Photo by Josué Goge
This summer, we’re reading for a really good reason. The U.S. jobless rate has fallen below 4 percent for the first time in 17 years. That’s good news, but it can present a challenge for business leaders because it creates an employees’ market. Education is key, and summer reading can make you smarter.
It’s more important than ever for leadership to keep employees happy and engaged. Workers need to know they are valued and vital to the success of the company. Remember, they have options these days. And in many industries, they have lots of options.
So this summer’s reading list will focus on leadership. I’m sharing some of my personal favorite great books as well as some from smart people I coach. Almost all these suggestions are available as audio books, too, so you can listen if you’d like.
Corsini’s Top 10 “Read, Watch and Listen” List especially for leadership, listed by topic:
1. Productivity. Eat That Frog! 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy. Feeling overwhelmed at work? To-do lists too long? In this revised and updated book, Tracy tells you how to focus on what’s really important.
2. Willpower. Don’t Pull the Chicken Switch: How to Maximize Willpower and Get Everything You Want Out of Work and Life by Kit Allowitz. Boost your self-discipline, and get in the good habit of following through on your commitments. This book is all about that.
3. Self-awareness. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown. This social scientist looks at what it means to truly belong in a climate of increased polarization. True belonging (and really being yourself), she writes, is a daily practice that demands authenticity, integrity and courage. (I love all of Brown’s books! She’s always authentic and has great things to share.)
4. Entrepreneurship. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashlee Vance. Musk is the guy behind PayPal, Tesla Motors, SpaceX and SolarCity, which impact industries and lives all over the globe. This book is an intimate look at the life of a bold, revolutionary man who has an unwavering drive to succeed. He’s imagining a future that, until recently, might have seemed like sci-fi fantasy.
5. Motivational history. Last Train to Paradise: Henry Flagler and the Spectacular Rise and Fall of the Railroad That Crossed an Ocean by Les Standiford. What happens when audacious, human ingenuity collides with the most powerful forces of nature? An amazing railroad—from Key West to the Florida mainland—gets built, and one of the most destructive storms in history tears it down. This captivating book is about bold business in the Gilded Age, fascinating Florida history and “impossible” dreams. Perfect beach reading!
6. Leadership, life & faith. The Price of Leadership by Charlie “Tremendous” Jones. This classic booklet by one of the most dynamic and humorous speakers ever is filled with pearls of wisdom regarding challenging situations in business and at home. You’ll want to watch this 1970s video: https://bit.ly/2weTTkF
7. Transitions. Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top by Bo Burlington. There are lots of books about starting companies. This one focuses on ending a business relationship. A successful exit strategy takes years of planning— not months. This book is a “how-to” for executives looking to transition in the workplace.
8. Employee engagement. Thrive by Design: The Neuroscience That Drives High-Performance Cultures by Don Rheem. This book offers business leaders insights into employee performance, well-being and retention from a brain-based perspective. In this employees’ market, it’s a must-read if you want to be proactive instead of reactive.
9. Lots of good, smart stuff. The Wisdom of Wooden: My Century On and Off the Court by John Wooden and Steve Jamison. This is Wooden’s final book, and it’s a gift to get more of his wisdom about leadership, values, family and what’s really important in life. He shared his amazing memories and some never-published-before photos, too. Want more on Wooden? Watch my favorite Wooden video, a TED Talk on “The Difference Between Winning and Succeeding.” https://bit.ly/1kAW4hg
10. Leadership. The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential by John C. Maxwell. Become more than just a boss (getting that title is actually the first and lowest of the five levels as laid out in this insightful book). You need to know how to inspire people and build a team that works well now and into the future. This book is already a classic. Watch Maxwell on YouTube at https://bit.ly/18v5a9c.
Bonus book: What Millennials Want from Work: How to Maximize Engagement in Today’s Workforce by Jennifer J. Deal and Alec Levenson. This book offers a comprehensive, scientifically accurate look at what motivates Millennials around the world. Also, there are ideas about how to align long-term business goals with the realities of today’s workplace.
I have one last recommendation regarding leading younger workers—an inspiring video by Simon Sinek specifically about Millennials in the workplace https://bit.ly/2wxGjXY.
And if you want even more reading suggestions, take a look at my 2017 Top 10 “Must-Read (or Listen)” List here: http://bit.ly/2BY14fu.
Have a safe and awesome summer! And thank you for allowing us to help you do what you do better.