There are no shortage of great books to read. Typically I used to read between 1-2 a month now I crank out several a month (bit.ly/blinkistnow). I would read more but I end up re-reading the good ones to get even more out of them.
Those close to me usually feel like "ugh, not another one, I haven't even bought the first one" because each time I see them, I'm suggesting a new book for them to read.
Here is the list and why each one is important. I'll work to get a full review and overview of each one in time. Please reach out to me if you would like more details or books specific to your needs.
These are the books I would generally suggest to anyone in a leadership position. Especially those that own their own business and have team responsibilities.
Top 10 Books (in the order they came to mind)
Tribal Leadership - Dave Logan, John King, Halee Fischer-Wright
This one I've done a review and outline for. You can see that here. This book is very important and gives an overarching framework of people and teams. It describes quite a bit about how to identify where individuals are at and why. As well as tools and strategies to help them grow to new levels.
Leadership and Self Deception - Arbinger Institute
Once you start reading this book, you won't put it down. It's a simple and powerful allegory on how we all interact with one another and why interpersonal challenges persist and even how they start in the first place. This will revolutionize your leadership.
Linchpin - Seth Godin
As Seth puts it as "a plea from me to you" on pursuing art and the extraordinary. We have no room any more for average or even pretty good. To be noticed and to be most useful, we must shoot for remarkable. I picked this book up because I was waiting for another to come in and was amazed at the relevance and the way it stirred me to shoot higher. He has a profound view on society and the shift from cogs to what he calls artists - those looking to change the world.
Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive - Patrick Lencioni
This book really gets to the heart of the matter for building a business that you love to be in. This fable spells out the building blocks to business that will attract great people, keep the best people motivated and make the work of the leader enjoyable and the success of the organization inevitable. I was surprised by how angry I got at the antagonist in this book. I really wanted to get a hold of him and punch him out.
EntreLeadership - Dave Ramsey
Dave Ramsey has built an incredible national brand with over 400 employees and hundreds of millions in revenue. This is the playbook for how he did it. This is an incredible handbook for how to get started and structure and execute every part of your business. Fundamental reading for any business owner new or seasoned.
Start With Why - Simon Sinek
You can start with watching Simon's excellent TED Talk and you will see the importance of this book. He reassesses how some of the best brands in the world have built their empires through understanding WHY they are in business and why that's more important than WHAT their business is about or HOW they do it.
Drive - Daniel Pink
If you want understand how motivation works, Daniel has put together a very comprehensive overview of much of the leading research out there in a compelling book that I wanted to read over and over. I will also say that his summary of the book at the end is the best I have ever seen. Incredibly well put together. Daniel also has an incredible TED talk.
Good To Great - Jim Collins
I know this is on pretty much every business leader's top 10 list. There is a reason for this. Jim has captured so much through his studies and research that it will be important for businesses for years to come. Maybe even a text book some day. A few of my favourite findings are "the level 5 leader", "first who then what", "hedgehog concept" and his "right people on the bus and right people in the right seats on the bus" although, I've started using the analogy with a Viking Ship instead (no spectators).
Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Patrick Lencioni
This started a lot of my thinking in the space of building extraordinary teams and a place where everyone can sincerely love what they do. There's a ton of lessons to implement here and really the best philosophy on what a healthy, intelligent organization should look like.
Launch - Jeff Walker
The subtitle almost says it all "An internet millionaire's secret formula to sell almost anything online, build and business you love and live the life of your dreams".
There is always controversy around this sort of a book. I must say, as you start your business, you usually have a product or service you want to get out there. Understanding business, sales and marketing, this book is a fundamental place to start. Almost any business will profit from this.
I could think of another 10 right off the bat that could be on this list. (So many good books!)
What are your favourite books on business and leadership?
Please share so I can learn along with you.