Does your “ho ho ho” turn to “ho-hum” when you stare at your bookshelf? Then it’s time to put some reading material on your holiday wish list. Otherwise, you’ll head into the next 12 months without the benefit of some helpful brain fodder.
Below are seven books that would be welcome stuffers of any business leader’s stocking. Whether your goal in the new year is to become a more empathetic leader or to detox from digital distractions, the advice in these volumes will be the gift that keeps on giving.
The Intelligent Leader by John Mattone
1. The Intelligent Leader: Unlocking the 7 Secrets to Leading Others and Leaving Your Legacy by John Mattone
Many people lead companies. However, not many of them become talked-about leaders. John Mattone believes that there are several mindsets that separate truly unparalleled executives from the rest of the pack. I found his advice about leaning upon core gifts and dealing with individual gaps particularly eye-opening. From now on, I’m going to think about ways to be a more thoughtful, pragmatic leader using the tenets outlined in this book.
Indistractable by Nir Eyal
2. Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life by Nir Eyal
Beeping texts. Chiming emails. Dinging reminders. They’re distractions none of us can afford if we want to live meaningful lives and not be chained to our digital taskmasters all day. If you’ve tried to abstain from devices only to get pulled back in, spend time with Nir Eyal. You’ll learn how to overcome the lure of time-sucking temptations and get more done personally and professionally. I feel less anxious every time I get an alert after having put some Indistractable behaviors into motion.
Mean People Suck by Michael Brenner
3. Mean People Suck: How Empathy Leads to Bigger Profits and a Better Life by Michael Brenner
Even little kids know that being mean is a path to nowhere. Yet plenty of businesspeople swear by the concept—and just swear in general, particularly at their employees. If you want to lead with empathy in 2020 and beyond, ask Comet and Blitzen to bring you a copy of Mean People Suck. I’ve seen how positivity in executives can be transformative to a team. Join me in the new year as we edge out the finger pointers and waggers among us.
Management Mess to Leadership Success by Scott Jeffrey Miller
4. Management Mess to Leadership Success: 30 Challenges to Become the Leader You Would Follow by Scott Jeffrey Miller
No leader sets out to fail, but we’ve all had our stumbles along entrepreneurship’s rocky road. Scott Jeffrey Miller openly discusses his own blunders, then repositions them as opportunities for readers to figure out how to avoid mistakes or rectify missteps. I found Miller’s managerial advice spot-on, especially the tips that related to some of my own faux pas. Management Mess is destined to become one of those books you keep on your shelf as a go-to guide. Keep some sticky notes handy to mark key pages for quick reference.
Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday
5. Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday
A visit to any retail store on Black Friday is a study in frenetic behavior. Our world seems to increase its pace by the beginning of December. Bestselling author Ryan Holiday encourages readers to do the opposite as he promotes the power of calm and quiet in times of chaos. If you get overwhelmed at the thought of attending another party or stressed about buying presents, Stillness is for you. I was amazed at all the famous folks who have used silence and reflection to their benefit. You will be, too.
Loonshots by Safi Bahcall
6. Loonshots: How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries by Safi Bahcall
Have you ever wondered why some ideas take off like wildfire and others fizzle out before they elicit a wisp of smoke? Safi Bahcall uses the power of science to get closer to understanding and potentially predicting how groups will react to revolutionary, groundbreaking concepts. Instead of focusing on human dynamics, he concentrates on the phase transitions that buck trends and confound us. I would have loved to read Loonshots when growing my toy company, and I plan to apply its principles when other “crazy” ventures beckon.
Take Care of Your People by Paul Sarvadi
7. Take Care of Your People: The Enlightened CEO’s Guide to Business Success by Paul Sarvadi
It can be easy to lose sight of what matters, especially when you’re an entrepreneur trying to make payroll and satisfy stakeholders. Yet if you lose your humanity, you could lose your business. In the spirit of the holiday season, step back and enjoy this inspirational read by Insperity co-founder Paul Sarvadi. He illustrates how to love on your people while still building a profitable brand. I’ve never been a fan of the Scrooge method of leadership, and Sarvadi shows why it’s smarter for CEOs to give than receive.
