Are leaders born, or are they made? Managers in a wide range of industries and business models often obtain their status after years of dedicated work and loyalty. This probably means they are great at their jobs, but are they great managers? Hopefully they’ve picked up some techniques along the way, but fortunately, leadership skills can be developed, and are necessary to being effective and successful. Knowledge of how to manage a team, identify and hire talent, resolve conflicts, fix crises, and simply how to deal with people are all vital skills that a manager must possess. Whether you’re about to begin your first leadership role or if you’re looking to revamp the way you manage your business, take a look at these fantastic books on this very subject.
First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham and Curt W. Coffman
Could an unconventional approach be your best bet as a manager? This book thinks so! Buckingham and Coffman conducted extensive research of leaders across industries and found that the top performing employees were guided by top performing managers who weren’t afraid to break with tradition. This book shares methods for identifying and growing talent, suggesting ways to build on existing attributes and set achievable goals for employees. The focus must be on the individual worker to result in a more successful group. In this book you’ll discover how to get the best from your team.
Leadership: The Power of Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
Daniel Goleman has consistently been ranked as one of this generation’s leading business minds. Diving into extensive research in the area of Emotional Intelligence (EI), Goleman has shared insight into an often ignored aspect of the workplace: feelings. This book stands as an excellent toolbox, helping leaders and future leaders develop the necessary skills to enhance their own level of emotional intelligence, and also providing them with the understanding of what to look for in recruiting and selecting top talent.
Building Team Power: How to Unleash the Collaborative Genius of Teams for Increased Engagement, Productivity, and Results by Thomas Kayser
Thomas Kayser’s book is a remarkable resource for management that is easy to read and offers real, practical solutions to put in place. With this book, you’ll discover how to foster collaboration and be the most effectual leader you can be. From conflict resolution to delegation and boosting team spirit, this book provides the essential “how to’s” for working together to achieve desired business outcomes.
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek
This book is built on a simple, but not new concept. Great leaders put their team first, sacrificing their own comfort (or even safety, in some cases) to protect and promote those in their charge. In this insightful book, Sinek demonstrates how this approach harkens back to the earliest days and is undeniably effective, making workers feel secure amidst the group in what he calls the Circle of Safety. This book may completely change the way you do business.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This book remains a classic in the field of leadership. Since its initial publication in the 1930’s, How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold millions of copies across the globe. Emphasising focus and attention on the other person, Carnegie outlines a number of tips and suggestions for effective sales and persuasive techniques. Some of Carnegie’s ideas today may seem straightforward and obvious, but they are the vital elements of successful business relationships and it never hurts to go back to the basics. This is a great read for those just starting out in leadership roles or veterans seeking a refresher.
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