Our favourite resources for personal and workplace growth

In a flooded market of advice and opinions, it can be hard to figure out what (or who) is worth your time – especially when we are all so busy just trying to get through 2021!

If you’ve been thinking about your own growth lately, we thought we would help by sharing some of our book and podcast recommendations for you to consider.

Podcasts

Podcasts are probably the most convenient to absorb. All we need to do is put in our earphones while walking, commuting or even while getting the housework done. The hardest part here is remembering to concentrate on what they’re saying. 

Tim Ferriss Show

This one could be our favourite podcast overall and, upon research for this blog post, we learnt that many others would agree – it’s the most downloaded business podcast of all time in fact! In each episode, Tim interviews someone different and these people come from all walks of life. He talks to them about the tools, tactics and routines they use to elicit their success – including their favourite books, best habits and more. We’re especially fans of Tim’s earlier interviews!

Masters in Business, Bloomberg

In this podcast, Barry Ritholtz, a Bloomberg columnist, looks at the people and ideas that shape markets, investing and business. Barry dives into the minds of some of the most successful and influential people in business and finance to uncover how they got to be where they are today.

Unstoppable, by Kerwin Rae

Kerwin Rae is a one of Australia’s leading business strategists – an entrepreneur and investor with a crazy inspiring backstory. His podcast is about helping people overcome obstacles to live up to their highest potential; he does this through interviewing top specialists and professionals to reveal ways to improve in all facets of life, including business, performance, relationships, health and more.  

Books

Finding the time to sit down in a quiet space with a book in hand often feels pretty hard… believe us when we say we get it. 

But take some advice from Warren Buffet; he has said that he tries to read up to 500 pages a day and that’s his key to success, because, “That’s how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest.” 

But where to start? Here are a few well-known and highly regarded books for you to consider: 

The Barefoot Investor, by Scott Pape

We’re almost certain you’ve heard of this one, but have you actually read it? Scott Pape is an investment advisor and in his book he offers actionable advice about saving, building income and planning for your financial future. 

Out of the thousands of financial planning books out there, The Barefoot Investor is the best selling in Australia. It’s actually the second best-seller overall in Australia, just behind Fifty Shades of Grey.

It’s an excellent overview of personal finance done right and a great primer on a range of important concepts that you can discuss further with your trusted experts.

If you’re more of a podcast kind of person, Scott Pape has been on a few of those too. Take a look at Scott Pape’s podcast appearances.

How to Win Friends & Influence People, by Dale Carnegie

Another classic that you’ve probably heard of. Since it was first published in 1936, the Dale Carnegie empire has reigned with this book having been voted one of the most influential books of all time. Leadership workshops are offered under the Dale Carnegie brand all over the world. 

The self-help book covers a range of leadership and communication techniques, including discussions about getting out of a mental rut, growing ambition, winning people over with your way of thinking, increasing influence and becoming a better speaker; all to ultimately achieve the goals that are important to you.

Extreme Ownership, by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

The two authors of this book were US Navy Seals who served together in a Special Operations unit during the war in Iraq. They now share the leadership skills and knowledge they developed during their time in combat to businesses that want to build their own high-performance teams and achieve victory. And that’s exactly what this book is about.

Of course, there are many more great resources out there too. Here are a few more we’ve heard really good things about, but haven’t had the chance to delve into ourselves.

Podcasts:

• Entrepreneurs On Fire
• HBR IdeaCast

Books:

• Business Adventures by John Brooks (both Warren Buffet and Bill Gates have said this is their favourite book)
• Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman

Hope this helps point you in the right direction. Do you have a book or podcast recommendation of your own? Please comment below.