Trainers Talk Tech

I've been on the road this year teaching for an amazing client. The content I'm teaching isn't eLearning related, but leadership and management related. I do quite a bit of work in the leadership arena and speak often on topics of performance, people management and change.

During class, I reference books and materials that augment the particular topic I'm working with, and during last week's class, several students asked to see that list. As I do get quite a bit of non-tech visitors here, I thought I would share the list with my eLearning audience as well.

Leadership Books I Recommend

The Leadership Pipeline
Ram Charan, Stephen Drotter and James Noel
This book describes the phases of leadership and describes them as separate, interlocking “pipelines”. The author speaks about the varied responsibilities necessary at each “level” of management.

The Oz Principle
Roger Connnors, Tom Smith and Craig Hickman
Primarily focusing on business ethics and personal responsibility, this book introduces the concept of “above the line/below the line” when taking personal responsibility in the workplace.

The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team
Patrick Lencioni
This book tells a tale of a dysfunctional team and the steps the new president takes to unite her team. It’s a good business parable with some tools at the end of the chapter that can be directly applied to a dysfunctional team.

Leadership Gold
John Maxwell
John Maxwell is a leadership guru, and this book is a series of his most important leadership lessons. The concept of “ducks” and “eagles” comes from this book. I also recommend reading any of John Maxwell’s extensive library of leadership books. He is amazing.

Way of the Peaceful Warrior
Dan Millman
A parable about a student who’s life intersects with an interesting mentor. The concept of “No ordinary moments” comes from this book.

Emotional Intelligence
Primal Leadership
Daniel Goleman
These two books introduce the concepts of Emotional Intelligence and how they can impact job performance and leadership in the workplace.

What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
Marshall Goldsmith
Similar to the Leadership Pipeline, this books look at the specific skill sets necessary to move up the ladder, based on the premise that the behaviors that made you successful in one job, won’t help you be successful as you move up the ladder.

The Speed of Trust
Stephen M.R. Covey
This book identifies 13 specific behaviors that managers can use to improve trust on their teams.

The Tipping Point
Blink
Outliers
Malcom Gladwell
Three great books that make you think about “normal” things differently.

Egonomics: What Makes Ego Our Greatest Asset (or Most Expensive Liability)
David Marcum and Steven Smith
This book is a powerful examination of ego in the workplace – its positive and negative aspects as a manager.