Do you like old books?
This collection might be dusty. But not to be forgotten. These books have been sold for years!
Old covers do not make them less fun. Quite the opposite. They formalize the ground for many other leadership books. So, why not go to the source? I handpicked only those books you won’t find outdated. Collect classic wisdom nuggets.
They never disappoint.
These books will feed your leadership hunger.
1. The Structuring of Organization by Henry Mintzberg (1979)
“I may spend my professional life dealing with organizations, but I continue to spend my private life escaping from them.”
If you’re thinking about organizational design, you have to read this book. Mintzberg's structuring of organizations theory proposes that an organization has these components:
Operating core
Strategic apex
Middle line
Technostructure
Support Staff
If these five interact with each other, you can achieve excellent performance and effectiveness. Leaders who enjoy frameworks and analytical approaches. This is a must-read.
2. The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker (1966)
Peter Drucker is referred to as the father of management thinking. Everyone who ever had a management subject at school must have heard about Peter Drucker. He’s a legend.
Drucker brings up ideas about focusing on relationships and how organizations can bring out the best in people. This will create a sense of community and respect. Topics are so relevant these days, too.
In this book, Drucker provides insights and principles for managing oneself and others effectively in a business or organizational context. As is common for classics, there are five practices to master:
Managing time
Choosing what to contribute
Making effective decisions
Setting priorities
Taking effective action
The book is a practical and actionable framework for leadership effectiveness.
3. How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie (1936)
Since 1936, more than 30 million copies have been sold. Dale Carnegie was a self-improvement superstar back in the day. You can picture him giving TedTalk-like speeches.
His book was a bestseller from the beginning and continues to engage readers now. It is a guide to improving social skills and building positive relationships with others.
The book has four main parts. The advantage is that you do not have to read it in one piece. You can read stories in sections. Adam Grant may have picked up this approach to storytelling in his Think Again book.
Fundamental techniques for handling people
Six ways to make people like you
How to win people to your way of thinking
Be a leader
His stories tap into the fundamental basics of relationship building and respect.
4. The Art of Strategy: A New Translation of Sun Tzu's Classic The Art of War by R.L. Wing aka Ralph D. Sawyer (1988)
The book is a modern translation of "The Art of War", a classic Chinese military treatise written by Sun Tzu in the 5th century BC.
Sawyer's translation seeks to preserve the original meaning and style of the text. While making it accessible and relevant to contemporary readers.
"The Art of Strategy" covers a wide range of topics. They are related to military strategy and tactics, including planning, leadership, deception, and the use of force.
The book emphasizes the importance of understanding one's strengths and weaknesses. Adapt to changing circumstances, and use strategy and intelligence to win.
The hidden potential exists in all the people you work with.
5. Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras (1994)
Jim and Jerry researched 18 highly successful and long-lasting companies such as General Electric, 3M, and Hewlett-Packard.
What did they find out? A set of common traits and practices these companies shared, which they called "the framework for greatness." These traits include:
A strong and enduring core ideology, consisting of a core purpose, and core values
A commitment to preserving the core ideology while stimulating progress and change.
A focus on building a highly aligned and dedicated organization, with a shared vision and sense of purpose.
A culture of innovation, risk-taking, and experimentation, coupled with a disciplined approach to strategy and execution.
A relentless focus on creating value for customers and other stakeholders, rather than maximizing short-term profits.
You will find many case studies and examples of how these traits were applied by the companies studied. It could be helpful if you are in the middle of some transition and wonder how to build a lasting success strategy.
You need a vision and values.
6. A Theory of Human Motivation by Abraham Maslow (1943)
Abraham Maslow’s work greatly influenced humanistic psychology. Learning about its principles will help you understand the basics of responsibility, respect, self-understanding, and personal growth.
Maslow says that there are five levels of needs:
Source: https://www.thoughtco.com/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-4582571
The paper suggests that individuals are motivated by these needs in a hierarchical order. They will strive to fulfill each need before moving on to the next level. Maslow believed that individuals who meet their higher-level needs are more likely to experience happiness, fulfillment, and purpose.
You understand your team better. Look at the levels. Where are your colleagues, and what drives them? Different people might be on different levels.
Refresh your knowledge of human behavior basics.
What are you reading now?
Let us know in the comments. More reading tips:
See you next week! Ivona