Great leaders are always learning,
and one of my favorite questions to ask them is, “What are you reading?” Their answers almost always inspire me, and that helps me inspire others. This summer, check out these five titles that are guaranteed to sharpen your leadership.
- Dare to Serve: How to Drive Superior Results by Serving Others, by Cheryl Bachelder, the CEO of Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen. This restaurant chain achieved a remarkable turnaround, guided by her emphasis on courage and humility. We met recently at the Judson Women’s Leadership Conference, and Cheryl’s attitude of confident service is even more impressive in person. If you’re leading a struggling team, study her bold servant leadership.
- Do the KIND Thing: Think Boundlessly, Live Purposefully, Live Passionately, by Daniel Lubetzky. Not many leaders or companies do more than one thing well. Daniel Lubetzky and the KIND snack company has published a recipe of sorts for blending a successful business with a higher cause—for him, that means making the world a more compassionate place. I love the legacy of resiliency in Daniel’s story, that his father survived the Holocaust only through the goodwill of others. If your team needs inspiration, read Daniel.
- Rising Strong: The Reckoning. The Rumble. The Revolution. I’m counting down till next month’s publication of the latest from one of my very favorite leaders, Brené Brown. Much of her work and speaking is around the concept of “enough,” and this book examines the courage to repeatedly be brave enough often enough. Falling is inevitable, and Brené says “this is a book about what it takes to get back up.” If your team faces a big challenge, read Brené.
- Triggers: Creating Behaviors that Last, Becoming the Person You Want to Be, by Marshall Goldsmith, an executive coach. I like how this book dials in on building positive habits. He also challenges readers to leverage regret instead of absorbing its toxicity. If your team is rebounding from adversity, read Marshall.
- Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead, by Laszlo Bock, who is in charge of the company’s hiring, human relations and has set the gold standard for companies that everyone wants to work for. The double meaning of this title promises (and delivers) a guide to creating a motivating, humane environment where your people thrive. The key is freedom and data. If your team is establishing a new culture, read Laszlo.
Your Game Changer Takeaway
What are you reading this summer? I’m always looking for great titles to dive into and possibly recommend. If you have a leadership bestseller that more leaders should know about, I want to hear from you. Have a great summer of reading!
Molly Fletcher helps inspire and equip game changers to dream, live and grow fearlessly. A keynote speaker and author, Molly draws on her decades of experiences working with elite athletes and coaches as a sports agent, and applies them to the business world. Sign up here to receive our monthly newsletter.