Need recommendation: Book on Leadership

Francesco · 09-16-2010, 01:50 PM

I need to improve my leadership skills. I want a book to understand more about what leadership is and what I can do to become a leader.
My objective is to stay away from "Overnight Leadership" books, i.e., how to influence (manipulate) people with your (fake) charm. I want to transform myself into a leader and help groups move forward with their own collective goals, and contribute to change our society for the better.
I think true leadership comes from inner transformation.
The 7 habits is the only one I know (I like it a lot), and I'd like to expand my horizons. Inspiring biographies accepted, too.

Thanks!

queentess · 09-16-2010, 01:55 PM

I'm not sure about your particular circumstances, but if you're a manager in today's business world you may want to look at books about "knowledge worker management".

IF this is your case, here's one I would recommend.
Thinking for a Living: How to Get Better Performances And Results from Knowledge Workers by Thomas H. Davenport

Solitaire1 · 09-30-2010, 03:48 AM

A book I recommend is "Make It So" by Wess Roberts, Ph.D. and Bill Ross, originally released in 1995. It is a book of leadership lessons derived from episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." It is written as series of personal logs by Captain Jean-Luc Picard, with the events told from his point of view.

Each chapter of the book illustrates a principle of leadership (as an example, the first chapter concerns "Focus" and the second on "Urgency"). Although it is an entertaining book for Star Trek fans (who will likely recognize the individual episodes recounted), it is also written for the non-Star Trek fan to enjoy and learn leadership lessons too. I found it an entertaining and worthwhile read, and I think you will too.

WillAdams · 09-30-2010, 08:24 AM

I've always found this quote by John Paul Jones to be the best guide of leadership (and behaviour):

``It is by no means enough that an officer be capable...He should be a gentleman of liberal education, refined manners, punctilious courtesy, and the nicest sense of personal honor... No meritorious act of a subordinate should escape his attention, even if the reward be only one word of approval. Conversely, he should not be blind to a single fault in any subordinate.''
--- John Paul Jones (Scottish born American Naval Hero in the U.S. War of Independence, 1747-1792)
http://thinkexist.com/quotation/it-i...be/409153.html

William

Jakie · 09-30-2010, 09:34 AM

John Maxwell writes on leadership, and I have enjoyed hearing him speak live.

John (not Maxwell) :-)

Penforhire · 09-30-2010, 04:25 PM

Francesco, to a degree, it seems to me leadership in indeed influencing people. Your charm is not fake if you are merely accommodating communication styles that are not your own, herding cats, and demonstrating empathy.

The larger thing I see from good leaders is vision. I don't know if you can teach vision. It takes more than perseverence and enthusiasm. Looks like it also requires a deep understanding of your business or activity and intuition. Can you teach intuition?

I was 'raised' on Tom Peters' books and a lot of management seminars.

I enjoyed the One Minute Manager & Who Moved My Cheese for your 'fake' tactics, which are not really fake.

If you like manufacturing and expecially automotive then I have to recommend reading The Machine That Changed the World (about modern lean manufacturing).

GA Russell · 09-30-2010, 05:15 PM

When I was in high school we were required to read The Marine Corps Handbook. That might be of help to you.

Francesco · 09-30-2010, 06:11 PM

Thanks everyone.

doreenjoy · 10-06-2010, 07:51 AM

I learned a lot about leadership from The One Minute Manager.

I don't recommend How to win Friends and Influence People

doreenjoy · 10-06-2010, 07:52 AM

This might also help.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94068

09-16-2010, 01:50 PM	#1
Francesco Aficionado Posts: 391 Karma: 710 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Denver, CO, USA Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Touch	Need recommendation: Book on Leadership I need to improve my leadership skills. I want a book to understand more about what leadership is and what I can do to become a leader. My objective is to stay away from "Overnight Leadership" books, i.e., how to influence (manipulate) people with your (fake) charm. I want to transform myself into a leader and help groups move forward with their own collective goals, and contribute to change our society for the better. I think true leadership comes from inner transformation. The 7 habits is the only one I know (I like it a lot), and I'd like to expand my horizons. Inspiring biographies accepted, too. Thanks!

