What are some of the books that you have read to develop your leadership skills and get insight?

2018-02-15T08:12:36-05:00

And how have these books helped? Looking to just get a discussion going of the best leadership books that you have read throughout your time in service! They can be technicial, historical, or modern. Any branch, any rank. This may even help out someone else looking to read something new. You know the saying: LEADERS ARE READERS.

Here are several that I've read that I felt were really good.

McChrystal, Stanley A. My Share of the Task: A Memoir. New York: Portfolio/Penguin, 2014.

Myrer, Anton, and Carlo DEste. Once an Eagle: A Novel. New York: Harper Perennial, 2013.

Caravella, Frank J. Guidebook for the Young Officer: Updated for Leaders of the 21st Century. Madison, AL: Mentor Enterprises, Inc., 2011.

Allen, Nate, and Tony Burgess. Taking the Guidon: Exceptional Leadership at the Company Level. Delaware: The Center for Co.-Level Leadership, 2001.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 8:27 AM

2018-02-15T08:27:37-05:00

Lt. I am not sure where to start. I do not remember the authors to most of the books.
Leadership and Self-deception.
Starship Troopers - Robert Heinlein
Small Unit Tactics for Platoon Leaders
Learning to Eat Soup with a knife - Jon Nagl
The Accidental Guerrilla (and others; including the 29 points) - David Killcullen
The Three Volume Box Set of Calvin and Hobbes

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 8:28 AM

2018-02-15T08:28:13-05:00

Straight from the Gut, Jack Welch. Art of War also

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Feb 15 at 2018 8:45 AM

2018-02-15T08:45:15-05:00

I also love "Once an Eagle" and "Starship Troopers". For a more strategic look, try "Lincoln on Leadership".

Response by LT Charles Baird made Feb 15 at 2018 9:10 AM

2018-02-15T09:10:27-05:00

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Since being out and in the business world one of the best books I have read is: Extreme Ownership How US Navy Seals Lead and Win

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 15 at 2018 9:26 AM

2018-02-15T09:26:35-05:00

In my opinion, hands down, "Small Unit Leadership" by Col Dandridge Malone is the book to read.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Feb 15 at 2018 9:34 AM

2018-02-15T09:34:18-05:00

Don't Fire Them, Fire Them Up by Frank Pacetta

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 9:38 AM

2018-02-15T09:38:34-05:00

There is a very long list but my personal favorite is Pete Blaber's "The Mission, The Men, and Me"

Beyond that any thing I can find pertaining to my field. That's generally in the form of doctrine and/or white papers on a myriad of subjects.

I find the most value generally comes from who we surround ourselves with, and what information we actively seek out. For professional warriors one of the best resources out there is Primary and Secondary as it is a collection of military and law enforcement individuals that do nothing but try and make their craft better, and help others. They exist in the form of plenty of written information to go over, but most effective is their podcast series on a variety of subjects.

Leadership always comes down to individual personality and I think that how we are able to craft that personality, and build our foundational knowledge; as leaders, will ultimately determine how successful, or not, that we are.

Ultimately, I would argue that leadership "concepts/principles" are not as important as how one is able to master their craft, and bring that to the fight.

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Feb 15 at 2018 9:48 AM

2018-02-15T09:48:15-05:00

Schwarzkopf - "It doesn't take a hero"

Colin Powell - "My American journey" (really anything by him), Both have great leadership examples. However, Gen Powell's books show determination, leadership, and character in the face of diversity troubles and trying to make his way.

As stated below inthe thread...Lincoln on Leadership.

Finally "Who moved my cheese"...nobody likes change but this book is about embracing change. Small book with a powerful message.

