My list is very long
Here is a list of short list to get started.
NAPOLEON HILL is by far the best writer I have seen. His thoughts and approach is organized and structured. He has depth and takes no claims for himself.
My second favourite is DALE CARNEGIE – I like his practical and very functional approach to the issue of success.
My third are the Wisdom books by PETER KRASS- because he finds short articles from the greatest leaders in the last 100 years.
Of course there is Dr. Maxwell Maltz, Dan Kennedy, Brian Tracy, Zale Tabakman just to name a few of the true greats.
I would recommend looking in my Authors page to read some and in my online library to access some e-books by even more people!
While I have focused on authors, any current and exciting bloggers are also of interest to me. And if you are a success writer – toot your own horn!
See www.networking-for-success.org for some bloggers.
Click here to find the original question and answer on LinkedIn Answers
The Success Stories series provides case studies from people about what it takes to become successful. Each of us is unique in our goals and aspirations, but we have things in common with others. Through the 10,000,000 people in my LinkedIn network we can share ideas and solutions that will help you achieve your goals. While I don’t always agree with all the comments I receive, I include all that are presented coherently and could help at least one of my readers.
The questions have been slightly edited for grammar and presentation. Comments and Kudos, while always appreciated, have been edited out.
Just Coach It-The 3Q Edge for breakthrough results in your work, relationships, leadership and life
-Noel Tichy and Robert Quinn about Transformational Leadership as becoming transformational leaders in your lives and work is the only true assurance of building and sustaining success.
-John Maxwell and Stephen Covey for their value driven, motivating and inspiring work around leadership
-The Bible
Corporate Relocation Consultant(DBAI)/Sales Account Manager- West Central and
First is Tony Alessandra. He has written a number of books centered around his Platinum Rule Concept which basically says that if you treat people according to the golden rule you will do nothing but create conflict.
Second, would be Denis Waitley. His Power of Winning premise is superb.
Third, Jim Cathcart whose Acorn Principle is an eye-opener
Fourth, The Arbringer Institute whose two books on Leadership are ones that make you stop and think.
Fifth would be Henry Beckwith who had written four books on selling which are short but packed with insightful information. The books are Selling the Invisible, The invisible touch, What Clients Love and the Newest one is You, Inc.
Owner, Transmit Technology Group, LLC
Most recently I read "Rules for Renegades" by Christine Lynch Crawford. I liked it because I can relate to "out of box" maverick thinking and "Zig Zag" path that contemporary world needs to survive and thrive. We live in world in high state of entropy and information chaos. Without an inner compass it is easy to get lost! She has advised what she has practiced in her own career. It is a great success story! Rules for Renegade is on best seller’s list and Christine has turned it into a phenomenon!
Technical Recruiter at HCR Group, Inc. I will accept all invitations to connect.
Well, to mention two more: Barbara Sher, especially "I could do anything if only I knew what it was" and Og Mandino’s "The Greatest Salesman in the World".
Proofreader/Editor/Ghostwriter,
The Bible is by far the best success book in the world…
But after that, I would suggest "Diamond in the Rough" by Mason Weaver, and his follow-up work, "Polishing the Diamond in the Rough", set for pre-release tomorrow.
I read the first book and had the pleasure of actually helping to produce the second. They have both changed my life. Each has given me insight and wisdom that I have since used to grow my business exponentially.
Nuclear Entrepreneur & Editor in Chief, CareerKnowledge.net (omnidigitalbrain@yahoo.com)
I think the best success-oriented writer that a person should read is the writer who appears in the person’s mirror.
For so many years, I’ve read so many "success" authors. You know, the "usual suspects": Napoleon Hill, Dale Carnegie, Anthony Robbins, Brian Tracy, etc. I fully understood the information I was getting, and appreciated it at the intellectual level, but nothing changed in my life.
Then something happened two years ago, when I began to write about success (see blog below). So many great things have happened as a result of me trying, often desperately, to put down on paper what I do know about "success." My purpose was not to "teach" anyone since I wrote the blog primarily for myself, so I could gather in ONE place all the success thoughts and habits and "secrets" I came across.
