Listen to the Latest Podcast Episode
Episode 44: From Unemployed to Underemployed: How to Cope With It with Jennifer Duggan
0:00
43:34

7 Leadership Books Every Good Manager Should Read

This list goes for all you wannabe managers, too.

What does it take to be a great manager? Having a well-stacked bookshelf, for one.
Whether you’re leading a team of two, twenty, or two hundred—or aspiring to do any of the three one day—every good manager knows her role comes with its share of diverse and overwhelming obstacles, from delegating tasks to finding a balance with life. These titles are a must read if you want to be the best manager you can be.

1. On leading

Tribes by Seth Godin

There are tons of books out there on leadership—but this one looks at it from a whole new angle. Tribes, which Godin describes as any group of people, are now appearing everywhere and in the most unexpected forms. By looking at various “surprising” tribes, Godin reveals a method for stepping outside of the status quo in a way that will inspire others to follow you.

2. On how good managers implement change

Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath

Change is inevitable in an organization; it’s also not always easy to execute said change, especially if your subordinates — or you — are stuck in old ways. Instead of providing dry advice on “change management,” the Heaths spin a compelling narrative steeped in research, insight, and psychology, with illustrative examples from real situations, on how you can make changes in your organization. A fun read, you won’t be able to put this down — and when you do, you’ll do so with three areas to focus on when it comes to change.

3. On making it to the top

Girls don’t hold the corner office—women do. Perfect for the aspiring manager, “Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office” reveals certain behaviors—if the title didn't clue you in, there are 101—that women learn as young girls that later sabotage them as adults. Ultimately, the book ends up reading as a self-assessment as you recognize and change the behaviors that would otherwise prevent you from climbing up the ladder.

4. On How to motivate your team

How are you motivating your team? If your answer is money and rewards, then this book is for you. Contrary to popular belief, extrinsic incentives aren’t the best way to drive your employees. With anecdotes and research, Pink reveals the secrets of motivation — purpose, mastery, and autonomy.  Read this, and you won’t have a high turnover rate on your hands.

5. On not giving up

This one’s for the days when you want to bang your head on your desk or when you feel like you’re stuck in a rut. Duckworth explores the thought process when you fall down and how passion and persistence can get you back up and lead you to true success. You’ll
This one’s for the days when you want to bang your head on your desk or when you feel like you’re stuck in a rut. Duckworth explores the thought process when you fall down and how passion and persistence can get you back up and lead you to true success. You’ll takeaway inspiration from history, shows, and insight from high achievers themselves on what it means to persevere, and ultimately find success in a whole new light.

6. On networking

Published more than 75 years ago, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” is a classic when it comes to management books — and for good reason. In it, Carnegie teaches the art of communicating and interacting with people in a meaningful way. It’s these connections, he says, that will be crucial to your success as a leader. As they say, it’s always about who you know.

7. On how every manager can find balance

Thrive by Arianna Huffington

Drawing from her own experiences as CEO, Huffington redefines success as something much more than money and a powerful position, emphasizing the importance of well-being and connecting with others. “Thrive” will make you think  and provide you with new ways to relieve stress. Read this when you’re feeling the onset of burnout — it will remind you that there’s a lot more to life than being a manager. 

Tags:

You May Also Like

How-Manifestation-Actually-Works-+-How-to-Manifest-Your-Next-Career-Opportunity- Image
Career Success
How Manifestation Actually Works + How to Manifest Your Next Career Opportunity

Sometimes, we all need to manifest what we want from the inside out. Skeptical? Read this article and change your mind.

Why-I-Ditched-the-Idea-of-
Career Success
Why I Ditched the Idea of "The Dream Job"

Why is it so hard to ditch the idea of a "dream job?" Learn how I tackle the dream job conundrum in my new book, Power Moves.

9-Perspective-Shifting-TED-Talks-on-Confidence Image
Career Success
9 Perspective-Shifting TED Talks on Confidence

Looking for a little confidence boost? These TED Talks tackle confidence, how to build confidence, and how to maintain a confident state of mind.

How-to-Write-a-Personal-Mission-Statement-That-Guides-Your-Career Image
Career Success
How to Write a Personal Mission Statement That Guides Your Career

What's your personal mission statement? Here's how to write a mission statement that centers your values and guides your career.

11-Leadership-Styles—What-Works-and-What-Doesn't Image
Career Success
11 Leadership Styles—What Works and What Doesn't

In this article, we're exploring the most common leadership styles and how each type of leader can effectively lead in an organization.

How-to-Prepare-for-Your-Performance-Review Image
Career Success
How to Prepare for Your Performance Review

Your annual performance review can be a nerve-wracking time for any employee. Use these tips to get a salary raise, more responsibilities or a promotion.

20+-Personality-Tests-You-Must-Take-(+-What-They-Mean-for-Your-Work-Life)- Image
Career Success
20+ Personality Tests You Must Take (+ What They Mean for Your Work Life)

These personality tests can help you better communicate with coworkers and learn more about how you work best.

How-to-Write-a-5-Minute-Self-Evaluation-for-Work-(With-Examples) Image
Career Success
How to Write a 5-Minute Self-Evaluation for Work (With Examples)

Hey, you. Yes, you. It's time to start writing weekly self-evaluations. It's easy—here's how.

How-to-Set-SMART-Goals-+-10-SMART-Career-Goals- Image
Career Success
How to Set SMART Goals + 10 SMART Career Goals

Learn how to set Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based goals for successful career growth.