A Must Read List for Growing Leaders
A client requested a list of resources I referenced in the presentation I gave last Tuesday. Here it is…
- The Leadership Challenge, James Kouzes and Barry Posner “The five functions of leadership.”
- Dare to Lead, Brene’ Brown.
- Daring Greatly, Brene’ Brown. (Vulnerable leadership.)
- Are You Fully Charged, Tom Rath. “11% had a great deal of energy yesterday.”
- Management Time: Who’s Got the Monkey, William Oncken Jr. and Donald L. Wass. (HBR article) “The monkey is the next step.”
- Bad is Stronger than Good, by Roy Baumeister, Ellen Bratslavsky, and Catrin Finkenauer. (Research paper) “You need three positives to balance one negative.”
- Our Brain’s Negative Bias, Hara Estroff Marano. (Online article from Psychology Today) “The brain reacts more strongly to stimuli it deems negative.”
- Praise Is Fleeting, but Brickbats We Recall, Alina Tugend. (New York Times) “… almost everyone remembers negative things more strongly and in more detail.”
- Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman. “Nothing is as important as you think it is, while you are thinking about it.”
- Touch Points, Doug Conant and Mette Norgaard. Reference to 30,000 handwritten thank you notes.
- StrengthsFinder 2.0, Tom Rath.
- What Makes Michael Phelps So Good? Adam Hadhazy. (Scientific American) “Energy in strengths.”
- When, Daniel Pink. “The last 10 minutes of the day.”
- Everyday Leadership, Drew Dudley. (YouTube video)
- Radical Candor, Kim Scott. “Care personal. Challenge directly.”
- It’s Hard to be Humble, Mac Davis. (YouTube video)
- The No Asshole Rule, Robert Sutton.
- Scaling Up Excellence, Robert Sutton and Huggy Rao. – “What if I’m wrong?”
- The Outward Mindset, Arbinger Institute. – “Intense curiosity about people.”
- Mindset, Carol Dweck. – “What did you learn?”
- Focus, Heidi Grant. Insights into promoters and protectors. (Doers and Dreamers)
- No Respect, Rodney Dangerfield. (YouTube video)
- Start with Why, Simon Sinek. “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”
What leadership book or resource has helped you develop as a leader?
Bonus: I also met with the Directors of the region. You might find Amy Edmondson’s, The Fearless Organization, useful. “Building safe environments.”
21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell
Definitely. The Law of the Lid that’s in the book is transformative.
The one book on leadership I have read and reread is “It’s Your Ship” by Captain Michael Abrashoff. How to manage people to go from the worst to the best ship in the Navy.
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Thanks!
Definitely Extreme Leadership. I’d add:
– The Leader Who Had No Title, Robin Sharma
– The Five Conflicts of a Team, Patrick Lencioni
– Good to Great, Jim Collins
– Peak and Valleys, Spencer Johnson.
Transitions by William Bridges offers the psychological impact of change
Thanks Steve. That’s been out awhile. But it is definitely worth the read.
but all leader are the reader, I like it
Hi Dan,
Check this man out when you have time to do so.
Mark Matteson: http://www.sparkingsuccess.net
Chuck Blouse
Start with Why is a phenominal read. I would also add The leadership Killer by Bill Treasurer and Capt. John Havlik, it has been an interesting and revealing read for me.
Thanks David. Yes, The Leadership Killer focuses on one of my favorite topics – ego.
Strangely enough I would say, “The 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers: Becoming the Father Your Children Need” by Ken Canfield; that set my thought pattern, my focus and my passion up to take it to work, to tasks and to any leadership roles needed.
Thanks Roger. It’s always fun when someone comes at a topic from an unexpected angle.
Well I’ve been told by my children, co-workers, and bosses along the way that I am one who always comes at “things”, “events” & “challenges” in a unique and different manner. I seek the road less traveled and therefore the perspective I see and learn from is different in all aspects.
Dan – What a great list. Here are a few more to add:
Bill George’s books – Authentic Leadership / True North
Judith Umlas – Grateful Leadership
Joseph Badaracco – Leading Quietly
and my book: The Chemistry of LEADERSHIP
Thanks Paul. You’ve added a couple titles that I’m not familiar with. I can share your enthusiasm for “True North.”
I think my book, Precise Leaders Get Results, helps leaders answer the following five questions. 1. Who needs to change?
2. What specific changes are needed?
3. Are the people able and motivated to change?
4. Who can help people change?
5. What is your project plan?
If anyone is interested in receiving and electronic copy, let me know.