Maybe one out of 50 posts is good, but I didn’t care too much. I just wanted to focus my thoughts on success.
The insight I learned is that until a person begins to "transmit" thoughts of success (that is, become a radio broadcast station), success will not happen — no matter how many books one reads.
The more success energy and vibrations emanating from a person, the more success that person will receive in life. Maybe this is why they say that "nothing succeeds like success."
HSE Global Oprerations Manager at Honeywell International
I think Jack Canfield -Success principles is a paradigm Shift. It made a deep impact on me. He has covered Relation, finance etc.
Yes, Stephen Covey is good. Ram Charan is another one from work perspective I found valuable.
Nowadays, more and more good blogs are taking the stage from first hand personal experience of success and growth.
Product development/marketing @ mobile-worx,Product Evangelist
-Shiv Khera is a good writer . His book “You can win" was very good.
-Robin Sharma
-Anthony Robbins on NLP
-Ram Charan
and above all – Napoleon Hill
George Karahalios ( LION ) MyLink500
Mass Media Communications Expert / Entrepreneur
”FORGET ABOUT IT” by Caprice Crane
Manager – Business Development (e-Learning)
I’m reading a book named "Screw it lets do it" by Sir Richard Branson. Although I’ve just read half the book, I’m desperate to share my recommendation for this highly innovative and influential leader of our time.
In few of his highly appreciated works, he’s brilliantly presented his own practical experiences on subjects like Self-Motivation, Fearlessness, Risk Taking Capability, Positivism and receptiveness. His previous work – “Losing my virginity” is again a classic example and by far the best of his work.
All and above and with one reason I recommend Sir Richard Branson, if you want to be the best, you need to learn from the best!
National Operations Head (Assessments) at NIIT Ltd.
I think a person should read a lot and then decide himself as to who inspires him most. There are so many of them. Right from Hill to Dale Carnegie to all of them that you and all other friends have mentioned. But if you want to really want to learn to live a balanced, healthy and stress free life then "The monk who sold his Ferrari" by Robin S Sharma is a must read. Sometimes short stories collections like "Chicken Soup" series also prove to be thought provoking.
Internet marketing and place branding consultant, columnist, speaker, owner Scope Comm
Simply Brilliant by O’Connel is brilliantly simple. Right from the cover, it teaches how to stay focused on what matters. Simple, easily understood and therefore very effective.
Funky Business by Jonas Ridderstrale and Kjelle Nordstrom about how to do business as unusual is another book I really enjoyed reading.
Of more recent writers (and bloggers) Seth Godin (marketing) and Guy Kawasaki (startups) are on the top of my list.
I have had a blog about the new marketing environment in Icelandic for some time and just turned that into English. There is not much there yet, but you might find something interesting though. And there is more on the way.
Energy expert, educator, award winning sculptor
I don’t recommend reading success books as a first step.
I recommend experiential training first, then the books provide structures to fulfill on the distinctions gained through the experiential training.
Wisdom Teacher – Dedicated to helping people evolve and making the world a more beautiful place
Dr. Deepak Chopra. His books are replete with wisdom and case histories from his own life experience.
They are ‘easy’ to read because they are simple and stem from his own personal connection to the spirit, mind, heart and physical universe.
They all also aesthetic in nature. They feel good in your hands and are a joy to behold!
Writing, Editing, Creative Consultancy
Don’t read any of them…it only encourages them. As the Zen master said: Since My House Burned Down I Have A Better View Of The Rising Sun…
[ZT - But they do help people.]
Independent Mona Vie Distributor
Brian Tracy – he’s brilliant in terms of sales, time management, leadership, etc… Every one of his programs is great.
Anthony Robbins is outstanding, too. He got his start from Jim Rohn, whom I think is also quite good.
And then of course the original success authors like Napolean Hill and Dale Carnegie. Those are staples for any library.
