DNF) 📚 The Persuaders by Anand ...

May 01, 202315 minSeason 2Ep. 202

What I read in March 2023; four books on publishing, poverty, poet punks, and preparing workshops

I'm back telling you about what I read last month, and what's worth reading. This month's books include... Write Useful Books by Rob Fitzpatrick ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2 Hour Workshop Blueprint by Leanne Hughes ( no rating as this was an early draft copy ) Invisible Child by Andrea Elliott ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Wanna Be Yours by John Cooper Clarke (audiobook) ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 If you liked this, you might like my monthly email with book reviews and ideas of what you should be reading, and listening to, next. Click here to su...

Apr 03, 202315 minSeason 2Ep. 201

What I read in February 2023: four books about creativity, epidemics, and grief

Sign up for the bookmark newsletter here ICYMI, this year I'm experimenting with a slightly different style of episode, featuring reviews of what I read over the last month. There'll still be occasional 'three big idea' episodes popping up throughout the year, and the four years and 197 other book based episodes will still be in the back catalogue to be enjoyed. February might be the shortest month, but I managed to read four books, including a big chunky 500+ pager! This month I'm talking about...

Mar 06, 202315 minSeason 2Ep. 200

What I read in January 2023: five books on life, food, and the future of work

Sign up for the bookmark newsletter here Welcome to 2023 and to 'season two' of Steph's Business Bookshelf. ICYMI, this year I'm experimenting with a slightly different style of episode, featuring reviews of what I read over the last month. There'll still be occasional 'three big idea' episodes popping up throughout the year, and the four years and 197 other book based episodes will still be in the back catalogue to be enjoyed. January is always a more book-heavy month, and this one was no excep...

Feb 06, 202319 minSeason 2Ep. 199

It's 2023: what I'll be reading this year, and a year of experiments

Sign up to get the bookmark newsletter in your inbox Hi friends, as we roll into 2023 I wanted to share some of the reading I'm planning on doing in 2023, some experiments I'm playing with, my word of the year, and a few changes to the schedule that are coming up. Here's Madeleine's newsletter that I mention in this episode. Let's talk books on... LinkedIn Instagram Support my book habit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stephsbookshelf See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jan 16, 202313 minSeason 2Ep. 198

The best books I read in 2022

Want more book recommendations? Get the bookmark newsletter in your inbox . It's time for the wrap that's not quite as good as the Spotify wrap, but still one of my favourite bits of the year; looking back at the books I've spent my year reading. This year I read 52 books, 29% were ebooks, 42% were physical books, and 29% were audiobooks. I use the StoryGraph app to track my reading. Here's some of the books that get a mention... The Top 3 Imaginable by Jane McGonigal ( Listen to the three big i...

Jan 09, 202322 minEp. 197

Big Feelings by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy: how to be a human

Get the bookmark newsletter in your inbox and don't miss the best stuff of the year wrap. About the authors Liz Fosslien is the co-author and illustrator of the WSJ bestseller No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotion at Work and Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay . She leads the content and communications teams at Humu, where she helps leaders and their teams take small steps towards profound improvement. Prior to joining Humu, Liz designed and led workshops for...

Dec 11, 202212 minEp. 196

Ideaflow by Jeremy Utley and Perry Klebahn: how to have more ideas

About the book Great Ideas. Methods, not Magic. Innovation is not an event; it’s a practice. Don’t leave the big ideas to the creatives. Revolutionize your creative process by mastering Ideaflow : the proven strategy that anyone can use to routinely generate and commercialize innovative ideas. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, student, C-suite leader, or anything in between, this book will teach you how to unleash creativity and innovation to magnify and accelerate all your other efforts, by simpl...

Dec 03, 202216 minEp. 195

The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni: how to find out if you're a genius or frustrated

About the author Pat is one of the founders of The Table Group and is the pioneer of the organizational health movement. He is the author of 13 books, which have sold over 6 million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages. As President of the Table Group, Pat spends his time speaking and writing about leadership, teamwork, and organizational health and consulting with executives and their teams. Prior to founding the firm in 1997, Pat worked at Bain & Company, Oracle Corporati...

Nov 07, 202215 minEp. 194

What's on my TBR: eight books I want to read before the end of the year

Subscribe to the bookmark newsletter for twice-monthly book and listening tips in your inbox. This week's episode is a little different as I wanted to tell you about some of the books I'm looking forward to reading, rather than about a book I've read. Here's the books on my TBR at the moment... The Persuaders by Anand Giridharadas Ideaflow by Jeremy Utley and Perry Klebahn The Prepared Leader by Erika James and Lynn Perry Wooten Humanocracy by Gary Hemel and Michele Zanini The Age of Surveillanc...

Oct 30, 202212 minEp. 193

Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte: why you need to stop using your head

About the author Hi, I'm Tiago Forte, I’m the founder of Forte Labs, and the question that drives me is, “How can humans reach their creative potential?” To answer that question, I teach and write about new ways for you to thrive in our connected, digital world. Over the last decade, I’ve helped thousands of people build a Second Brain. It’s a trusted place outside your head where you can collect and organize your most important ideas and insights, and use them to do your best work. The ultimate...

Oct 24, 202215 minEp. 192

Converge by Dr Catherine Ball: how to see into the future

About the author Associate Professor, Dr Catherine Ball is a scientific futurist, speaker, advisor, author, founder, executive producer, executive director and company director working across global projects where emerging technologies meet humanitarian, education and environmental needs. Catherine also likes to create businesses and champion movements, collaborate with peers, and advise game-changers. A sought-after voice across the start-up, futurist and tech world, Catherine works globally ac...

Oct 19, 202216 minEp. 191

My Life in Full by Indra Nooyi: why you should put purpose and learning at the centre

☀️ Get in before 21 October to join this year's Steph's Business Bookshelf Summer Book Club: https://www.itsyesand.co/sbbsbc 📚 About the book For a dozen years as one of the world’s most admired CEOs, Indra Nooyi redefined what it means to be an exceptional leader. The first woman of color and immigrant to run a Fortune 50 company — and one of the foremost strategic thinkers of our time — she transformed PepsiCo with a unique vision, a vigorous pursuit of excellence, and a deep sense of purpose...

Oct 09, 202215 minEp. 190

The Best Books of 2022... so far (part 3)

It's quarterly review time with a recap of the best books I read between 1 July and 30 September this year. Best books I read Four Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney & Sean Covey et al ( listen to the episode about this book here ) Cult Status by Tim Duggan ( listen to the episode about this book here ) Brave New Work by Aaron Dignan ( listen to the episode about this book here ) Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen ( listen to the episode about this book here ) ...

Oct 02, 202214 minEp. 189

Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen: why feedback is like a gift and a colonoscopy

About the book The performance evaluation at work; the parenting advice from your mother-in-law; the lecture by the cop who just pulled you over. We get feedback every day of our lives, from friends and family, colleagues, customers, and bosses, teachers, doctors, and strangers. We’re assessed, coached, and criticized about our performance, personalities, and appearance. We know that feedback is essential for professional development and healthy relationships—but we dread it and often dismiss it...

Sep 27, 202219 minEp. 188

Two Hour Cocktail Party by Nick Gray: how to be more interesting

About the book You know that well-connected friend who only exists in the movies? The one who throws the best parties and can set up any introduction you need? Everyone wants to know someone magical like this who brings people together. The secret is: you can be that person. You should be that person. The 2-Hour Cocktail Party will show you how. Discover a simple party-hosting formula with step-by-step instructions that help you meet new people, strengthen your existing relationships, and make y...

Sep 18, 202214 minEp. 187

Cult Status by Tim Duggan: why you should throw the old ways of building a business in the bin

About the book Consumers have changed, and the businesses that form around them are principled, purposeful and creative. The next generation of entrepreneurs thinks differently, and Cult Status will show you how you can too. Enough has been written about huge cult brands founded last century – Nike, Apple, Red Bull. What will the cult companies of tomorrow look like? Who is amassing the kind of passionate community that gives them the best chance of getting through difficult times to build long-...

Sep 11, 202213 minEp. 186

Brave New Work by Aaron Dignan: How to radically rethink the way you work

About the book What's stopping us from doing the best work of our lives? It's the way we work. Bureaucracy. Hierarchy. Compliance. Everything that slows us down and makes us feel less human. Our organizations are broken. And we can fix them. Aaron Dignan helps teams around the world completely reinvent their operating systems—the fundamental principles and practices that shape their culture—with extraordinary success . He helps them see that organizations aren't machines to be predicted and cont...

Sep 04, 202219 minEp. 185

The Four Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey et a: why accountability is the secret sauce to success

About the book Fully revised and updated, the definitive guide for leaders on how to create lasting organisational change. Do you remember the last major initiative you watched die in your organisation? Did it go down with a loud crash? Or was it slowly and quietly suffocated by other competing priorities? By the time it finally disappeared, it’s quite likely noone even noticed. Almost every company struggles with making change happen. The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Revised and Updated is meant...

