No Substitute for Victory: Lessons in Strategy & Leadership from Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Kinni & Kinni

If you hold a leadership position, at any level, or aspire to one, you will find this book, quite probably, your most valuable source of insight and inspiration. It is the sort of text one keeps on one's desk, after reading through, and dips into it every now and then to keep you focused and your character intact.

Predictably Irrational, Dan Ariely

Do you know why we make dumb decisions - every day - after all we are smart people?

PLEASE NOTE: THIS BBB DISCUSSION WILL ALSO TAKE PLACE IN CAPE TOWN - The Table Bay Hotel, V&A Waterfront Thursday 3nd July 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.

No Substitute for Victory: Lessons in Strategy & Leadership from Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Kinni & Kinni

If you hold a leadership position, at any level, or aspire to one, you will find this book, quite probably, your most valuable source of insight and inspiration. It is the sort of text one keeps on one's desk, after reading through, and dips into it every now and then to keep you focused and your character intact.

MacArthur was a highly decorated military hero. An architect of peace, he lead in the fields of education, public administration and business. His principles of leadership were decades ahead of his time, filled with extraordinary wisdom about strategy, motivation, organization, execution and personal growth.

After a two chapter summary of a stunning career, the bulk of the book is dedicated to 50 leadership lessons distilled from MacArthur's life and writings. These are lessons you can use no matter where you lead and what you intend to accomplish. The lessons range from setting the right goals to building a sleek, fast response organization; from inspiring subordinates to unprecedented performance, to focusing relentlessly on results and winning.

Don't be put off by the General bit, commanding an army isn't giving instructions to mindless plebeians  that was Prussia circa 1815. The military at its best is where people know the terrible price of conflict  as do you in your own unit, department or company and the importance of morale, good strategy and precise execution.

When you have been through this book, you will want your managers and your CEO to do the same! This book will make a difference.

Perhaps just bring them along with you...

Predictably Irrational, Dan Ariely

Do you know why we make dumb decisions - every day - after all we are smart people?

This is the question that Prof. Ariely of MIT's dept of behavioural economics answers in his book. And his answers will amuse you, surprise you and have you smiling inside as you sheepishly admit  yep, that's me.

Ariely arrives at his conclusions through a series of illuminating and groundbreaking experiments. He shows what really influences our decisions in daily life as opposed to what we think, often with great confidence, influences them. Common ones: Why do we promise to diet only to have the thought vanish when the desert trolley rolls by? Why do we sometimes find ourselves excitedly buying what we don't really need? Do you know why honour codes do actually reduce dishonesty in the workplace? Why do we overpay, underestimate and procrastinate?

Humans are predictably irrational, that is, we know when and how you are going to behave irrationally. You will be able to understand the irrational behaviour of others around you, your clients / customers and your colleagues as never before, and how this information can be used to good effect. This book will fundamentally change the way you think. Promise.