A revered classic in the realms of both software development and management, Stephen R. Covey’s book delves into the transformative power of effective habits. Covey introduces readers to a set of values and practices that promote mindful time management. He explores the art of personal management systems, the significance of mastering the skill of saying “no,” and the profound notion that “saying yes to something means saying no to something else.” Covey’s book invites the reader to introspection, encouraging them to reflect on their desired self and guiding them toward tangible steps to achieve personal growth and effectiveness.

The authors start from the premise that every organizational problem is in fact a “people problem”. Fredrick and Squirrel, hosts of the podcast Troubleshooting Agile, help the reader debug their conversations. The book is mostly targetting software professionals, though the techniques discussed are usable, and valuable, for anyone that spends most of their time working with other people.

For individuals transitioning to new teams or roles, Apprenticeship Patterns offers invaluable advice. In this book, the authors provide practical guidance on seamlessly and efficiently integrating into a new work environment. The book’s unique structure presents these insights in the form of a pattern list, each offering actionable advice. One particularly memorable pattern, ‘Sweep the Floor,’ underscores the importance of performing the ' grunt work’ to be of immediate value to a team.

King gives us the red pill outline of why we have conversations with people. Bottom line, he says, we want to get something out of the exchange. Whether this is entertainment, confort, friendship, or a more direct purpose. The author has a highly utilitairian view on the subject, aiming to help people that have difficulty with casual conversation to up their game. While cynical at times, the book offers clear, practical advice on how to be a good conversationalist.

Aimed at novice programmers, and those without a formal computer science background, this book teaches you how to automate parts of your working life. Using python, the reader is first guided through some programming basics, before diving in to practical examples of automation in real-world contexts. Examples include: Automated emails, cleaning files on your machine, converting documents from one format to another, and creating excel sheets.

The story of an experienced manager, brought into a company to save it. The reader follows along as “Sam” journeys through the corporate landscape, and has conversations with his direct reports. Rothman manages to convey important good management practices in an elegant, and easily diggestible way.

In the world of software development, writing code is only half the battle. The real challenge lies in writing clean, efficient, and maintainable code. In “Clean Code: A Handbook of Agile Software Craftsmanship,” Robert C. Martin, also known as “Uncle Bob”, provides invaluable insights into the art and science of writing clean code.

Martin emphasizes the importance of readability, simplicity, and attention to detail, guiding readers through the process of writing code that is easy to understand, test, and maintain. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build strong coding habits or an experienced programmer aiming to refine your skills, this book provides the tools and techniques necessary to elevate your craft.

Through a series of practical examples and best practices, “Clean Code” equips readers with the knowledge and skills to write elegant, maintainable code. The biggest takeaway from this book is the importance of writing code that is not only functional but also a joy to read and work with. While the book offers a wealth of valuable advice, it’s important to use “Clean Code” as an inspiration rather than a set of strict rules. Some practices may be considered outdated in contemporary software development, but the core principles and concepts remain relevant and essential for any programmer or software engineer.

In “Design It,” author Michael Keeling provides valuable insights into the essential responsibilities of a software architect. Through the lens of a hypothetical project, readers embark on a journey through various project stages. The book strikes a balance between theoretical knowledge, practical methodologies, and a profound exploration of guiding principles.

Keeling skilfully conveys the pivotal role of a software architect, highlighting their ability to bridge the gap between the business’s requirements, the technical team’s needs, and the broader operational context. “Design It” offers readers a comprehensive understanding of software architecture, making it a valuable resource for programmers aspiring to become adept software architects, as well as for experienced architects wishing to refresh their knowledge of modern techniques.

Known as the ‘Gang of Four,’ the authors of this book have contributed significantly to the field of software development. Their work serves as a foundational text in the discipline.

In the book, they present a collection of programming structures in the form of design patterns. These patterns explain when and how to apply them, as well as their potential drawbacks. While some of the advice in the book, particularly those related to inheritance, may be considered outdated in contemporary software development, the core concepts remain relevant.

The ‘Gang of Four’ patterns provide valuable insights into addressing challenges like extensibility, maintainability, and encapsulation. They offer tried and tested approaches to structuring software, making it a valuable resource for any programmer or software engineer.

First published in 1989, this book offers a comprehensive guide on creating impactful training programs. The author emphasizes the importance of a structured approach to ensure that trainings are not only effective but also efficient and engaging. Through numerous examples and case studies, the book illustrates how to design training materials that captivate your audience and facilitate meaningful learning. Whether you’re new to instructional design or seeking to refine your skills, this book will help you master the art of developing repeatable and successful training programs.

How do you motivate yourself and others? Did your manager get it right by offering you a promotion if you worked all weekend? Or would you have preferred a more relaxed approach, allowing you to work on your own projects and explore your interests, promotion be damned?

