Being a leader is tough, and it’s a position that requires you to constantly be learning. Even the most experienced leaders can’t be prepared for every situation thrown their way. One of the best ways for leaders both new and old to learn more about being a great leader is to read a good book. There are many books on leadership, from classic must-reads written by the most prominent people in leadership roles to newer books written by those finding themselves learning how to be a leader in the modern world. If you’re looking to become a better leader, check out some of these great books on leadership.
The Dichotomy Of Leadership – Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
There are many types of leadership roles that involve striking a balance between the extremes. Some examples include leading vs. following, working hard vs. working smart, creativity vs. discipline, and confidence vs. humility. It can be hard to choose the best course of action when both options have their pros and cons.
The Dichotomy Of Leadership is a book that tackles the various aspects of leadership and how to balance the needs of your team and yourself in difficult situations. It features 12 principles that can be applied to the real world, and they’re divided into 3 distinct categories; balancing yourself, balancing your people, and balancing the mission.
Measure What Matters – John Doerr
As an organization gets bigger, it can be hard for leaders to set and communicate their goals. This is because increased size can lead to more bureaucracy, which can slow down the progress of the team. One of the most common reasons why people don’t get to act on their opportunities is because they don’t have the necessary resources. That’s what Measure What Matters is all about.
The book sets out to teach its leaders about one of the most effective ways to set and communicate goals through the use of objective and key results (OKRs), which is a proven approach used by companies such as Google, Disney, and Spotify. This method can help organizations become more effective by increasing transparency, collaboration, and accountability.
The Infinite Game – Simon Sinek
Leaders often approach business as if it’s a game that can be won or lost. They define their competitors as their enemies and then set out to “beat the competition.” Unlike a game of football or baseball, in business, there is no set end or beginning.
The goal of The Infinite Game is to help leaders focus on the big picture and build a stronger business. According to Simek, this approach can help them avoid making short-term goals and focus instead on long-term achievements.