We asked industry experts to share the best professional development resource (book, course, workshop, etc.) they’ve invested in—whether it was a book, a course, a workshop, or something else. Here are the professional development resources that have transformed careers across various industries.
- DevOps Book Transforms IT Service Management
- Google’s Mindfulness Program Enhances Leadership Skills
- Small Actions Create Lasting Change
- Category Design Reshapes Business Strategy
- Business Program Elevates Practice Management
- Creativity Book Inspires Entrepreneurial Leap
- Workshop Sparks Business Model Transformation
- Negotiation Book Enhances Communication Across Operations
- Public Speaking Workshop Refines Company Message
- Intensive Program Rewires Problem-Solving Approach
- Specialized Therapy Courses Expand Treatment Options
- Decision-Making Book Sharpens Strategic Thinking
- Customer Interview Guide Improves Business Conversations
- Couples Therapy Training Revolutionizes Relationship Counseling
- Digital Marketing Program Builds Comprehensive Skills
- Business Coach Guides Solo Attorney to CEO
- AI Course Shifts Thinking Across Industries
17 Professional Development Resources from Experts
DevOps Book Transforms IT Service Management
The most valuable professional development resource I’ve invested in has been “The Phoenix Project” by Gene Kim. This book completely transformed how I approach IT service management by introducing me to DevOps principles through an engaging narrative that mirrors real-world IT challenges.
After reading it, I restructured our service delivery, implementing cross-functional teams that reduced our incident response times by 37%. The book helped me bridge the gap between technical operations and business objectives—something crucial when explaining complex cloud security solutions to our small business clients.
What made this resource particularly impactful was its practical framework for identifying and eliminating bottlenecks. I applied these concepts when developing our managed security services, focusing on automating repetitive tasks, which allowed my team to concentrate on high-value client work instead of routine maintenance.
For anyone in IT leadership, I’d recommend resources that balance technical knowledge with business strategy. The ROI becomes obvious when you can translate technical concepts into business value for clients—we’ve retained 92% of our customers by focusing on this communication approach, which I learned directly from applying the principles in this book.
Mitch Johnson
CEO, Prolink IT Services
Google’s Mindfulness Program Enhances Leadership Skills
The best professional development resource I have invested in is the “Search Inside Yourself” program, which was developed at Google. It focuses deeply on emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and compassionate leadership skills backed by neuroscience.
This program has improved my coaching effectiveness by helping me cultivate better emotional awareness, empathy, and stronger interpersonal communication. Mindfulness training allowed me to remain genuinely present and attentive during sessions, improving my listening skills, emotional clarity, and responsiveness with clients. The emotional intelligence practices helped me clearly understand others’ perspectives and emotions by creating a more comfortable and supportive space for clients to openly discuss challenges and explore solutions.
In the long term, beyond the improvements as a coach, it also impacted my leadership, confidence, personal well-being, and professional relationships overall. I highly recommend this course for anyone looking to deepen their emotional intelligence and mindfulness skills, which are two qualities I believe are essential to master for meaningful professional and personal growth.
Bayu Prihandito
Psychology Consultant, Life Coach, Founder, Life Architekture
Small Actions Create Lasting Change
Reading “Atomic Habits” gave me a language for something I’d felt but never articulated: progress is about systems, not motivation. I always believed I needed to feel inspired to take action, but that book flipped that idea upside down. It helped me see that habits aren’t built on bursts of energy or perfect conditions; they’re built on showing up consistently, even when it’s not glamorous. That was a major breakthrough for me both personally and professionally.
I started focusing on small, repeatable actions instead of big swings or overhauls. Whether it was how I structured my mornings, held team check-ins, or approached long-term goals, I realized that real change happens when you commit to the process, not just the outcome. That shift brought structure to how I work and lead; it took pressure off needing to be “on” all the time and replaced it with something sustainable. Over time, those small systems stacked up and created momentum that no amount of motivation alone ever could.
It also changed how I coach others. Instead of pushing people to “try harder,” I now encourage them to build habits that support who they want to become. Consistency won out over intensity, and that’s made all the difference in how I grow, how I lead, and how I help others level up too.
Maddy Nahigyan
Chief Operating Officer, Ocean Recovery
Category Design Reshapes Business Strategy
What I really think is the best professional development investment I made was joining “Category Pirates” by Christopher Lochhead. It is not a traditional course or workshop. It is a deep, ongoing education in how to think like a category designer rather than just a marketer or service provider.