In “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us,” Daniel H. Pink explores the science behind motivation, examining how traditional methods have been applied in the workplace and why they no longer suit the modern workforce. Pink introduces the reader to the three pillars of motivation: Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose. He explains how these elements can be applied to various situations, both in the workplace and beyond.

Whether you are in a leadership position, aspire to be, or are simply curious about what makes people tick, this book is a must-read. Pink’s insights offer valuable guidance for fostering motivation in yourself and others, making it a crucial resource for anyone interested in understanding and improving human motivation.

In ‘Driving Technical Change,’ the author addresses a common frustration among technologists – the challenge of persuading others to adopt their ideas for technical improvement. Ryan offers invaluable guidance on how to effectively present and package your suggestions to increase their chances of being accepted. He also highlights the importance of engaging with different types of individuals crucial for bringing your concepts to life. This book is a treasure trove of practical advice, making it an essential read for software developers with some experience. It goes beyond coding skills and shows how to expand your influence and contribute to your organization’s success.

If you are looking to take the next steps to advance your technological career, or enhance your team’s performance, ‘Driving Technical Change’ is a recommended read. It empowers you to transition from merely being a capable programmer to becoming an invaluable asset in driving your team’s overall performance."

In “Ego Is the Enemy”, Holiday presents a contemporary exploration of Stoic principles, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and resilience when faced with adversity. He weaves a compelling narrative by drawing on the stories of historical figures to illustrate how unchecked success can corrupt one’s character.

The book is a mix of inspirational success stories and cautionary tales, offering readers a fresh perspective on their own decisions. After reading Ego Is the Enemy, individuals are encouraged to reflect on a fundamental question: “Do I aspire to do something meaningful, or do I seek to be important?” This thought-provoking book challenges readers to examine their ambitions and the role of ego in their pursuit of success and fulfilment.

Beck describes a project methodology that focusses on the daily practices developers can use, in order to achieve results in a faster, reliable, and sustainable way. While other methodologies dive into team structure, and management, Beck and Andres decided to stick to reusable practices that can be applied in most settings. This book popularized the ideas of “Test Driven Development” and “Pair Programming”, and is a must read for any developer that is looking to increase their knowledge of project approaches and the technical practices that support them.

You will find a plethora of books on how to build succesful teams, but you will not find many that explain what factors can break a team. By focussing on the dark side of team dynamics, Lencioni informs us of what to look out for when working with others. He explains how a lack of trust between individuals eventually cascades into a lack of overall results. A must-read book for team leaders and team members alike.

“Get Better at Anything: 12 Maxims for Mastery” guides readers through the process of mastering a skill using a set of practical maxims. These maxims include “The best way to learn is to do,” “Experience doesn’t ensure expertise,” “Feedback is king,” and “The mind is not a muscle.” Young effectively conveys the importance of deliberate practice and the necessity of fast feedback loops in a clear and concise manner.

The author writes in an approachable style, simplifying complex ideas for easy understanding. He debunks widely held misconceptions and offers practical advice on enhancing the learning process. Filled with real-world examples and actionable insights, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their skills and serves as a valuable reference for educators, coaches, and mentors who help others in their learning journey.

Whether you’re aiming to excel in a hobby or advance professionally, Young’s guidance will equip you with the tools needed for continuous improvement.

A no-nonsense approach to take control of your time. Allen shares his tips to keep focussed on what is important to you, emphasises the need for a system you can trust, and empowers you to implement a way of organizing your life and commitments that fits your preferences.

Accountability is an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility for and to repair the harm caused by one’s actions. In “How to Be Accountable,” authors Harper and Biel explore the concept of accountability and its significance in personal and professional settings. The book provides practical advice on how to cultivate accountability, emphasizing the importance of integrity, honesty, and transparency.

Brooks blends facts and stories together in a though-provoking selection of essays. While the author mostly talks about software projects, the lessons and frustrations apply to anyone who has had the dubious pleasure of leading a team. The book challenges readers to think about the sense and non-sense of generally held maxims, and strives to re-introduce some common-sense to project management. A prime example of this, is the saying: “hiring nine women will not get you a baby in one month”.

In “New Programmer’s Survival Manual,” the author addresses critical questions in the software development field: How can you effectively steer your career in this dynamic industry? And how can you ensure you’re recognized and not overlooked for promotions, especially when you possess substantial technical expertise? Carter offers insights into the often-overlooked non-technical aspects of corporate culture. The book provides valuable guidance on seizing control of your career trajectory, equipping readers with tools to thrive and advance in the software development world.

Rosenberg teaches how to talk to others in an empathetic way. But above else, he shows the need for compasionate self-talk, and deep understanding of our own desires and needs. While his verbal forms sound a bit artificial and forced, after some practise, you will be able to include the non-violent style of communication in your own relationships. After all, what is the use in conversing if not to understand each other.

Millet and Tune are some of the forerunners in the field of Domain-Driven Design, an architectural approach that aims to further allign business concepts and their technical implementation. The authors focus on the core concepts of a domain-driven system development approach, and offer practical advice to the reader on how to apply the principles and ideas in their daily endeavours. As the book dives deep into advanced concepts, it is advisable to pick this up later in your journey, after you have gained experience working on real systems.

