I got asked this recently at a conference: What’s my top 3 book recommendations?
I couldn’t answer because I have too many and my recommendation would be completely situational. So I’ve been considering this question for leaders. What would be my top three and this was painful. I decided to remove books that are already well known, such as How to win friends and influence people. I decided to remove books that focused on one skill or practice, such as Agile Retrospectives, Agile Coaching, Crucial Conversations, etc. I decided to remove books specific to Agile such as The Human Side of Agile.
I wasn’t able to get it to 3 but did get it to 4. However, I just know someone will mention a book and I will agree that it should be in the top three. Ugh, this was so hard!
Drive, Daniel Pink
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni
The Goal, Eliyahu Goldratt
Training from the BACK of the Room, Sharon Bowman
Here’s the story that ran through my head:
As a leader, I need to understand what truly motivates people. In addition, I need to understand what is the foundation and motivation for successful teams. Since awareness does not equal results, I need to understand how to identify challenges to the overall system and learn to make continuous improvements. All while, my leadership approach and delivery engages learning and collaboration.
Ok, destroy my little world…what book would you add/replace?
I would replace either Drive or 5 dysfunction with The 7 habits of effective people
because Covey’s book contains so much different tips that help all kind of people.
Also on motivation, and a lot of how teams work.
I went back and forth on this one so I very much agree! Thanks!
As good as The Five Dysfunctions is, I would replace it with The Leadership Challenge by James Kouzes and Barry Posner. It is fairly comprehensive – especially for new leaders.
Thanks. I’ll have to think about why this didn’t pop into my head. See this is tough!
I’d add Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage by Alfred Lansing. The best book on leadership there is. (I think these are leadership books.) I’d get rid of Bowman and Lencioni to make room.
I’ve actually not read this book. On my reading list…thanks!