LP Board Member
We asked and you shared. Here are some of LP Alumni’s favorite books on leadership this month so as the weather gets cooler you may enjoy adding these to your fall reading list. What’s your favorite book? Feel free to add it here.
The Big Leap! by Gay Hendricks. I love this book because it is about our perceived limitations and the path to overcoming those self-imposed limitations. It clearly demonstrates that each of us has the opportunity to make the Big Leap to a life that is more extraordinary than we have ever imagined before. – Dev Pathik ’11
Good to Great by James Collins. For me the theme of focus on your core expertise and don’t be a “jack of all trades” resonates (or that’s what Cliff Notes said). – Charles Gallagher ’18
The Servant: A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership by James C. Hunter. It is a great lesson or reminder about leadership. That the true foundation of leadership is not power over people, but authority, which is built upon relationships, love, service, and sacrifice. It’s a book I read a long time ago and it’s worth a re-read from time-to-time.– Margaret Martin ’04
The Art of War by Sun Tzu. Lots of folks talk about it, many haven’t read it. It’s a very quick read, and it’s about way more than just how to fight and win wars. I figure any book that predates most of Western civilization and is still in print has got to be worth a spin. OBTW it’s free for Kindle on Amazon, and paperbacks go about $5. – Kevin Kenney ’18
The 5 Second Rule by Mel Roberts. This is the story of the 5 second rule and the secret to changing anything. Explains that the moment you have an instinct to act on a goal you must use the 5 second rule and physically move before your brain kills it. You only have 5 seconds before your brain will shut it down. This is a simple way to change behavior to become the happiest version of yourself. – Cyndee Haydon ’08
Beyond Band of Brothers by Major Dick Winters. Great book on leadership. Importance of the team, and the leader’s duty to understand the team. Know Your Team – A good leader, needs to know his team, understand their needs, desires and also how they think, to achieve. – Brian Battaglia ’18
Leadership and Self Deception by The Arbinger Institute. – This book is a short read that really impacted me years ago and I’ve consistently gotten great feedback on it when I’ve recommended it. It’s about human connections and the ways we unknowingly block our own ability to drive culture in an organization. Leaders are called upon to execute the vision and purpose of a company, but they cannot accomplish this without the engagement of those tasked with the roles and responsibilities necessary to make it happen. This book illuminates some of the blind-spots that can cripple leaders and the organizations they seek to serve.– Doug Whittington ’17