The Ultimate Reading List for Leaders 50 must-read books on leadership, strategy, and organisational development.
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The Ultimate Reading List for Leaders
50 must-read books on leadership, strategy, and organisational
development.
Leaders at all levels in an organisation must continuously improve their leadership skills if they wish to lead effectively. Learning how to improve one’s skills based on experience is an excellent start, but to give yourself the extra edge, why not consider the advice of those with ample experience under their belt.
The Maximus team have compiled 50 great titles that you'll find hard to put down. From leadership and strategy to skills for success, you're guaranteed to find something that will prompt improvement and renew your understanding of what it means to be an effective leader.
“ The future belongs to those who learn more skills and combine them in creative ways.― Robert Greene, Mastery ”
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Table of Contents
Strategy
Leadership
Organisational Development
Management
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Skills for Success
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1Strategy
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Blue Ocean StrategyBy W. Chan Kim & Renee Mauborgne 2005. USA: Harvard Business
Review Press.http://www.amazon.com/dp/1591396190
Based on a study of 150 strategic moves and thirty industries, this book contains a range of simple and powerful tools for creating ‘blue oceans’ to achieve lasting success. Authors W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne argue that companies around the world
are skipping competition filled waters in favour of untapped new marketspaces ripe for growth.
Competitive StrategyBy Michael Porter, 1980. New York: Free Press.
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smj.4250020110/abstract
Sometimes it’s great to go back to the classics. Porter has transformed theory, practice and teaching of business strategy with his five-forces framework for analysing the competitive
industry, and his three generic strategies of lowest cost, differentiation, and focus. This book provides important
frameworks and insights for management thinking.
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Developing Business Strategies (6th edn.)By David Aaker, 2001. USA: Wiley.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0471064114
A great book which discusses important emerging businesstopics – from global leadership and brand management,
right through to the use of the internet to integrate business strategy. An essential read for developing and implementing responsive business strategies in the fast-changing business
conditions of today.
Good Strategy/Bad StrategyBy Richard Rumelt, 2012. London: Profile Books.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0307886239This book takes you through engaging examples from business, non-
profit and military affairs to distinguish the difference between good strategies and bad strategies. A range of ideas are integrated into this writing, including economic, finance,
technology, history and human character.
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HBR’s 10 Must Reads On StrategyBy Harvard Business Review, 2011. Boston: Harvard Business School
Publishing Corporation.http://www.amazon.com/dp/1422157989
Harvard Business Review combines 10 of the best reads from hundreds of HBR articles to inspire you to think ‘strategy’. A great collection to help catalyse your organisation’s strategy
development and execution.
Switch: How to Change when Change is HardBy Chip Heath & Dan Heath, 2010. USA: Crown Business.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0385528752
Chip and Dan Heath argue that the primary obstacle to change is a conflict that’s built into our brains. Psychologists have discovered that our minds are ruled by two different systems—the rational mind and the emotional mind—that compete for control. This
tension can doom a change effort—but if it is overcome, change can come quickly.
“ Switch is a great book that helps us better understand that there are two big parts to change that we need to identify and treat differently to gain real change. The elephant and the rider. Google it! – Jennifer Yee, Senior Consultant”Share this:
StrategyBy Harvard Business School Press, 2005. Boston: Harvard Business
School Publishing.http://www.amazon.com/dp/1591396328
A useful resource that comprehensively discusses strategy, from what strategy is; developing a strategic plan; strategy implementation;
and evaluation. This is an essential for managers looking to extend their skills, or professionals seeking to broaden their
knowledge.
Strategy is DestinyBy Robert Burgelman, 2001. New York: Free Press.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0684855542
This is a fantastic ‘strategy-in-action’ read which takes you through an extensive twelve year study Burgelman conducted inside of Intel Corporation. Tracking Intel’s strategy-making, the book
outlines the timeline of key events in Intel’s history and how top managers pulled Intel through strategic conundrums through
implementation of strategic management.
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2Leadership
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Drucker on Leadership: New Lessons from the Father of Modern Management
By William Cohen, 2010. USA: Jossey-Bass.http://www.amazon.com/dp/0470405007
William Cohen collates a wealth of information about leadership from Peter Drucker’s 40 books and numerous articles. Often
referred to as The Father of Modern Management, Peter Drucker’s insights on leadership offer a deeper understanding of
what makes an extraordinary leader.
