I started going for breakfast with Dr Grant Bartlett in 2017 after attending one of his lectures on water. Grant is a local legend in Calgary. He’s a very successful business person, having started over 40 companies and exited multiple, becoming a multi-millionaire. Actually he used to be an owner of the Calgary Flames Hockey Team!

I was having breakfast with him one morning when he shared his penchant for reading. He told me he reads at least 50 books a year. In 2019, I set myself a goal to read 25, which was doable. I reached that goal, so in 2020, I set out to read 50 books, and reached that too!

So between 2018 and 2024, I read 100 books focused on business and leadership. In late 2024, I compiled the full list and set about making a short summary concluding what I’d learned from the books in totality. The list is roughly ranked, with the most important skills at the top.

1. Effective Communication: Clear and empathetic communication is foundational for all interactions, influencing relationships, teamwork, and leadership.

2. Building Relationships: Strong relationships foster trust and collaboration, which are crucial for personal and professional success.

3. Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing emotions is vital for effective communication and relationship-building, enhancing both personal and team dynamics.

4. Collaboration and Teamwork: Successful cooperation leverages diverse strengths and perspectives, leading to better outcomes.

5. Proactivity and Responsibility: Taking quick decisive charge of one’s actions and goals is essential for personal development and leadership.

6. Leadership Principles: Effective leaders inspire, motivate and guide their teams with humility, accountability, and vision, making this a critical aspect of organizational success.

7. Continuous Improvement: Emphasizing growth mindset (learning and adaptability) is important for both personal growth via life long learning and organizational resilience.

8. Feedback and Transparency: Open communication and constructive feedback are vital for fostering a culture of trust and improvement.

9. Cultural Alignment: Establishing a strong organizational culture of shared ethics and values enhances collaboration and supports shared goals.

10. Goal Orientation: Underlines the importance of setting clear, achievable goals and prioritizing tasks to drive motivation, productivity and success.

11. Cognitive Management: Managing cognitive resources is important for productivity thru the team’s ability to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to change

12. Simplicity and Clarity: Advocates for simplifying processes and decisions to enhance understanding and effectiveness.