Books Aspiring Leaders Should Read- The Muse

Books Aspiring Leaders Should Read- The MuseBooks Aspiring Leaders Should Read- The MuseA senior executive wanted her management team to think more deeply about their role as leaders, so she asked each of them to read a book about leadership. Little did she know that just the act of choosing a title would take most of her managers weeks to decide. I dont envy them There are literally thousands of good (and not-so-good) books to choose from. As someone who regularly works with leaders trying to improve themselves, Ive read a lot of them myself. In addition, Ive developed the strong belief that managers shouldnt just read about literally being better managers, but also focus on concepts like strategy that help them to continue growing- youll see that belief woven throughout the list below.When looking through it, dont feel pressured to buy every single title. Instead, ask yourself Which category is most interesting to you? Or, what would your boss (or customer) say you most need to lea rn about to be more effective? As long youre personally interested in the topic or itll help you in an area with room for improvement, its a good place to start. Here are my top picks in each category1. For Strategy and the Big Picture Systems Thinking for Social Change A Practical Guide to Solving Complex Problems, Avoiding Unintended Consequences, and Achieving Lasting Results by David Peter StrohTo advance, you need to learn to see the connectedness of cultures, institutions, economies, families, organizations, cities, and nations to one another. Thats what systems thinking is. This book is not about geschftlicher umgang per se, but it is about how systems impact society, and since society is what powers businesses and organizations, its interesting- and relevantAnother great option is Business Strategy A Guide to Effective Decision-Making by Jeremy Kourdi. Some authors dumb down a topic to make it easier to understand. That didnt happen with this book, but if you can get through it, youll learn a lot about process from creating a vision to executing on a plan.2. For Problem Solving and Decision-Making Think Smarter Critical Thinking to Improve Problem-Solving and Decision Making Skills By Michael KalletThis book is a lot easier to get through than the previous one. It offers some great problem solving methods that you can apply to work or in other aspects of your daily life. It doesnt make as many clear connections to business (so youll want to choose another one if thats a priority for you), but if your goal is simply to learn general strategies for tough calls, this books for you.3. For Self-Development and Self-Awareness Daring Greatly How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene BrownThis isnt a how to book for aspiring leaders, per se, but its just as important. Researcher and author Brene Brown helps the reader understand why dropping the the facades we create can make us more successful, and happier. I tll help you bring your true self to work whichll inspire others and make you more productive.4. For Motivation, People Skills, and Leading Others The Leadership Challenge, 5th Edition by James Kouzes and Barry PosnerFor more than 30 years, people have seen this as the fundamental sourcebook on everything related to leadership in a business. In this edition, the authors have updated the stories and examples throughout the book to keep it relevant with the modern workforce. Another great option is Leaders Eat Last Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Dont by Simon Sinek. This book is filled with examples of why servant leadership works so well. If youre not familiar with the term, servant leadership, its a management philosophy that claims a leaders job is to serve those they lead, versus the traditional (and maybe outdated) idea that the employees simply work for the boss. Sinek is a researcher and ethnographer by education, so the book is full of examples of why and how eating l ast is key to motivating and inspiring others.5. For Teams, Groups and Playing Well With Others The Ideal Team Player How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues by Patrick LencioniPatrick Lencioni has been using a parable format to make reading about leadership and business enjoyable for two decades. This ones great because it provides equally good advice for being on a team as it does for leading one.Another great option is The Four Agreements A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book) by Don Miguel Ruiz and Janet Mills. Life and enlightenment may not boil down to four simple agreements, but the authors take on Toltec philosophy is timeless, and the Agreements offer a initiation into the world of self-development.6. For a New Way of Thinking Grit The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela DuckworthHave you ever heard the saying Dont believe everything you think? This book supports that idea. Duckworth shares the role of mindset, and how learni ng to successfully process feelings like failure, disappointment, and boredom can make us more resilient, and happier. 7. For Inspiring a Culture of Innovation and Learning Fail Better Design Smart Mistakes and Succeed Sooner by Anjali Sastry and Kara Penn.Sastry and Penn have landed on a proven feedback process that helps us learn from our mistakes. There is one pre-requisite for this book, youve got to be willing to take some chances that may result in failure. Of course, the other possibility is that your willingness to risk could result in outstanding success.Its no coincidence that only three of these books have the word lead in the title. Thats because leadership is a diverse collection of skills and talents that are applied as the need arises. Regardless of their level of seniority, great leaders are generalists who have a range of skills and knowledge, from creating and executing a strategy to understanding human nature.Have a favorite book on this list or one you cant wait to read? Tweet me and let me know.