Paul B. Thornton
pthornton@stcc.edu
Thanks Paul.
Leadership and Self Deception by The Arbinger Institute….stop treating people like objects and stop justifying your actions with self deception.
Thanks Joseph. Yes, definitely. They’re doing some great work.
The Papers of General George C. Marshall.
Truman, who said of Marshall, “In a war unparalleled in magnitude and horror, millions of Americans gave their country outstanding service; General of The Army George C. Marshall gave it victory.”
Winston Churchill said:
“There are few men whose qualities of mind and character have impressed me so deeply as those of General Marshall … He is a great American, but he is far more than that … He has always fought victoriously against defeatism, discouragement and disillusion. Succeeding generations must not be allowed to forget his achievements and his example.”
Marshall, speaking of Truma: In a spontaneous birthday toast, at a time when Truman was down in the polls and seemed unlikely to win the 1948 election, Marshall “stood up, pushed his chair out of the way, and leaning forward with his hands on the table began to speak, his expression very serious. Marshall, as everyone present was well aware, never complimented the people with whom he worked. It was not his way. ‘The full stature of this man,’ he said, his eyes on Truman, ‘will only be proven by history, but I want to say here and now that there has never been a decision made under this man’s administration, affecting policies beyond our shores, that has not been in the best interest of this country. It is not the courage of these decisions that will live, but the integrity of the man.’ ”
From The Papers, some very moving statements from and about General Marshall for those interested:
May 7, 1945 Radio No. W-78438. Washington, D.C.
Confidential
Personal for Eisenhower from Marshall.
You have completed your mission with the greatest victory in the history of warfare.
You have commanded with outstanding success the most powerful military force that has ever been assembled.
You have met and successfully disposed of every conceivable difficulty incident to varied national interests and international political problems of unprecedented complications.
You have triumphed over inconceivable logistical problems and military obstacles and you have played a major role in the complete destruction of German military power.
Through all of this, since the day of your arrival in England three years ago, you have been selfless in your actions, always sound and tolerant in your judgments and altogether admirable in the courage and wisdom of your military decisions.
You have made history, great history for the good of all mankind and you have stood for all we hope for and admire in an officer of the United States Army. These are my tributes and my personal thanks.
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Secretary of War’s Remarks to General Marshall on V-E Day
Memorandum for Colonel McCarthy from Colonel Kyle
May 8, 1945 Washington, D.C.
Following are the remarks as near as I can recall as stated by Mr. Stimson:
“I want to acknowledge my great personal debt to you, sir, in common with the whole country. No one who is thinking of himself can rise to true heights. You have never thought of yourself. Seldom can a man put aside such a thing as being the Commanding General of the greatest field army in our history. This decision was made by you for wholly unselfish reasons. But you have made your position as Chief of Staff a greater one. I have never seen a task of such magnitude performed by man.
It is rare in late life to make new friends; at my age it is a slow process but there is no one for whom I have such deep respect and I think greater affection.
I have seen a great many soldiers in my lifetime and you, sir, are the finest soldier I have ever known.
It is fortunate for this country that we have you in this position because this war cuts deeper into the eternal verities than any other.
We have reached the milepost at the first half of this war. I may not live to see the end of the war with Japan but I pray that you do.”3
Document Copy Text Source: George C. Marshall Papers, Pentagon Office Collection, Selected Materials, George C. Marshall Research Library, Lexington, Virginia.
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Wow, Thanks for this William. You might get the award for the longest comment.
: )
You can tell I love General Marshall.
Passion is compelling. 🙂
“The Customer Comes Second: Put Your People First and Watch ’em Kick Butt” (by Hal Rosenbluth & Diane Peters)
I love the emphasis on taking care of the people you work with as your first leadership priority. It’s a win/win approach since the people/team provide what the customer needs.
Thanks Mary. That’s a new one for me.
I would add “Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard” by Chip and Dan Heath.
Thanks Kyle. I read everything by the Heath brothers!
Atomic Habits from James Clear, awesome book
Dan, what about blogs that you read in a regular basis?
Thanks Eduardo. Yes… his website is useful as well. To get another perspective read Mini Habits by Stephen Guise.
On blogs I read, I subscribe to Smartbriefs for Leadership. Every morning I get a list of articles they recommend.
Also read SmartBrief on Leadership every morning. That’s how I discovered LeadershipFreak.
