Good business leaders always look for ways to improve their skills. Whether it’s attending seminars or having lunch with a mentor, gaining new insight can be the difference between business failure and success. If you’re looking for a great way to add a little muscle to your leadership style, you may want to take a look at some of the best books on leadership that are currently on the market.
If you’re a business owner, you already know how important it is to have the right advice when making decisions. If you’re learning how to be a better leader, then, it only follows that you would want to learn from experts. Below are a handful of great books on leadership that will change your perspective, help to reinforce your strengths, and may give you new ideas on how to lead.
This law-school classic is fantastic reading for anyone who has ever been in a leadership position. A book about the art and science of negotiation, it covers everything from body language to the art of making compromises. A must-read for anyone who has ever had to manage a team or come to an agreement with another executive, it will change the way you look at conversations from this point forward.
Stephen R. Covey’s classic book remains a must-read for leaders of all stripes, even after many revisions and copycats have hit the market. This book breaks down what it means to be effective and the habits that must be cultivated in order to reach that point. This book has been assigned reading in colleges and high schools for decades, but it’s still as effective as ever. You owe it to yourself to read this one.
One rarely acknowledged fact about high-achieving people is that they tend to have deep-seated fears that make it harder for them to succeed. They’re so focused on achieving, the theory goes, that they can be paralyzed by what’s going on internally. This book takes a look at what drives high-achievers and helps to erase some of the tension that surrounds their decision-making by helping them to create their own support systems. This is an absolutely vital book for Type-A personalities.
This book by a pair of Gallup analysts takes a look at what makes some of the best managers in the world so effective at their jobs. It’s actually based on the largest study of its kind ever undertaken, so the data gathered within really does outstrip almost anything else out there. If you are looking for a data-based way to learn how to be a much better manager, this might be a good book for you. At the very least, it should show you what makes so many other leaders tick.
What motivates people? This book by Auschwitz survivor Viktor E. Frankl aims to take a look at human motivation, helping to pick apart the mechanics by which we push ourselves forward. An absolutely necessary read for anyone who wants to learn more about the human mind, this is as much a work that will teach you about yourself as it is one that will teach you about leadership. It’s almost criminal that this book doesn’t get wider exposure.
Why are some teams more successful than others? In The Culture Code, Cleveland Indians advisor Daniel Coyle takes a look at what makes many different successful groups tick. A great book for those who want to learn more about successfully managing the talented individuals who work for them, it will give you a much better idea of the kind of culture your workplace needs to succeed. Definitely a great fit for leaders who are looking to build a better organization.
The New One Minute Manager is a great tool for those leaders who aren’t that sure about their own leadership styles. It breaks down the basics of what it means to lead and helps you to lean into your own strengths instead of making you try to play catch up with others. A quick and easy ready, it’s definitely a worthwhile tool for anyone who wants to learn how to be a better manager, or to learn how to better embrace their own strengths.
World Series of Poker champ Annie Duke certainly knows what it takes to make a smart bet. This book focuses on something that most business leaders dread, but that makes up a big part of success – learning how to make decisions even when you don’t have all the information you need. An engaging read from a very unique perspective, this book will give you a great deal of insight into one of the hardest – and most necessary – tasks any leader will have to undertake.
Essentialism is all about cutting down on what’s not necessary and focusing on those things at which you excel. A new way of looking at leadership, it’s all about cutting out unnecessary tasks and putting the power back in the hands of those who do the real work. An interesting read, it will change the way you look at both the work you do and the way you expect those under you to act.
This fantastic book about leadership is a little different than what you might expect. Written by Diana Nyad, it details her journey of becoming the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without the aid of a shark cage. A fantastic look at perseverance and what it takes to succeed, this is a must-read for anyone who wants to be an outstanding leader.
These books come from a variety of perspectives, but they can all help to make you a much more informed and empowered leader. Whether you’re looking to be a more effective manager or trying to find a way to push your business in a new direction, these books will help. For more information about small business leadership and the path to success, make sure to contact us at PayTech – and sign up for our monthly newsletters to get great information on how to make sure you and your business thrive.
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