AS WE SPEAK: How To Make Your Point and Have It Stick, by Peter Meyers. (Atria) One of the best books out there for formulating a talk, crafting a message and telling your story. Does a great job at giving you a formula and helping overcome the things that hold you back.

BRAG! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It, by Peggy Klaus. (Warner) Peggy has written a top-notch tool kit–one that tampers with our beliefs about humility by defining bragging as an act of authenticity. Try her exercises to develop your own ‘bragalogue’.

WORKING IDENTITY: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career, by Herminia Ibarra. (Harvard Business Review Press)
An all-around great book for those in career transition. I used this in my last major transition and got a lot of great ideas.

READY TO BE A THOUGHT LEADER?: How to Increase Your Influence, Impact, and Success, by Denise Brosseau. (Wiley) Go from successful executive, professional, or civic leader to respected thought leader. (You didn’t really expect me to create a list like this and not put my own book on it, did you?)

Caroline Dowd-Higgins – a fabulous career coach with her own podcast, reinvention retreats and a great book, This is Not the Career I Ordered.

Dana Manciagli – Dana is the go-to gal for job hunters. She is not shy in her approach, which I appreciate. Her book is Cut the Crap, Get a Job.

Friend of a Friend, by David Burkus – Another approach to building your network from a guy I admire. Check out his other books, too.

Sam Horn – Sam is my mentor and one of the most brilliant people I know. She has a number of great books, including What’s Holding You Back: 30 Days to Having the Courage and Confidence to Do What You Want, Meet Whom You Want, and Go Where You Want (St. Martin’s Griffin) which has excellent strategies and tactics to help you move ahead in your career AND your life.

REINVENTING YOU: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future, by Dorie Clark – Great book for those in career transition. Dorie is a great writer with lots of excellent, workable ideas.

RESONATE: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences, by Nancy Duarte (Wiley) This is a classic book on how to tell great stories and present them effectively. Nancy has several other books on this topic and her company is now offering classes as well.

The Invitation: When You’re Ready To Take Your Next Step, by Mary LoVerde (Westcom Press) – Mary’s highly readable book is an excellent guide for anyone ready to step into a new possibility in their life, career or relationship.

SWITCH: How to Change Things When Change is Hard, by Chip and Dan Heath (Random House) – One of the few books that takes a structured approach to how to create change in the world. Really love all the books these guys write, but this is my favorite.

Women Don’t Ask, by Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever. (Bantam). Explores the personal and societal reasons women seldom ask for what they need, want, and deserve at home and at work–and shows how they can develop this crucial skill. Another one of those books that have influenced a lot of women leaders.

4-HOUR WORKWEEK, by Timothy Ferriss (Harmony). I have heard many successful women leaders tell me how much this book helped them re-think what to focus on and how to get help.