Earlier this year marked the publication of the 750th Actionable Summary! (at the time of this writing we’re clocking in at 823!) With the year quickly drawing to a close, we wanted to countdown our top 10 most popular summaries of 2015. We also want to take a moment to celebrate the dozens of dedicated individuals who make these summaries possible. Actionable wouldn’t be the resource that it is without them.
10. Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins
Book by Annette Simmons, summary by Bill Stadick
In Whoever Tells the Best Story Wins, Annette Simmons equips us with the storytelling skills we need to give listeners faith in us and our good intentions.
9. The Willpower Instinct
Book by Kelly McGonigal, Summary by John Petrone
Kelly McGonigal’s The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works provides a solid look at self-discipline and ways to enhance it when we need it the most.
8. The Organized Mind
Book by Daniel J. Levitin, Summary by Jill Donahue
The heart of The Organized Mind is about organizing our time better. Not just so we can be more productive but so we can have more time for fun, for play, for meaningful relationships, and for creativity.
7. MAGIC: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Employee Engagement
Book by Paul Warner and Tracy Maylett, Summary by Fonda Na’Desh
Tracy Maylett and Paul Warner wrote MAGIC: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Employee Engagement to increase our knowledge of engagement and to reveal how to leverage it as a secret weapon.
6. Think Twice
Book by Michael J. Mauboussin, Summary by Ingrid Urgolites
Have you ever wondered why smart people make bad decisions with formidable consequences? In Think Twice, Michael J. Mauboussin teaches us to make better decisions when it matters most.
5. The Art of Possibility
Book by Benjamin Zander and Rosamund Stone Zander, Summary by Ingrid Urgolites
The Art of Possibility is about building a set of mental frameworks to create possibility.
4. The Motivation Manifesto
Book by Brendon Burchard, Summary by Jill Donahue
Instead of wishing for happiness, The Motivation Manifesto teaches us how to make it happen. While Brendon admits the work is hard and will require new levels of presence and control, he makes it easier by outlining nine declarations to make.
3. What To Do When It’s Your Turn (And It’s Always Your Turn)
Book by Seth Godin, Summary by Anne Day
Seth Godin is fed up. He’s disillusioned with the way we are living our lives and in What To Do When It’s Your Turn (And It’s Always Your Turn) he wants to jolt us into changing so we are both willing and able to take our turn.
2. Essentialism
Book by Greg McKeown, Summary by John Petrone
In a hyper-connected world filled with endless opportunities to pursue, Greg McKeown’s approach in Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less provides a roadmap to help focus our energies on high-impact activities.
1. How Google Works
Book by Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg, Summary by Zach Obront
Google has created a culture that’s the envy of a lot of the business world. How Google Works is a peek behind the curtain. Former CEO Eric Schmidt and SVP of Product Jonathan Rosenberg spill the beans on everything from office setup, to hiring, to leadership.
