Someone I mentor asked me for a list of books I would recommend for an engineering leader.
The list is below. They are all quick and entertaining reads with a great return on your time investment.
How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age – Dale Carnegie
A classic that is a must-read. It covers:
- Six ways to make a lasting impression
- How to maintain others’ trust
- How to lead change without the resistance of resentment
Even if you have read earlier versions, I would recommend reading this one as it has been updated to cover more modern forms of communication.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable – Patrick M Lencioni
This book covers the dysfunctions through a fable, then details each dysfunction.
The five dysfunctions:
- Inattention to results
- Avoidance of accountability
- Lack of commitment
- Fear of conflict
- Absence of trust
The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win – Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, George Spafford
Told as a story, this book covers the identification and resolution of interpersonal and organizational dysfunction.
Start with Why – Simon Sinek
“People like Martin Luther King Jr., Steve Jobs, and the Wright Brothers had little in common, but they all started with WHY. They realized that people won’t truly buy into a product, service, movement, or idea until they understand the WHY behind it.”
The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right – Atul Gawande
How well-crafted checklists can help both novices and experts get better results.
What’s missing?
What books am I missing that you would recommend? Add a comment!
Leave a Reply