Written more as a report or legal opinion than a book, which does make it extremely accessible to lawyers! After the first couple of setting the scene chapters (why lawyers are different, how important it is that lawyers do something about stress, what stress is and is not) there are two good chapters on practical ways for lawyers to deal with stress, the primary solution advocated being that solicitors deal with it from within. I think any stressed lawyer (in-house or private practice) would get benefit from reading it. A shame about the price, which sets it outside the personal budget of many lawyers, as it is well worth a read.

I loved this book - it makes you realise that anyone can have success and effectively we are all created equal, but certain factors are likely to make you more successful! For example the month you were born, which you can't do much about or how much you practice your particular speciality (the magic 10,000 hours) - which you can! A real inspirational read.

I went to see these guys do a workshop based on their book and it illustrates nicely what can be achieved by asking yourself a few simple questions. It uses the metaphor of you being a building, the storeys representing your talents and values and the whole building representing your life purpose. It also covers archetypes, which most large brands employ. A particularly useful book if you are just setting up your own business or if you want to make a name for yourself in corporate life with a consistent brand.

This is a great introduction to coaching for those who want to use the skills with their teams and organisations in business.  He gives many helpful examples of coaching conversations to illustrate his points and what coaching is and is not.

This book does what it says on the tin.  It is a workbook which you can try out by following the step by step instructions and is written by a leading trainer and writer in the field of NLP.

There are many different “Inner Game” books, but this is the original.  So if you don’t play tennis (and I don’t!) you can always choose the one that specifically relates to the activity you want to master.  It is the original book that explains why people in the zone are so successful and tells you how to get there! The author explains how he has produced dramatic results in those he has trained, overcoming mental obstacles, improving concentration and reducing anxiety for better performance at every level.

This book takes the reader step by step through the GROW coaching model, which is probably the easiest and most well known model for amateur coaches to use.  It gives some really good example coaching conversations to illustrate each point and is quite easy to follow and try out.

This book comes with a CD which really shows you what good coaching can achieve.  It explains the co active coaching model (some of which I use in my own coaching practice).  It’s also quite a good book to use to evaluate a coach for your own use.

This is a lovely book with great anecdotes to illustrate the author’s point of view.  It gives a step-by-step formula to allow you to identify your personal values and live them to the fullest.

Of all the books about how to be successful, this is one of the best.  The author presents a holistic integrated, principle centred approach for solving personal and professional problems. It gives a framework for living which gives the security to adapt to change and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates.

This is the classic text in the field of change management.  It is aimed at anyone who wants to understand why change happens and what needs to be done to make a change welcome rather than a dreaded concept.  It covers different models including individual change, team change and organisational change.

Daniel Goleman defines emotional intelligence in terms of self-awareness, altruism, personal motivation, empathy and the ability to love and be loved by friends, partners, and family members. People who possess high emotional intelligence are the people who truly succeed in work as well as play, building flourishing careers and lasting, meaningful relationships. Because emotional intelligence isn't fixed at birth, Goleman outlines how adults as well as parents of young children can sow the seeds.  A great book for those who may feel they are 'too technical' and want to widen their palette.