These are the top ten books that I’ve read that marked a shift in my thinking and approach to life. As a side note, this list will exclude any religious texts which could have it’s own top ten list.

1. Extreme Ownership, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
   • This book explains how Navy SEAL team leadership strategies can be applied to business and life. It emphasizes the importance of leadership, responsibility, and teamwork.
   • The shift: Take ownership for everything in your life – even things that appear to be someone else’s responsibility.
2. The Contrarian’s Guide to Leadership, Steven B. Sample
   • This work explores unconventional leadership principles and how they can be used to navigate complex challenges. Sample offers insights into thinking differently and making decisions under uncertainty.
   • The shift: “A lot of people want to be president, but not a lot of people want to do president.”
   • The shift: You don’t always have to have an opinion and keep up with the latest news. You definitely do not have to share your opinion.
3. Never Split the Difference, Chris Voss
   • A former FBI negotiator offers powerful negotiation tactics rooted in human psychology. Voss provides strategies to become more persuasive in both professional and personal settings.
   • The shift: How to deal with difficult people who are angry (possibly even with you).
   • The shift: How to get people to keep talking and give you more information than they should.
4. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Mark Manson
   • Manson delivers a counterintuitive approach to living a good life by caring less about more—and more about what’s true and important. It’s a blunt, humorous, and philosophical exploration of the pressures of happiness and success.
   • The shift: How to worry a lot less.
5. Setting the Table, Danny Meyer
   • Meyer shares the story of his success in the competitive world of New York City restaurants, focusing on the power of hospitality and service. The book provides insights into creating a thriving business culture and customer experience.
   • The shift: Attention to detail and excellence in all things. Small things.
6. I Will Teach You to Be Rich, Ramit Sethi
   • Sethi gives a no-nonsense approach to personal finance with a focus on living a rich life by making smart investments and optimizing spending. The book is practical, humorous, and actionable.
   • The shift: Dave Ramsey was wrong about a lot of things. Credit can work for you.
   • The shift: How to automate your money flows.
7. Atomic Habits, James Clear
   • Clear presents an effective framework for improving every day by focusing on tiny changes that lead to remarkable results. The book discusses how habits shape our identity and how to master the compound growth of small habit improvements.
   • The shift: How to create good habits that stick.
8. The DevOps Handbook, Gene Kim, Patrick Debois, John Willis, and Jez Humble
   • This handbook is a comprehensive guide to understanding and implementing DevOps practices for faster and more reliable software development. It covers collaboration, automation, continuous delivery, and more.
   • The shift: Approach software development from a different perspective.
9. Leadership Strategy and Tactics, Jocko Willink
   • Willink provides a practical guide to leadership based on his Navy SEAL experience, offering strategies and tactics for leading and winning in life and business. The book combines battlefield experiences with real-world business lessons.
   • The shift: Practical advice for various situations and scenarios.
10. Uniquely Human, Barry M. Prizant
    • Prizant offers a compassionate perspective on autism, encouraging a deeper understanding of how autistic people perceive the world. This book shifts the focus from fixing “deficits” to understanding and supporting each individual’s differences and strengths.
    • The shift: Understanding how autism manifests itself uniquely and why autism is considered a spectrum. This book was invaluable during my son’s “diagnosis” period in helping me understand and communicate effectively with him.