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Feb 15 at 2018 9:58 AM

2018-02-15T09:58:33-05:00

I'd suggestion browsing through this disscussion too:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-a-good-list-of-books-that-addresses-military-leadership

What is a good list of books that addresses military leadership? | RallyPoint

Looking for a reading list of books beneficial for self and professional development as an enlisted military leader.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Feb 15 at 2018 11:01 AM

2018-02-15T11:01:25-05:00

FM 22-100, FM 22-101, FM 22-102, FM 22-103, and when you're ready to pull your eyeballs out, go to your sister services NCOPD's to see how they do business, and read their manuals. It's truly eye opening to see how the Army does things like counseling's, yet if I gave an Airman one, all hell's about to break loose being it's worse than being shot at. For a Sailor, counseled him a few times according to their regs, and nothing happened until I recommended him for DRB (I didn't even put it on paper. Told the Chief, and he took it from there). Black folk don't loose facial color like that, and I never had a problem afterwards with him. The crayoneaters I was with thought counseling's the way the Army did them were a waste of time and laughed. BTW I added Wall to Wall Counseling in my list on purpose.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 11:36 AM

2018-02-15T11:36:32-05:00

Allan-You can't beat the classics (new and old). The Iliad certainly has some lessons to teach about how NOT to lead from Agamemnon and Achilles...and some excellent examples of how TO from Hector and Odysseus. Gods and Generals and the Killer Angels provide some great perspective on the human side of the commanders in our Civil War. I would also highly recommend The Book of the Courtier (Castiglione 1528), the Dokkodo by the sword master Mushasi...among others.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 12:09 PM

2018-02-15T12:09:28-05:00

Response by SMSgt Keith Klug made Feb 15 at 2018 12:51 PM

2018-02-15T12:51:29-05:00

General Patton's Principles for Life and Leadership; Beyond Band of Brothers. The first one I read while at Academic Instructor's School and the other I have at home. Both have great examples of how to be a leader of men. Sometimes they are not liked by their men, but that is not the point.

And as I think about it, anything about Easy Company. They had great leaders all over the place from all different ranks, when it was needed.

Response by LTC Tom Jones made Feb 15 at 2018 2:10 PM

2018-02-15T14:10:07-05:00

"They Call Me Coach" by Purdue All-American player and UCLA (both basketball) Coach John Wooden. It speaks to teamwork, preparation, efficiency and character. His "Pyramid of Success" is offered here for those for whom it is not familiar.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 3:21 PM

2018-02-15T15:21:18-05:00

"Rag Picker" by Og Mandino

Response by MAJ Bill Maynard made Feb 15 at 2018 3:40 PM

2018-02-15T15:40:11-05:00

I would suggest that you look at movies as well. Typically books provide more detail, but I believe that many older military movies (some of which may be based on novels or documentaries) provide multiple examples of good and bad leadership and you can learn those lessons over a couple of hours. For example, I just watched "Hell is for Heroes" from 1967. It's a B&W WWII movie with a lot of examples of decisions being made, some good, some not. Of course, what you seek is a lifelong process, as no good leader stops learning and hopefully makes fewer bad decisions as they grow.

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Feb 15 at 2018 3:48 PM

2018-02-15T15:48:57-05:00

My life revolves around my civilian atmosphere these days. But, it was recommended many years ago that I read 'Made in America by Sam Walton'. It was well worth it. Small town poor boy starts as a janitor in a retail store, buys the establishment, makes a legacy for his children, and call it Walmart. CPT Private RallyPoint Member I read by your post several times before I responded. Then I decided this book did have a place among the core values of good leadership.

Response by SSG Alan Pelletier made Feb 16 at 2018 3:40 PM

2018-02-16T15:40:37-05:00

The 360 Leader has been very useful for me concerning my role on the middle of most organizations. Offers a 360° perspective on how your leadership affects everyone.

The second is Good to Great. Also quite useful in getting a strong base for yourself and your team.

After that, any book you can read will benefit you so snatch up every and any book. A challenge that I've accepted many years ago is a minimum of 1 non-fiction per month and as many fiction as possible.

The increased level of consciousness in your surroundings is well worth the effort. Don't neglect industry specific books either!