One key characteristic of healthy and fruitful leaders is life-long learning. We have a Learns as a Lifestyle session in this training under the “New Capacity” tab.
One of the best ways to learn is to read. You can read on the train, under a shade tree, at a coffee shop, or on the beach. You may prefer to read on a Kindle or iPad, flip the pages of a well-worn book, or skim short but powerful blog posts online. No matter your preferences, reading will keep you learning and growing as a new leader.
To get this discussion started, I am going to share a few of my favorite books and blogs. However, I would really appreciate it if you would add your favorites in the comments below. That way, we can learn from each other!
Some of my favorite leadership books:
- Honorable Mention – The Bible 🙂
- Leading with a Limp by Dan Allender
- Difficult Conversations by Stone, Patton, and Heen (Such a crucial skill)
- The Heart of Leadership by Mark Miller (He has lots of good books.)
- Integrity by Henry Cloud (Many of his books are really good.) I just saw it on Amazon for only $2.99 for the Kindle version!
Some of my favorite leadership blogs:
- Leadership Freak – Dan Rockwell (Usually under 300 words! When you don’t have lots of time…)
- Great Leaders Serve – Mark Miller (The Chick-fil-A guy!)
- Empowering Leaders, Equipping Servants – Paul Sohn (a young and wise leader)
- Leading with Questions – Bob Tiede (Learn to ask more and better questions!) Bob has a new book out also(!) that you can download for FREE on his website!
Ok, these are my shortlists. They will get you started, but I look forward to seeing what others add. Please also include a short description or why you recommend the book.
What do you think new leaders should read?
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9 thoughts on “Leaders are Readers!”
Boundaries for Leaders by Henry Cloud is a very good book.
Also, Strengthening the Soul of Your leadership by Ruth Haley Barton.
Great suggestions, Andrea! Thanks!
I just returned from CXI-the Team Leader Training for Western Europe. Ruth McNeil gave a devotional and mentioned that she had read \”Simplify\” by Bill Hybels, and it was very impacting. I got it on Kindle and started reading it on the plane. Bill has found many of the same words repeated among leaders at home and as he travels. Same repeated words repeated over and over are: exhausted, overwhelmed, over-scheduled, anxious, isolated, dissatisfied. He is going to talk about 10 habits to simplify our lives, like going from exhausted to energized. Just reading that first chapter now.
Thanks, Steve! \”Simplify\” could be an excellent resource for those who want help making the transition from team member to team leader and letting go of some prior activities to focus on leader priorities. A good resource for the self-awareness area!
I\’m looking forward to reading a new book by Bill Lawrence, Broken Leadership. I\’ve read the first chapter and it promises to be very health-giving; focusing on the heart. He talks about Altared Hearts – leading with your heart on the altar.
Wow, Karen. That sounds good. I like the title and Bill Lawrence. He has great insights into heart stuff.
Thanks for the suggestion, Karen! That does sound like a great book… especially for the HEART of the leader.
Thanks, Steve! i\’d like to check out Upside Down… never read that one!
Upside Down by Stacy Rinehart is good on Servant leadership. Also Cross Cultural Servanthood by Duane Elmer for books
For blogs, I also like maturitascafe com