Take-charge, gregariousness, charisma, ingenuity… are just a few adjective that may come to mind when thinking about traits of a leader. But what about introspective, servant, intense gratitude, and listening? Interestingly enough, it’s the leadership characteristics we typically consider the least that I’ve, personally, come to rely on the most throughout my journey. These 7 books, in particular, have been instrumental in my foundation building as a leader and catapulted my ability to identify the right talent, enhance working relationships, and communicate with others on a much more effective level. May they have a similarly positive impact on your growth and leadership development!
7 books every leader needs to read and why:
1. The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business by Patrick Lencioni
I could easily go on to list all of Patrick's books as he's the god father of organization and team health. They're ALL gems. This one happens to combine the best of insights from a few of his best sellers.
2. The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate The Three Essential Virtues by Patrick Lencioni
A great leader is nothing without a great support system and team. This book offers a blueprint for defining company and team values and leveraging them in your interview and hiring process to better detect those who do and don't fit your culture.
3. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sanberg
Open your mind to embracing life, work, and work/life balance, respectively, through the eyes of everyone you work with. As a leader, you are the environment curator and this reality needs to be taken very seriously and approached with intentionality.
4. Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't By Simon Sinek
To be a leader is to be the lead servant. At the end of the day, everyone who works for you or reports to you, does so to help you accomplish goals. Be mindful of this, and become serviceable to those who support you.
5. Strengths Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams and Why People Follow by Tom Rath
We are more efficient and effective when we are in tune with our strengths and lead by them. Doubling down on our strengths also allows us to clearly draw lines between what tasks we are really good at and what tasks we need to rely on teammates that compliment us.
6. The Thank You Economy by Gary Vanyerchuck
Gratitude - the core value in sustaining positive relationships. I need not say more.
7. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
What makes successful people successful? Understanding the ecosystem of success and successful people will give you the insight to create such ecosystems for yourself and others.
And here's 10 books on leadership I plan to read in 2018:
Never Eat Alone, Expanded and Updated: And the Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time
Reset: My Fight for Inclusion and Lasting Change
The Opposable Mind: How Successful Leaders Win Through Integrative Thinking
The Person and the Situation: Perspectives of Social Psychology
Thirteen Days: A Memoir of the Cuban Missile Crisis
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are
What Works: Gender Equality by Design
The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People
Making Hope Happen: Create the Future You Want for Yourself and Others
Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty
Be purposeful in how you lead others. Be purposeful in how you lead YOU!
If you would like support in further fine-tuning your leadership style, let's connect! Contact me for a free Candid Professional career coaching session @ corbin@thecandidprofessional.com.