Stephen King says that if you want to be a writer, there are two things you must do: read a lot and write a lot. This is about the “read a lot” part. I include reading lists and book reviews that will help you do business more effectively and write better for business.
In this post, I point you to reviews of Self as Coach, Self as Leader: Developing the Best in You to Develop the Best in Others, 21 Letters on Life and Its Challenges, Mission Driven Leadership: My Life as a Radical Capitalist, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, and Innovation Capital: How to Compete and Win Like the World’s Innovative Leaders. And Kevin Eikenberry shares his vacation reading list.
From Michael McKinney: Exploring Your Interior Landscape
“While a coach may use certain tools and techniques to help their client, the most critical factor affecting the coaching relationship is the coach. Who you are is how you coach. It is this aspect of coaching that Pamela McLean explores in Self as Coach, Self as Leader.”
From Strategy+Business: The wisdom of Charles Handy
“Handy has had a series of different careers, starting out as an executive of the Shell Corporation in Asia. He then taught at MIT and the London Business School and regularly presented ‘Thought for the Day’ on a popular BBC morning radio program. He describes himself as a writer; others might say philosopher and guru. This edited excerpt from his book looks at what people should want and get out of work, why management is a misleading term, and why the world’s big corporations may not be set up to attract and keep the next generation of talent unless they understand people are not simply a human resource.”
From Kevin Eikenberry: Mission Driven Leadership: My Life as a Radical Capitalist
“Would you like to learn from a former Fortune 50 CEO? How about one who has moved through both personal and family tragedy and still led at the highest levels? Most books by CEOs and former CEOs are more about their ego than helping their audience. Mission Driven Leadership: My Life as a Radical Capitalist doesn’t fit that mold.”
From Wharton: Generalists vs Specialists: Why Jacks of All Trades Have an Edge
“The traditional path to success has emphasized excelling in a single discipline or field rather than being a generalist. But one writer is challenging that wisdom, contending that it’s sometimes better to be a ‘jack of all trades, master of none,’ as the old saying goes. In his book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, investigative journalist David Epstein looks at the strengths of generalists versus specialists, focusing on how keeping a broad range of interests, experimenting and changing course every now and then are essential to finding your true passions — and the success that comes with loving what you do. The idea has implications for how businesses recruit employees and define the skills required for each position.”
From Skip Prichard: How to Compete Like the World’s Most Innovative Leaders
“And one of the most overlooked reasons for entrepreneurial failure is innovation capital. That’s why I enjoyed talking with Jeff Dyer who, along with Nathan Furr and Curtis Lefrandt, wrote a new book, Innovation Capital: How to Compete and Win Like the World’s Innovative Leaders. He offers a unique perspective on innovation and winning in the marketplace.”
From Kevin Eikenberry: My Vacation Reading List
“I love to read. My mom tells the story of Grandma (my Dad’s mom) giggling about the new mother reading to me even as an infant. Later in life, seeing me as an avid reader, Grandma admitted to mom that perhaps that early reading made a difference. I don’t know why I love to read, but I am sure glad I do. As I start my vacation, I thought I would share my vacation reading list with you, and close with some thoughts and comments about the list.”
Reading recommendations are a regular feature of this blog. Want more recommendations about what to read? Check out my Three Star Leadership blog, Michael McKinney’s LeadingBlog, and Skip Prichard’s Leadership Insights.