Plamen Balkanski & Network
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  • Home
  • Why hire us
    • Outcome Driven Innovation
    • Better Software Delivery
    • Continuous Innovation
  • Resources
    • Blog
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    • Privacy
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Books recommended by Plamen

Books by Plamen

I am currently working on a couple of projects that might result in self published books. 
​At present I cannot share more details but hope to have the first one up on LeanPub in the near future.
​
​In the meantime I have a few books I would recommend to anyone with similar interests.

Top Books recommended by Plamen

These have been reviewed and updated in 2025 with my latest preferences.
As I was compiling these lists it dawned on me that listing just five books in each category is a very very difficult task!
I was really tempted to extend the number, however I eventually decided that it would be more beneficial if I stick to five books per category because that way I am forced to choose between titles therefore hopefully choosing the better books for my top 5.  Over time, I will aim to evolve this list and if I have more recommendations then I might blog about them some day.
​
  • Books about self improvement
    • 1. The Ultimate Introduction to NLP: How to Build a Successful Life by R. Bandler, A. Roberti and O. Fitzpatrick
    • 2. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain
    • 3. Your Brain at Work by David Rock
    • 4. Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone by Mark Goulston
    • 5. The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz
    • 6. Deviate by Beau Lotto
    • 7. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
    • 8. The circadian code by Dr. Satchin Panda
 
  • Books for building a business
    • 1. Stewardship: Choosing Service over Self-Interest by Peter Block
    • 2. The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller , Jay Papasan
    • 3. Influence: science and practice by Robert Cialdini
    • 4. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
    • 5. Jobs to be done by Tony Ulwick
    • 6. Reinventing Organisations by Frederic Laloux 
 
  • Books for Delivery leads/Scrum Masters
    • 1. Extreme Programming Explained: Embrace Change by Kent Beck
    • 2. Accelerate: The Science of Lean Software and Devops by Nicole Forsgren and Jez Humble
    • 3. The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu M. Goldratt 
    • 4. The Phoenix Project by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr and George Spafford
    • 5. A Beautiful Constraint by Adam Morgan and, Mark Barden
    • ​6. Toyota Kata by Mike Rother
    • 7. When Will It Be Done? by Dan Vacanti
 
  • New! (some) Books I'd like to read
    • ​1. The Flaw of Averages by Sam L. Savage
    • 2. Evidence Guided by Itamar Gilad
    • 3. Legacy by James Kerr
    • 4. Power vs. Force by David R. Hawkins
    • 5. The Product-Led Playbook by Wes Bush
    • 6. A Simpler Way by Margaret J. Wheatley
    • 7. Lead Together  by Brent Lowe

I know many of you will already be convinced about the benefits of reading books and if you are in the Agile/Kanban/Lean space, I hope you appreciate these recommendations. However, I also know many people who are not convinced about books.

For me, reading books has many benefits for both your physical and mental health. It can help to improve your vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. Reading can also help you to learn new things, relax, and de-stress. Additionally, reading can help to improve your memory, concentration, and focus.
Here is a list of some of the benefits of reading books that I can think of:
  • Improves vocabulary and comprehension. When you read, you are exposed to new words and phrases. This can help to improve your vocabulary and comprehension.
  • Improves writing skills. Reading can help you to learn about different writing styles and techniques. This can help you to improve your own writing skills.
  • Learn new things. Reading can help you to learn about new cultures, places, and people. It can also help you to learn about different subjects, such as history, science, and math.
  • Relaxes and de-stresses. Reading can be a great way to relax and de-stress. It can help you to forget about your problems for a while and just enjoy a good story.
  • Improves memory, concentration, and focus. Reading can help to improve your memory, concentration, and focus. This is because reading requires you to pay attention to the text and remember what you have read.

​If you are looking for a way to improve your health and well-being, reading books is a great option. It is a fun and enjoyable way to learn new things, relax, and de-stress. So pick up a book today and start enjoying the benefits of reading!

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