Many think that becoming a manager entails having no actual work. Others contend that being a manager is only a means of raising one’s pay. The performance of those around them is multiplied by great managers who excel at what they do.
Let’s examine 10 of the best management books with this in mind. The list may be helpful if you are a new manager, a seasoned manager, or aim to be a manager in the future. Each book offers a unique viewpoint that can help you improve your ability to inspire others to achieve great things.
1. How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
The book, released in 1936, has withstood the test of time well and is still relatively current. It discusses the value of soft skills in the workplace and daily life. This classic offers timeless advice on the importance of a smile, the need to refrain from complaining, and the significance of making others feel important. Warren Buffett read it when he was 15, which significantly impacted him.
2. First, Break All The Rules by Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman
Great managers typically have their unique way of leading others. Of course, every team is different, just as every firm has various problems. Finding other managers’ best practices may be challenging as a result.
Fortunately, Gallup conducted a significant poll including more than 80,000 managers. It targeted everyone in a broad spectrum of businesses, big and small, from top leaders to front-line supervisors.
This book examined the data to determine the traits that top managers have in common. It offers a straightforward method for assessing the existing strength of your company. It also provides various helpful guidance on how to improve as a manager.
3. Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
A Pulitzer Prize winner and New York Times best-selling author, Doris Kearns Goodwin, authored a book on American President Abraham Lincoln and how he brought the country together in the face of conflict and ended slavery. She used Lincoln’s quotes in the book.
“Nothing can prosper or fail if popular emotion is lacking.”
She gave an example of how the president surrounded himself with exceptional individuals rather than just those he liked. He united people with diverse viewpoints and encouraged them to work toward a common goal. An influential leader must be bold and humble in the face of change.
4. Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
In his book Leaders Eat Last, Simon Sinek explores this topic after conversing with a Marine Corps officer. He observed that the most senior Marines ate last while all the lesser Marines ate first. The general said, “Leaders eat last since what was symbolic in the mess hall is deadly serious in battle.”
For the benefit of the team they manage, leaders must risk everything—including their comfort and even their lives. He then illustrates his views with real stories from the corporate world and the military.
5. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Even today, the late Covey is considered one of the leading authorities on leadership. In this book, the person is given more attention than the organization. It has seven chapters on wisdom: be proactive, prioritize, consider a win-win, attempt to understand before being understood, synergize, and sharpen the saw. In this book, Covey advises readers to create a personal vision and explains that effective leadership starts from the inside.
6. The Dichotomy Of Leadership by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
Often, effective leadership involves finding a middle ground between two extremes. As a result, choosing the best course of action in a situation when both possibilities have benefits and drawbacks can be challenging. For instance, leaders need to balance arrogance and modesty, setting an example and following it, and empowerment and micromanagement.
This book examines how to strike the right balance between the many leadership dichotomies. Twelve fundamental ideas are covered, broken down into three categories: balancing yourself, your mission, and your people.
This is a must-read if you want to be better equipped to handle challenging decisions. Each idea is discussed in great detail in the book, including valuable examples that make it simpler to practice the lessons in daily life.
7. Turn the Ship Around! by L. David Marquet
- David Marquet shows that if you recognise people’s potential and let them know it, they will realize it for themselves and take ownership of their tasks.
While leading soldiers and serving as a submarine commander, he became aware of this. He gave the command when they encountered a challenging situation, and his men carried it out despite the impossible, almost leading to catastrophe. They said they had followed his instructions when questioned as to why they had done it in the first place.
8. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership is one among the finest management books. It is one of the best-selling leadership books of all time.
Although there may be additional “laws” of leadership, Maxwell thinks that these 21 laws are essential for anyone to be successful. Furthermore, these rules apply to all societal leadership positions in the armed forces, business, or government.
9. The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
The author wrote this book to use philosophy as a productivity system. Holiday talks about using the Stoic philosophy as a theoretical framework for productivity in all spheres of life, not just work. To tie the theory to reality, he divided the book into three main sections: perception, action, and will. In each, he used hypothetical situations to apply the stoic perspective.
10. Who: The A Method For Hiring by Geoff Smart & Randy Street
There are many crucial tasks for managers, and one is finding and keeping excellent employees. A smart hire can advance a business, but poor engagement could cause it to lag for months or even years.
Unfortunately, many managers rely on weak or nonexistent hiring procedures. They might read an article on the best questions to ask, but they seldom establish a reliable and consistent process for selecting excellent candidates.
In this book, “A Method For Hiring” is introduced. It’s a valuable and practical strategy that can assist you in achieving your goals, growing a consistent pool of excellent employees, and identifying the best candidates by asking the right questions. Everyone who is choosing a job should read it.
Wrapping Up
Leadership is both a skill and a craft. Although the art of leadership cannot be taught, a leader’s skills can be acquired. Although by no means comprehensive, this list of the top 10 books on management will help you become a better leader. The knowledge you learn from these books will put you on the shoulders of giants.
