10 Books Leaders/Mentors are Reading to Grow Themselves — When I’m Still Negotiating Salary!
Leaders or mentors read daily — not just a book, it can be anything, even an article flashing on your LinkedIn Feed, or maybe AskReddit, or simply they browse through dailymail.co.uk, as soon as they open up their 15-inch screen to switch on their #workmode. I have seen these people reading books. Well, can’t tag them or generalize them as bookworms or bibliomaniacs — but they know how to suck the juice of life-saving virtues from a piece of reading.
You will feel dumb when they refer to a book or quote a line from an article. I’m sure you do. You feel “how could I be a smart ass like him/her?” Well, someone said:
“Pretend to be completely in control and people will assume that you are.” ~ Walter Isaacson
This saying is so damn TRUE. Do you know from where I took this quote? Well, hunt down the book called Steve Jobs, by the writer mentioned. (Read the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Steve-Jobs-Walter-Isaacson/dp/1451648537)
At the end of every year, I see several articles floating online; those listicles share names of books that leaders prefer to read.
Why do they choose to do such a thing? Promotion. More Sales Online. Definitely.
But, what’s more, obvious is, that they want non-bookworms like us to hook into one such book rather than tip-toeing to #newjobalert every new year. It asks us to pick up such a book and inspire ourselves. “Ignite thy dying fire.”
This sounds good — I do sound like a #motivationalspeaker, but am scared I ain’t no different.
But what do we love to do every new year? Setting a new job-hunting resolution. Yes, am right and you have to nod with me. For people like us, 360-degree growth can hibernate some more time!
I can tell you about myself. I have seen people around me getting groomed, reading like a black hole, and doing endless professional courses — and I have no shame in admitting that they are well-placed. However, some did not make it — maybe they fake it. And I fall into neither category.
However, you and I still can jump from the sinking boat with the help of life jackets (Here they are the list of #leadership books).
#1. First in my listicle is The Art of Possibility, by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
Get acquainted with 12 practices to open new avenues of thought and self-image. As a result, you can become a more insightful, better leader.
#2. The second is The Five Thieves of Happiness, by John Izzo
He has turned control, conceit, coveting, consumption, and comfort as the five thieves in our life. Understanding the thieves lays a path back to happiness, or at least feeling content.
#3. Start with Why, by Simon Sinek the third book
Why? — One of the W’s of 5W and 1H in our everyday life — and the less used by the grown-ups. It is just the kids who use it more often. And Sinek truly says in the book, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”
#4. The fourth book can be Endurance by Alfred Lansing
An expedition to the South Pole was led by explorer Edward Shackleton in 1914. The story is so inspiring and teaches valuable lessons in leadership.
#5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen R. Covey, is one of my favorites and comes fifth
I would take the liberty to quote from the book, as it seems to explain all that it contains:
“As you care less about what people think of you, you will care more about what others think of themselves.”
#6. Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins
This one comes from one of the massive and greatest motivational speakers.
#7. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This book is by the famous Dale Carnegie, I think if someone made the mark during his lifetime and still continues the same legacy — is this man!!!
#8. The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins
Michael Watkins reveals a way to make these transitions as smooth as possible, offering strategies to avoid the most common mistakes made by new leaders. Will you like to take a plunge into it?
#9. Seeing Around Corners by Rita McGrath
‘Discovery-driven planning’ to predict and take control of the changes to lead your organization to success — that’s what McGrath wants us to win over.
#10. Becoming by Michelle Obama
My recent read and I am actually reading it while drafting this article for my fellow readers. And Michelle herself inspires us, to carry on leading despite the adversities that we may face along the way.
I hope, you find my list a bit helpful and can have a great start in the year 2023. I am gearing up, will you like to do the same?
Also, find the article on my Linkedin Feed: https://lkdin.io/3xPH
Meet Moumita
I had been writing for myself for a number of years, guess around 12 years. I love to read, and browse through whatever new and exciting and to do that a hot cup of tea is always is my best company!
