Great Books About Leadership and Management

Sprint – Test New Ideas in Just Five Days

Why I recommend it:
Sprint provides a great framework for understanding an opportunity, iterating on ideas, testing assumptions, and coming to a conclusion. Despite the cover, the framework doesn’t always require five days, which is great because it can help people in Marketing, HR and IT flesh out their next breakthrough.

Creativity, Inc.

Why I recommend it:
Beyond the amazing journey of Ed Catmull’s career, this book sheds light on achievable company cultures – such the braintrust – that inspire incremental improvements and remind that success is rarely a straight path.

Six Thinking Hats

Why I recommend it:
Because meetings, done wrong, can destroy a company’s culture. While I wouldn’t advise going to the extreme of requiring this at all meetings, thinking this gives permission for the “doug downers” to recognize they can be “positive patricias” without causing the end of days.

Blink

Why I recommend it:
Whether its the “voice in my head” or “my gut says”, this book does an excellent job explaining why it isn’t reckless to trust our instincts – while also giving the tools to audit ourselves and grow our gut (in a way that won’t require a diet😉).

It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work

Why I recommend it:
DHH is a prolific author and has excellent book recommendations, but I love this collection of essays because it provides a great snapshot of corporate cliches that we can outgrow if we’re willing to break the cycle. (And if you loved this, make sure to also read Remote: Office Not Required.)

Churchill’s Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Why I recommend it:
I rant often about how history class could be the most popular school course if it was taught better. This book is a pristine example of how creative thinking can make the world a better place, while also reminding us to appreciate generations before us (and bubble gum).

Book Sections

Leadership and Management

Whether you lead, manage, or mentor, these books help you find your style while enjoying the journey.

Marketing & Creativity

Books that debunk the myth that people are born creative and help unlock everyone’s inner marketer.

Mental Health & Happiness

Great reads that offer great ways to find joy in what we do, no matter where we are or where we’re going.

Tech & Software Development

Books that help nerds realize they’re more than coders, and help non-nerds learn that none of this is magic.

Parenting & Relationships

Although there’s no manual for being a good parent, these are great guides to help us improve every day.