Harvard Business Review on Leadership By Harvard Business School Press, 1998. USA: Harvard Business
School Press.http://www.amazon.com/dp/0875848834
This Harvard publication brings you the information you need to stay competitive in today’s fast-moving world. Combining eight of HBR’s most influential articles on leadership, this is a fantastic
read for business people and leaders.
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Leadership is an ArtBy Max Depree, 2004. USA : Crown Business.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0385512465
Leadership is an Art offers a proven design for achieving success by developing the generous spirit within all of us. De Pree looks at leadership as a kind of stewardship, stressing the importance of
building relationships, initiating ideas, and creating a lasting value system within an organisation. Rather than focusing on the “hows” of corporate life, he explains the “whys.” He shows that the first responsibility of a leader is to define reality and the last
is to say thank you.
Leading Quietly: An Unorthodox Guide to Doing the Right Thing
By Joseph Badaracco, 2002. USA: Harvard Business School Press.http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DI8XSK
Joseph Badaracco argues that leaders are not what makes the world work; in fact, ‘quiet leaders’ do. The books takes you through compelling stories illustrating how these quiet heroes, through patience and everyday efforts, create a better company and a
better world.
“ Leadership is an Art is a great read for any leader who wants to understand how they can create an engaging and motivational culture – Vanessa Powell, Associate Director ”
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Primal Leadership: Learning to Lead with Emotional Intelligence
By Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis & Annie McKee, 2004. USA: Harvard Business School Press.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1591391849
An essential read revealing the new truths for successful leadership. This book draws on decades of research within world-class
organisations to show that the best leaders must have resonance – the powerful ability to drive positive emotions for results, and
adapt to different demands for leadership styles.
Leading Through Values: Linking Company Culture to Business Strategy
By Michael Henderson, Dougal Thompson & Shar Henderson, 2006. NZ: Harper Business.
http://www.aimvic.com.au/Product-Description/154/Product/44659
Learn the importance of organisational values and their impact on people. This book provides a practical program on how to
implement value-based leadership and develop a value-based organisation.
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Results-Based Leadership By Dave Ulrich, Jack Zenger & Norman Smallwood, 1999. USA:
Harvard Business Review Press.http://www.amazon.com/dp/0875848710
Results-Based Leadership challenges the conventional wisdom surrounding leadership. Authors Ulrich, Zenger, and Smallwood argue that it is not enough to gauge leaders by personal traits such as character, style, and values. Rather, effective leaders
know how to connect these leadership attributes with results. The authors provide action-oriented guidelines that readers can follow to develop and hone their own results-based leadership
skills.
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of LeadershipBy John Maxwell, 1998. USA: Nelson Business.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1480554030
With more than forty years of leadership success, Maxwell presents 21 life-changing insights drawn from the observations of
business, politics, sports, religion and military conflict. A great read about the laws of leadership that govern personal and
organisational effectiveness for every leader.
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The Elephant in the BoardroomBy Adrian Furnham, 2010. Hampshire: Palgrave MacMillan.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0230229530
What is the difference between a great leader and a potentially great leader? Some great business leaders rise to success,
whereas others fail and derail. This book explores why leaders can have a negative impact on their companies and
organisations, as well as how to spot the signs of a falling leader before they fall.
The Engaging Leader: Winning with Today's Free Agent Workforce
By Ed Gubman, 2003. USA: Dearborn Trade Publishing.http://www.amazon.com/dp/0793165148
Why do business leaders struggle to attract and retain skilled employees? This book lends on the highly successful methods of
coaching greats, and teaches how to develop individual strengths and retain the skilled talent needed in your
organisation.
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The Truth about Leadership By James Kouzes & Barry Posner, 2010. USA: Jossey-Bass.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0470633549
Kouzes and Posner reveal ten time-tested truths that show what every leader must know, the questions they must be prepared to
answer, and the real-world issues they will likely face.
True NorthBy Bill George, 2007. San Franscisco: Jossey-Bass.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0787987514
True North presents a program for leadership success, and encourages the creation of a personal leadership development
plan. The book shares the wisdom of thorough research, as well as interviews with 125 of today’s top leaders.
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What to Ask the Person in the Mirror: Critical Questions for Becoming a More Effective Leader and Reaching your
PotentialBy Robert Kaplan, 2011. USA: Harvard Business School Press.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1422170012
Leadership is less about having all the answers and more about asking the right questions. Kaplan presents a process for asking
the big questions that will enable you to diagnose problems, change course if necessary, and advance your career.
