Top 7 Recommended Books of 2022

Over the last 6 years, I’ve read over 300 books. Admittedly I don’t just enjoy reading; I enjoy recommending books to friends and assigning reading to leaders in our 1:1 Coaching Program.

Here are the top 7 books I’ve read this year, along with a brief description of why they left an impact on me:

1.  The Culture System: A Proven Process for Creating an Extraordinary Team Culture by J.P. Nerbun: In this book, I outline the most essential tools, methods, and skills that I’ve given coaches to improve their leadership and team culture. It’s not just practical ideas; they’re also laid out so that you will walk away with a clear plan of how to implement them.
2.  Clarity and Connection by Yung Pueblo: Deep reflections written poetically to help understand your emotions and change the way you act—and react. Each page is best consumed as a daily reflection. This book left such an impression on me that I’ve bought over 20 copies for friends!
3.  The Upside of Stress: Why Stress is Good for You, and How to Get Good At It by Dr. Kelly McGonigal: Most of us aren’t good at dealing with stress. This book doesn’t just show us how to get good at it; it’s more like an intervention that improves how we view and respond to stress. Listen to our conversation with McGonigal on “The Coaching Culture Podcast.”
4.  Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life by Nir Eyal: I’m not even finished with this book yet, but I’ve already recommended it to half a dozen people. Reading the book and doing the exercises in it has already significantly improved my focus at work, and my ability to be more present with people.
5.  Coaching for Performance: The Principles and Practice of Coaching and Leadership by Sir John Witmore: Effective leadership requires coaching others. This book gives you the tools to coach others to realize their potential and make meaningful changes. I recommend this to people who are looking to improve their “coaching conversations” with team members.
6.  Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant: We can all can get stuck in certain ways of thinking sometimes. This book helps you unlearn, relearn, and stay curious.
7.  A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles: This book was recommended to me by Jason Caldwell on “The Coaching Culture Podcast.” It reignited my passion for fiction and helped me better understand Russian history. It is one of the best books I’ve ever read.

-J.P. Nerbun

Founder TOC Culture Consulting