Aug 21, 202217 minEp. 184

How to plan your own reading week: the do's and don'ts of escaping with your books

I've just got back from an excellent week away doing some reading, planning, thinking, and pondering. But what is a reading week? How should you plan one? And what traps should you avoid? In this week's special episode I share three tips / big ideas to think about if you're planning your own reading / thinking week. You'll find out... Why location matters How to set your expectations (and self) up for success Why you shouldn't just read I mentioned Riparide in this episode. Check them out if you...

Aug 14, 202220 minEp. 183

Die with Zero by Bill Perkins: won't somebody think of the children?!

About the book Die with Zero by legendary energy trader, Bill Perkins, details a thought-provoking framework for maximizing net fulfillment, over net worth. Die with Zero introduces the compelling principles he uses to think about personal finances, and more importantly, life. Die with Zero is not something Perkins came up with after building his wealth. It's packed with stories from his first job on Wall Street making $16,000 annually, to getting fired and feeling lost in life. To his life toda...

Aug 07, 202214 minEp. 182

Move to the Edge, Declare it Centre by Everett Harper: how to be more human in complexity

About the author Everett Harper is the CEO and Co-Founder of Truss, a human-centered software development company, named as an Inc 5000 fastest-growing private company for 2020 and 2021. He is a rare combination of a Black entrepreneur, Silicon Valley pedigree, National Champion, and a proven record for solving complex problems with social impact. He had the foresight to build a company that’s been remote-first since 2011, salary-transparent since 2017, anticipating the importance of hybrid work...

Jul 31, 202216 minEp. 181

Fully Connected by Mel Kettle: how to reconnect with yourself

About the book Are you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed? Do you feel like you have no time for yourself? Are you wondering how to regain your energy and find joy? Being a leader today is hard. We are pulled in so many directions, with big responsibilities and many livelihoods reliant on us. It may be surprising to learn that our first responsibility is to care for ourselves. To make choices that are right for us, instead of what is right for others. With blurred boundaries between work and life...

Jul 24, 202212 minEp. 180

100 Days of Brave by Iolanthe Gabrie: how to build your brave muscle

About the book A legit business: one that’s proof-of-concept tested, compliant and connecting with your customer. For real. Practical and frank, 100 Days of Brave is the ultimate guidebook for building a business that will thrive. It’s for women who want to live life on their terms, enjoying the freedom that entrepreneurship provides – but who haven’t the mentors to get their show on the road. Whether you’re on the cusp of beginning a part-time hustle or you’re in the throes of start-up, 100 Day...

Jul 17, 202212 minEp. 179

Power by Kemi Nekvapil: why power takes practice

About the author As a black child raised by five sets of white foster parents (some incredibly loving, some - not so much) I always felt that I had to prove my worth, so that I would to be 'allowed to stay.'' I had to be not only a 'good girl' but a 'good black girl'. I had no say in where I would live or who my new mum and dad would be, or where I would be living next. I was told to always be thankful, always be grateful for what I had, to never ask for more and, to never rock the boat. And now...

Jul 10, 202215 minEp. 178

The best books of 2022... so far (part 2)

Here's the best books I read between April and June this year (in no particular order)... The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll (listen to the full summary here) Killer Thinking by Tim Duggan (listen to the full summary here) Power by Kemi Nekvapil (coming next week!) Me by Elton John Support my book habit: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/stephsbookshelf See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jul 03, 202213 minEp. 177

The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker: why curiosity is more important than productivity

About the book A thought-provoking, gorgeously illustrated gift book that will spark your creativity and help you rediscover your passion with “simple, low-stakes activities [that] can open up the world.” — The New York Times Welcome to the era of white noise. Our lives are in constant tether to phones, to email, and to social media. In this age of distraction, the ability to experience and be present is often lost: to think and to see and to listen. Enter Rob Walker’s The Art of Noticing — an i...

Jun 27, 202213 minEp. 176

Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham: why your what is more important than your why

Hey, have you subscribed to the bookmark newsletter? If you liked this, you might like my twice-monthly email with book reviews and ideas of what you should be reading, and listening to, next. Click here to subscribe . About the author Marcus Buckingham is the author of two of the best-selling business books of all time, has two of Harvard Business Review’s most circulated, industry-changing cover articles, and has been the subject of in-depth profiles in The New York Times, Wall Stre...

Jun 19, 202216 minEp. 175

The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll: why you need to get it all on paper

If you liked this, you might like my twice-monthly email with book reviews and ideas of what you should be reading, and listening to, next. Click here to subscribe . About the book Bullet Journal® (or BuJo® for short) was created by Ryder Carroll , a digital product designer and author living in Brooklyn, NY. Diagnosed with learning disabilities early in life, he was forced to figure out alternate ways to be focused and productive. Through years of trial and error, he developed a me...

Jun 13, 202215 minEp. 174