Why Should Anyone Be Led By You? By Robert Goffee & Gareth Jones, 2006. USA: Harvard Business
School Press.http://www.amazon.com/dp/1578519713
What does it take to be a real leader? Gofee and Jones argue that leaders don’t become great by aspiring to a list of universal
character traits. Rather, effective leaders are authentic. This book draws on extensive research findings to reveal how to deploy one’s unique leadership assets while managing the inherent tensions at the heart of successful leadership. This read will
transform the way you view, develop and practice leadership.
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3Organisational Development
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Building a Values-Driven Organisation: A Whole System Approach to Cultural Transformation
By Richard Barrett, 2006. USA: Elsevier.http://www.amazon.com/dp/0750679743
Barrett’s experience in working with over 1,000 organisations over 32 countries leads him to share his wealth of knowledge of
cultural transformations. Realise a holistic approach to changing culture in your organisation to become value-driven and
supportive of employees, customers, partners, leaders – and ultimately drive effectiveness and profit.
Building the Awesome OrganisationBy Katherine Caitlin & Jane Matthews, 2002. New York: Hungry
Minds, Inc.http://www.amazon.com/dp/076455400X
Few leaders, entrepreneurs and CEOs understand how to build an awesome organisation. Learn about the six essential components
to building a successful organisation. Written with assessment tools and step-by-step action plans, this book is vital for leaders
wanting to strengthen and improve organisational competitiveness.
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Business Model GenerationBy Alexander Osterwalder & Yves Pigneur, 2010. New Jersey: Wiley.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0470876417
An essential tool to developing a strategy for your organisation, this book explains common business model patterns from leading business thinkers. You will be guided through developing and
implementing a game-changing business model.
Competitive Advantage By Michael Porter, 1985. New York: Free Press.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0684841460
This book explores how an organisation gains a competitive advantage over its competitors. Porter’s value chain provides a powerful framework to understand a company’s relative cost
position.
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Conscious Business: How to Build Value through ValuesBy Fred Koffman, 2013. USA: Sounds True. http://www.amazon.com/dp/1622032020
Chip and Dan Heath argue that the primary obstacle to change is a conflict that’s built into our brains. Psychologists have discovered that our minds are ruled by two different systems—the rational mind and the emotional mind—that compete for control. This
tension can doom a change effort—but if it is overcome, change can come quickly.
Great by ChoiceJim Collins & Morten Hansen, 2011. New York: Random House.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0062120999
Why do some companies thrive in uncertainty, even chaos, and others do not? Based on nine years of research, Collins and Hansen enumerate the principles for building a truly great
enterprise in unpredictable, tumultuous and fast-moving times.
“ Conscious Business illuminates very clearly the mindset & behaviours to lead & work with others effectively – Britta van Dyk, Senior Consultant ”
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The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organisation
By Peter Senge, 1990. USA: Doubleday.http://www.amazon.com/dp/0385517254
Senge argues that the only sustainable competitive advantage if your organisation’s ability to learn faster than the competition. The Fifth Discipline describes how companies can rid themselves of the learning “disabilities” that threaten their productivity and success by adopting the strategies of learning organisations—
ones in which new and expansive patterns of thinking are nurtured, collective aspiration is set free, and people are
continually learning how to create results they truly desire.
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4Management
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Aligning the Stars: How to Succeed when Professionals Drive Results
By Jay Lorsch & Thomas Tierney, 2002. USA: Harvard Business School Press.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1578515130
The importance of managing and retaining talent in your organisation is more crucial now than ever, especially in
professional service firms. This book takes you through how to attract, retain, motivate, organise and lead the stars that shape a company’s destiny – an important lesson for all organisations in
which professionals drive bottom-line results and long-term success.
Employees First, Customers SecondBy Vineet Nayar, 2010. Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1422139069
Author Nayar, CEO of one of the world’s fastest growing and profitable IT companies, accounts for how he defied the
traditional convention of ‘customers first’, and transformed the company with the implementation of the ‘employee first’
philosophy. This book is valuable for managers seeking grow their aspirations and become self-propelled engines of change.
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Managing the Professional Services Firm By David Maister, 2000. USA: Free Press.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0684834316
David Maister offers a brilliant and accessible guide to every management issue at play in professional firms.
