10 Best Books I Read in 2023

2023 was a great year for reading and I finished just over 50 books.

Most were new reads, but some were rereads.

Some books easy reads, and some required more time and reflection.

All taught me something.

Here are 10 of my favorites (in no particular order) with a few key lessons from each book:

1. Extreme Ownership

By Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Key lessons:

Taking ownership for everything gives us the power and control over our behaviors. Whether at work or in life, taking extreme ownership ensures we take responsibility for our actions and their results. Leaders who practice extreme ownership build better teams. “There are no bad teams, only bad leaders.”

Read this book.

2. The Power of TED

By David Emerald

Key lessons:

Our mindset, behaviors, and language can trap us in drama. We are tempted to play the victim, but this mentality keeps us trapped. Only through empowerment can we escape the need of a rescuer to save us. We are in control of our lives. And we must rise.

Read this book. Then skim it when you reread.

3. The Alchemist

By Paulo Coelho

Key lessons:

We all have a personal legend to discover (our own hero’s journey). “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.”

Read this book yearly.

4. Dare to Lead

By Brene Brown

Key lessons:

Vulnerability is a requirement of effective leadership. Honesty, trust, connection are all crucial aspects of leadership. Vulnerability and personal awareness help us get there.

Read this book with a notepad next to you. Reflect on what you read.

5. Primal Leadership

By Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee

Key lessons:

Great leaders know how to move people. They move their emotions to move them to action. Depending on the situation, there are 6 ways a leader can show up and leverage their emotional intelligence.

Skim this book. Then read it from cover to cover. Write in the margins.

6. Outwitting the Devil

By Napoleon Hill

Key lessons:

Definiteness of purpose is the way. Drifting is the path of the devil. Though this book is old, the conversation and writing is brilliant. Napoleon Hill has a number of great books: Think and Grow Rich, The Law of Success… but this one is worth slowly getting through and considering how you show up in life.

Read this book with a notepad next to you. Reflect on what you read.

7. Meditations

By Marcus Aurelius (translated by Gregory Hays)

Key lessons:

We all die. How will we show up to live? What can we control? Where will we spend our effort? All these questions (and many more) are pondered in this great leader's personal reflections.

Read this book. Then keep it handy. You can open it to any page and read something though-provoking. In my copy, every page has something highlighted.

8. Radical Candor

By Kim Scott

Key lessons:

Challenge directly and care personally. This is a fantastic book on conversations. Read this and reread it. Then buy copies to give to coworkers.

9. High Performance Habits

By Brendon Burchard

Key lessons:

Showing up with energy, focus, and intention requires a system. High performers have habits and systems which help them wake up each day to crush it.

Digest this book. Read it and consider every habit. How can you incorporate it into your life and routines?

10. Psycho-Cybernetics

By Maxwell Maltz

Key lessons:

Your self-image dictates how you act. You cannot act in ways misaligned with what you believe about yourself. So… change your beliefs, change your self-image, and change your life.

Read this book once every couple of years. It is a great reminder that we are in control of our beliefs and self-image.

What did you read this year that should be on the top 10? And what is on your reading menu for next year?

I’d love to hear from you!

Have a great weekend and a merry Christmas.

Clark