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Warning: These Books May Cause Extreme Success

Updated: May 11

Must Read Books That Shaped My Own Leadership Journey


As I was thinking about my own leadership journey and preparing to write my book, there were two books that, when I reflect on them, were hugely influential in how I approach things now. So influential that they are the inspiration for chapters I am writing in my upcoming book, Success Journeys: The Atlas for a New Manager's Leadership Discovery. I figured I would share them with you – maybe they’ll spark something for you too, wherever you are on your own journey.​ No formal reviews here. No affiliate links. No affiliation whatsoever. Honest, they are just good books that I want you to know about.



*Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
*Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.


I found this book after stumbling upon Simon Sinek’s incredibly popular TEDx Puget Sound talk from 2009 that now has millions upon millions of views. This is only 3 years after the first TED talks were posted online. I was wowed by it. It made so much sense to me. And I immediately purchased the book. The first sentence in the Amazon.com description of the book is “The inspirational bestseller that ignited a movement and asked us to find our WHY.” And, for quite some time (well… even still today) I mentioned the “Why?” in so many discussions (casual and professional), that people started to predict that I would say “We need to start with ‘Why’” before I even spoke. To be honest, I think Sinek was focusing on why some people and organizations like Steve Jobs and Apple are so successful at innovation, loyalty, and profitability. But, in my mind, as I read, I was thinking about how this all could be applied to leadership and managing organizational change. Mind blown! I think yours will be too.


I discovered this book and concept while hearing Patrick Lencioni speak at a leadership conference I attended virtually. He is probably more known for some of his other books like The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, but man, this one plays on repeat in my brain all the time. When I participate in job interview panels, almost without fail, I will give the other members of the panel and the hiring manager a run down of the core principles of the concept framed as “I will be evaluating the candidate using…” and when we meet after the interview to debrief, I almost always draw the diagram on the board and ask the panel members to chart their finding (you need to read the book to fully understand what that means). I have also referenced this book when someone approaches me for advice about how to address issues for specific individuals on their teams. Understanding where those individuals probably are, can help you forge your approach to help them. I have bought this book over and over – I end up giving my copies away and have to restock my bookshelf.



Bonus: Books that didn’t inspire their own chapters but were influential to me.



I was given this book by one of my team members. It may not have inspired a chapter, but its themes of vulnerability, empathy, and courage echo throughout my book and my leadership style. It’s about being human as a leader. Perhaps that is why they gave it to me. It is one of my core beliefs. At work and in everyday life, leaders aren’t the ones who wield power, seek accolades, or make demands – a leader’s primary purpose should be to help others succeed. It takes a little courage to stand in those shoes. Brown shows you how.



After a reorganization in my department, a new manager was brought in to lead me and my peers and our teams. One of the first things he did was to give us all copies of this book. I found it to be a very easy read and full of impactful information. The Captain tells stories of his time just after taking command of the USS Bennfold and how his leadership techniques helped to turn a dysfunctional boat into the exemplary ship in the fleet. And, how his crew was empowered to become confident problem solvers responsible for their action and THEIR ship. Looking back at it now, the Captain’s situation was not unlike our new managers. And we were the crew he was empowering.



And one more… A leadership read that hits differently.



Full transparency… Will Hurd was a congressman here in Texas until he left Congress and became a Republican Presidential Candidate in 2024. And, while this book is self admittedly a “political playbook” there are some themes that I think are applicable to leadership in general that ring true. Mr. Hurd’s views about what he thinks his party should represent and do are applicable to us in our own leadership journeys. It may not be for everyone, but it has been a recent influence for me that I would be remiss for not mentioning.



So, there you have it


A few books that are heavyweights in my view that helped to shape my leadership style and shaped me into the guy you’re hearing from today.


Have you read any of these? I’d love to hear your thoughts if you have! And, if you decide to grab one of them for yourself, let me know what you think.​


Keep moving forward. You got this!


Thanks,


Tim


Ready to take control and connect with a community of new managers and access valuable resources? Click below to join the Success Journeys Hub and download my FREE guide, "Navigating Your First 30 Days: A Compass for New Manager," designed to help you thrive from day one.



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