This is a great list thank you Dan! I also liked the comments shared by others. For additions, the Culture Code by Daniel Coyle is a great read about the power of culture and facilitating exceptional group performance. I would also highly recommend Danger of a Single Story – Ted Talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. As a human, it is important to understand that people are multifaceted and there is more to each of us than what we see/feel/experience in the moment. It takes awareness to go beyond our first reaction/perception. As a leader, it is critical to remember there is always more to the story than what we are presented and the TedTalk is a good reminder to seek more information to gain more insight and understanding into people, problems, opportunities, etc. My kids listened to the Culture Code on a road trip and have watched the TedTalk with me – they enjoyed and discussed both!
Thanks Kimberli. I also listened to Culture Code. Definitely worth it.
Congratulations on including the family. Love to read how your kids are engaged with this material.
Multipliers, by Liz Wiseman
Thanks Viki.. and don’t forget Rookie Smarts by Liz as well.
What leadership book or resource has helped you develop as a leader?
Leadership Freak has been my resource, prior to you Dan, kind Sir, it has been the Bible.
Thanks Tim. It’s an honor to serve.
Hey Dan just wondering why you put the Rodney Dangerfield video in there. Was it just to put a little levity in to remind us to laugh and have fun through the challenges of being a leader. Or is his overarching message of “no respect” something we as leaders can relate to?
Thanks for asking, Steve. I play a short clip of Dangerfield, not the whole video. The part where he’s making fun of himself and uses the No Respect line. That’s the way I introduce a portion of the talk that deals with the energizing power of feeling respected and what happens when we feel disrespected.
Winning the Brain Game – Matthew E. May, and Stop Guessing — Nat Greene; both inspired me to peel back layers and ask whether I had practiced discipline analysis before rushing to design and implement solutions. (Background: I am a communications consultant whose typical engagements revolve around transforming perceptions from the inside out.)
From May’s work, I’m learning to question my business instincts: Are they tied to fundamental thinking errors intrinsic to our neurology? From Greene, I’m learning to practice the discipline of “smelling the problem” with long, deep sniffs before leaping into action.
Thanks R.C. Love the imagery. Winning the Brain Game is new to me.
An oldie, but one I keep gong back to:
Humble Inquiry by Edgar Schein
Thanks Scott. Definitely! Also, Helping and Humble Consulting. I was fortunate to interview Ed and his son. Love his work and his transparency.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Thanks blessed. Get the right people off the bus…the right people on the bus and in the right seats! 🙂
I love Presence-Based Leadership by the late Doug Silsbee. Literally came out 5 months before his (way too early) passing.
Has anyone read “The Culture Code”? What do you think?
Thank you, Dan! This is fantastic. I think that Carol Dweck’s Mindset is one of the best I have read. My entire leadership team has bought in and it has paid off. What do you recommend as the best follow up to this book as we move forward? Thanks, again.
I appreciate your consistent great content!
Is it possible you could condense this list to a top 5-10? There are a lot of great books but I’d like to prioritize where to start.
Thanks for what you do!
The only one that I’ve read is the one I’m currently reading which is William Tate’s The Search for Leadership – An Organizational Perspective. I like his perspective on leadership and the organization. It’s great to have resources like these when trying to expand your leadership abilities. I will look into some of the books above. Thank you!
Sara,
This is a great list for leaders who really want to learn. Thanks for sharing this with all your followers!
Best, Ron
I haven’t read any of his work yet but John Maxwell’s 5 level’s of leadership really resonated with me. The way he detailed he each level of leadership and engagement levels reminded me of my own experiences and observations. I happened to read some books on habits and building better ones to be more efficient at work. Those have helped me stay a-course in a busy work lifestyle.
Must reads, too: “Reality Based Leadership” and “No Ego” , both by Cy Wakeman
Dan, rereading this, I realize this is a list of books pertaining to a particular presentation, and I don’t know the purpose, thrust or goals of that presentation. Have you ever put together a list of “most influential”, “most recommended” or similar titles? Or are there so many great leadership books that you can’t really create a ‘best of’ list without some further filtering, like ‘for young leaders’, ‘for senior leaders’, ‘for ______ type of organization’, etc?
I would add Leadership and Self-Deception! The audible version is great to listen to!
I read a book called “How to Live Though an Executive” about 20 years ago. I don’t know how it would work in a large business, but with my small General Contracting, it helped me simplify things. I don’t even know if you can buy it anymore though.
No John Maxwell?
First, Break All the Rules by Coffman and Buckingham. Changed my perspective on leadership.
I’d be honored to someday be included in this list of great leadership books. Leadership: A View from the Middle, by yours truly.
Very inspiring article..