Anonymous
I also like Napoleon Hill & Dale Carnegie, I also have some other favourite authors & would highly recommend any of their books, and they are:
• John C Maxwell, my favourite book he wrote is, The 21 indispensable qualities of a leader
• Harvey Mackay, my favourite book he wrote is, Swim with the sharks without being eaten alive
• Robert Heilbroner, my favourite book he wrote is, The Worldly Philosophers
•
• Brian Tracy, my favourite book she wrote is, Eat That Frog
• Robert Kiyosaki, here I have a few favourites,
o Rich Dad, Poor Dad,
o Cash Flow Quadrant
o Retire Young, Retire Rich
o Guide to Investing
I would highly recommend all of these books and also suggest you have a look at the following links:
richdad.richglobal.com/
gerrits.successuniversity.com/specialoffer
Owner, ICE Business Improvements Ltd
I am a business owner and have found a certain book invaluable. If you get the chance read ‘Strategies of the Serengeti’ by Steve Berry, a member on here. It really helps you analyse where you are, and the traits that you display and puts you on track to make things work for you without judging.
go to www.strategiesoftheserengeti.co.uk and do the test to see which animal you are!
Anonymous
As a purely technical person, Dale Carnegie and Stephen R. Covey have helped me with many social issues in the workplace. I would say they were both necessary reading and life changing. Being behind a computer 99% of your life gives you a skewed view of relating to others, so their books helped me to understand what I was missing.
My dad recommended Dale Carnegie to me a long time ago as he took the original courses himself back in the early 1950s and says it was one of the best things he ever did. I took the courses myself in 1998 and agree.
Senior Master Sales and Leadership Coach
Well, I personally don’t like ‘success’ books.
I prefer to read a novel by Dostoievsky or Stendhal.
But four books/authors that have brought enlightening distinctions among how things "are":
· "Winning Through Enlightenment" by Ron Smothermon
· The first four books by Carlos Castaneda.
· "The Guru Papers" by Diana Alstad and Joel Kramer
· "The Neurotic Personality of Our Time" by Karen Horney
Success Coach & Law Professor
There are many great writers and books out there. I have found that Robert Fritz‘s "Path of Least Resistance: Learning to Become the Creative Force in Your Own Life" has helped me. It’s an easy read and not a corny "fable." The bottom line is that you can create your life rather than react or respond all of the time.
Consultant at Peak Performance systems
By the looks of your reading list you’re confusing success for celebrity.
In the game of celebrity success there are 3 dimensions – appearance, wealth and benevolence. Perception is the reality.
· First appearance: Beautiful or Butt Ugly
For men – if you’re tall, dark and handsome, you’re a third of the way there – think Tony Robbins
For women – if you’re blonde and buxom, you’re a third of the way there – you don’t have to be pretty, just pretty big.
· Wealth
Bill Gates didn’t become one of the wealthiest man on the planet because his parents were poor, subsistence farmers who could only allow their son to go to the one room school house one day per week. There are very few real life rags to riches stories. Tony Robbins was never dirt poor either.
· Benevolence
Jack Welch didn’t get to be CEO of General Electric because he was a really nice guy.
Al Dunlop wasn’t known as "Chainsaw Al" because of his love of plaid lumberjack shirts.
Dennis Kozlowski was off celebrating his birthday with a week long hedonistic, bacchanalian feast while thousands slaved in no paying jobs at 100% commission back home on in the States.
Success for me is a roof over my head that doesn’t leak, heat and 3 square meals a day; the love and respect of my family; and being able to look long and hard in the mirror each day knowing I’ve always stayed on the high road. Anything more is gravy. Anything less is failure.
You won’t find success reading the writings of those promoting success. True success lies on another path.
JDO & Associates – CEO & Independent Writer
My first thought when I read your question was: "What the heck is a ‘success oriented writer’?" As I, initially, reviewed previous replies I began to get the jist of it…ok – Carnegie, Trump, Bible, Koran … . However, those so-noted "success oriented writers" aren’t the ones that show me success in certain ways, but rather tell me success. Quite different, I’m thinking. In addition, I have to ask, "What’s success?"
If you define "success" as wealth, fame, tangible status-denoting symbols, etc. – well then, Trump will do. If, however, you define "success" as peace of spirit, learning how to give and receive, doing what you love, having Friends and family who love you, the ability to laugh – openly and truly; and, have the very strong sense that you’re living your life as you dream it … well then, that’s a horse of a different color!