Professional firms differ from other business enterprises in two distinct ways: first, they provide highly customised services and
thus cannot apply many of the management principles developed for product-based industries. Second, professional
services are highly personalised, involving the skills of individuals. Such firms must therefore compete not only for clients but also
for talented professionals.
Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation (5th
edn.)By Robert Burgelman, Clayton Christensen & Steven Wheelwright,
2008. New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin.http://www.amazon.com/dp/0073381543
An interesting resource which combines text, readings and cases to analyse and discuss critical business challenges. Directed to
general managers, this book examines the strategic fit between all levels of management – management at the product line,
business unit and corporate levels.
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5Innovation & Entrepreneurship
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Innovation & EntrepreneurshipBy Peter Drucker, 1985. USA: HarperBusiness.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0060851139
Innovation and Entrepreneurship explains what established businesses, public service institutions, and new ventures need to know and do to succeed in today's economy by analysing the
challenges and opportunities characteristic of the modern entrepreneurial world.
Sticky Wisdom...How to Start a Creative Revolution at WorkBy Dave Allan, Matt Kingdon, Kris Murrin & Daz Rudkin, 2002. UK:
Capstone.http://www.amazon.com/dp/1841120219
Sticky Wisdom gives you the power, insight, and courage to capture the essence of creativity at work. This one-of-a-kind book breaks creativity into six practical behaviors and shows you how all of
us--not just the wacky genuis--is packed with creative potential.This read helps makes innovation achievable because of
its simplicity and the impact of its tools.
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The Tipping Point: How little things can make a big differenceBy Malcolm Gladwell, 2002. USA: Back Bay Books.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0316346624
Malcolm Cladwell explains the tipping point phenomenon; that magic moment when an idea, trend, or social behavior crosses a threshold, tips, and spreads like wildfire. This book will change
the way you think about selling products and disseminating ideas.
This is Service Design ThinkingBy Marc Stickdorn & Jakob Schneider, 2011. New Jersey: Wiley.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1118156307
This is a groundbreaking book on the emerging discipline of service design – the process of improving service quality and enhancing
the interactions between service provider and customer. Combining the knowledge of 23 international authors, this book gets you thinking about the service design and presents tools to help beginners to experienced professionals alike to think in a
philosophical context.
“ The Tipping Point is an oldie but a goodie… specifically on the topics of Law of the Few Connectors and Mavens and the Power of Context – Natalie Braid, Senior Project Manager ”
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Thinking, Fast and Slow By Daniel Kahneman, 2011. UK: Penguin Books.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0374533555
Winner of countless prestigious awards, this must-read book engages the reader with the two systems driving the way we
think – the first system is fast, intuitive, and emotional, and the second is slower, more deliberative and logical. Nobel prize
author Kahneman teaches you to use different techniques to make better decisions in your business and personal lives;
enlightening you with why slow thinking can get you out of trouble.
Transformative Entrepreneurs By Jeffrey Harris, 2012. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0230340261
Having a good idea is not enough… too many good ideas fail at the execution level. Meticulously researched with fresh insights into
the entrepreneurial process, Transformative Entrepreneursprovides a fascinating perspective on those enterprises and
entrepreneurs that have changed the landscape of society. It also highlights the challenges and excitement of launching new
innovative businesses.
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6Skills for success
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Good to GreatBy Jim Collins, 2001. London: Random House.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0066620996
Uncover the key determinants to greatness – and why some companies make the leap from good to great, and others do
not. This book presents an extensive study of how companies go from ‘good to great’. The study examines a set of elite
companies that have sustained performance for at least 15 years, and compares those with companies that did not make
the leap.
How the Mighty Fall: and why some companies never give in By Jim Collins, 2009. USA: Harper Collins.http://www.amazon.com/dp/0977326411
How do the mighty fall? Can the fall be detected and avoided? This book covers Collins’ 4-year research project and uncovers the
process of decline for companies. Great companies can stumble, badly, but that doesn’t mean they can’t recover. How the Mighty Fall will help you to understand the stages of decline, and how a
leader can bring a company back to its feet.
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Influencer: The Power to Change AnythingBy Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, David Maxfield, Ron McMillan &
Al Switzler, 2008. USA: McGraw Hillhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/0071808868
A valuable book which will help you tap into your power of influence, Influencer draws insights from behavioural scientists
and business leaders to take you through the strategies that will make change inevitable in your personal and business lives. No matter who you are or what you do, you'll never learn a more
valuable or important set of principles and skills.
