10 inspiring books and podcasts on professional development to discover!

Vacations are a great opportunity to take a break, look back at what’s been achieved since the beginning of the year and take stock of our professional goals.

It’s also a good time to pursue our profesionnal development, at our own pace, away from our often hectic work schedules.

We asked our community about their favorite professional development books and podcasts. Here are a few suggestions to discover this summer. We hope it will inspire you too!

Reading List Recommendations

1. Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

“Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek is a book that explores the concept of leadership and the importance of creating a culture of trust, cooperation, and support within organizations.

Throughout the book, Sinek provides numerous examples of companies and leaders who exemplify the principles he advocates. He also offers practical insights and strategies for creating a culture of trust and cooperation within organizations.

2. The First Mile by Scott Anthony

The First Mile” by Scott Anthony is a book that provides guidance and practical advice for entrepreneurs and innovators on how to successfully launch new business ideas.

The First Mile” is a valuable resource that provides practical advice and tools for navigating the challenges of the first mile, and offers inspiring examples of successful entrepreneurs who have done so.

3. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

“Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain is a book that explores the value and strengths of introverted individuals in a society that often values extroverted traits.

It is a thought-provoking book that challenges common stereotypes about introverted individuals and highlights the value they bring to society. It provides practical advice and strategies for introverts to succeed in a world that often favors extroverted traits, and encourages a greater appreciation for the diversity of personality types.

4. Atomic Habits by James Clear

“Atomic Habits” by James Clear is a book that explores the power of small habits and incremental changes in achieving personal growth and success.

This book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to make positive changes in their life. It offers practical advice and strategies for building good habits, breaking bad ones, and sustaining positive changes over time. The book encourages readers to focus on small, incremental changes that can lead to significant personal growth and success.

5. The Purpose Factor: Extreme Clarity for Why You're Here and What to Do About It by Brian and Gabrielle Bosché

“The Purpose Factor: Extreme Clarity for Why You’re Here and What to Do About It” by Brian and Gabrielle Bosché is a book that helps readers discover their life purpose and provides practical guidance for how to live a fulfilling life aligned with that purpose.

Throughout the book, the authors provide numerous real-life examples of individuals who have discovered their purpose and created fulfilling lives aligned with that purpose. They also offer practical exercises and tools for readers to apply to their own lives, such as journaling prompts and action steps.

This book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking greater clarity and fulfillment in their life.

Best Podcasts you can listen right now

It is for its informal format and accessibility that podcasts are a must for personal and professional development. Listen to them while walking, in your car, doing chores or even playing sports. In short, you can consume this form of education just about anywhere and that’s what makes it a primary tool for individual development. Here are our suggestions:

1. Safe for Work

Life at work can be funny, challenging, ridiculous, and — yes, even satisfying. Here at Safe For Work, we’re all about helping you find balance and happiness in your career. After all, many of us spend more time with our co-workers and clients than with our friends and family. Hosts Liz Dolan and Rico Gagliano give advice on everything from how to avoid burnout on the job to how to fake an illness when you’re calling in sick. We also talk to experts about those moments at the office that can challenge the best of us: negotiating raises, knowing when it’s time to move on or dealing with that annoying office mate with no boundaries. Listen here.

2. The Science of Mentorship:

Mentorship is essential to the development of anyone in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or medicine, but did you know mentorship is a set of skills that can be learned, practiced, and optimized? In this 10-part series from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, you’ll hear the personal mentorship stories of leaders in academia, business, and the media, in their own words. Learn how evidence-based mentorship practices can help you develop the skills to engage in the most effective STEMM mentoring relationships possible. If you are a mentor, a mentee, or have a role in mentorship, this podcast is for you. Listen here.

3. Dear HBR

Work can be frustrating. How can you get along with that maddening coworker? Figure out what your unapproachable boss really wants? Motivate your demoralized team? “Dear HBR:” is here to help. With empathy, experience, and humor, veteran Harvard Business Review editors and co-hosts Alison Beard and Dan McGinn explore solutions to your workplace dilemmas. Bolstered by insights from guests and academic research, they help you navigate thorny situations to find a better way forward. Listen here

4. Rework

A podcast by 37signals about the better way to work and run your business. In Season 2, we’re going through Rework (the book) chapter by chapter and talking with authors, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, about what’s changed in the world of business over the last eleven years since the book was published. Listen here

5. Rethinking with Adam Grant

This podcast is an engaging and thought-provoking podcast that explores the importance of rethinking our ideas and assumptions in order to achieve personal and professional growth.

It provides practical insights and advice for becoming more open-minded and willing to rethink our beliefs, and encourages a greater appreciation for the value of diverse perspectives. Listen here


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