With many of us stuck at home during those uncertain times and grey weather outside the window, there is no better time for self-development and refreshing your winter reading list.

We asked Jean-Pierre Aerts, renowned Programme Director at Solvay Brussels School with over 30 years of experience as a manager, consultant, coach and trainer to share his personal favourite reads on self-development and leadership.

If you're always looking to learn, grow and strive to improve yourself, we bring you Jean-Pierre Aert’s list of books - both on the IQ and EQ fronts - that will help you navigate in multinational business environments, improve your working and personal relationships and spark more creativity:

1. The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels

By Michael D. Watkins.

A hands-on guide offering proven strategies for moving successfully into a new role at any point in one's career. The First 90 Days provides a framework for transition acceleration that will help leaders diagnose their situations, craft winning transition strategies, and take charge quickly.

2. Jobs to Be Done: Theory to Practice

By Anthony W. Ulwick.

An insightful study on outcome-driven innovation with practical, step by step guidance on how to implement a A Jobs-to-be-Done Growth Strategy.

3. Business Model Generation

By Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur.

A learning tool for and handbook on how to systematically understand, design and differentiate your business model

4. The Startup Way: How Modern Companies Use Entrepreneurial Management to Transform Culture and Drive Long-Term Growth

By Eric Ries.

Eric Ries introduces the most crucial entrepreneurial principles that can be used by businesses ranging from established companies to early-stage startups to grow revenues, drive innovation, and emerge as truly modern organisations.

5. Ten Types of Innovation: The Discipline of Building Breakthroughs

By Larry Keeley, Helen Walters, Ryan Pikkel and Brian Quinn.

Authors share innovation principles of the most successful organisations and show how you can use these innovation principles to bring about meaningful—and sustainable—growth within your organisation.

6. The Innovator's Dilemma

By Clayton M. Christensen.

Wall Street Journal, Business Week and New York Times Business bestseller: one of the most thought-provoking and impactful business books ever written.

7. The Discipline of Market Leaders: Choose Your Customers, Narrow Your Focus, Dominate Your Market

By Michael Treacy and Fred Wiersema.

"Discipline of Market Leaders" gives you the right tools to hone your leadership skills and help you create a thriving career. According to Jean-Pierre Aerts: The best self-development book there is. 

8. Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type

By Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger.

Study based on personality types, Do What You Are helps you determine what you need to be more successful and satisfied. It lists dozens of occupations that are popular with people of your type. Through exercises and real-life examples it shows you step-by-step how to use your unique strengths to customise your job search.

9. The Next Level – What Insiders Know About Executive Success

By Scott Eblin.

A very insightful handbook on leadership and business transitions.

10. Overcoming the Five Dysfunctions of a Team – A Field Guide for Leaders, Managers and Facilitators

By Patrick Lencioni.

A very specific, practical guidance for overcoming the Five Dysfunctions — using tools, exercises, assessments and real-world examples this book will help you create a better workplace.

11. The Culture Map: Decoding How People Think, Lead, and Get Things Done Across Cultures

By Erin Meyer.

An excellent read on a field-tested model for decoding how cultural differences impact international business. The author crafted an analytical framework with practical, actionable advice for succeeding in a global world.

12. Managing Transitions: Making The Most of Change

By William Bridges.

Directed at managers on all rungs of the corporate ladder, Managing Transitions provides practical, step-by-step strategies for minimising disruptions and navigating uncertain times.

13. The Imperfect Board Member

By Jim Brown.

A highly engaging book on how boards and directors can improve their performance and cooperate better.

On top of these books, Jean-Pierre Aerts recommends subscribing to newsletters from McKinsey & Company, Bain & Company,... that will keep you updated with the latest business news.

We hope that these reads and resources will help you get on track for a successful 2021!