Ten books every consultant should read

The average person in the UK spends almost 3 hours a day on their smartphone1. That’s 53 minutes below the global average but it still adds up to well over an entire waking day a week. And, as we are increasingly bombarded with notifications, updates, and fast entertainment, we are being primed to seek instant gratification, whilst our ability to concentrate and focus decreases2.

Engaging in deep reading and focusing on longer texts can improve brain connectivity and function. Professionals who practised sustained attention and deep focus were found to perform better academically and professionally3. And, studies have demonstrated benefits for our mental well-being and stress levels too.

The message? Put down your phone and pick up a book.

With this in mind, I've curated 'The Honeycomb Bookshelf' - a list of ten books for consultants. These are a mix of personal favourites and those that come highly recommended by our Trainers at Honeycomb Consulting Skills Training . If you are going to commit to a ‘deep read’ you may as well make sure it’s a valuable one.

I’d love to know if you have any other contenders for the list…

#1 The Pyramid Principle: Logic in Writing and Thinking by Barbara Minto 

An international best-seller on how to think creatively, reason lucidly and produce crisp, clear, compelling business writing. The Pyramid Principle is a hierarchical structure to create a conclusion-led, top-down, data-supported storyline.  You lead with the recommendation, then state each of the conclusions backed by layers of supporting evidence.

#2 The Trusted Advisor by David H. Maister

Maister suggests the key to professional success goes well beyond technical mastery or expertise. This book highlights the importance of trust in professional relationships. Readers will learn the five crucial steps for developing, managing and improving client confidence, and explore The Trust Equation which states that trust is built through a combination of credibility, reliability, and intimacy, but can be undermined by high self-orientation.

#3 Storytelling with Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic

Storytelling is not an inherent skill, especially when it comes to data visualisation, and the tools at our disposal don't make it any easier. This book demonstrates how to go beyond conventional tools to reach the root of your data, and how to use your data to create an engaging, informative, compelling story. Your slides will never be the same again.

#4 The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp

A distillation of decades of work with CEOs and other leaders. These pages contain a comprehensive road map to guide you to shift from fear-based to trust-based leadership. Once you learn and start practising conscious leadership you’ll get results in the form of more energy, clarity, focus and healthier relationships. This infographic gives you a taste of what’s in store…

#5 The Pattern Seekers: A New Theory of Human Invention by Simon Baron-Cohen

Why can humans alone invent? Baron-Cohen puts forward a bold new theory: because we can identify patterns, specifically if-and-then patterns. He argues that the genes for this unique ability overlap with the genes for autism and have driven human progress for 70,000 years. Will you recognise yourself, or those you work with, in this celebration of human cognitive diversity which challenges us to think differently about those who think differently?

#6 Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman

An introduction to the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a practical methodology designed to help business leaders achieve clarity, growth, and success. Wickman provides actionable tools and techniques for each of the six components he identifies. A must-read for anyone looking to transform their business and achieve sustainable growth.

#7 The Irresistible Consultant's Guide to Winning Clients: 6 Steps to Unlimited Clients & Financial Freedom by David A. Fields

A practical and insightful roadmap for consultants seeking to build a steady stream of clients and achieve financial freedom. The book is structured around six core steps that form the foundation of a successful consulting practice. These steps are designed to help consultants attract, win, and retain clients consistently.

#8 To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Persuading, Convincing, and Influencing Others by Daniel H. Pink

Pink explores the concept that everyone, regardless of their profession, is involved in sales. He argues that the skills required to sell—persuasion, convincing, and influencing—are essential in everyday life, whether you're pitching an idea, negotiating a deal, or motivating others. He dismantles traditional notions of sales and presents a fresh perspective, grounded in social science research.

#9 The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

A groundbreaking self-help book that presents a principle-centred approach for solving personal and professional problems. Covey outlines seven habits that successful people practise to achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives.

#10 Bulletproof Problem Solving: The One Skill That Changes Everything by Charles Conn and Robert McLean

A comprehensive guide to mastering the essential skill of problem-solving. The authors present a structured seven-step approach to tackle complex challenges effectively and through real-world examples and practical tools, demonstrate how this approach can be applied across various domains - personal and professional.

So, that’s The Honeycomb Bookshelf. I hope you may have found inspiration to get stuck in to a ‘deep read’ and that the pages of these books may prove valuable for you personally and professionally.

Have you read any of these already? What are your thoughts on them? Do you have any others to add to the shelf?

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I'm Deri Hughes, founder and MD of Honeycomb Consulting Skills Training.

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1

Time Spent Using Smartphones (2024 Statistics) (explodingtopics.com)

2

According to a survey by the digital marketing company Prezi (2018), 49% of respondents felt their attention spans were shorter than they used to be, and 51% said they struggled to focus on work tasks due to digital distractions.

3

‘Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World’ by Cal Newport, and various studies inc. publications in Harvard Business Review, Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, Psychological Science, and Journal of Educational Psychology.