Leading Change by John P. Kotter
Practical and useful guide to leading change within an organization. Straightforward and easy to digest. His final chapter on “Leadership and Lifelong Learning,” while not strictly part of his formula for leading change, is well worth exploring as well.
The Trusted Advisor by Maister, Greene, and Galford
Most of us would agree that increasing levels of trust improves all relationships. Most of us would also agree that in a business setting this leads to more profitable and more satisfying relationships. So, while the authors make note of the benefits of trust, they put the bulk of their focus on how trust is created and maintained.
In support of this the authors offer a simple means of quantifying the trust you have in others – and gaining insight into how much trust others put in you. By providing an actual equation, with just four variables, the “how-to” becomes imminently clear and accessible. By clearly identifying and exploring the variables involved the book makes it easy to move from theory to practical action. In fact, the book is filled with practical, real-life examples of how building trust works and offers many suggestions for dealing with a wide range of challenges.
Primal Leadership – Learning to Lead with Emotional Intelligence by Goleman, Boyatzis, and McKee
Anyone wanting to better understand the work benefits of emotional intelligence, what it is, how leaders demonstrate it, and how it is developed will appreciate this book. Goleman asserts that the most important task of a leader is to act as the group’s emotional guide. The first two parts of the book, in particular, provide evidence supporting this as well as a good framework and practical examples of how it shows up in the workplace.
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
This book takes on a tough topic that nearly everyone would benefit from mastering. A straightforward, clear set of principles for becoming good or great at handling these conversations is laid out in an easy to read and understand style. If you want to get better results when the stakes are high, emotions are running, and opinions vary then get this book and start practicing now.
Corporate Culture and Performance by John P. Kotter
I’ve included this book as it provides persuasive, quantitative evidence that organizational success requires more than just talented people doing good work. If you’ve ever doubted the importance of the larger context of within which work gets done, read this book.
Note: These are some of the resources that I am personally familiar with. I change the recommended books and articles every month or so. Please come back and check again.
I welcome your thoughts and comments about their value. Please feel free to email or call for suggestions of other books on particular topics.
Stanford Graduate School of Business – 2013 Executive Coaching Survey
A revealing look at what CEOs and senior leaders want to work on and are working on. The survey also includes the perspective of Board members on desired CEO development. Over 200 CEOs, senior executives, and directors of North American public and private companies were polled to produce these key findings.
What Makes a Leader Great? by Karl Grass
Are leaders made or born? Thousands of articles have been written about leadership, what it is and what makes a leader great. So, you might think this issue would be settled by now. Of course, it isn’t. One reason is that many of the books and articles offer opinions based on experience and personal belief backed by examples of greatness. Here’s a look at some compelling research.
What is EQ and Why Should Executives Work on It? by Karl Grass
While EQ is often talked about, the business case isn’t always made clear. This article offers an introduction to the topic and the logic behind why and how you can improve yours.
How Can Executives Increase Their Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace? by Karl Grass
Unlike IQ, emotional intelligence in the workplace can be changed with the right effort. Taking that journey requires commitment and is made easier with the help of others. Here’s how.
Leading Inevitable but Unpopular Change by Karl Grass
When change is inevitable but unpopular, a leader has to first navigate the present before he or she can hope to get to the future. Find out how to approach managing organizational change in a positive manner.
The New Humanism by David Brooks
In this New York Times opinion piece David Brooks outlines how our world view – and policy failures – have been shaped by a belief that reason and emotion should be divided. He reminds readers of some key insights from current research, including that emotion is not opposed to reason but is instead the foundation for it.
How to Balance Power and Love by Art Kleiner
From the Thought Leader section of strategy+business (published by Booz & Company) comes this intriguing interview with Adam Kahane, author, consultant, and early pioneer of scenario planning at Royal Dutch Shell. The article begins with this quote from Martin Luther King, “Power without love is reckless and abusive, and love without power is sentimental and anemic.” What that means in a business context is explored in this interview.
Leadership Under Microscope by Jack Zenger, Kurt Sandholtz, and Joe Folkman
Taking a rigorous approach to the question of, “What is leadership and can it be developed?” the authors analyzed the data from over 200,000 assessments of more than 20,000 leaders. This article summarizes their findings and presents a clear model that describes the foundations of leadership. What they found is that being exceptional in just a small number of key competencies separates great from good.
Extraordinary Leaders Make a Difference by Zenger Folkman
A companion piece to Leadership Under the Microscope, this article provides data showing the relationship between extraordinary leadership and results. Also included is an eye-opening look at the significant differences that occurs as a small number of competencies move to exceptional levels.
Note: These are some of the resources that I am personally familiar with. I change the recommended books and articles every month or so. Please come back and check again.
LifeForward – The Hudson Institute of Coaching
Designed for adults facing a transition, seeking redirection, or wanting to enrich their careers and lives, this four day workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore your purpose, imagine your future, and create a tangible plan to make it happen. Intense, practical, and very effective, this workshop progressively builds on each exercise and session in a non-judgmental, self-directed and thoughtfully structured environment.
Note: These are some of the resources that I am personally familiar with. I change the recommended books every month or so. Please come back and check again.
I welcome your thoughts and comments about their value. Please feel free to email or call for suggestions of other books on particular topics.