Made to StickBy Chip Heath & Dan Heath, 2007. New York: Random House.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1400064287
How are ideas noticed, remembered and made effective? This book will revolutionise the way you communicate ideas. The authors
reveal the science behind why some ideas stick and others don’t, and explains how to make your ideas the ones that stick.
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Mastery By Robert Greene, 2002. UK: Profile Books.http://www.amazon.com/dp/0670024961
Drawing from the biographies of great historical figures, years of research, primary interviews and psychological insights, this book
transforms the concept of mastery and how one achieves it. Temple Grandin, Martha Graham, Henry Ford, Buckminster
Fuller—all have lessons to offer about how the love for doing one thing exceptionally well can lead to mastery. Yet the secret,
Greene maintains, is already in our heads.
Influence: The Psychology of PersuasionBy Robert Cialdini, 2006. USA: HarperBusiness
http://www.amazon.com/dp/006124189X
thirty-five years of rigorous, evidence-based research along with a three-year program of study on what moves people to change
behavior has resulted in this highly acclaimed book that will teach you why people say “yes” and how to apply these
understandings.
“ Influence is one of the best sales books written by a non-sales person – Steve Pink, Associate Director ”Share this:
Stories That Move Mountains: Storytelling and Visual Design for Persuasive Presentations
By Martin Sykes, Nick Malik, & Mark West, 2013. UK: John Wiley & Sons.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1118423992
A practical book that will guide you through the secrets of making high impact and visual presentations that tell a story and engage
your audience. This book leverages the knowledge of two Microsoft presentation experts, creating a must-read for
everyone who wants to create a memorable presentation. This book includes sample story maps, templates, practical success
stories and more to help you communicate effectively and engage your audience.
The Trusted Adviser By David Maister, Charles Green & Robert Galford, 2000. USA: Free
Press.http://www.amazon.com/dp/074320414X
In today's fast-paced networked economy, professionals must work harder than ever to maintain and improve their business skills and knowledge. But Maister, Green, and Galford assert that
technical mastery of your discipline is not enough. The key to professional success, they argue, is the ability to earn the trust
and confidence of clients.
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True ProfessionalismBy David Maister, 2000. USA: Free Press.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0684840049
Professional firms are forever trying to get their people to act like professionals -- to do the right things. Though their various
incentives may create employee compliance, these don't often encourage excellence. Maister shows that true professionalism –believing passionately in what you do, never compromising your standards and values, and caring about your clients, your people and your own career - is not only ethical but also conducive to
commercial success.
What Makes Us Tick?By Hugh Mackay, 2010. Sydney: Hachette Australia.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/073362507X
Australia’s leading social researcher identifies ten desires that drive us – the things that make us tick. An engaging and interesting read
which explores the reasons why we do the things we do.
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Unlimited PowerBy Anthony Robbins, 1997. USA: Free Press. http://www.amazon.com/dp/0684845776
Anthony Robbins has proven to millions through his books, tapes, and seminars that by harnessing the power of the mind you can do, have, achieve, and create anything you want for your life. If
you have ever dreamed of a better life, Unlimited Power will show you how to achieve it.
“ Unlimited Power provides simple strategies for taking ACTION and actually doing something instead fumbling around and procrastinating and wrapping it up as if you are collaborating and seeking input – Alex Wickert, Consultant ”
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Vanessa Gavan is the Founder and Managing Director of Maximus. For over 15 years, Vanessa Gavan has consulted to a range of leading Australian and international organisations to enhance business strategies, improve executive leadership capability, redesign organisation structures and deliver operational performance solutions.
As an entrepreneur and business leader, Vanessa has lived through every business lifecycle and has refined her abilities to inspire, deploy and motivate people to achieve great things. Vanessa has worked with a wide range of clients including: Telstra, Coca-Cola Amatil, News Limited and QBE.
Contact:Website: www.maximus.com.auBlog: http://blog.maximus.com.auTwitter: www.twitter.com/maximusinternatLinkedIn: http://au.linkedin.com/in/vanessagavanPhone: 02 9216 2800
About the AuthorVanessa Gavan, Managing Director
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Drive your development through
coachingLeaders are working in increasingly complex, volatile and unpredictable environments. They are under pressure to deliver results, they need to optimise the workforce, streamline process and cut costs. Leaders are required to return short term results while still developing capability for the long term. So how do you drive this development?
Discover how coaching can help.
More info here
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