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Work doesn’t look like it used to – and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. From shifting cultures to new technologies, the way we show up at work is constantly evolving. To keep pace (and even get ahead), it helps to learn from big thinkers who’ve been there, studied it, and shared what really makes transformation stick. That’s where this list comes in. These five books are packed with ideas, strategies, and stories that can help you spark change, inspire your team, and shape a workplace that’s ready for the future.
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Maneuvering Monday tells the story of Zebra Apps, a company facing a severe employee retention crisis. With staff departures accelerating and leadership unwilling to confront the problems, Marie, the Head of Development HR, takes on the challenge of reversing the decline. She introduces a structured culture programme aimed at strengthening engagement and rebuilding trust. The narrative highlights the obstacles she encounters along the way: unpredictable employee reactions, conflicting agendas, resistance to change, ineffective management, and ongoing financial strain. Through these struggles, the book shows the complexities of transforming an organisation and the personal resilience needed to lead it. Blending storytelling with practical insights, Maneuvering Monday offers a realistic portrayal of the missteps, tensions, and small victories that come with driving change. It provides readers with valuable lessons on addressing dysfunction, fostering collaboration, and creating workplace cultures where employees feel motivated to stay and contribute.
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The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace shows how something as simple as genuine appreciation can transform workplace relationships. By learning your coworkers’ “languages of appreciation,” you can improve morale, boost engagement, and create a more positive, collaborative environment. The idea is simple: most workplace problems come down to one question - do people feel appreciated? This book helps you answer “yes” with meaningful, authentic recognition. A bestseller translated into 16 languages, it's helped organisations of all kinds - from businesses and schools to hospitals and government agencies - build stronger teams. It provides practical tools and strategies for supervisors, colleagues, and leaders to communicate appreciation in ways that resonate. Each copy also includes access to an online assessment that identifies individuals’ preferred appreciation languages, making it easier to put the book’s lessons into action. At its heart, the book is about more than just recognition. It’s about creating healthier work relationships, encouraging collaboration, and raising performance across entire teams.
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Workplace Rewired shows that the biggest advantage a company can have isn’t its products or technology - it’s its people. James Godwin explains that the companies doing really well today treat their people strategy as part of their business strategy, not just HR paperwork. The book gives practical tips for making work better for everyone. It shows how to build a strong culture, help managers earn trust, really listen to employees, and connect engagement with performance. It also covers how to create purpose, give people more freedom and responsibility, and make workplaces where employees actually want to stay and grow. Packed with real-life examples and easy-to-use tools, Workplace Rewired is for anyone who wants work to feel more human, meaningful and productive. When people feel appreciated and engaged, they show up differently.
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Build Kickass Teams shows that building a high-performing team starts with you, not HR. Pete Srodoski, a seasoned leadership coach, offers a practical, no-nonsense guide for attracting the right people, leading effectively, and creating a culture that people actually want to stay in. The book covers how to hire the right team members, onboard them efficiently, coach performance in real time, handle underperformance or toxicity, and build routines and feedback systems that keep everyone accountable. It also teaches how to scale a team without losing your standards or your sanity. Packed with straight-shooting advice, memorable quotes, and tactical exercises, each chapter includes a “Monday Morning Playbook” with steps you can apply immediately. At its core, this book is about raising decision-makers, not order-takers, and building a team that thrives even in chaos. Build Kickass Teams is a blueprint for leaders who want to lead better, build stronger teams, and get real results.
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The Positive Leader shows how to lead in a way that’s optimistic, energising, and inspiring. Jan Mühlfeit, former Chairman of Microsoft Europe, shares what he’s learned from years of experience and research to help managers reduce stress, cut negativity, and get the best out of themselves and their teams. This book is a great read for managers, team leaders, and anyone in a leadership role who wants to create a more positive and productive workplace. The book breaks leadership down into four straightforward steps: play to your strengths, define your purpose and goals, focus on managing your energy instead of just your schedule, and make happiness just as important as achievement. By following these steps, leaders can create a positive mindset that improves both their own performance and the way their teams work. The book also shows how positivity at the top can have a ripple effect across the team. By leading with energy and a positive attitude, leaders encourage their teams to stay motivated, cooperate, and perform at their highest level.
