To find the best business, communications and leadership books to add to my “to read” list for 2017, I reached out to some of the best experts in the field. Individuals I admire and respect.
Here is what they read this year and recommend adding to your 2017 “to read” list:
Paul Smith
Organizational Storytelling Speaker,
Trainer/Coach, Author
Trainer/Coach, Author
The Elegant Pitch: Create a Compelling Recommendation, Build BroadSupport, and Get It Approved, by Mike
Figliuolo.
Figliuolo.
“As a storytelling trainer and consultant, I’m constantly asked by
companies to help their managers ‘tell a better story.' When I dig in to find
out what the issues and needs are, about half the time I conclude that it’s not
actually storytelling that they need. What they need is the ability to craft a
simpler, more logical, and more compelling argument that they can deliver in a
presentation or in a memo. The Elegant Pitch teaches that and does it well,” says Paul.
companies to help their managers ‘tell a better story.' When I dig in to find
out what the issues and needs are, about half the time I conclude that it’s not
actually storytelling that they need. What they need is the ability to craft a
simpler, more logical, and more compelling argument that they can deliver in a
presentation or in a memo. The Elegant Pitch teaches that and does it well,” says Paul.
Web: www.LeadWithAStory.com
Twitter: @LeadWithAStory
Paul’s books:
Lead with a Story (Amazon #1 Bestseller in Business
Communication)
Communication)
Sell with a Story (Amazon #1 Bestseller in Sales and Selling)
Parenting with a Story
Debbie Laskey
Expert in Brand Marketing,
Social Media, Employee Engagement, Leadership Development and Customer Service
Marketing
Social Media, Employee Engagement, Leadership Development and Customer Service
Marketing
Leading the Unleadable – How to Manage Mavericks, Cynics, Divas, andOther Difficult People, by Alan
Willett.
Willett.
“There are so many how-to lead books on the market that it’s almost
impossible to siphon out quality from the imposters, but Willett’s book stands
apart as a must-read. Here’s the main theme of the book: While many people are
destined to become leaders, how many actually create cultures of excellence
where others aim to become leaders? As Willett explained, ‘It is your job to
provide each person you lead with inspiration, guidance, discipline,
correction, training, and most of all, the opportunity to make mistakes and to
excel.' Want to learn more? Visit www.leadtheunleadable.com,” explains Debbie.
impossible to siphon out quality from the imposters, but Willett’s book stands
apart as a must-read. Here’s the main theme of the book: While many people are
destined to become leaders, how many actually create cultures of excellence
where others aim to become leaders? As Willett explained, ‘It is your job to
provide each person you lead with inspiration, guidance, discipline,
correction, training, and most of all, the opportunity to make mistakes and to
excel.' Want to learn more? Visit www.leadtheunleadable.com,” explains Debbie.
Debbie has served as a judge for the Web Marketing Association’s annual
web award competition since 2002, and has been recognized as one of the
“Top 100 Branding Experts.”
web award competition since 2002, and has been recognized as one of the
“Top 100 Branding Experts.”
Web: www.debbielaskey.blogspot.com
Twitter: @DebbieLaskeyMBA
Nathan Magnuson
Leadership Consultant, Coach, Speaker,
Thought Leader
Thought Leader
Extreme Ownership, by Jocko Willink
and Leif Babin.
and Leif Babin.
“I loved the gripping military stories but also the business tie-ins.
The key message is that leaders can't lead until they accept the
responsibilities that come with the job. I'd recommend this book to anyone
faced with a critical job or project that will require 100% commitment,” says Nathan.
The key message is that leaders can't lead until they accept the
responsibilities that come with the job. I'd recommend this book to anyone
faced with a critical job or project that will require 100% commitment,” says Nathan.
Web: www.nathanmagnuson.com
Twitter: @NathanMagnuson
Nathan’s e-book: Trusted
Leadership Advisor
Leadership Advisor
David Grossman, ABC, APR, Fellow
PRSA
PRSA
Communications and Leadership Speaker,
Consultant, Author
Consultant, Author
“This year, I re-read Lencioni‘s
classic, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” says David.
classic, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,” says David.
“Trust continues to be one of the fundamental issues organizations,
teams, and leaders face. His elegant model and its components have stood the
test of time, and are even more relevant today as leaders often work to build
high-performing teams without addressing the most fundamental building block –
vulnerability-based trust.”
teams, and leaders face. His elegant model and its components have stood the
test of time, and are even more relevant today as leaders often work to build
high-performing teams without addressing the most fundamental building block –
vulnerability-based trust.”
David is Founder and CEO of The Grossman Group, an award-winning Chicago-based
communications consultancy focused on organizational consulting, strategic
leadership development and internal communications.
communications consultancy focused on organizational consulting, strategic
leadership development and internal communications.
Web: www.yourthoughtpartner.com
Twitter: @Thoughtpartner
David’s e-books include:
The
Mistakes CEOs Can’t Help But Make and the Fixes They Can’t Afford Not to Make
The Definitive Guide to Taming the
Email Monster.
