Leader's Corner--See Our Reading Recommendations
If you have articles or books to suggest for this page, email us. Some articles and books we have found to be especially useful are listed below:
Human Sigma. Two Gallup consultants wrote this book. The Gallup organization, better known for its political polling, also has had a very large business consulting and research practice. This book features some of their research findings. Look at some of their recommendations for creating more engaged employees!
Blue Ocean Strategy. This book, written by two INSEAD business school professors, offers great insights into ways to rethink strategy. Their notion of blue (desireable) and red (highly competitive) oceans is useful. They offer some real life examples of how companies have rethought the environment, from the customers' perspectives, in order to create more profitable businesses. The illustration of Cirque du Soleil is fascinating.
Alexander The Great's Art of Strategy. Interested in history and strategy? This book is a good choice. Well written with more of a focus on history than strategy. Alexander was a fascinating leader.
High Flyers: Developing the Next Generation of Leaders. If developing new leaders in your company is on the agenda (and it better be), read this book. It has great practical suggestions on making a development program work.
What Really Works: The 4+2 Formula for Sustained Business Success. This book presents a multi-year study on why some companies are more profitable than others. Read it now!
First, Break All the Rules. The authors present the results of a massive research study conducted by the Gallup Organization. The study identified what successful managers do that make a difference to financial performance. Take the time to read it.
The Heart of Change. John Kotter has written a book with very practical ideas on how to create effective change. It is well-written, short and to-the-point. A very good read.
Deep Change: Discovering the Leader Within, Robert E. Quinn, Jossey-Bass, 1996. CEOs may wish to read pages 148 through 151 especially to identify useful (and not so useful) leadership behaviors.
