I’m not a huge reader, but some books have stuck in my mind and changed how I do things, approach projects, or think about topics. The following books had a direct impact on how I have coached and managed myself and others through the years:
- Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman – This book gave me a greater appreciation for the power of the mind, especially in setting and achieving goals. After reading this book, I changed my approach to coaching competitive swimmers and together we found greater success and satisfaction. Over the years, I have applied many of these lessons in developing a cohesive organization.
- Illusions by Richard Bach – I experienced great success early in my coaching career. In the eyes of many parents, I could “do no wrong,” but I was uncomfortable with the praise I received. I learned a lot from the swimmers and their families…we were learning together. Later in my career, I was reluctant to use the Manager title, and I often used Team Lead instead. This book helped me recognize and acknowledge the strengths of both myself and others.
- Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni – This book was a key for me in developing a strong, cohesive team. We shared this book across departments, and I periodically presented management sessions and workshops using many of the concepts presented in this book.
- Topgrading by Bradford D. Smart – I have used a detailed hiring process over the years. No process is perfect, and at times we questioned why we chose not to hire an applicant, especially when our workload was heavy. This book describes many aspects of the hiring process, including how poor hiring impacts an organization. Although some of the points in this book may seem severe, I found great value in its approach to the hiring process. The sample interview questions are very helpful to both interviewers and applicants.
- It’s Your Ship by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff – I shared this book with many team members. This book gave us points for discussion and helped us develop leaders within the team.
In addition, I have read several books about human relationships that stand out to me. Books by Leo Buscaglia, such as Loving Each Other, and by Shel Silverstein, such as The Missing Piece, have impacted how I approach relationships. These relationships provide the foundation for us to grow and learn. Life is an interesting journey and I’m glad we share our thoughts through books, blogs, and other media along the way. Do you have any favorite books you would like to add to the list?
This is a great topic, and my list of favorites is rather long. However, these are probably the most influential:
“Getting Real” by 37signals. I discovered this about 2 1/2 years ago, and it is the e-equivalent of dog-eared with all my tags and bookmarks. Sometimes, rereading a few chosen sections can help refocus my mindset or get me out of a productivity rut. I’ve worked with developers who live by it, and I’ve recommended it to others because even though the focus is development, the concepts are inter-disciplinary. It’s one of those books that lets you cherry-pick the ideas you agree with – the ideas stand alone as well as they work together.
“Advanced Selling Strategies” by Brian Tracy. When I worked in sales training, I read all of the books that were assigned to the new sales reps. Sales skills are critical, even for our profession. Outside of sales, not many people understand that selling is about the entire process, not simply the product, and that process involves skills like listening, learning, teaching, persuading, motivating, and negotiating.
“Avoid Boring People” by James D. Watson. Science, technology, and self-help – what more could a tech writer want, right? On one hand, I’ve got Watson, a Nobel Prize winner, and on the other, I’ve got a Nobel Prize winner giving me permission to stay away from people who bore me.
Oh-so-not the case. This book covers scientific and personal successes and failures, mixed together with life lessons (as lists! I love lists!) in education and leadership. At one point, he clarifies the title: “Take pains *not* to become boring…a leader’s mind must continually be reconfigured through exposure to new patterns of acting and thinking.” And, don’t always read what everyone else is reading – be an interesting dinner guest. Excellent, yet challenging, advice these days.
I want to mention an obvious choice for a tech writer – with an unusual motivation: “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” by Robert Pirsig.
Yes, author and narrator have worked as tech writers, and the narrator spends several pages discussing instruction manuals…
But more essential and influential to me are his reflections about how he makes sense of the world and himself – if with a self-destructive bent. Not the best book I know, but one of the most fascinating. I read it once every ten years or so.