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8 GOOD READS EXPAND YOUR SKILLS, GAIN INSIGHT, AND GET INSPIRED WITH THESE TOP PICKS. Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio Fortune magazine named Bridgewater Associates the fifth most important private company in the United States, and Time magazine named Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. In Principles: Life and Work, Dalio shares his set of unique philosophies that have led to Bridgewater's effective culture, which he describes as "an idea meritocracy that strives to achieve meaningful work and meaningful relationships through radical transparency." According to Dalio, life, management, economics, and investing can all be broken down into rules and understood like machines. Dalio's book features hundreds of life lessons for all types of situations, from decision-making to team-building and leadership. Dalio also lists practical tools used by Bridgewater such as creating "baseball cards" for all employees that distill their strengths and weaknesses, and employing computerized decision-making systems to make believability- weighted decisions. Eye Contact: The Power of Personal Connection by Brian Grazer Imagine Entertainment co- founder Brian Grazer discusses his secrets to developing relationships, becoming more confident, and winning negotiations through the power of personal connection in Eye Contact: e Power of Personal Connection. Grazer shares his personal experiences of how the simple act of eye contact can make all the difference in your daily life, offering examples ranging from conversations with President George W. Bush, conferences with Bill Gates, and countless other celebrity encounters. Grazer discusses how eye contact has the power to offer validation, show generosity, create intimacy, and—most importantly—establish genuine human connection. Even as technology takes on a bigger role in our lives, from self-driving cars to the smartphones in our pockets, no machine will ever be able to replace the unique and powerful benefits of eye contact. Every Tool's a Hammer: Life Is What You Make It by Adam Savage Adam Savage is a television host, educator, and, most importantly, a maker. In his book, Savage discusses how creativity is a process that cannot wait. Savage doesn't just offer tips on prolonging the life of blades or how to properly use screws in a building project; he also discusses how to handle screw-ups in any project. Weaving together personal stories, original sketches and photographs from some of his most memorable projects, and interviews with many of his iconic and visionary friends in the arts and sciences— including Pixar director Andrew Stanton, Nick Offerman, Oscar winner Guillermo Del Toro, artist Tom Sachs, and chef Traci Des Jardins—Savage demonstrate the many lessons he has picked up from a lifetime of making. Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life ... And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven Admiral William H. McRaven's book is inspired by his speech given to University of Texas graduates on May 17, 2014. Make Your Bed dives into 10 principles McRaven learned during his Navy Seal training that have helped him overcome challenges not only during his long Naval career, but also throughout his life as a whole. According to McRaven, these small changes—as simple as making your bed every day—can lead to life-changing alterations for yourself and for the world. Admiral McRaven's original speech went viral with over 10 million views on YouTube, and in his book, McRaven shares personal experiences from both his own life and the lives of those he's encountered over the years, revealing how the right mindset can change everything.

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