The biggest shift it created for me was in how I position both myself and my clients. Instead of competing in existing categories, I started focusing on creating new ones. That thinking directly shaped how I launched my one-on-one strategy sprints and the way we now frame offers at Blushush.
It helped me stop selling deliverables and start selling outcomes that feel differentiated. That alone led to a 40 percent increase in close rates over six months. If you are in branding, product, or strategy and want to lead instead of follow, this is the mindset shift you need.
Sahil Gandhi
Co-Founder & CMO, Eyda Homes
Business Program Elevates Practice Management
The most valuable professional development investment I’ve made was joining the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses National Cohort 22. As someone who scaled a psychological practice from solo to multi-location with training programs, the intensive business education transformed how I approach growth.
What made it exceptional was learning alongside diverse business owners facing similar scaling challenges. The program taught me to think beyond clinical excellence to create systems that support it—like developing our APPIC-membership training programs that simultaneously improve service quality while addressing the psychologist shortage pipeline.
The ROI has been substantial: we expanded to three locations (Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe, San Jose), successfully transitioned to a concierge assessment model that eliminated waitlists (a major industry pain point), and created a workplace culture that attracts top talent. Our training program has become self-sustaining, with doctoral interns eventually becoming staff psychologists.
For practice owners specifically, I’d recommend investing in education that focuses on scaling systems rather than just clinical skills. Look for programs where you’re learning alongside other business owners outside your industry—some of our most innovative solutions (like our observation rooms and training design) came from cross-industry inspiration.
Erika Frieze
Owner & CEO, Bridges of the Mind
Creativity Book Inspires Entrepreneurial Leap
For me, the most powerful professional development resource wasn’t a business course or leadership workshop—it was Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” (and later “Vein of Gold”). These books didn’t just inspire creativity; they liberated it. They helped me understand that personal development is not separate from professional growth—it fuels it.
“The Artist’s Way” gave me the tools to listen to my inner voice, to trust it, and ultimately to make a literal leap of faith. In 1993, I left a secure union job with stellar benefits—healthcare, eyecare, dental, a SEP-IRA, and even a pension—to join Mark Schulze at the helm of a young, scrappy entrepreneurial venture: Crystal Pyramid Productions.
From 1987 until that leap, I had been essentially funding the company with my steady paychecks. But Julia Cameron’s work helped me reframe my sense of worth and possibility. I realized that if I didn’t take the leap then, I might never do it. Her guidance taught me that stepping into a creative life means embracing risk—but also reaping the deep, personal fulfillment that comes with building something meaningful and true.
That decision changed everything. It didn’t just launch my career in video production—it launched a lifelong creative partnership and a life of passion-fueled purpose.
Patty Mooney
Producer, Editor, Content Creator, San Diego Video Production
Workshop Sparks Business Model Transformation
For me, it was attending Alex Hormozi’s Scaling Workshop in Las Vegas.
I walked in thinking I had things figured out—and then realized I was probably the most behind person in the room. But honestly? That was the most powerful part.
Being surrounded by entrepreneurs who were further ahead pushed me to stop playing small. It made me take a hard look at what I was offering, how I was pricing, and how I was running my business.
I saw where I was holding myself back—not because I didn’t have the skills, but because I wasn’t fully owning my value.
That workshop gave me the clarity and confidence to shift my entire business model. I walked away knowing exactly what needed to change—and finally gave myself permission to lead like the CEO I am.
Cindy Kumar
CEO, CPA, Fractional CFO, Elevated Accounting
Negotiation Book Enhances Communication Across Operations
The most transformative professional development resource in my career wasn’t a traditional business book but “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss, the former FBI hostage negotiator.
As someone leading moving and logistics operations, I initially underestimated how relevant negotiation psychology would be across every aspect of business leadership.
The tactical communication frameworks from this book fundamentally changed how I approach high-stakes conversations with employees, partners, and customers.
Learning to use calibrated questions, tactical empathy, and mirroring techniques allowed me to navigate complex negotiations far more effectively.
For example, when facing a critical vendor dispute that threatened our peak season capacity, applying these principles helped uncover underlying concerns that weren’t surfacing in traditional discussions, ultimately saving a partnership worth millions.
What distinguished this resource from countless others was its immediate applicability. The morning after reading about the “how” question technique, I used it in a difficult employee conversation, completely transforming the outcome.
While many business books offer theoretical frameworks, this one provided practical communication tools I’ve used daily for years. The return on this $20 investment has been immeasurable in both financial outcomes and leadership effectiveness.
Vidyadhar Garapati
CEO, Movers.com
Public Speaking Workshop Refines Company Message
One of the most valuable professional development resources I’ve invested in was a public speaking workshop.
