If You Want More Out – Pour More In
I’m recommending these three books for Leadership Freaks.
Reading is one way to pour into your leadership.
Currently reading:
Ask More: The Power of Questions to Open Doors, Uncover Solutions, and Spark Change, Frank Sesno
I’m curious by passion and profession. My favorite part of Sesno’s book is the eleven categories of questions he explains. He even convinced me that there’s a place for yes or no questions*.
- Diagnostic questions.
- Strategic questions.
- Empathy questions.
- Bridging questions.
- Confrontational questions*.
- Creativity questions.
- Mission questions.
- Scientific questions.
- Interview questions.
- Entertaining questions.
- Legacy questions.
“Questions help us break down barriers, discover secrets, solve puzzles, and imagine new ways of doing things.” Frank Sesno
Recent reading:
Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen, Donald Miller
Story Brand isn’t simply a book about branding. Miller helps readers clarify what they actually do. Clarity is power. I’ve read this book twice and will refer to it in the future.
My favorite part of the book, other than for helping me find clarity, is Miller’s explanation of compelling stories. Your story is compelling when:
- You win some sort of power or position. Superhero stories illustrate this type of narrative.
- You connect with someone or something that makes you whole in a new way.
- You experience some sort of self-realization or insight that makes you more fully you.
Leaders create compelling stories.
Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges, Amy Cuddy
Amy’s explanations of how posture, behavior, and environment impact thinking and attitude were fascinating. She’s famous for explaining the power of the Wonder Woman pose. Her Ted Talk, “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are,” has been viewed over 44 million times.
My favorite part of Cuddy’s work is how she weaves her personal tragedy into the book.
What leadership books might you recommend?
P.S. Branding and presence weren’t interesting to me until I read Storybrand and Presence.
The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn. Short, easy read about Servant-Leadership; highly recommended by this old, Air Force veteran.
Thanks for sharing Dan!
I’d say that K. Anders-Ericcson’s book “Peak: The New Science of Expertise” and Carol Dweck’s “Mindset” were probably the most helpful leadership books I’ve read this year.
While neither are designed specifically as leadership books, they were transforming in how I approach my life and leadership.
I highly recommend reading them closely together, as they are a powerful 1-2 punch!
Thanks Lawrence. I’ve read both. They are fantastic.
Nice recommendations. Thanks
“It’s Your Ship” by Capt. D. Michael Abrashoff. How a Naval Officer turned one of the worst-rated ships in the Navy into one that was a model of efficiency. He used many techniques that have been spoken of in these posts, especially those of communication, listening aggressively, focusing on purpose and, contrary to military tradition, having the crew assuming “ownership” of their ship. A truly inspiring story, especially when the style of leadership in the military can be one of “do what you’re told, or else….”