"PMP: Project Management Professional Study Guide, Third Edition" - Kim Heldman

This is a practical, easy to read PMP Exam study guide. Unlike other exam preparation books that are organized by Knowledge Area, Kim follows the project process flow from initiation to closing using a case study approach. The outline directly matches the process / objectives organization of the exam. The PMBOK® is organized by Knowledge Area, so supplementing your review of PMBOK® with an alternative approach that is easier to relate to real life project management is a good strategy. This is one prep book that I continue to use long after successfully writing the exam.
Kim has updated her exam preparation material in keeping with the Third Edition of the PMBOK® released in 2005. We believe that her approach to the PMBOK® was already more in keeping with the new comprehansive, process oriented "common language" approach of the new PMBOK®. Prusik Innovations is a human potentials driven organization specializing in change management, project management, team facilitation, training and leadership development. Our focus is on helping individuals, teams and organizations discover and strive for their full potential. "Ultimately, individual human potential is best realized through wisely designed shared enterprises -- and collective human potential is best realized through nurturing the capacities and wisdom of the individuals involved." - Tom Atlee

"Incredibly Easy Project Management - all the things you already know but don't always do" (2nd Edition) - Norman Willoughby

Simply the best, skinny book on practical project management we have found. And by a Canadian yet! The book is organized like a WBS for easy navigation. As the author states, this is "a mildly heretical perspective ". We consider that a good thing

"Don't Park Your Brain Outside" - Francis T. Hartman

Guess what? Another great book on project management by a Canadian! Professor Hartman (of the University of Calgary) uses the SMART (Strategically Managed, Aligned, Regenerative and Transformational) approach to managing project performance. Use this guide to raise your and your organization's project management maturity and success rate.

"Making It Happen: A Non-Technical Guide to Project Management" - Mackenzie Kyle

Mackenzie Kyle (another western Canadian) used the story of newly anointed project manager's trials, tribulations and triumphs to present a unique, thought provoking approach to project management. The advice is more pragmatic than PMBOK® correct and is dispensed by our hero's mother-in-law! A great read with useful tools and accurate characterization of the types of people a project manager encounters.

"The Tao of Leadership" - John Heider

Read this little book in one sitting and / or read a page each day. Inspiring, yet practical. If you enjoyed "The Tao of Leadership" you may want to read "The Tao of Personal Leadership" by Diane Drejer as well. We prefer to start with the simplicity of Heider's book which leads you to draw your own conclusions and practical applications. Ms. Drejer's book is more of a leadership thesis with historical examples and personal exercises.

"The Leadership Challenge", 3rd Edition - Kouzes and Posner

Still the gold standard in comprehensive leadership principles and practice. This book is based on extensive empirical and anecdotal research. The Leadership Challenge is one of the most well thumbed, highlighted, tabbed books on our bookshelf with many notes in the margins. The essence of it's findings centres on five leadership practices: Challenge the Process, Inspire a Shared Vision, Enable Others to Act, Model the Way to Desired Objectives and Encourage the Heart of Everyone involved. If you think these are motherhood leadership statements you only need to look at the next level of ten practical "behavioural commitments" and supporting real life stories to relate these principles to your leadership challenges. Read the book. Use the book.

"The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference" - Malcolm Gladwell

"The Tipping Point" describes the ecology of successful word-of-mouth marketing and outlines examples of how organizations and individuals have found the tipping points for their causes.  The "tipping point" as defined by Gladwell is the moment when an idea, disease, product or fashion takes off and reaches critical mass.
Malcolm Gladwell compares the spread of viral epidemics to the way ordinary things 'tip' toward widespread knowledge or acceptance. Typically, its pattern includes a contagious agent, little causes having big effects with all of it usually happening in one big, dramatic moment. This can happen with ideas, products, messages and behaviours, too.

Learn about mavens, salesmen, connectors, the law of the few and stickiness.  Learn how you can contribute to your own tipping points. At under 300 pages, it is a quick and enjoyable read.  This is one of the best books for understanding human networks and how to use them to your advantage.

