14Nov 2017 by Brad

5 More Great Leadership Books

This is a continuation of last week’s “My 10 favorite leadership books that I own” series. And with the holidays quickly approaching, a great book is always a great gift. At least it always is for me.

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Without further adieu…

The Second Five

F. The Tipping Point

It’s hard to believe that this came out 15 years ago. The Tipping Point was the book that put Malcolm Gladwell on the map, and introduces the concept that a small, insignificant change, or group of people, can lead to major shifts in history. From a leadership perspective, it reinforces the Margaret Mead quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” The Tipping Point segues into…

G. Freakonomics

Full disclosure: Freakonomics is not a book about leadership per se; it is a book about how seemingly random or non-relevant events can actually be the exact reason something happens. Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner make that argument with several case studies, and because they do, it is a great companion book to The Tipping Point. Both books urge the reader to explore beyond the obvious, and dig for what may be the real reason something is the case, rather than the perceived reason. Which is what true Leaders do.

H. EntreLeadership

A wonderful gift by friend and colleague Carolyn Bray, EntreLeadership, by Dave Ramsey, explores Ramsey’s rise from a marginally successful real estate agent to the multi-millionaire radio show host and author he is today. Ramsey encourages entrepreneurial thinking (thus the title) and details his rise through his twenty-plus year career.

I. The First 90 Days

Another wonderful gift by friend and colleague, this one by Dr. Mitch Owen, President of Mitchen, Inc., The First 90 Days is a valuable guide for anyone starting a new job, even though they may be an experienced leader with decades of experience (as was I when I read it). Michael Watkins gives valuable advice regarding what to expect and accomplish in order for the first 90 days in a new role to be successful. Just one of many: get a list of goals your boss expects to have accomplished, so that you and your boss will be on the same page, working toward the same end-game, from day one.

J. Reinventing Government

An oldie but goodie. Reinventing Government, by David Osborne, Partner with the Public Strategies Group, and Ted Gaebler, a former City Manager, authored a book that was groundbreaking in 1993 but is still relevant for anyone in local government management today. They lay out, really for the first time, the advantages of competitive competition with city government management, as well as introducing the now common concept of public-private partnerships. Many of their recommendations have become common practice, but a review of the book would be of value for anyone in public policy positions, and would especially be valuable to newly elected and appointed officials who have little to no experience in government management.