Top selling leadership books are an essential read for anyone that wants to develop their leadership skills. There are a wide variety of titles to choose from including The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, Start With Why by Simon Sinek and many more.
Interested in learning how to deal with a Diminisher boss? This book will help you defend against them by describing what makes a great leader and how to avoid becoming a Diminisher yourself.
1. The Innovator’s Dilemma by Seth Godin
Author of 19 bestsellers, founder of several companies, trendsetter and entrepreneur, Seth Godin knows how to motivate. His shortest book, Poke the Box is an action-oriented manifesto that encourages you to start and to initiate. It’s the perfect motivational book for managers and entrepreneurs who want to get things moving.
In this book, Seth Godin introduces us to the idea of “purple cows.” A purple cow is a product that stands out amongst the rest. It’s unique, memorable, and unforgettable. And, that’s the kind of product or service that businesses need in today’s crowded marketplace.
This book is a classic in business and leadership literature. It was first published in 1997 and has since become a management must-read. It presents a counterintuitive argument about the reasons why well-established companies often fail to recognize disruptive technologies and innovations. Clayton Christensen’s research and analysis bolster his claims by providing mountains of data about technology trends in multiple industries and organizations.
He explains why large companies are often unable to innovate, even when they have the resources and expertise to do so. Rather, he argues that it’s the smaller startups that are able to move faster and to develop new products more quickly than their larger counterparts. He provides strategies for how companies can overcome this problem and become innovators instead of followers in their industry.
This is one of the most popular business books ever written. It has been praised by leaders from Jeff Bezos to Tim O’Reilly, and it continues to be a must-read for anyone looking to stay ahead of the competition in a constantly evolving business environment. www.snapreads.com/books/the-four-agreements-summary/
2. Move Your Bus
In his book Move Your Bus, Ron Clark uses a Flintstones cartoon-inspired metaphor to explain the different types of workers in organizations and how they affect productivity. He contends that an organization can only move forward if everyone pushes it like the Runners on a bus, no matter their role. To do that, he says the Drivers must motivate employees, protect them from jealousy and let them shine in their roles. He also acknowledges that Walkers and Joggers can become Runners with high expectations and a great work ethic. Get the key ideas of Move Your Bus with this book summary.
3. The One Minute Manager
For managers, time is money. If you can save a minute here and there by using quick tools to manage and motivate employees, it will make all the difference in your work day. That’s why books like The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson are so popular.
The book begins with a story about a young man who is looking for great management. He goes all over the world to find a manager who can simultaneously get results for his company and happiness for his team members. He finally meets a manager who is called “the new one minute manager” and asks him how he does it. The manager shares his three secrets with the young man.
The first secret is setting minute goals. This involves identifying specific, measurable performance metrics for each team member and establishing them on a regular basis. This is a great way to help employees feel a sense of accomplishment, while saving time for the manager who’s swamped with tasks.
Another key tool is the one minute praise. When you catch an employee doing something right, tell them and give them a moment to savour the compliment. This is a fantastic way to show that the manager cares about them and their performance.
The third secret is the one minute re-direct. If an employee makes a mistake, be sure to redirect them immediately. This is better than waiting until the end of a period to provide feedback. It also ensures that the feedback is delivered in a calm and respectful manner. You can use the one minute re-direct to confirm facts, review the issue and refocus the person on their performance metrics.
4. Gravitas
Gravitas is a Latin word that means “weight or heaviness” and it has become synonymous with seriousness, solemnity and dignity. Gravitas seems to be one quality that people seem to associate with successful leaders, politicians, athletes and celebrities, but it’s not necessarily something that’s born into you, or even easily acquired. It’s more a quality that can be nurtured through self-awareness, training and practice.
In the workplace, gravitas is a leadership quality that’s important for people to have if they want to be taken seriously and to achieve their professional goals. Having gravitas is also important in fostering a culture where people are encouraged to contribute and to feel valued by the organization.
Those with gravitas have a strong sense of who they are and an unwavering commitment to their values and beliefs. They also have a clear vision of what they’re trying to accomplish and how they plan on getting there. They aren’t afraid to take risks or challenge the status quo. They’re also highly prepared and always follow up after meetings or events to make sure they’ve addressed every aspect of the discussion.
The final key characteristic of those with gravitas is their ability to influence others. They are always looking for ways to add value to the team and to their company’s mission. They communicate clearly, listen attentively and use eloquent language to convey their points of view. People with gravitas also have a natural sense of authority and they often lead by example rather than direct orders. Taking on too many behaviors that are associated with surface gravitas, like dominance or posturing, can be counterproductive and damage your reputation and credibility.
5. How to Make Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The oldest book on this list, this 1936 self-help classic is still one of the best leadership books. Carnegie teaches you how to read people, how to be a good listener and how to talk in terms of other’s interests. These are the basics of persuasion and they can be applied to business, sales, entrepreneurship or self-improvement.
When it comes to being a leader, likeability is just as important as competence. This is why many leaders turn to this book, which provides insight and guidelines for developing strong teams. It also helps you develop your own unique leadership style and leaves a lasting impact on the organizations that you serve.
What do you do when emotions run high and opinions clash? The authors of this leadership book say you can clam up and avoid the conversation, mess it up with a weak approach, or step into the discussion with skill and courage. They provide principles to help you make conversations safe, create shared values, build trust, and turn difficult conversations into win-wins.
This book gathers insights, advice and philosophies from trailblazing visionaries like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Oprah Winfrey and Bill Gates. It offers a fresh perspective on the world of leadership and shows readers new paths to success in a complex and sometimes rigged system. It is not a book about being a boss but a guide for developing the leadership qualities that are essential in all jobs. The simple act of reading a book won’t make you a skilled leader but it can open your mind to ideas that will improve the way you do your job and lead your team. Make leadership reading a habit to keep learning and growing.