"Getting It Done: How to Lead When You're Not in Charge" - Roger Fisher and Alan Sharp

This is a great book on "lateral leadership" - the ability to lead (convince others to do what you want them to do) when you have no authority over them. Whether you are an external or internal consultant, an executive assistant or work with volunteers, Fisher and Sharp prescribe the elements required for successful collaboration in your workgroup. 

As project managers, no matter how much authority our clients vest us with, to be effective our sphere of influence must be broader and stronger than our sphere of authority. The authors provide analytical tools, thought processes and rules of appropriate engagement that will help you use your influence to get it done through others. So don't just read this book. Apply it.

"Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used" - Peter Block 

Block has updated what was simply one of the best, comprehensive resource books for consultants; both entrepreneurs and internal consultants. Block is committed to integrity and to growing his clients' capacity to meet their challenges. His insights into the true meaning of resistance makes the book a worthwhile read for any leader of people (whether traditional or lateral leader). The book has many useful checklists and templates as well. It seems every successful business author (an a few not so successful ones) have produced companion Field Books. Peter Block has as well. We have not used the field book but have not been disappointed by anything Peter Block has produced so far.

"SPIN Selling" - Neil Rackham

This is as much a book about listening and understanding as it is about selling. The lens of "Situation, Problem, Implication, Need / Payoff" fits well with the "Flawless Consulting" process detailed by Peter Block. Also worthwhile buying is The S.P.I.N. Selling Fieldbook: Practical Tools, Methods, Exercises and Resources by Neil Rackham If you really want to scrimp, get "SPIN Selling" from your library, skim it, make a few notes and then buy the Fieldbook.

"Getting Past No: Negotiating Your Way From Confrontation to Cooperation" - William Ury

Any leader, project manager or consultant needs to be a good negotiator. William Ury's methodology turns negotiating into joint problem solving. He helps you recognize barriers to cooperation and provides strategies for getting past "No" to a solution that addresses the interests of both parties. Revealing and disclosing those intrests are a key first step. This is a good companion book to Peter Block's "Flawless Consulting". Both empahsize authenticity and understanding resistance as a clue to the other person's concerns and interests.

"How To Be Organized In Spite of Yourself" - Sunny Schjenger and Roberta Roesch

There are many books and tapes out there on better time and space management. We have tried a number of them to varying degrees of success. Sunny and Roberta?s approach is different in it strats with a self assessment of the way you naturally like to work and live. Given that understanding, you are then led to choosing strategies that work with your natural style rather than against it. As an "Everything Out / Hopper", I read this book at least once a year to bring my work habits back on line. For about $10 Canadian, what do you have to loose?

"The Right Mountain: Lessons from Everest on the Real Meaning of Success" - Jim Hayhurst

An easy read and yet a profound book on being clear about setting and attaining your life goals. The author uses his personal story as a member of a Canadian team's Everest expedition to reveal an easily understandable approach to life and career planning. If you want even greater focus on career planning and change, you may want to purchase Mr. Hayhurst's follow-up book "Where Have I Gone Right?: The Right Mountain Guide to Getting the Job and Life You Want". Both books have exercises and space to personalize your life / career reflections, assets and challenges.

"What Color Is Your Parachute? 2010: A Practical Guide for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers" - Richard Nelson Boles

See, we do recommend some American authors. This is simply the most helpful career and job guide on the market. It is updated yearly and has an accompanying website (see our links section). If you want a broader perspective on life and career planning check out the author's earlier work (1970's) The Three Boxes of Life and How to Get Out of Them from your local library. You might be able to buy it used at Amazon.

"Career Intelligence: The 12 New Rules For Career and Life Success" - Barbara Moses

Dr. Moses has a successful consulting practice helping organizations and individuals practice "career activism". Her book is best used with its companion workbook. For recent trends in the Canadian job marketplace and suggestions how to navigate it, get her new book "What Next? The Complete Guide to Taking Control of your Working Life". In our opinion, the first work is better, fundamental advice per dollar spent.