The most important element in leading today’s workforce could be to focus on self-improvement. This can seem daunting in a position that comes with a multitude of responsibilities, but it can be difficult to lead an organization without personal growth.
With an ever-changing workforce, focusing on yourself can seem difficult to achieve. Changes internally from new hires and business strategy developments to external factors like political and economic landscapes affect the way you lead your organization and where you concentrate your time.
So how do you find inspiration to help you grow and develop your personal leadership style?
Many c-suite leaders gain their knowledge by reading. Reading allows us to absorb different perspectives and experiences, helping us become successful executives.
Books to excel your leadership skills
I have generated a list of the top five books every company leader should read. They are:
1. The Way of the Shepherd: Seven Secrets to Managing Productive People by Dr. Kevin Leman and Bill Pentak
About the book: Meet your people’s needs to be able to draw out their best potential. Leman and Pentak show us the importance of leading our people as individuals, not a crowd.
Why you should read it: The Way of the Shepherd will teach you how to lead the people around you so they will view their work as a calling rather than merely a job, a place to belong, rather than a place to work. It shows you how to infuse work with meaning and how to engage and energize your workforce.
2. The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
About the book: Take an infinite view of your work. Players may get traded and the stadium may change, but the game is always on. Have a long term perspective on strategy and decision making versus short term wins and loses, which are mile markers, in an infinite game.
Why you should read it: Simon Sinek shows us a different perspective on the thrills of promotion — there are no winners and there is no time limit. The goal is to stay in the game. An insightful book that encourages a mindshift change. Don’t just live by quarters and annual budgets.
3. Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear
About the book: Learn how to lead your people with habits instead of outcomes. Coach and develop strategies that create good habits and eliminate the bad ones.
Why you should read it: You know what you have to do, but do you know how to do it? Clear shows us how to consistently and successfully develop habits that we can implement into our lives and business. We can use this knowledge and strategy when leading our people.
4. A CEO Only Does Three Things: Finding Your Focus in the C-Suite by Trey Taylor
About the book: Keep your focus as a CEO and stick to high value activities. Stay attached to the things that matter most.
Why you should read it: Taylor shares inspiring insights and practical applications that help leaders avoid burnout. Learn how to manage your attention and cut the clutter from a challenging c-suite position.
5. Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World by Bob Goff
About the book: Lighthearted and inspiring, Goff shares thought-provoking stories that show us ways to care for people in a radical way. Care by being available. Care with your actions.
Why you should read it: A lot of times we care for people within our own convenience, but we should look at what it looks like to do that differently and apply that practice to our business and in our lives.
*bonus* book recommendation for c-suite leaders:
6. Life & Death Decisions in the C-Suite contributing author: Ben Conner
About the book: Life & Death Decisions in the C-Suite reveals the truth behind the private healthcare and health insurance industry that has plagued businesses and organizations across the US.
Why you should read it: Leaders and executives will discover the hard truth about the current healthcare system and how to leverage specific strategies and solutions to substantially lower costs while enhancing the quality of life for their employees and their families.
Lead with skill, confidence, and ease
Some of the best leadership skills we see from C-suite leaders are simpler than we expect and we can uncover these skills by reading these and many other books meant to help leaders excel.
Your school can benefit from a confident leader who is always learning, adapting, and striving for the best, personally and professionally.
