Out of all the books you've read, which one shaped your leadership philosophy or decision making the most?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 15:02:41 -0400

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 3:05 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 15:05:06 -0400

I would have to say "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu.

"Those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle.They are not brought by him." ~Sun Tzu

Be proactive and get out in front of any situation that has the potential to benefit or harm your team.

Response by SSG Stephan Pendarvis made Aug 16 at 2016 3:07 PM

SSG Stephan Pendarvis — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 15:07:23 -0400

THE 50TH LAW

Response by LTC Marc King made Aug 16 at 2016 3:10 PM

LTC Marc King — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 15:10:55 -0400

Sun Tzu... "The Art of War"

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 3:33 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 15:33:35 -0400

Actually mine was "The Long Pursuit" by Richard Haugh.

It was a very well-researched non-fiction account of German Admiral Graf Von Spee in the opening months of World War One.

While it was meant as an exciting story (which it was), it also showed great examples of both good (Von Spee, Craddock) and bad (Sturdee) leadership that really made an impression on me when I first read the book at age 17 and when I read it again 30 years later.

The book was first published in 1969 and is currently out of print, but can occasionally be found on Amazon and elsewhere (link below).

https://www.amazon.com/Long-Pursuit-Richard-Alexander-Hough/dp/B0006BVZJS/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=1-1-spell&keywords=the+long+pursuit+richard+haugh

The Long Pursuit: Richard Alexander Hough: Amazon.com: Books

The Long Pursuit [Richard Alexander Hough] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made Aug 16 at 2016 3:38 PM

Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 15:38:13 -0400

I would offer two for separate reasons. First, "Primal Leadership" by Goleman, Boyatzis and McKee. The contents cover several distinct leadership styles and the key aspects of emotional intelligence (a critical element of leadership).
Second, I would offer most books by Peter Drucker (he wrote 39). Two of my favorites are these: "Classic Drucker" and "The Five Most Important Questions (you will ever ask about your organization)".

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 3:42 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 15:42:45 -0400

I'm gonna go against the norm here (most of the other responses are and will be military or politically based). The book that most shaped my leadership philosophy was Crispin: Cross of Lead by Avi.

Yes, I realize that it is a children's book. But here is my reasoning behind this choice:

1. We learn most about leadership and the type of person we are as children, when we are malleable and impressionable. This book showed me many things.
2. Bear, the main adult role in the book is a true leader. He leads by not only word, but deed. He shows passion, fury, enthusiasm, love, horror, pain, and pleasure in everything he does in this book.
3. Bear shows Crispin what it means to not only be a wholesome adult, but how to lead others this way (though it doesn't follow forward to see if Crispin applies any of it), and also allows Crispin to make his mistakes the same way a father would. Let them make the choice, and deal with the consequences of their actions.

For these reasons, Crispin: Cross of Lead by Avi most shaped my leadership philosophy: Train them to follow you, give them an example to follow, and lead them as you would your own children.

Response by LTC Marc King made Aug 16 at 2016 3:50 PM

LTC Marc King — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 15:50:02 -0400

I would also add: The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today by Thomas E. Ricks

Response by GySgt John O'Donnell made Aug 16 at 2016 4:05 PM

GySgt John O'Donnell — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 16:05:45 -0400

Leadership is such a dynamic subject, there isn't just one. That said, as the leader and mentor "The Heart of a Leader" by Ken Blanchard has help me throughout the years. But the foundation of a good leader is being a good follower, so "A Message to Garcia" Elbert Hubbard will always be my favorite.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 4:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 16:41:31 -0400

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by. Dale Carnegie.

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Aug 16 at 2016 5:09 PM

1SG Mike Case — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 17:09:40 -0400

Just read this book recently because it is a new book, but to me, it is one of the better books on leadership....Extreme Leadership by Jocko Willnik and Leif Babin. It talks about leadership in the military and then relates it to the civilian sector. I definitely recommend reading it.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 5:21 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 17:21:12 -0400

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie. Not only does it teach you how to improve your communication style, but by applying the lessons to exchanges with subordinates and leaders you will notice an improvement in work relations. I guarantee it!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 5:31 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 17:31:12 -0400

The Ranger Handbook.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 5:46 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 17:46:59 -0400

"My Share of the Task" by General Stanley McChrystal is an amazing read. Here's a link to a book list that is full of gems.
http://jsou.libguides.com/readinglists

USSOCOM Commander's Reading List 2016 - Reading Lists - Library at Joint Special Operations...

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Response by SGM Barry Kindred made Aug 16 at 2016 7:50 PM

SGM Barry Kindred — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 19:50:31 -0400

The Bible.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 8:13 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 20:13:40 -0400

To all m brand new LT's and up and comming NCO's, I have them read, "The Mission, The Men, and Me" by Pete Blaber

Response by CPL George Ross made Aug 16 at 2016 10:01 PM

CPL George Ross — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 22:01:19 -0400

Modern Bushido

Response by SFC Anthony Franke made Aug 16 at 2016 10:59 PM

SFC Anthony Franke — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 22:59:18 -0400

I read it quite late in my career, but one that made me think a lot was Starship Troopers (the BOOK, not the pathetic movie).

As a Military Science Instructor, I had my cadets read it and do a book review. It generated some very interesting discussions!

Being a voracious reader, there are many books that influenced my leadership, though. I couldn't begin to list them all here! Starship Troopers by Heinlein was the first that came to mind as being a thought provoking book, considering when it was written.

Response by SPC George Rudenko made Aug 17 at 2016 12:38 AM

SPC George Rudenko — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 00:38:59 -0400

Art of War

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2016 5:16 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 05:16:59 -0400

FM 6-22 Army Leadership... That counts right?

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2016 7:10 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 07:10:16 -0400

I was going to say Maxhiavelli's "The Prince" . . . but truth be told I was far more pervasively influenced by Max Weber's "On Authority" which speaks to four kinds of authority / legitimacy derived political / institutional power . . . (1) charismatic . . . (2) traditional . . . (3) legal-rational bureaucratic . . . and (4) expert authority . . . each of which fits particular source of power / authority specifically characteristic of each leader. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2016 12:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Aug 2016 12:03:03 -0400

Thank you for all the recommendations. I've written them down for future reading.