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Maneuvering Monday tells the story of Zebra Apps, a company facing a severe employee retention crisis. With staff departures accelerating and leadership unwilling to confront the problems, Marie, the Head of Development HR, takes on the challenge of reversing the decline. She introduces a structured culture programme aimed at strengthening engagement and rebuilding trust. The narrative highlights the obstacles she encounters along the way: unpredictable employee reactions, conflicting agendas, resistance to change, ineffective management, and ongoing financial strain. Through these struggles, the book shows the complexities of transforming an organisation and the personal resilience needed to lead it. Blending storytelling with practical insights, Maneuvering Monday offers a realistic portrayal of the missteps, tensions, and small victories that come with driving change. It provides readers with valuable lessons on addressing dysfunction, fostering collaboration, and creating workplace cultures where employees feel motivated to stay and contribute.
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The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace shows how something as simple as genuine appreciation can transform workplace relationships. By learning your coworkers’ “languages of appreciation,” you can improve morale, boost engagement, and create a more positive, collaborative environment. The idea is simple: most workplace problems come down to one question - do people feel appreciated? This book helps you answer “yes” with meaningful, authentic recognition. A bestseller translated into 16 languages, it's helped organisations of all kinds - from businesses and schools to hospitals and government agencies - build stronger teams. It provides practical tools and strategies for supervisors, colleagues, and leaders to communicate appreciation in ways that resonate. Each copy also includes access to an online assessment that identifies individuals’ preferred appreciation languages, making it easier to put the book’s lessons into action. At its heart, the book is about more than just recognition. It’s about creating healthier work relationships, encouraging collaboration, and raising performance across entire teams.
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Workplace Rewired shows that the biggest advantage a company can have isn’t its products or technology - it’s its people. James Godwin explains that the companies doing really well today treat their people strategy as part of their business strategy, not just HR paperwork. The book gives practical tips for making work better for everyone. It shows how to build a strong culture, help managers earn trust, really listen to employees, and connect engagement with performance. It also covers how to create purpose, give people more freedom and responsibility, and make workplaces where employees actually want to stay and grow. Packed with real-life examples and easy-to-use tools, Workplace Rewired is for anyone who wants work to feel more human, meaningful and productive. When people feel appreciated and engaged, they show up differently.
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Build Kickass Teams shows that building a high-performing team starts with you, not HR. Pete Srodoski, a seasoned leadership coach, offers a practical, no-nonsense guide for attracting the right people, leading effectively, and creating a culture that people actually want to stay in. The book covers how to hire the right team members, onboard them efficiently, coach performance in real time, handle underperformance or toxicity, and build routines and feedback systems that keep everyone accountable. It also teaches how to scale a team without losing your standards or your sanity. Packed with straight-shooting advice, memorable quotes, and tactical exercises, each chapter includes a “Monday Morning Playbook” with steps you can apply immediately. At its core, this book is about raising decision-makers, not order-takers, and building a team that thrives even in chaos. Build Kickass Teams is a blueprint for leaders who want to lead better, build stronger teams, and get real results.
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The Positive Leader shows how to lead in a way that’s optimistic, energising, and inspiring. Jan Mühlfeit, former Chairman of Microsoft Europe, shares what he’s learned from years of experience and research to help managers reduce stress, cut negativity, and get the best out of themselves and their teams. This book is a great read for managers, team leaders, and anyone in a leadership role who wants to create a more positive and productive workplace. The book breaks leadership down into four straightforward steps: play to your strengths, define your purpose and goals, focus on managing your energy instead of just your schedule, and make happiness just as important as achievement. By following these steps, leaders can create a positive mindset that improves both their own performance and the way their teams work. The book also shows how positivity at the top can have a ripple effect across the team. By leading with energy and a positive attitude, leaders encourage their teams to stay motivated, cooperate, and perform at their highest level.
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