Recommended Books on Leadership and Team Building

The single most important thing a leader can do is lead by example, and if you want your team to be dynamic and learn more, you've got to continually innovate and find new ways to encourage, reward, and motivate YOURSELF! That's right, I said you've got to motivate YOU! If you lead by example, and you're motivated, soon your team will be too!

That being said, here are my recommendations for a few good leadership and team building books. Enjoy!

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow them and People Will Follow You Failing Forward John C. Maxwell (http://www.injoy.com)

I recommend Maxwell's books for a variety of reasons. One is because he is a pastor, so he recommends a very ethical type of leadership, grounded by a belief in God. Secondly, he breaks things down in an easy to understand, easy to apply method that anyone can follow and relate to. I'm reading a few of his other books, and he has fast become my favorite author.

Love is the Killer App Tim Sanders (http://www.timsanders.com)

Tim, an executive at Yahoo!, talks about getting the people you work with and for to love you, by sharing your knowledge and your network, in ways that add value for all people. I like to think of myself as a "lovecat" and if you read this book, maybe you'll see why, and/or become a lovecat yourself.

It's Your Ship Mike Abrashoff (http://www.grassrootsleadership.com)

A great leadership book that encourages you to empower your team! Simple, obvious messages that are the best!

NOTE: Mike just released a new book called Get Your Ship Together that I have not yet read. If anyone has and has any thoughts about it, please send it my way. Thank you!

Leadership is an Art Max Depree

Max is a master of pointing out how artful it is to be a good leader. Max also talks about how ethics are an important component of business, and that it's about more than the bottom line. Great, easy to read, book that you can quickly apply to your leadership situation.

Good to Great Jim Collins (http://www.jimcollins.com)

This book is the prequel to Built to Last (another great book), and tells about how the best companies got to where they were, in some very quantifiable ways. I'm amazed any manager doesn't read this to learn how to be the best. And Jim's website has some great clips about the different things that you need in order to be GREAT! I would encourage everyone to read this book, think about it, and then get the book on CD and listen to Jim read the book, and think more about it. Wow!

First, Break all the Rules Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman This is how the world's best managers SHOULD manage...by treating each player as an individual, by being unafraid to do something different, by BREAKING THE RULES! I took a class where we discussed this book, and believe me, this book will open your eyes to how you really can manage a team of unique people individually, if you're willing to make the effort.

Ken Blanchard - especially Gung Ho!, Raving Fans, and the One Minute Manager series

More easy reading, with important lessons for all of us that are easy to take away, all jam packed into an easy to read format. I especially enjoy Gung Ho!, and am going to be implementing "The Way of the Beaver," "The Spirit of the Squirrel," and "The Gift of the Goose" on my team soon.

Until next time...Make it a GREAT day!

Phil Gerbyshak

http://www.miginstitute.com



Asking for Help

For many of us, asking for help is a difficult... Read More

The Metamorphosis of the Successful Executive . . . Overcoming Professional Stagnation

You're a bright, successful business executive making good money and... Read More

Peek Inside The Heads of Amazingly Successful Leaders

Would you like to know what really goes on inside... Read More

Charismatic Leadership

What motivates people to work and to achieve? What circumstances... Read More

Exceptional Leadership Inspires the Best Effort in Others

There is a steady stream being written and taught about... Read More

Leadership For Deep Results: Without Them Are You Wasting Your Leadership And Your Life? (Part One)

I've challenged all leaders I have worked with during the... Read More

Value Driver Leadership

CHAPTER 1 ************ VALUEThose qualities regarded by a person or... Read More

Leadership Training and Character

The vast majority of leadership training available to managers focuses... Read More

Leadership Skills - 10 Ways to Beef Up

10 Ways to Beef Up Your Leadership SkillsHave you ever... Read More

It?s Not All About Cheese: The Missing Component in Employee Development (Part 1)

Spencer Johnson really hit a nerve when he wrote Who... Read More

You Make The Difference

What do you think makes your company successful? Your newest... Read More

Mentors and Coaches: How to Be A Great Mentor

Though out your career you may be asked to become... Read More

Are You Playing or Practicing Leadership?

Anne was a new supervisor, and like many new supervisors... Read More

Leadership and Power - Being the Boss Doesnt Guarantee Either of Them

Some people mistakenly associate supervisory positions, or seats of power,... Read More

Five Surprisingly Hip Politicial Ideas From Plato

Don't you love politics?Me, neither. But I do like thinking... Read More

Secrets of Creating Success with Ease

Do you ever strum your fingers on the desk top... Read More

A Winning Choice for Leadership!

"The only way to enjoy anything in this life, is... Read More

Leaders ARE; Are you?

Identity CrisisIt's not only the knowledge you carry around in... Read More

3 Elements of Leadership Power!

In an article discussing the need for innovative products and... Read More

Leadership Is Action?Not Position!

People respond to good leadership! Period! It is in all... Read More

The Three Faces of Leadership

This article was published in the Nov. 2003 edition of... Read More

Unleash It!

On airplanes, in restaurants, in the newspaper and on television,... Read More

C4 Leadership: Taking Your Leadership (and your Life) from Good...To Explosive!

Chances are if you're interested in this post, you're looking... Read More

3 Ds For Leadership Action... Dedicate, Direct, Dialogue!

"...And winged hope, with heart of fire, To gain the... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 1, General Strategies for Unproductive Behavior

It happens easily. You're conducting a meeting and suddenly a... Read More

If you'd like to keep up-to-date,
please complete the form below and we'll put you on the mailing list
to receive our twice-yearly newsletter for supporters

* Your email address:
* choes your language: