A Student of Leadership

I’m definitely a student of leadership & management - and hopefully if you’ve been reading along, you can tell.

I certainly don’t have everything figured out - but I’m on the journey to become better.

A friend asked me for my non-fiction leadership book recommendations the other day.

So I fired up the old kindle, took some screenshots, and away we go. You’ll notice almost all of them are either sports, or military!

I think those two worlds speak the best about leadership.

Foundational Leadership Principles

1. The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker

Time management, focus, and decision-making fundamentals for leaders.

2. The Dichotomy of Leadership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Balancing leadership extremes—decisiveness with humility, assertiveness with restraint.

3. The Score Takes Care of Itself by Bill Walsh

Leading through preparation, setting high standards, and focusing on the process.

4. Leading Marines (MCWP 6-11)

Core leadership principles focused on trust, values, and resilience.

5. The Mission, The Men, and Me by Pete Blaber

Lessons in adaptability, situational awareness, and putting people first.

6. How to Win Friends and Influence People:

   The kind of book that most people know, but haven’t read. Just read it! The book teaches the value of empathy, effective communication, and influencing others without manipulation.

7. The Manager’s Handbook by David Dodson

Five actionable steps to manage teams, stay focused, and drive results.

8. The Effective Manager by Mark Horstman

Practical advice for communication, delegation, and giving feedback.

9. No B.S. Ruthless Management of People and Profits by Dan Kennedy

Straightforward strategies for accountability and driving results.

10. The Art of Clear Thinking by Hasard Lee

Decision-making under pressure using structured, clear thinking.

11. It’s Your Ship by D. Michael Abrashoff

Empowering teams and building trust through practical leadership.

12. One Bullet Away: The Making of a Marine Officer by Nathaniel Fick

Balancing toughness with empathy while leading in high-pressure situations.

13. Eleven Rings by Phil Jackson

Building team chemistry, trust, and achieving collective success.

14. Legacy

    Kerr reveals leadership lessons from the All Blacks, focusing on discipline, humility, and continuous improvement. The book emphasizes creating a culture of excellence and leaving a lasting impact.

    

Rules for Radicals by Saul D. Alinsky

A practical guide for organizing and leveraging power to enact social change, focused on understanding and using tactics effectively. Alinsky emphasizes strategic thinking, adaptability, and building collective action to challenge authority.

Yallah Habibi,

Jon