Podcast: Download (Duration: 5:14 — 5.6MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS
Reading is like a leader’s private escape into the land of learning.
When I was a kid, I was the top sales person for a book campaign in which I sold books door to door. I guess they couldn’t resist a little chubby blond chic with such an eager feel for books and I guess it started me on a path to being that avid reader who applies what she learns to being a better leader. Now up to nearly a book a week, I’m a big fan of reading to improve our skills and have run across some great summer reads to help you in how you lead, why you lead and what to do to become that better leader. Grab the nook, the kindle, or the keys to the car for that fantastic trip to the few remaining book stores and pick these up! (There are also links to Amazon for each title to make it even easier!)
I Can See Clearly Now | Dr. Wayne Dyer
A wonderful memoir by the guru of self-actualization, this book walks you through his life. He shares his life lessons from a 70 year old vantage point, pointing out the path he was on, how he felt guided and what he can now see clearly that he did as a young leader of the industry that led him to great success in doing what he loved. Keep an eye out though for the areas of leadership in life and work in which he struggled, as this is where you will learn the most about your own journey.
Contagious: Why Things Catch On | Jonah Berger
This book is a wonderful manual on how you as a leader can make your message stick and even go viral. Page after page you’ll learn the value of social currency, practical value, and limited engagement and more. For the leader looking to get them to hear what you say and remember what you want, this is a great read about how you really ARE contagious.. and I didn’t even write it! Hehe!
Contagious Leadership | Monica Wofford
Twelve years ago I penned Contagious Leadership as a valuable tool for learning from my mistakes as a young manager. An easy read, inclusive of ten simple steps for managers to use while transitioning into wearing their leadership hats and developing their leadership skills, this book is a great read for the new manager and newly promoted manager that also needs to ensure they are prepared to lead.
The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations | Kouzes and Posner
Kouzes and Posner have celebrated 25 years of this great classic and are known to be the fathers of much of the current leadership thinking. If you’re looking to become a better leader and understand the academician’s point of view as well as uncover valuable decades of research in leadership, this is a valuable reference tool.
Make Difficult People Disappear | Monica Wofford
Without taking over the list with two of my own books, it simply wouldn’t be right if I left this one out. If you read just one book this summer, grab this one. Written as a fable and complete with the cast of characters known as Cybil, Ben, Tim and more, this fast paced page turner reads like a great fiction book from which you’ll easily digest how to make all those difficult, whiny, annoying, lazy, or bullying folks in your world…disappear.
While it’s hot outside, these books will create heat on the inside as all those leadership gears in your brain begin to turn and learn new skills and information. Enjoy! I’m Monica Wofford and that’s your Monday Moment. Have a great week, an even better Monday, and of course, stay contagious!
