Summer’s almost upon us once more. Let’s hope that you’re able to unplug and relax at some point over the next few months. And what better way to unplug than reading a great book when you’re lounging on vacation, at the park, or on your backyard deck?
Since we're strong advocates for lifelong learning, we're always on the lookout for new reads. Want to kill two birds with one stone (develop your leadership qualities and unplug)? Then here are 13 titles to consider:
1. How to Win Friends & Influence People
A classic, to be sure. This book can help you change the way you deal with people — which could make you a much more effective leader.
2. Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose
Written by Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh, this book should help you rethink your approach to management.
3. My Dearest Friend: Letters of Abigail and John Adams
The private correspondence between America’s second president and his wife — who played a huge behind-the-scenes role in shaping the country. Your significant other may be helping your career more than you realize.
4. The Art of War
Sun Tzu’s book on military strategy should provide you with insight into strategy on a more macro level. Read the book and learn how to mitigate problems and conquer adversaries masterfully.
5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
We're all about the classics. This book explores a framework through which you can become a more successful manager.
6. Liar’s Poker
Michael Lewis’s masterpiece documents life on Wall Street in the 1980s. In addition to exploring the frenetic lifestyle many traders lived, the book offers keen insight into the leadership challenges affecting many of today’s managers.
7. Good to Great
Not every company grows into Google overnight. A lot of companies aren’t great; they’re just good — or even mediocre. Written by Jim Collins, this book explores how run-of-the-mill companies can achieve enduring greatness. It may take time, but it’s certainly not impossible.
8. The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done
What leader’s summer reading list would be complete without a book written by Peter Drucker? This book should help you narrow your focus so that you’re able to reclaim your time and direct your energies in the right areas.
9. Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage
Being a leader can be tough, particularly when you sail over rough patches of water. Still, great leaders survive — even when everyone bets against them. A century ago, Ernest Shackleton and his crew of 27 men set out to explore Antarctica. But his ship got stuck. This book chronicles the story of Shackleton’s heroism as he and his crew navigated 850 miles of ocean to survive.
10. The Emperor’s Handbook
Written by Marcus Aurelius while he was Emperor of Rome, the book offers leadership advice from one of the world’s all-time most powerful figures.
11. The Alchemist
This one’s a novel that’s centered on Santiago, a boy who travels the world searching for riches. During his journey, he realizes the importance of following his dreams and listening to his heart.
12. The Bully Pulpit
The story about how two powerful men, Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, became great friends — and then great enemies. See how they exercised their power and what drove them apart.
13. Wooden on Leadership: How to Create a Winning Organization
Coaching the UCLA men’s basketball team for 41 years is a daunting task, to say the least. Yet that’s exactly what John Wooden did — except he did it exceptionally. The book teaches leadership lessons that will last a lifetime.
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