With that in mind, my "success-oriented writers" would include (but, aren’t limited to): William Faulkner, Mark Twain, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, J. Ruth Gendler, Seamus Heaney, Joseph Campbell, Michael S. Harper, Emily Dickenson, Leslie Marmon Silko, Joy Harjo, N. Scott Momaday, Sam Hamill, Peter Kaminsky, Sun Tzu, I-Ching, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Rumi …
Why? Because all of the above lived/continue to live and love what they do!
That, to me, is only part of an attempted definition of what/who a "success-oriented writer" is!
E-payment specialist – Head of Technical Operations
As to the "why", I tend to consider they all share a common core of "way of thinking" : free spirit, self thinkers, imaginative, both analytical & synthetic, visionary.
A short list of my preferred :
* Jonathan Seagull by Richard Bach, for the global philosophy "going one step further"
* the work of Deepak Chopra in general, as it gives keys of inner satisfaction at the highest level : in spirituality.
* Propaganda, by Edward Bernays. I just started it but Noam Chomsky defines it as "the classical manual of the PR industry" and I believe that PR is at the heart of success (Bernays also facilitated the success of people like David Rockfeller and many other such calibers).
Publisher Account Manager
The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo is the one book that made me believe in how much I can achieve. I recommend it to anyone who has any doubts about success whatsoever.
Experienced Manager and Professional Sales Executive. What is Shoplet?
Dale Carnegie, very simple, straight forward, and motivating.
- http://www.shoplet.com/furniture/
- http://www.shoplet.com
- http://www.linkedin.com/in/discountofficefurniture
Speaker, Scriptwriter, Presentation Skills Trainer. Author of ‘Nick R Thomas – A Public Speaker’s Blog’.
Considering how many of these books are published each year, it’s interesting how people still turn to the writers from half a century or more ago: Hill, Carnegie, Peale – and let’s not forget the very good W Clement Stone.
But I have benefited from some of Tony Robbin’s writing and recordings and I think Dr Steven Covey’s time management suggestion from his Seven Habits is excellent. There have been many others where at least some part of the book has been but one which really impressed me was ’17 Lies That Are Holding You Back…’ by Steve Chandler. I heard this condensed into a telephone interview on a CD that was a free gift with a business magazine I subscribed to and immediately ordered the book.
To give you an idea of his approach, Lie 14 is ‘It’s a Shame We Didn’t Capture That On Video’ and relates to the way we simply can’t enjoy the moment for its own sake.
My own blog is about public speaking success and every post contains at least one useful presentation skills tip for readers. (I’ve a bit of a way to go before I become the next Dale Carnegie, though!)
Researcher at Xerox, writer of the www.ribbonfarm.com blog
I’d suggest Marcus Buckingham along with a grain of salt.
CRM consultant & Information Technology Business Development Professional
I like, Stephan Covey, Bryan Tracy, Anthony Robbins and Dale Carnegie
One more writer, he is not into motivational writing , he is a business writer, but I find the concepts to apply very much in real life: Jim Collins – “Good to great” and “Built to last” have lots of inspiration.
Senior Partner, Precision Guided Group
The problem with answering your question lies in the question, "How do you define ‘Success’?"
Several of your respondents have listed the "BIBLE." However if you take the time to read the book of JOB, you will find someone who incurred God’s favor to the extent that He bragged on Job to Satan himself. Yet Job would have been viewed as an abject failure in ‘light’ of the ‘success’ literature of today. Yet due to his faithfulness, God restored him ‘double’ all he had lost.
I tremble at those who embrace the "Law of Attraction" as defined by the popular video, "The Secret." Who can believe that by visualizing checks flying into your mailbox, that that reality will come to be? Yet people are flocking to that ‘reality’ – that is no reality.
I would encourage everyone to stand down. Take some time for solitude and discover for themselves what ‘success’ means. THEN find some authors that share their definition and let them help refine your quest.
Add your insights and opinions in the comments section below!
Success Stories are part of my Success Through Balance approach to life. I believe that Success comes from living a balanced life. You can read more about being successful and the skills required here.
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