The Surgeon’s Bookshelf
Books that have shaped my approach to surgery, leadership, and decision-making. These are the titles I return to and recommend to mentees and colleagues.
Leadership & Decision-Making
The definitive book on leadership accountability. If you lead a team, this is required reading.
A foundational text on leadership principles. Essential reading for anyone building teams or mentoring others.
Why some teams pull together and others don't. The biology and psychology of trust in leadership.
A leadership fable that diagnoses exactly why teams fail. I've seen every dysfunction in healthcare settings.
Decision-making under uncertainty—exactly what surgeons and leaders face daily. A framework for better choices.
The OKR framework that drives Google and Intel. Essential for setting and achieving ambitious goals.
The secrets of highly successful groups. How to build a culture of safety, vulnerability, and purpose.
Psychological safety in the workplace. Critical for healthcare teams where speaking up can save lives.
The foundational text on leading by serving others first. A philosophy that transforms organizations.
A clear-eyed look at how power actually works. Uncomfortable truths every leader needs to understand.
Why helping others drives our success. The surprising power of generosity in professional life.
Personal Development
Self-mastery is the foundation of surgical excellence and leadership. Discipline isn't restrictive—it's liberating.
Passion and perseverance matter more than talent. The research behind what it takes to achieve long-term goals.
The story of success. Why context, timing, and 10,000 hours matter more than we think.
How to control your attention and choose your life. Essential in an age of constant distraction.
Mental toughness taken to the extreme. A raw, unfiltered look at pushing past self-imposed limitations.
Time management for mortals. A philosophical take on making the most of our limited time on earth.
Small changes, remarkable results. The science of habit formation applied to personal and professional excellence.
Negotiation
High-stakes negotiation from a former FBI hostage negotiator. Essential for difficult conversations in any field.
Negotiation is a daily reality in medicine—with patients, colleagues, and administration. This is the playbook.
How to negotiate to achieve your goals in the real world. Practical strategies that work in everyday situations.
Inside secrets from a master negotiator. Tactics and strategies for winning at the negotiating table.
Medical & Healthcare
A surgeon's notes on an imperfect science. Honest reflections on the uncertainty and humanity of medicine.
A surgeon's notes on performance. What it takes to be good at something that matters.
The dark history of medical experimentation on Black Americans. Essential context for understanding healthcare disparities.
Faith & Purpose
Purpose precedes performance. Understanding your "why" is foundational to everything else.
Reversing our tragic neglect of the Holy Spirit. A call to live with supernatural power and purpose.
Values-driven leadership from the former president of World Vision. Faith and work integrated.
7 biblical principles for being purposeful, present, and wildly productive. Time management through a faith lens.
Finance & Wealth
Wealth is about behavior, not intelligence. Timeless lessons on risk, patience, and financial decision-making.
Your road map to financial independence. Simple, no-nonsense investing advice that actually works.
The surprising secrets of America's wealthy. Spoiler: it's about frugality, not flash.
A doctor's guide to personal finance and investing. Written specifically for high-income professionals.