Books specifically about how to design presentations are great for becoming a better presenter, but there are also quite a few non-presentation books that’ll inspire you and teach a ton about delivering a killer presentation as well. After all, presenting is really about how to lead and communicate effectively, so books that teach tips on writing, persuasion, and relationship-building (just to name a few) have a lot of value to offer you on the presentation front.
The following books aren’t directly related to presentation design, but you’re guaranteed to become a better presenter after reading them.
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg
One of the most difficult aspects of writing is simply sitting down to do it. This book combats that paralysis with highly motivational tips and tricks that’ll help you quiet your inner-editor and strengthen your ability to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). It’s less about perfecting your craft and more about how to overcome the mental blocks that prevent us from moving forward.
Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind by Jocelyn K. Gei
Whether you’re looking to improve your presentation prowess or you simply want to be more effective every day, you need this book in your life. In it, you’ll discover how to break overwhelming projects into easy-to-tackle tasks, how to prioritize creative habits when the spark of inspiration hits, and how to cultivate your best work environment among many other life-enhancing tips and techniques.
Who’s Got Your Back: The Breakthrough Program to Build Deep, Trusting Relationships That Create Success—and Won’t Let You Fail by Keith Ferrazzi
If you want to succeed in any business, you need to have a firm grasp of how to build lasting relationships. Our culture has a habit of prioritizing the individual over community, but as you’ll learn in this book, deep social bonds are a major predictor of a business’ success. You’ll also learn about four core mindsets—generosity, vulnerability, candor, and accountability—and how to apply them to strengthen all of your relationship, personal and professional.
Creativity On Demand: How to Ignite and Sustain the Fire of Genius by Michael Gelb
This little book is a quick, fun read that’s packed with valuable tips for harnessing the ever-elusive spark of creativity whenever it arrives. It discusses why energy is key, the importance of self-compassion for creative freedom, and how engaging in play can open all kinds of doors for creative exploration. If you’re in a creative slump, there’s no better place to turn than the pages of this book.
Turning Pro: Tap Your Inner Power and Create Your Life’s Work by Steven Pressfield
We recommend all of Steven Pressfield’s books for living your best life, but this one could be the best. It’ll inspire you to take control of your life and carve out a unique path that leads to satisfaction and fulfillment. You’ll learn how to step out of a victim mentality and into a thriver mentality that’ll propel you to realizing your loftiest goals. Plus, it’s a super fun read that’s truly tough to put down.
Looking for more ways to unlock your potential? Then check out our bookshelf and Badge Assessment to discover your unique presentation persona.
