2016 Best Seller Leadership Book Review

As 2016 comes to a close, it is a natural time to reflect on the past year. Our reflection can cover not only what we did and what we didn’t do in 2016, but also what we’ve consumed. The following list of organizational leadership books can be found on Amazon’s Best Seller list for Management and Leadership that I have read and highly recommend to you. Hopefully, you’ll find this list useful with its short summary and key takeaways from each book under the title.

Some of the books listed below were consumed through audiobook format using Audible. I listen to audiobooks to make use of my lengthy commute to work each day. Audible has a 30-day free trial that you can feel free to try.

Full transparency: I am an affiliate for Amazon, which means Developing Your Team receives a small commission if anyone purchases a book or audiobook through these links with no additional cost to you. Any earnings will be used to offset the costs of administering the Developing Your Team website. I only list products or services that are I personally use and highly recommend to others.

Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath

• Summary: This book aims to help you uncover your strengths and talents by providing you with an assessment (similar to Myers-Briggs or DISC). The book also provides actionable strategies to apply your strengths.
• Key Takeaway: After reading this book and taking the Strength Finder’s test, I became more self-aware of my strengths and that of my direct reports. I started looking at projects and delegation through a different lens. My team and I found more passion in our work as we focused on things that we were good at and enjoyed doing. This isn’t to say that I was running away from my weaknesses, but found that there was a much better return on investment of time when applied to your natural strengths.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen Covey

• Summary: This is a classic that has been around for 25 years and is still on Amazon’s bestseller list. The seven habits outlined in this book are a great start to living intentionally and effectively.
• Key Takeaway: I re-read The 7 Habits again this year after first reading it almost 10 years ago. Reading this book provides great perspective into prioritization and interpersonal relations. Sharpening the Saw, Habit #7, is the habit that helps you put the 7 Habits into practice, the difference between knowing and doing.

Start with Why by Simon Synek

• Summary: People like Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Jobs, and the Wright Brothers might have little in common, but they all started with why. Their natural ability to start with why enabled them to inspire those around them and to achieve remarkable things.
• Key Takeaway: Starting with the “Why” of a proposal or change helps put the rest of the dialogue into to context for the listener.

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

• Summary: This book does not provide you with a magic formula on how to get more done in less time. This book helps you identify how to get the right things done.
• Key Takeaway: Life seems to be extremely busy for most of us these days. Just ask anyone at work. This book helps you uncover what is truly important by helping the reader understand that life is a series of choices. Yes to one thing may mean you are saying no to something or someone else. A future post will speak to this idea.

Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

• Summary: The authors are two Navy SEALs who share military leadership concepts crucial in combat and how to apply them to any group, team, or organization.
• Key Takeaway: This book is not a typical Navy SEAL war story. The book does challenge the reader to take ownership in all circumstances and results. This is easier said than done as we sometimes let ourselves off the hook. Each chapter provides scenarios and tips for practical application for those outside the military.

Book In My Reading Queue

Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

• Summary: Though I haven’t read this one yet, the author explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, intuitive, and emotional; System 2 is slower, more deliberative, and more logical. Kahneman reveals where we can and can’t trust our intuitions.

Now that Christmas Day has passed, why not get something for yourself that will improve your perspective for 2017?

Question: What leadership book have you read that you recommend for others?