by: David Little, Wealth Advisor at Keel Point in Huntsville, Alabama
World Book Day is April 23rd, and while we may not be able to get our haircut these days, we are reading. Several members of our team shared a few of the many books that have impacted us both personally and professionally. And while the stories included are wide-ranging, leadership often stands out as a theme.
Below you will find a short list, along with a few thoughts from us on how these books impacted us.
Leadership and Finance Books for World Book Day
Derailed: Five Lessons Learned from Catastrophic Failures of Leadership by Dr. Tim Irwin
Favorite of Steve South, Keel Point Chief Wealth Officer, Washington, DC
This book gives real-life examples of five CEOs who derailed their careers and failed the companies they led, one of whom is Dick Fuld, former CEO of Lehman Brothers. It teaches, through factual storytelling, how extremely talented and intelligent leaders can have catastrophic failures if they lack self-awareness. Dr. Irwin illustrates the danger of when a leader isolates themself by not promoting an atmosphere of openness and truthfulness to help them overcome their blind spots.
You’re Not That Great by Dr. Daniel Crosby
Favorite of Seth Teston, Keel Point Wealth Advisor, Huntsville, AL
This book tackles an excellent bias in investing, which is thinking we know more than we think we do. It covers a wide variety of causes and effects of having overconfidence in our ability to invest strategically.
The Laws of Wealth, Dr. Daniel Crosby
Favorite of Seth Teston, Keel Point Wealth Advisor, Huntsville, AL
The book covers several timeless principles for managing our behavior during the investment process. It is also a pretty timely piece to help provide perspective to our behavioral response to market climate, whether that is during a bull or bear market.
Simple Wealth Inevitable Wealth by Nick Murray
Favorite of Tucker Braddock, Keel Point Senior Wealth Advisor, Washington, D.C.
This book de-mystifies investing and the process of building wealth. I send this to most prospects and new clients. It stirs great conversation and helps frame future discussions.
The Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley
Favorite of Tucker Braddock, Keel Point Senior Wealth Advisor, Washington, D.C.
“I am a rational optimist: rational, because I have arrived at optimism not through temperament or instinct, but by looking at the evidence.” He then presents the historical evidence of human progress and how we have gotten richer, healthier, and kinder.
Investing: The Last Liberal Art by Robert G Hagstrom
Favorite of Kyle D. Findlay, CFP, Keel Point Senior Wealth Advisor, Huntsville, AL
Robert Hagstrom ties the brilliance of Benjamin Franklin’s wholistic education model we have seen at the University of Pennsylvania to Charlie Munger’s philosophy that the best investors can pull from a latticework of disciplines. He says that “the more disciplines we have to explore, the more likely are we to find commonalities of mechanisms that clarify the mysteries.” In this book, Hagstrom provides a concise overview of Physics, Biology, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Literature, and Mathematics and how these subjects relate to and have influenced investors over centuries.
In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day by Mark Batterson.
Favorite of Robert G Burleson, Keel Point Senior Wealth Advisor, Greenville, NC
What if the life you want, and the future God wants for you is hiding right now in your biggest problem, worst failure, or greatest fear? This book encourages you not to be afraid to go after things.
When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink
Favorite of LeRoy Bizzell, Jr. CRPC, Keel Point Senior Wealth Advisor, Brentwood, TN
Daniel Pink’s book “When” is full of tips and examples that will help you see when you are most productive.
COVID-19 has pushed the reset button on our world. Hopefully, we are more mindful of the power of “When” and don’t return to our previous flurry of activity. We have more lessons to learn and apply.
The Go Giver by Bob Burg
Favorite of LeRoy Bizzell, Jr. CRPC, Keel Point Senior Wealth Advisor, Brentwood, TN
Bob Burg’s 2008 book, The Go Giver, is a fictional story that never is too old to overlook. It is a quick read that reminds us that when we live our lives to give and not take, we find that life is not just about success, but about commitment. His tagline is true. It is “A surprising way of getting more than you expect”.
The New Financial Advisor by Nick Murray
Favorite of David Little, Keel Point Wealth Advisor, Huntsville, AL
This book was instrumental early in my career when our industry was in transition from the old commission-based stockbroker model to the fee-based, long term relationship and financial planning model many firms use today. Straight forward, humorous, easy to understand ideas and principles.
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown
Favorite of David Little, Keel Point Wealth Advisor, Huntsville, AL
The Boys in the Boat is the story of nine working-class boys during the height of the Great Depression who overcame tremendous odds to win Gold in rowing at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The importance of teamwork was perfectly illustrated when they got into the “swing” – when every crew member was rowing with exact timing and precision, every oar entering and leaving the water in perfect unison.
We hope you enjoyed learning more about the books that have shaped us in so many ways. We’d love for you to let us know what you are reading.
Happy World Book Day!