Best Must-Read Books for Future Managers. I don’t know if you will completely agree with me – The True challenge isnt climbing up the corporate ladder to become a manager, but becoming a true leader is!
Leadership is a whole different ball game, presenting a real test of capability. To become a skilled and inspiring leader, managers need to continually expand their knowledge and skills. One of the most valuable ways to do this is by reading books that offer insights, strategies, and perspectives from experienced professionals.
In this article, I have listed out some of the best books that current or future managers must read to excel in their roles for success.
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The Art of War by Sun Tzu
While originally a treatise on military strategy, this ancient text offers timeless lessons on strategic thinking and leadership applicable to the business world. Sun Tzu’s principles can guide managers in making effective decisions and achieving their goals.
The Art Of War
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 (4.0 on Goodreads)
Publisher: Filiquarian; First Thus edition (November 1, 2007)
Number of Pages: 68 pages (paperback)
Best Sellers Rank: #799 in Books
Pros: Timeless strategic wisdom. Applicable to various leadership scenarios.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Jim Collins delves into what separates good companies from truly great ones. By analyzing a range of successful companies, this book provides valuable insights into the characteristics and strategies that drive exceptional business performance.
Pros:
- Extensive research on successful companies.
- Provides actionable insights for organizational improvement.
Cons:
- Focuses more on historical analysis than contemporary strategies.
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 (4.1 on Goodreads)
Author: Jim Collins
Publisher: HarperBusiness; First Edition (October 16, 2001)
Number of Pages: 400 pages (hardcover)
Best Sellers Rank: #30 in Business Management, #49 in Leadership & Motivation
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
Simon Sinek explores the concept of leadership from a perspective of trust, empathy, and selflessness. This book sheds light on how great leaders prioritize the well-being of their teams, fostering a culture of loyalty and dedication.
Pro’s
- Emphasizes trust and empathy in leadership.
- Offers a fresh perspective on leadership principles.
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t
Amazon Rating: 4.7/5 (4.1 on Goodreads)
Author: Simon Sinek
Publisher: Portfolio; Reprint edition (May 23, 2017)
Number of Pages: 368 pages (paperback)
Best Sellers Rank: #2 in Workplace Culture, #7 in Leadership & Motivation
Drive by Daniel Pink
The best use of money as a motivator is to pay people enough to take the issue of money off the table.
Daniel Pink examines motivation and what truly drives people to excel. Managers will gain valuable insights into how to inspire their teams by tapping into intrinsic motivation, autonomy, and purpose.
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 (3.9 on Goodreads)
Author: Daniel H Pink
Publisher: Riverhead Books (April 5, 2011)
Number of Pages: 288 pages (paperback)
Best Sellers Rank: #113 in Motivational Management & Leadership, #144 in Leadership & Motivation
While the books mentioned above are a great way to start, there are plenty of other excellent reads that I’ll be adding to this list in the coming days, like The Lean Startup by Eric Ries, The One Minute Manager, Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, Crucial Conversations by Al Switzler, Joseph Grenny, and Ron McMillan, Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman, First Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman and few more.
Please stay tuned and I do appreciate if you are interested to buy any of these books on amazon, please do buy using the amazon affiliate link provided above which will help us to earn a small affiliate commission with no extra cost to you!
Final Thoughts
In management, continuous learning is so important. Some of these best books I have shared may provide managers with a rich source of knowledge, strategies, and inspiration. By exploring them, managers can gain valuable insights, hone their leadership skills, and lead their teams to greater success. Remember, effective management is not a destination but a journey of growth and improvement, and these books are essential companions on that journey.
Best Books for Managers
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