Books Recommended by Ola Olusoga
Read the interview: Ola Olusoga
In Ola Olusoga’s words:
Like Charlie Munger once said: “I’ve long believed that a certain system - which almost any intelligent person can learn - works way better than the systems most people use [to understand the world]. What you need is a latticework of mental models in your head. And, with that system, things gradually fit together in a way that enhances cognition. Just as multiple factors shape every system, multiple mental models from a variety of disciplines are necessary to understand that system". You can read this book to start building a "latticework of mental models in your head".
In Ola Olusoga’s words:
There was a moment where I was on a quest for self-discovery. I felt lost and wasn't sure if I was who I was because I made the decision to be me, or if my identity was programmed by culture, society and setting. Because of that, I started reading self-help books to reconstruct identity and mold who I wanted to be. This book helped me.
In Ola Olusoga’s words:
For business, I've read Influence by Robert Cialdini 3 times, and Traction by Gabriel Weinberg twice, so if number of times read indicates favor, then those are it. There are a whole bunch of others, like The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman, Confession of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy, The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss, and Running Lean by Ash Maurya, that I've also enjoyed and recommend to people.
48 books recommended by Ola Olusoga
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Selecting one non-business book is also tough. I recently finished Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, and it was "wow". Always interesting to dive into human behavior and history for clarity on how we got here and why we are the way we are (culture, society, e.t.c)
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
Always take away something new every time I read this book.
Traction: A Startup Guide to Getting Customers
by Gabriel Weinberg, Justin Mares
I've read Influence by Robert Cialdini 3 times, and Traction by Gabriel Weinberg twice, so if number of times read indicates favor, then those are it.
Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies
Guns, Germs, and Steel was also a good one. Most philosophy books also fit my "favorite" bucket.
On the Shortness of Life
by Seneca
Most philosophy books also fit my "favorite" bucket. One in particular that stands out for me is The Shortness of Life by Seneca.
Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist
Recommended if you're interested in learning more about venture capital and fundraising.
Siddhartha
Siddharta by Hermann Hesse gave me a different viewpoint of life, and that point is life has chapters, we grow and evolve but our “souls” are still (timeless) like the river.
Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers
by Dave Gray, Sunni Brown, James Macanufo
Skimmed in the past, rereading. It has great examples of frameworks that help move you from fuzzy ideas to tangible output.
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