I’ve always been a reader. As a kid, I loved reading for fun and where it could take your imagination. As I grew, my love for books and my love for learning grew right along with me. I’m a huge believer in continuing to learn throughout our careers and our lives. The old saying, “you learn something new every day,” is true, in my opinion, and if you’re doing it intentionally, it can help you better yourself and your company. It’s why one of our three core values is “Grow or Die”. I’ve read (or listened to) hundreds of books that have impacted my life, my management style, and in some ways, even the direction of my company.
Here are 5 impactful books I suggest for other CEOs, managers, or anyone who believes in stretching themselves.
- Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
Traction is all about taking back control. Many CEOs let their businesses run their lives when it should be the other way around. This book is a guide to solving some of those most basic leadership problems: personal conflict, profit ups and downs, and stunted growth. Learn how to get decision made, but beyond that, get them fully implemented. We use this book internally to do 90 day goal planning and have it feed into a long term strategy. The methodology is logical. The book is a must-read for CEOs, but also the teams that report to that individual.
- Double Double
Double your revenue and profit in three years or less is the claim made by Double Double. Growth can be a roller coaster ride and this book helps you to navigate successfully all of this while not letting your life pass you by. Planning, building, and leading through the filter of a shared vision makes all the difference. This books walks you through the steps for building a vivid vision, but more importantly, walks through all departments and gives very tangible ideas for improving your business.
- Success of Failure
Embracing failure as part of your journey can be tough, but this book puts into perspective that it’s just part of it. The lessons in Success of Failure will apply to anyone from entry-level management to the CEO. This book inspires thoughtful change in behavior and mindset. I think this is an awesome read for anyone who wants to improve themselves and the people they lead because it reminds us all that “making new mistakes” is the best way to improve.
- Start with Why
This is a book I often suggest my non-technical staff read. Why do you do what you do? That’s more important than just what you do because it inspires people. This book teaches you how to harness that power and better your business.
- QBQ: Question Behind the Question
This is mandatory reading for every employee at GadellNet. If you’re ready to challenge what’s at the root of your organization’s performance, read this. Sometimes our true motivations can be hidden even from ourselves and sweeping this away to become more self-aware and more honest with the way we look at our organization and our personal lives is a real game changer. Self-accountability is the theme of this book that takes less than an hour to read!
Have any of these books already changed your leadership style or, dare I say, your personal life? Leave a comment!
