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Each week on Steph\u2019s Business Bookshelf I share the three big ideas I\u2019ve taken from the business and non-fiction books I\u2019ve been reading. As we\u2019re now 6 months into our literary adventure, I wanted to share my ten favourite big ideas from over 60 that have featured on the podcast \u2013 all with a theme of work.

Whilst not all of these books are specifically about work, I\u2019ve pulled out some of my favourite lessons that will help you work smarter, think bigger and team better.

6. Look out for your DNA (from\xa0Fierce Leadership by Susan Scott)

Your sticky fingerprints are all over the place. From the team member who isn\u2019t performing (and you\u2019ve avoided giving any \u2018real\u2019 feedback to over the last year) through to the mind-numbing management meeting you hate attending (and haven\u2019t prepared for properly for the last six months), the chances are you are not helping the situations.

Apply it: pick one thing that\u2019s not working in your team and give a hard look (no, harder than that) at how you contribute to or exacerbate the problem.

Listen on\xa0iTunes\xa0|\xa0Google Podcasts\xa0|\xa0Spotify\xa0|Stitcher\xa0|\xa0YouTube

7. What got you here, won\u2019t get you there (from\xa0What Got You Here Won\u2019t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith)

Many people succeed in spite of their behaviours, rather than because of them. But it\u2019s easy to confuse the two and assume that your ability to \u2018get to the point\u2019 (read: abruptly cut people off and stop anyone coming to you with ideas) is your golden ticket to the big time. At some point, this behaviour is going to become a problem and stop you progressing further in your career.

Apply it: consider what you believe to be your greatest strength and flip it \u2013 what would it look like if this strength was \u2018over-used\u2019 or wasn\u2019t a strength at all? How would this manifest? Test this with your friends, family and team \u2013 ask them if they see this behaviour in you. Listen to them.

Listen on\xa0iTunes\xa0|\xa0Google Podcasts\xa0|\xa0Spotify\xa0|Stitcher\xa0|\xa0YouTube

8. If it\u2019s not a \u2018hell yes\u2019 it\u2019s a no (from\xa0Essentialism by Greg McKeown)

Sometimes we make bad decisions when we say yes to everything. Greg talks about challenging what we\u2019re doing using a better framework \u2013 if it\u2019s not a \u2018hell yes\u2019 then it\u2019s a no.\xa0

Apply it: This can be applied for personal and professional decisions. Look for your calendar or diary and think of what you\u2019ve made bad decisions on. What could you have said no to (or not yet/not now). This means you can better use your time and increase the quality of what you\u2019re doing by focusing and doing it well.\xa0

Listen on\xa0iTunes\xa0|\xa0Google Podcasts\xa0|\xa0Spotify\xa0|Stitcher\xa0|\xa0YouTube

9. Consistency is key (from\xa0Whatcha Gonna Do With That Duck by Seth Godin)

If you\u2019ve read other works of Seth Goding or his blog, he always talks about consistency. Consistency is the key. Getting things out, moving things along every single day, because what\u2019s most important is getting things done rather than making things perfect. It\u2019s the consistency of habit that will make you successful.\xa0

Apply it: Think about what habits, processes or outcomes you want and be consistent. Plan it into your diary, schedule it and then tick off. How are you being consistent?\xa0

Listen on\xa0iTunes\xa0|\xa0Google Podcasts\xa0|\xa0Spotify\xa0|Stitcher\xa0|\xa0YouTube

10. Be a diplomatic rebel (from\xa0Originals by Adam Grant)

This book is about moving away from what everyone is doing and creating new, more original ideas. One of the good things mentioned in the book is being a diplomatic rebel. Sometimes having to hide your radical ideas into something a little bit more palatable to the people to get things through.\xa0

Apply it: Be a diplomatic rebel by finding little challenges to take on at work \u2013 challenge what\u2019s not working as a diplomatic rebel to bring people on board with your new idea.\xa0

Listen on\xa0iTunes\xa0|\xa0Google Podcasts\xa0|\xa0Spotify\xa0|Stitcher\xa0|\xa0YouTube

Music By:\xa0\xa0Orchards Song by When Mountains Move

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