Linkedin’s 4th annual report of 2020 says 99% of L&D professionals believe that skills gaps are negatively impacting their organization. Assuming you associate with the majority here, you'll probably need to explore the different territories that Learning in an organization brings along. There are several areas like Leadership Development, Employee Success, and Learning experience design...Don’t worry! This article will help you get started with the top 5 books that we love and recommend at Innential.com and something extra 😉
Top 5 books to get you started -
1. Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know
Adam Grant (Author) is an organizational psychologist and explains how "rethinking" can be taught and learned and presents the same through different sections. First, he talks about rethinking a mindset more than a skillset and how introspection (or rethinking) can help us progress in work and personal life.
2. How We Learn: The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and Why It Happens
How We Learn by Benedict Carey is fun to read and will tell you about your learning habits and how they can be changed to harness the full potential of our brain's learning capacity. It's an excellent find for L&D professionals as it targets the only big problem with learning, that is - FORGETTING.
3. The Talent Code: Greatness Isn't Born. It's Grown. Here's How.
The Talent Code is the book you look at when it comes to maximizing the potential of yourself and others as a coach/teacher/parent. Author Daniel Coyle has done his research in virtually every field where coaching plays a role and discusses three key elements from a neurological standpoint - 1) Deep practice,2) Ignition, and 3) Master Coaching.
4. Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity
Radical Candor by Kim Scott is one of the best books for all the Leaders out there to learn about relationship building, show empathy, challenge directly, and at the same time criticize without discouraging anyone. A secret tip - the last three chapters are for you if you're in a hurry; otherwise, the whole book is a gem and definitely worth your time.
5. Design for How People Learn
Finding the right content could be hard but creating a great learning experience is harder than you think (btw, that's what we do @Innential). In Design for How People Learn, Julie Dirksen (Author) will guide you to be a better "teacher". This book covers insights into how a learning experience should revolve around habits, best practices, and evaluating overall effectiveness. Julie focuses on increasing engagement and creating a better learning culture with no more boring presentations and fast-forwarding through those learning videos.
6. (BONUS) Setting up people development in your organization
This Innential's learning path (click to find out) needs only 15 minutes a week and you'll be up and running with L&D basics with videos, tips and most importantly with insights on how Google does its L&D strategy.