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09-16-2010, 01:55 PM	#2
queentess Reading is sexy Posts: 1,303 Karma: 544517 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: none	I'm not sure about your particular circumstances, but if you're a manager in today's business world you may want to look at books about "knowledge worker management". IF this is your case, here's one I would recommend. Thinking for a Living: How to Get Better Performances And Results from Knowledge Workers by Thomas H. Davenport

09-30-2010, 03:48 AM	#3
Solitaire1 Samurai Lizard Posts: 14,259 Karma: 66698846 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: NookColor	A book I recommend is "Make It So" by Wess Roberts, Ph.D. and Bill Ross, originally released in 1995. It is a book of leadership lessons derived from episodes of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." It is written as series of personal logs by Captain Jean-Luc Picard, with the events told from his point of view. Each chapter of the book illustrates a principle of leadership (as an example, the first chapter concerns "Focus" and the second on "Urgency"). Although it is an entertaining book for Star Trek fans (who will likely recognize the individual episodes recounted), it is also written for the non-Star Trek fan to enjoy and learn leadership lessons too. I found it an entertaining and worthwhile read, and I think you will too.

09-30-2010, 08:24 AM	#4
WillAdams Wizard Posts: 1,234 Karma: 3350652 Join Date: Feb 2008 Device: Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (300ppi), Samsung Galaxy Book 12	I've always found this quote by John Paul Jones to be the best guide of leadership (and behaviour): ``It is by no means enough that an officer be capable...He should be a gentleman of liberal education, refined manners, punctilious courtesy, and the nicest sense of personal honor... No meritorious act of a subordinate should escape his attention, even if the reward be only one word of approval. Conversely, he should not be blind to a single fault in any subordinate.'' --- John Paul Jones (Scottish born American Naval Hero in the U.S. War of Independence, 1747-1792) http://thinkexist.com/quotation/it-i...be/409153.html William

09-30-2010, 09:34 AM	#5
Jakie Connoisseur Posts: 52 Karma: 225544 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Edmonton Alberta Device: Sony T1, Blackberry playbook and Q10	John Maxwell writes on leadership, and I have enjoyed hearing him speak live. John (not Maxwell) :-)

09-30-2010, 04:25 PM	#6
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	Francesco, to a degree, it seems to me leadership in indeed influencing people. Your charm is not fake if you are merely accommodating communication styles that are not your own, herding cats, and demonstrating empathy. The larger thing I see from good leaders is vision. I don't know if you can teach vision. It takes more than perseverence and enthusiasm. Looks like it also requires a deep understanding of your business or activity and intuition. Can you teach intuition? I was 'raised' on Tom Peters' books and a lot of management seminars. I enjoyed the One Minute Manager & Who Moved My Cheese for your 'fake' tactics, which are not really fake. If you like manufacturing and expecially automotive then I have to recommend reading The Machine That Changed the World (about modern lean manufacturing).

09-30-2010, 05:15 PM	#7
GA Russell Montreal wins Grey Cup! Posts: 7,583 Karma: 31484197 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Raleigh, NC Device: Paperwhite, Kindles 10 & 4 and jetBook Lite	When I was in high school we were required to read The Marine Corps Handbook. That might be of help to you.

09-30-2010, 06:11 PM	#8
Francesco Aficionado Posts: 391 Karma: 710 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Denver, CO, USA Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Touch	Thanks everyone.

10-06-2010, 07:51 AM	#9
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	I learned a lot about leadership from The One Minute Manager. I *don't* recommend How to win Friends and Influence People

10-06-2010, 07:52 AM	#10
doreenjoy 01000100 01001010 Posts: 1,889 Karma: 2400000 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Polyamorous	This might also help. https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94068

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