Each year I read dozens of books, many of them on leadership. Here are my three top leadership books of 2016. Note that these aren’t necessarily books that were published in 2016; they’re books that I read and have been impacted by in 2016.
The E-Myth, by Michael Gerber
This is an old book that I finally got around to reading last year, having been recommended it by several friends. It would benefit from being shorter, less repetitive, and cutting down on the fable in the first half of the book. However, if you stick with it then it pays off. And the central idea that you should think of your organisation as a franchise opportunity in order for it to grow is a brilliant concept to think through in your head, no matter what organisation you’re leading.
The Four Disciplines of Execution, by Chris McChesney
This is a brilliant book that brings together principles on strategic planning and on teamwork to ensure teams work together in order to deliver results. Do the people on your team feel like they are playing a winnable game? The four disciplines will help you create this environment, and so draw your team to delivering on the plans you create together.
The Culture Map, by Erin Myer
Erin Myer has worked in business all over the world, and here she brings together all that knowledge to teach how different cultures react to several different aspects important to leaders, including giving feedback, communication, respecting hierarchy, making decisions and more. For anyone working with individuals or teams from different parts of this world, this is great knowledge for helping you understand how to relate well and bring out the best in their work.
Those are the top three leadership books of 2016 that impacted me most. Which books most helped you during 2016?
Mark Williamson works as a director of One Rock. He’s an experienced leadership trainer, author of biographies on John Wesley and William Wilberforce, and is also passionate about praying for London. He enjoys good films, good food, and going for long walks with his wife Joanna. You can follow him on Twitter @markonerock.