In “Practices of an Agile Developer,” authors Dr. Venkat Subramaniam and Mr. Andy Hunt offer readers a unique perspective on Agile development. Unlike many other books on the subject, this book delves into the complexities of working within a corporate environment. Drawing from their personal experiences, Subramaniam and Hunt provide a series of candid, and at times, challenging pieces of advice.

Through their insights, readers gain a deeper understanding of the Agile mindset and are inspired to excel within the constraints of their circumstances. This book not only offers valuable practical advice but also encourages individuals to strive for excellence in the ever-evolving world of software development.

Widely regarded as one of the finest books on software development, ‘The Pragmatic Programmer’ by Andy Hunt and Dave Thomas offers invaluable insights into their approach to software development. Presented in a highly practical, down-to-earth, and conversational style, this revised classic is a must-read for anyone involved in software development.

The book covers a wide range of topics, from coding techniques and project management to software architecture and best practices. It provides actionable advice and timeless wisdom that empowers developers to write elegant, maintainable code and become more effective in their work (as well as maintain their sanity while doing so).

Dive into your own brain and learn about efficient learning. Hunt discusses various techniques that have helped him stay on top of his game over a career spanning decades. As a professional, your main weapon is your ability to learn. Unfortunately, many of us are left to our own devices in figuring out which approaches work well for us. This book helps by providing a plethora of time-proven learning techniques and tools to discover your own preferences.

An in depth view on the philosophy of Victor Frankl, the founder of logotherapy. The books explains how Frankl’s philosophy helped him not only endure the nazi concentration camps, but to do so without losing his sense of self. A powerful read on the strength of a persons mind, and our ability to overcome the gravest of circumstances. Frankl’s core tennet, “No one can take away my choice over my own actions”, is both thought-provoking, and empowering. The authors do a fantastic job of describing both the man himself, and his philosophy.

The authors provide invaluable insights into achieving well-structured code safely, even in the context of modern Integrated Development Environments (IDEs). While the book’s examples use Java, the underlying concepts are language-agnostic. Whether you work with a programming language or a scripting language, the principles and techniques discussed here are universally applicable.

For those with an particularly strong aversion to Java, a recent edition of the book showcases the same techniques using TypeScript. Whichever edition you choose, “Refactoring” offers timeless wisdom for enhancing your code quality.

Stories from the life of a consultant, with detailed descriptions of how the author came to be a consultant, and practical tips on giving advice that is (perceived as) highly valuable. Includes such gems as: “whatever your client is doing, suggest they do the opposite”, and “be sure to ask for a high fee, so you are taken more seriously”.

What is the best way to organize your team? How can you ensure that your team is set up for success? Is there a way to structure your team that will allow for fast flow of work? In Team Topologoes, the authors evolve the idea behind DevOps Topologies into a model for or organizational design. Based on the idea that the structure of your team will influence the flow of work, the authors present a model to design team boundaries and communication lines based on the need for interaction between the teams.

The authors suggest four essential team types and three interaction models, and present multiple real-world cases where the topologies approach was used to great effect. This book is a recommended read for anyone interested in team dynamics, organizational design, and the flow of work within corporate settings.

Test-Driven Development (TDD) emphasizes writing tests before coding, ensuring that software is both robust and maintainable from the ground up. “Test-Driven Development with Java” by Allan Mellor walks readers through the principles and practices of TDD, highlighting how this methodology can lead to cleaner, more reliable code.

Mellor provides detailed explanations and practical examples, demonstrating how to implement TDD in real-world Java projects. Readers will learn how to write effective unit tests, refactor code efficiently, and integrate TDD into their development workflow. The author conveys the importance of continuous improvement and quality assurance in a relatable and accessible manner.

This book is ideal for software developers, testers, and automation engineers looking to enhance their coding skills and deliver high-quality software products. Filled with valuable insights, it is also a joy to read, thanks to Mellor’s engaging writing style and efforts to make complex concepts easy to understand.

In ‘Think Faster, Talk Smarter’, Abrahams tackles the challenge of impromptu presentations and unexpected public speaking situations. Providing a range of communication techniques, he equips readers with the skills to excel in spontaneous communication scenarios. The book delves into various message structuring methods to enhance clarity, with a central theme: ‘Prepare and organize your thoughts’. Contrary to intuition, honing your communication skills through practice enables you to confidently respond when put on the spot.

While the book caters to a broad audience, including those not aspiring to be public speakers, ‘Think Faster, Talk Smarter’ offers a wealth of practical advice and insightful tips to elevate interpersonal communication. By following Abrahams’ guidance, readers can improve their message delivery and become more engaging speakers. This book is not just about public speaking; it’s a valuable tool for anyone seeking to enhance their overall communication effectiveness.