Before that, I had a strong grasp of product and hiring, but I struggled to clearly articulate our company’s mission in a way that resonated with job seekers, investors, or even our own team. The workshop forced me to strip away filler, focus on the message, and speak with not just confidence but also clarity.
It taught me how to take complex ideas and explain them simply; to the point where I can break down industry jargon in a way that even a five-year-old could follow. That skill has stayed with me. Whether I’m speaking to potential clients, investors, or vendors, I rely on that same clarity to make sure our message lands.
More importantly, it helped me clarify our positioning. It shaped the way I talk to candidates, pitch partnerships, and even how I write career advice. We eventually built that same clarity into our resume tool because I saw how powerful it is when you get straight to the point.
Stephen Greet
CEO & Co-Founder, BeamJobs
Intensive Program Rewires Problem-Solving Approach
I really think “The AltMBA” by Seth Godin was the most transformative professional development investment I ever made.
Unlike traditional courses that spoon-feed content, this program throws you into a firestorm of writing, shipping, and collaborating with a cohort of sharp, driven people. No grades. No lectures. Just intense deadlines, constant feedback, and a huge focus on thinking better, not just learning more.
The biggest benefit? It rewired how I approach problems and make decisions. Before, I used to wait for perfect information before acting. After AltMBA, I started launching faster, iterating publicly, and trusting the process over perfection. That mindset shift directly helped me lead a rebrand project under serious time pressure—and the end result outperformed every previous campaign we had done.
It also gave me a global network of people who still challenge and support me years later. So yeah, if you’re ready to level up in how you think, not just what you know, The AltMBA is a game-changer.
Vaibhav Kishnani
Founder & CEO, Content-Whale
Specialized Therapy Courses Expand Treatment Options
One of the pivotal investments I’ve made in my professional development is the EMDR Refresher Course at the Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy. This course has strengthened my use of EMDR’s 8-phase standard protocol, enriching my skills in assessment and case conceptualization. It has allowed me to expand my practice to effectively work with adolescent populations, enhancing my versatility as a therapist.
Additionally, training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy has been invaluable. It has deepened my understanding of trauma’s impact on the body and improved my ability to support clients in processing stress responses trapped in their nervous system. This has made my sessions more impactful, leading to substantial progress in clients who previously felt stuck using traditional talk therapy alone.
The integration of Polyvagal Theory and the Safe and Sound Protocol into my approach has also been transformative. This specialized knowledge allows me to help clients better regulate their nervous systems, leading to improved emotional regulation and the amelioration of trauma symptoms. These resources have helped me provide a more holistic approach to therapy, emphasizing healing not just at the cognitive level but within the body’s own language.
Lauren Hogsett Steele
Therapist, Pittsburgh Center for Integrative Therapy
Decision-Making Book Sharpens Strategic Thinking
For me, that shift came from a book, not a course. It was “The Art of Thinking Clearly” by Rolf Dobelli. Not flashy. Not hyped. But it changed the way I approached decision-making in business and in life. At first, it just felt like a clever collection of mental traps we all fall into. But then, it started to rewire how I looked at strategy meetings, hiring decisions, even investments.
Let’s say you’re launching a product. You think everyone will want it because your friends said it’s great. That’s confirmation bias. If you don’t catch that, you’ll sink time and money into something built on shaky ground. This book helped me slow that reaction. It taught me to ask, “What am I not seeing?” And that single question has probably saved clients and my own firm millions over the years.
Think about how much of our day is spent making small calls: who to trust, what project to greenlight, which risks to take. In fast-moving markets, being wrong is expensive. Before I built my consulting firm, I relied a lot on instincts. But instincts get noisy when pressure kicks in. What Dobelli gave me was a set of filters—a way to step back and see patterns I used to miss. That clarity made me a better strategist, a sharper negotiator, and a calmer leader when things got messy.
We live in a world packed with information, but low on wisdom. And a lot of development tools out there just pile on more noise. What I found valuable wasn’t more content—it was perspective. Something that cuts through the clutter and helps you think better, faster, and cleaner. Whether you’re a business owner, team lead, or just figuring out your next move, sharpening your thinking is the closest thing you’ll get to a cheat code.
Don’t just look for knowledge—look for tools that change how you see. That’s the edge. Sometimes, the smallest shift in thinking can unlock the biggest results.
Justin Abrams
Founder & CEO, Aryo Consulting Group
Customer Interview Guide Improves Business Conversations
The best ROI I’ve ever achieved was from “The Mom Test” by Rob Fitzpatrick. It’s a concise book about how to ask better questions—especially in customer interviews—but honestly, it has improved every conversation I have.
