What book has had the biggest impact on how you manage people?
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1. “The Ideal Team Player” by Patrick Lencioni
The book “The Ideal Team Player” by Patrick Lencioni has had a profound impact on how I manage people. Lencioni’s exploration of these three essential virtues—humility, hunger, and emotional intelligence—resonates deeply with me as a leader. It emphasizes the importance of humility in leadership, the drive and ambition (hunger) necessary for success, and the emotional intelligence (smart) needed to build effective teams.
This book should be on every executive or manager’s summer reading list because it offers practical insights into building cohesive teams and fostering a positive work culture. By focusing on these core virtues, leaders can cultivate a workplace where individuals thrive, collaborate effectively, and contribute meaningfully to organizational success.
Lencioni’s approach is not just about managing people, but about inspiring and empowering them to reach their full potential within the organization.
– Anna-Mieke Anderson, MiaDonna & Company
2. “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell
If you haven’t read ‘The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You; by John C. Maxwell, you should! Maxwell breaks down nearly 30 years of experience into 21 key ideas that all leaders should know and understand if they want to be successful. I learned a lot about myself by reading some of the leadership stories and reflecting on the decisions I’ve made over the years.
The bottom line is if you’re an aspiring leader and want to know how to manage people, this is a great read.
3. “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek
The book that has had the biggest impact on how I manage people is “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek. This book highlights the importance of creating a culture of trust and safety within a team, focusing on putting the well-being of team members first.
Sinek explains how great leadership is about building an environment where employees feel valued and secure, fostering loyalty and engagement. This approach helps create stronger, more cohesive teams.
“Leaders Eat Last” should be on every executive or manager’s summer reading list because it promotes a shift from traditional management to a more empathetic leadership style, which is crucial for productivity and innovation in today’s work environment.
– Michelle Aran, Velvet Caviar
4. “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss
The book that has had the biggest impact on how I manage people is ‘Never Split the Difference’ by Chris Voss. This book should be on every executive or manager’s summer reading list because it fundamentally changes the way you approach negotiation and communication.
Voss, a former FBI hostage negotiator, shares techniques that go beyond traditional negotiation tactics. One of the key lessons I’ve taken from this book is teaching my team to never say yes to something they don’t agree with. This principle empowers them to stand their ground and advocate for their true needs and interests, fostering a culture of honesty and integrity. Additionally, the book emphasizes the importance of active listening and digging deeper into what’s being said. This skill has been invaluable in understanding underlying issues and motivations, leading to more effective problem-solving and stronger relationships within the team.
By applying these strategies, I’ve seen significant improvements in how we handle negotiations, resolve conflicts, and communicate more effectively. ‘Never Split the Difference’ provides practical, real-world techniques that are essential for any leader looking to enhance their management skills and create a more collaborative and transparent work environment.
– Ryan Meghdies, Tastic Marketing Inc.
5. “The One Minute Manager” by Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson
“The One Minute Manager” by Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson has greatly impacted my approach to managing people. This book presents a practical and straightforward approach to effective management through three core techniques: setting clear goals, providing immediate feedback, and offering appropriate praise or correction. The authors emphasize the importance of simplicity and efficiency in managing people, advocating for a balanced approach that values both results and relationships.
Its practical insights and actionable advice make it essential reading for executives and managers, offering valuable techniques to enhance productivity, foster employee development, and improve team communication. Implementing its principles can streamline management styles, empower teams, and achieve better outcomes, benefiting both managers and their organizations.
6. “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott
One relatively recent book that transformed how I approach the management of my teams when I read it is Kim Scott’s “Radical Candor”. When I work with mentees or new managers in my company today, I usually give them a copy of that book, and I would consider it required reading for any people manager.
It’s also particularly relevant to the modern workplace and the shifting expectations of and demands on managers in the current world. Effective managers need to be empathetic, but it’s been my experience that young managers especially can often go overboard in this regard.
The idea behind “Radical Candor” is helping managers find that middle ground, where they lead with empathy but are still able to deliver critical feedback when it’s called for. I also appreciate the way it breaks down building relationships with reports in simple, easy to understand steps that anyone can follow, regardless of their past experience with managing people (or lack thereof).
I would recommend it to any leader who wants to find new strategies or tips for motivating their teams and creating a workplace environment where employees are empowered to succeed.
7. “PEAK” by Chip Conley
For any leader looking to cultivate a thriving workplace culture, PEAK is a must-read. Conley’s principles are not just theoretical either; backing up his strategies with real-world success stories from the likes of Apple and Facebook to name a few. These concrete examples illustrate how businesses can achieve greater loyalty and differentiation by genuinely meeting the needs of their stakeholders.
“PEAK” guides leaders on how to assist their employees in realizing their full potential, enhance customer experiences, and satisfy investors, all while pushing the business forward. The PEAK framework is adaptable and universally applicable, making it a crucial resource for improving performance anywhere, whether in the boardroom, break room, or even at home.
8. “Drive” by Daniel H. Pink
The book that transformed my approach to managing people is ‘Drive’ by Daniel H. Pink. This gem flips the traditional carrot-and-stick motivation model on its head, emphasizing autonomy, mastery, and purpose as the real drivers of employee engagement. After reading it, I revamped our reward system to focus more on personal growth and meaningful work, which led to a noticeable boost in team morale and productivity. Imagine running a company where everyone feels like they’re playing for their favorite sports team—excited, committed, and driven.
‘Drive’ should be on every executive’s summer reading list because it provides actionable insights into fostering a motivated and high-performing team, without the need for constant supervision or traditional incentives.