Leadership Two Words at a Time
Bill Treasurer
"Leadership Two Words at a Time" by Bill Treasurer is a pragmatic and inspirational guide for new and emerging leaders. Through accessible two-word directives, the book distills actionable leadership insights into three core areas: leading oneself, leading people, and leading work. Drawing from personal stories, reflection exercises, and hands-on strategies, Treasurer emphasizes self-awareness, humility, trust-building, and operational excellence as the foundation of effective leadership. The book further addresses challenges such as managing emotions, fostering inclusion, ethical decision-making, and achieving sustainable results, while advocating for continuous self-improvement and values-based leadership.
Leadership and Self-Deception
The Arbinger Institute
"Leadership and Self-Deception" by the Arbinger Institute delves into the pervasive issue of self-deception and its detrimental effects on interpersonal and organizational relationships. The book introduces the metaphor of being "in the box" to describe a mindset that distorts perceptions, leading individuals to blame others and justify their own behaviors. Through narratives and principles, it promotes escaping this box by cultivating self-awareness, recognizing self-betrayal, and viewing others as people rather than objects. By fostering genuine connection, accountability, and mutual respect, the book outlines practical steps for individuals and leaders to transform relationships, improve collaboration, and contribute to a culture of authentic change.
Leadership by Algorithm
David De Cremer
"Leadership by Algorithm" by David De Cremer examines the interplay between artificial intelligence (AI) and human leadership in organizational contexts. The book advocates for a future where human and algorithm collaboration drives innovation while emphasizing the irreplaceable qualities of human intelligence, such as empathy, ethical awareness, and emotional intelligence. De Cremer argues for a hybrid leadership model, balancing algorithmic efficiency with human values, and stresses continuous education and adaptability as essential for sustainable success. Integrating AI responsibly into workflows requires leaders to empower both humans and machines, creating purpose-driven and inclusive environments that foster trust, collaboration, and innovation.
Leading Without Authority
Keith Ferrazzi
"Leading Without Authority" by Keith Ferrazzi introduces the transformational concept of "co-elevation," emphasizing collaborative leadership that thrives without formal titles or hierarchies. The book highlights the necessity of fostering meaningful relationships, mutual accountability, and shared growth through teamwork and inclusivity. It provides actionable strategies and real-life examples that demonstrate how individuals at all levels can initiate cultural and organizational change by taking ownership, transcending traditional leadership models, and promoting a collective mission. With an overarching theme of empowerment through service and collaboration, the book calls for a shift in mindset to embrace co-elevation as a path to innovation and progress.
Lean In
Sheryl Sandberg
"Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead" by Sheryl Sandberg examines the complex challenges women face in pursuing leadership roles, both internally through self-doubt and impostor syndrome and externally through societal and workplace biases. Incorporating personal anecdotes, research, and practical advice, Sandberg urges women to embrace ambition, take risks, and advocate for themselves while navigating evolving career paths. The book also emphasizes the importance of systemic changes, equitable domestic partnerships, and collaborative efforts between men and women to foster gender equality and create environments where women can thrive personally and professionally.
Learning Agile
Andrew Stellman
*Learning Agile* by Andrew Stellman and Jennifer Greene provides a comprehensive guide for understanding and implementing Agile principles and methodologies in software development. Focusing on mindset, collaboration, and continuous improvement, the book delves into key frameworks, including Scrum, Extreme Programming (XP), Lean, and Kanban, exploring their unique values and practices. By emphasizing adaptability, transparency, and delivering value iteratively, the authors outline how Agile fosters sustainable team performance and high-quality software outcomes. With practical examples and coaching insights, the book equips readers to overcome common challenges and adopt Agile successfully.
Management Mess to Leadership Success
Scott Jeffrey Miller
"Management Mess to Leadership Success" by Scott Jeffrey Miller is a powerful resource for navigating leadership challenges, blending personal anecdotes and professional insights to offer 30 actionable strategies. Rooted in themes of humility, trust, self-awareness, and continuous improvement, the book provides structured guidance on leading oneself, others, and achieving results. The overarching goal is to guide leaders from chaos to competence, fostering environments where teams thrive. Key takeaways include the importance of fostering strong relationships, making values-driven decisions, and continuously evolving as a leader.
Mixed Signals
Uri Gneezy
"Mixed Signals: How Incentives Really Work" by Uri Gneezy examines how incentives influence decision-making and behavior across personal, societal, and organizational contexts. The book explores the power of signaling, both self and social, in creating alignment between intentions and actions and warns of the unintended consequences of poorly designed or misaligned incentives. Through real-world examples, case studies, and experiments, Gneezy illustrates how incentives can stifle innovation, foster teamwork, or inadvertently prompt unethical outcomes. By shedding light on these complexities, the book provides guiding principles for designing incentive structures that ensure clear communication and drive positive change.