Most people ask questions that fish for compliments. “The Mom Test” teaches you to ask questions that dig for truth. I use it in sales calls, user research, and even team feedback. It helps avoid wasted time building things people say they want but won’t actually use.
If your job involves talking to humans (hint: that’s most jobs), learning to ask sharper questions is a cheat code. This book paid for itself in the first awkward customer chat I didn’t mess up.
Borets Stamenov
Co-Founder & CEO, SeekFast
Couples Therapy Training Revolutionizes Relationship Counseling
As a therapist focused on intimacy and relationships, the most valuable professional development resource I’ve invested in has been certification training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). This evidence-based approach has revolutionized how I work with couples by providing concrete strategies to transform negative interaction patterns and foster secure attachment bonds.
The EFT training has directly impacted my practice at Revive Intimacy, allowing me to help couples who repeatedly have the same fights move beyond surface issues to address underlying emotional needs. In one case, a couple struggling with intimacy issues related to erectile dysfunction made remarkable progress when we shifted from focusing on the physical symptom to exploring the emotional disconnection beneath it.
For therapists looking to elevate their couples work, I’d highly recommend investing in specialized training that aligns with their clinical interests. My pursuit of additional certifications in sex therapy has created a judgment-free space where clients can explore sexual orientation and preferences without shame, significantly expanding my ability to serve diverse populations in Austin.
What made EFT particularly valuable was its systemic perspective, which recognizes how individuals operate within relationship contexts—mirroring my therapeutic philosophy of seeing clients as part of interconnected systems. This framework helps clients understand their reactions, develop new patterns of communication, and ultimately revive intimacy in ways they previously thought impossible.
Utkala Maringanti
Owner, Revive Intimacy
Digital Marketing Program Builds Comprehensive Skills
My choice would be CareerFoundry’s Digital Marketing Program. This program offered a hands-on, project-based approach that helped me learn by doing, teaching strategies I will never forget!
What I liked the most was that they taught me how to build a FULL CAMPAIGN from start to finish. They explained the theory and had me create buyer personas, design landing pages, write email sequences, and even analyze results using real tools like Google Analytics and SEMrush. It was the first time I felt like I could actually see how digital marketing worked across channels, not just in isolated efforts. And it came at a time when I was just building my career in digital marketing. It was such a lifesaver!
Since finishing the program, I’ve handled our marketing in-house with a lot more confidence. I’ve also been able to test campaigns faster, make sense of data, and adjust strategies based on results. It’s saved us money and helped us grow more sustainably.
Aaron Whittaker
VP of Demand Generation & Marketing, Thrive Digital Marketing Agency
Business Coach Guides Solo Attorney to CEO
The best professional development investment I ever made was hiring a business coach. At the time, I didn’t set out with a grand vision of owning a law firm—I started in the legal field out of necessity. I had just been fired from my previous job and needed to find a path forward. That’s when I accepted a position as an insurance adjuster for Travelers Insurance, working in the Special Liability Group. I handled complex cases involving asbestos, lead paint, trucking accidents, and more. It gave me a strong foundation in claims and litigation strategy from the defense side. After law school and being admitted to the bar in Maryland and the U.S. District Court, I launched my legal career as a prosecutor in the Baltimore City State’s Attorney’s Office, handling criminal, DUI, juvenile, and traffic cases.
But it wasn’t until I worked with a business coach that I began to think bigger. That experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and challenged me to set specific, measurable goals—not just for my legal career, but for the kind of business and culture I wanted to build. The coach helped me shift my mindset from being a lawyer to being a leader. That guidance was critical in helping me grow from a solo attorney into the CEO of a thriving, full-service law firm. Today, I’m proud to inspire and lead a team of dedicated professionals who share my commitment to working hard and making a meaningful impact. The business coach didn’t just improve my career–it completely changed the trajectory of my life.
Ross Albers
Founder & CEO, Albers & Associates
AI Course Shifts Thinking Across Industries
One of my best professional development investments was an MIT Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning course. It completely shifted my thinking about data, innovation, and decision-making—not just for tech-driven brands but across all my businesses.
It helped me integrate more analytical thinking into my creative and strategic work, giving me a serious edge in client consulting, brand positioning, and product development. That course gave me language and frameworks that elevated how I present myself as a thought leader and made me more confident stepping into higher-level conversations around technology, growth, and scale.
Kristin Marquet
Founder & Creative Director, Marquet Media
