By Michael Holland
Great leaders are life long learners consuming blog posts, articles, videos and books to gain perspective and increase knowledge. Leverage that driving or flying time – or get away from the in-laws time – this holiday with a good book! Here are 4 books I recommend for this year.
Get Back to Basics. . . The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
by Patrick Lencioni. Continually a #1 business book since it’s publication in 2002. This business fable tells a story to reveal the five dysfunctions which go to the very heart of why teams often struggle. Lencioni outlines a powerful model and actionable steps that can be used to overcome these common hurdles and build a cohesive, effective team. This is a compelling fable with a powerful yet deceptively simple message for all those who strive to be exceptional team leaders. (Learn about building The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team™)
Get Motivated. . . Leaders Eat Last
by Simon Sinek. In his travels around the world since the publication of his bestseller Start with Why, Simon Sinek noticed that some teams were able to trust each other so deeply that they would literally put their lives on the line for each other. Other teams, no matter what incentives were offered, were doomed to infighting, fragmentation and failure. Why? A fantastic read with sticky stories.
Gain Perspective. . . How to Be Rich: It’s Not What You Have. It’s What You Do With What You Have.
by Andy Stanley. You probably don’t feel rich. Rich is the other guy. Rich is having more than you currently have. But you can be rich and not feel it. And that’s the problem. Andy Stanley is convinced that most of us are richer than we think and are inept at being good at being rich. Being “rich” is a great responsibility and we need learn how to be good at it!
Get Educated. . . Einstein: His Life and Universe
by Walter Isaacson. A biography of Albert Einstein revealing how his mind worked and what made him a genius. Isaacson’s biography shows how his scientific imagination sprang from the rebellious nature of his personality. His fascinating story is a testament to the connection between creativity and freedom.
Be a life long learner and lead well!
I read 30 to 40 books a year. Click here to see a list of the books I’ve read in 2014 on my Instigating Men blog.
