More from my bookshelf

More … from my bookshelf

With a brief note about what I found compelling in each.

                                   – Leadership –

Leadership Strategy and Tactics: Field Manual

by Jocko Willink  | 2020

This is the third book I’ve read from Willink.  Ex Navy Seal has a no nonsense approach to leadership which is very detailed and practical.  Lots of examples from a wide variety of settings.

The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive: A Leadership Fable

by Patrick Lencioni | 2000

Another great read – and short – from Lencioni.  Novel part is maybe 100 pages (I listened to it).  Executive summary at the end is far shorter.  The four obsessions:  Cohesive Leadership Team; Organizational Clarity; Over Communicate Organizational Clarity; Reinforce Organizational Clarity through HR.

The Vision Driven Leader: 10 Questions to Focus Your Efforts, Energize Your Team, and Scale Your Business

by Michael Hyatt  | 2020

Book is based on author’s experience (failures and successes) in publishing.  He currently promotes personal, how-to, goal setting and productivity systems.  Good stories and good advice.  Good application to organizational vision.

Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen

by Dan Heath | 2020

Another great book by Heath (Switch, Made to Stick).  Prevention is the focus.  He has great examples from dental care and auto safety to Chicago Public Schools and how they increased graduation rates dramatically.  Offers specific ideas for gathering and using data to get better.

Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success

by Adam M. Grant PhD, Brian Keith Lewis | 2013

Lots of good research by the author and others showing that it really is better to give than receive.  Givers, with some coaching, outperform Takers and Matchers.  Lots of great examples and some pragmatic examples of how you can create an organizational culture based on giving – with better results and better relationships.

                             – Signs of Our Times –

Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup

by John Carreyrou  | 2018

Exposé of a tech start-up that promised more than they could deliver.  Promise was that a few drops of blood would enable lots of diagnostic at-home tests to catch and control health issues early.  Tale of intrigue, cover up and deception as the dream unraveled – from a $9B promise to an ignominious end.

                         – Coping with Our Times –

Pearls of Wisdom: Little Pieces of Advice (That Go a Long Way)

by Barbara Bush  | 2020

Written by Barbara Bush’s staff and family.  Basically, her core values and teachable point of view.  Shows the impact you can have when you have clear and coherent values that you walk and talk.  Short. Uplifting.