Summer Reading Series: Books to Help You With the 7 Secrets of Success

This is the third post in our 2019 Summer Reading Series. The first post, about driving client loyalty, can be found here. The second post, about improving meetings, can be found here.

We’ve been talking a lot about the seven secrets to success and how to cultivate these skills in ourselves and in law firms. These traits are consistently identified by law firm clients as key differentiators in the lawyer relationships they value most, and research finds they are also key indicators in overall life satisfaction and success.

I’ve been reading a lot this summer, on planes and on my porch. Here are some of the books I have read to enhance my skills in each area:

1. Zest: Enthusiastic and energetic participation in life

Provence, 1970: M.F.K. Fisher, Julia Child, James Beard and the Reinvention of American Taste by Luke Barr

2. Grit: Perseverance and passion for long-term goals

The Pursuit of Endurance: Harnessing the Record-Breaking Power of Strength and Resilience by Jennifer Pharr Davis

3. Optimism: Confidence in a future full of positive possibilities

Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin E.P. Seligman

4. Self-Control: The capacity to regulate one’s own responses so they align with short- and long-term goals

The Knowing-Doing Gap: How Smart Companies Turn Knowledge into Action by Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert Sutton

5. Gratitude: Appreciation for the benefits we receive from others, and the desire to express thanks

The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People by Gary Chapman and Paul White

6. Social Intelligence: Understanding the feelings of others and adapting actions accordingly

Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott

7. Curiosity: Eagerness to explore new things with openness

The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through The Heart of the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko