10 Leadership Books Which Will Fast Track Your Development

Morning Leaders,

As Christmas is fast approaching what have you got planned alongside some down time to develop yourself? I try and take some time off at Christmas to spend with friends and family but I still find myself with plenty of time on my hands. I usually use this time to sharpen my skills, knowledge and mindset. Very simple, I watch Ted Talks or read books. I am generally curious and have a big appetite to learn and become better, it doesn’t feel like a burden as I enjoy learning and it enables me to be of more value to the business and the people I lead.

Please note, I haven’t always liked reading, in fact I strongly disliked books growing up. I didn’t want to read or go anywhere near them. This changed some time ago when I recognised the power of books and their ability to help you unlock success in any area. As they say ‘Leaders are Readers’. Whether you believe this or not, or you just see the benefits of reading, it doesn’t matter.

This week I want to share with you 10 leadership books which have had a profound impact on me and helped me improve as a leader and a person.

Firstly, here are my top 3 reasons I could think of why you should read more books:

• Books allows you to tap into knowledge and learn from the very best people around the world. You can soon become very knowledgeable in any area.

• Reading will improve your communication skills. By developing a deeper vocabulary and better understanding of your niche, you will be able to communicate and speak more effectively.

• The ideas and experience from books will elevate your level of thinking and what you believe is possible. You will soon uncover wisdom and inspiration which will give you a new sense of belief.

Photo by Iñaki del Olmo on Unsplash

So in order of my favorite, here is the top 10 I have read personally and would recommend to any current or aspiring leaders.

1) Legacy by James Kerr - Legacy is a unique, inspiring handbook for leaders in all fields, and asks: What are the secrets of success sustained success? How do you achieve world-class standards, day after day, week after week, year after year? How do you handle pressure? How do you train to win at the highest level? What do you leave behind you after you re gone?

2) Leadership Plain and Simple by Steve Radcliffe. Steve Radcliffe’s uniquely powerful, successful and practical framework will show you how to develop faster as a more confident and capable leader.

3) 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni. This book goes into the five dysfunctions which go to the very heart of why teams even the best ones-often struggle. He outlines a powerful model and actionable steps that can be used to overcome these common hurdles and build a cohesive, effective team. Just as with his other books, Lencioni has written a compelling fable with a powerful yet deceptively simple message for all those who strive to be exceptional team leaders.

4) Radical Candor by Kim Scott. This book offers a guide to those bewildered or exhausted by management, written for bosses and those who manage bosses. Drawing on years of first-hand experience, and distilled clearly to give practical advice to the reader, Radical Candor shows you how to be successful while retaining your integrity and humanity. Radical Candor is the perfect handbook for those who are looking to find meaning in their job and create an environment where people love both their work and their colleagues, and are motivated to strive to ever greater success.

5) Black Box Thinking by Matthew Syed. Black Box Thinking is a new approach to high performance, a means of finding an edge in a complex and fast-changing world. Drawing on a dizzying array of case studies and real-world examples, together with cutting-edge research on marginal gains, creativity and grit, Matthew Syed tells the inside story of how success really happens - and how we cannot grow unless we are prepared to learn from our mistakes.

Photo by Fabiola Peñalba on Unsplash

6) The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier. Coaching is an art and it’s far easier said than done. It takes courage to ask a question rather than offer up advice, provide and answer, or unleash a solution. Giving another person the opportunity to find their own way, make their own mistakes, and create their own wisdom is both brave and vulnerable. In this practical and inspiring book, Michael shares seven transformative questions that can make a difference in how we lead and support. And he guides us through the tricky part―how to take this new information and turn it into habits and a daily practice.

7) The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz. Practical, empowering and hugely engaging, this book will not only inspire you, it will give you the tools to change your life for the better - starting from now.

8) Winning by Jack Welch. During his forty-year career at General Electric, he led the company to year-after-year success around the globe, in multiple markets, against brutal competition. His honest, be-the-best style of management became the gold standard in business, with his relentless focus on people, teamwork, and profits.

9) Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni. Lencioni provides a framework for his groundbreaking model, and makes it applicable to the real world. Death by Meeting is nothing short of a blueprint for leaders who want to eliminate waste and frustration among their teams, and create environments of engagement and passion.

10) Start with Why by Simon Sinek. Why are some people and organizations more inventive, pioneering and successful than others? And why are they able to repeat their success again and again? Because in business it doesn’t matter what you do, it matters why you do it. This book is for anyone who wants to inspire others, or to be inspired.

There of course is loads more fantastic books out there, but these 10 have really helped me develop and improved me as a leader. In all books there are treasures to be found that will feed your mind and help you develop and think very differently. If you really want to accelerate your development and growth, you need to feed your mind with great books.

All the best

David

Quote of the Week

“If you are going to get anywhere in life you have to read a lot of books.” - Roald Dahl

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