The books I liked best in Q2 2023

These five books are the books I enjoyed reading most during the second three months of this year. I managed to read many other good books, and you can find them on my Goodreads profile.

Start With No

By Jim Camp

This book takes a different route in a world where compromise is often seen as the key to success. It’s a guide that challenges the conventional wisdom of negotiation. Instead of settling for less, it advocates finding common ground, starting with a ‘no’. The book is a toolbox for those who dare to approach negotiations differently in business or personal relationships. It’s about reaching an agreement and crafting one that benefits all parties involved.

The Art of Impossible

By Steven Kotler

It’s a guide that pushes you to unlock your potential and reach peak performance. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and real-life experiences, It provides practical insights to cultivate focus, creativity, and resilience. The book is a testament to the power of audacious goals, a growth mindset, and the art of flow. It’s about achieving not just the possible but the extraordinary.

Talking to Strangers

By Malcolm Gladwell

The book explores how we interact with people we don’t know and the misunderstandings that can arise from these encounters. Using a variety of case studies challenges you to rethink your approach to strangers. It’s a book that pushes us to question our default trust in unfamiliar situations and to be more aware of the warning signs we often overlook.

First Steps

By Jeremy Desilva

The evolution of human walking is a fascinating journey, and ‘First Steps’ is your guide. The book explores the how and why of our ability to walk upright, delving into the anatomical and physiological changes that led to this trait. It also examines the cultural and environmental factors that may have influenced this development. ‘First Steps’ is not just about our past but also about our present understanding of the human body.

The Culture Map

By Erin Meyer

Understanding cultural differences is crucial in global business. Eight essential dimensions, including communication, evaluation, persuasion, and leadership, provide a unique perspective to adjust to diverse cultural settings. Making it more practical by describing several real-life scenarios shows how cultural subtleties can impede or improve international collaborations.