No one person is ever the same, and yet I’ve noticed that the amazing leaders I work with all have one thing in common: they have a relentless passion for learning. Whether it’s reading books, newspapers, blogs, journals, or anything else, they can get their hands on; they’re always seeking out information about how to acquire and enhance the tangible and intangible skills essential to becoming the kind of leader they want to become.
What do these leaders know about the importance of a great book?
They know that reading great books imparts a depth of knowledge, set of behaviors, emotional intelligence skills, and insights that enhance their value to the organizations they lead.
As a passionate reader myself, I can’t wait to get my hands on a new book. In fact, my Kindle wish list is now up to 25 titles, just waiting for me to download them. Making time for reading something great doesn’t mean giving up hours—although I’ve definitely been known to get lost in a great book and finish it in one sitting—it just means setting it as an intention and making reading part of your plan each day. It can be as simple as listening to a chapter of a great book on the commute to work, waiting in line for breakfast, or reading just a chapter a day before bed.
Here are my favorite books of 2016 since my earlier list of books I’d recommend. See if there’s one here that might give you the incentive to start your new reading habit.
- The Engaged Leader: A Strategy for Your Digital Transformation by Charlene Li
- Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath
- Designing Your Life: How to Build A Well-Lived Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
- Compelling People: The Hidden Qualities that Make Us Influential by John Neffinger and Matthew Kohut
- Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
- Together Is Better by Simon Sinek
- Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences by Nancy Duarte
- The Happiness Track by Emma Seppala
- The Ideal Team Player: How to Cultivate The Three Essential Virtues by Patrick Lencioni
- Pre-suasion by Robert Cialdini
These are only a few books I’ve read since my last list. For more of my favorites and to read my interviews with leading authors, please take a look at Leadership Compound’s Resources by simply clicking here.