Running a business is no easy task; there is a huge responsibility in supervising and overseeing company resources and activities. A business leader needs to be inspiring, motivating, skillful, and understand the business inside out. There is a wealth of information and advice out there on how to be a better leader, so much so that it can be overwhelming. If you want to improve your leadership skills, to be a more effective leader, these are just a few of our favourite business books to try:
1. Top of Mind by John Hall
This book clearly outlines actionable advice and relatable examples for anyone looking to take their business to a new level. The book teaches the tactics of attracting business opportunities and details on how to win people to your side. It’s particularly helpful how to gain people’s confidence and get inside their minds so that you win their trust and have opportunities flow your way. The book summarises ways of delivering value and serving others with the aim of building your business leadership skills and advancing your business.
2. Good to Great by Jim Collins
This book compiles research conducted by the author and his team to ascertain the secret behind the success of some companies over others. The research aimed to find out what characteristics enabled the company to thrive and be successful while its competitors failed. This very interesting book relays some very helpful business leadership ideas in the form of a story. It gives advice and guidelines as to the detailed traits, characteristics, and qualities a business leader should have in order to make their business thrive. It’s a great tool for business leaders to develop and enhance their skills to bring success.
3. How to Create a Winning Organization by John Wooden
The author narrates his story of how his team won 10 NCCA basketball championships at the time he was a coach. He explains how he built his basketball team by bringing players from different backgrounds and nurturing them to be the best in the field. He attributes his success to effective leadership skills and breaks down 25 habits that lead to personal excellence. The book takes you through his thoughts on leadership and the successful techniques of a basketball team, which can also be applied in business to yield success.
4. Growing a Business by Paul Hawken
Many people dream of starting a business that grows into a hugely successful enterprise. Many of these businesses will fail while others prosper. The success of these businesses lies in the management and leadership strategies exercised by the owners. This book encourages entrepreneurs who want to make their dreams a reality and advance their businesses. The author relays his own experience of how he founded Erewhon from scratch to become the largest distributor of natural foods. The book provides step-by-step success and growth tips through effective leadership and management.
5. Leadership and Self-Deception by Arbinger Institute
In this book, self-deception is described as the worst disease to leadership and management, and leaders who act in ways contrary to what they know right always end up undermining their own skills and performance. This book explains how leaders can eliminate self-deception and work towards escaping destructive patterns to be effective business leaders and managers. Breaking these deceptive patterns will lead to improved teamwork, effective communication, motivation, and commitment, which are prerequisites of an effective leader.
These best-selling business leadership books are only a handful of those available in the market, but we like them all because they outline workable measures, strategies, and guidelines on how to grow a successful business by employing the best leadership and management skills. Happy reading!
