Finding sources of inspiration in the leadership world is not too challenging of a task given the number of blogs and articles written on a daily basis detailing tips and information for success. The Bebest books to develop your leadership skills is just the first step of many. While each of these should be taken with a grain of salt, some of the better, more reliable sources come in the form of books. For an improved set of leadership skills that can be applied to both your work and personal life, consider reading any of the following works written by some of the most influential figures in business.
This book written by British author and business consultant Marcus Buckingham, along with business wizard Curt Coffman delves into what some of the greatest managers in the business world do differently.
The ironic title is meant to serve as a nonconforming way to address your management skills, discussing how the standard style today is actually what was once considered the opposite. It’s a great piece of writing that allows you to measure just how up-to-date your current leadership practices are.
Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence
Written by authors Daniel Goleman, Annie McKee, and Richard Boyatzis, this book studies the science of the human brain and why we have certain emotional responses with adjacent physical actions. It then ties that into why certain leaders’ styles differ. This is a fantastic read for those that wish to adapt new mindsets in leadership positions, and develop new methods of thinking.
The Slight Edge: Secret to a Successful Life
Jeff Olson, Founder and CEO of Nerium International, explains how your general philosophy translates directly to your thought process, the decisions you make, and the end results. In this book, Olson discusses the importance of sound daily activities, and how they can mean either success or failure in the business world. The way you go about your daily life will reflect in your professional career.
Most people are familiar with this book, as it is one of the most famous written pieces in human history. Sun Tzu, a Chinese military general and philosopher, gives advice on political and military strategy, which may seem inapplicable to your business. However, he also explains how to defeat your enemies with the least amount of effort possible; a lesson that all leaders in business can learn.
Not to be confused with the movie Horrible Bosses, this book written by Stanley Bing (pen name of Gil Schwartz) is a fun take on just how inept and unsuited some bosses can be. If you’re questioning your own abilities as a leader, reading this is a great way to unwind and put your skills into perspective. More often than not, you will find that you’re not as bad as some of the leaders out there today.
