Periodically, we ask our consultants to identify the best books, articles, or blogs they’ve read on leadership. Oftentimes, these are used in our coaching engagements, but we would encourage anyone interested in learning more about leadership to look through the following for inspiration.
The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide To Getting The Right Things Done, by Peter Drucker
This seminal book defines what is required of an effective executive and lays out how to become one. Note: This is an older book, but the core messages remains excellent.
Leadership On The Line: Staying Alive Through The Dangers Of Leading, by Martin Linsky & Ronald A. Heifetz
Strategies for driving change and challenging the status quo without getting burned.
Difficult Conversations: How To Discuss What Matters Most, by Stone, Patton and Heen
This practical book outlines how to handle the tricky communication moments that occur in life.
Working The Shadow Side: A Guide To Positive Behind-The-Scenes Management, by Gerard Egan
The shadow side refers to the covert, the undiscussable and the unmentionable aspects or organizational life which are not found in employee manuals or in organizational charts. The book will help a leader identify, manage and gain value from the below-the-surface activities in the organization.
Political Skill At Work: Impact On Work Effectiveness, by Gerald Ferris, Sherry Davidson, and Pamela Perrewe
This book is both research-based and practical. It includes the Political Skill Inventory, an 18-item tool that helps identify strengths and weakness in the four dimensions of political skill: Social Astuteness, Interpersonal Influence, Networking Ability and Apparent Sincerity.
The Wisdom Of Teams: Creating The High-Performance Organization, by Jon R. Katzenbach and Douglas K. Smith
A classic primer on making teams a powerful tool for success in today’s marketplace.
The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team: A Leadership Fable, by Patrick Lencioni
An analysis of what makes teams effective, including common pit-falls and solutions. Told in an easy-to-understand and intelligible narrative fashion.
The New Science Of Building Great Teams, by Alex “Sandy” Pentland
Making use of cutting edge technology, elusive group dynamics that characterize high-performing teams are identified and, impressively, quantified. The article seeks to demystify what makes teams great and thereby empower leaders and team members.
Managing Transitions: Making The Most Of Change, by William Bridges
This classic bestseller provides practical, step-by-step strategies for minimizing the disruptions caused by workplace change.
Organizational Capability, by Dave Ulrich and Dale Lake
Shows the correlation between successful human resource strategies and creating competitive advantage.
The First 90 Days: Critical Success Strategies For New Leaders At All Levels, by Michael Watkins
A concise and practical guide on managing the transition into a new role.
Drive, by Daniel Pink
Drawing on four decades of scientific research on human motivation, Pink exposes the mismatch between what science knows and what business does—and how that affects every aspect of life.