Give and Take

Adam Grant, Wharton's youngest tenured professor, sorts people at work into three styles: takers try to get as much as they can, matchers aim for even trades, and givers contribute without expecting a return. Using his own research, he argues that these styles have a large effect on success. Some givers are exploited and burn out, but the rest reach exceptional results across many industries. Grant links the idea to networking, collaboration, influence, negotiation and leadership, with cases including one of America's best networkers, a television creator who worked for years in anonymity, a basketball executive who turned a franchise around, and early warning signs of Enron's collapse. It became a New York Times bestseller.

Simon Sinek called it a good book by a good guy. Network under 40 founder Darrah Brustein said it brings evidence for why giving is the best route to success.