Recommended Reading
by Rhona Post


Leadership

Leading at the Edge : Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition by Dennis N. T. Perkins


Leadership Lessons From the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton’s Antarctic Expedition. AMACON (American Management Association) 2000.

I loved this adventure story/leadership primer. I stayed tuned the whole way through, which is important considering our busy schedules and how precious our reading time has become. “How do you measure your own success as a leader? What are the standards by which you measure your performance?” Perkins asks near the end of this book. By combining an adventure tale with real life lessons, we step into the conversation of leadership with a different set of lens.

Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman


Harvard Business School Press, Boston Massachusetts 2002

I like this book because it offers readers the “taking it to the streets” steps needed to lead. Goleman is an advocate of coaching, and that is always a plus in my book. His vantage is reality based (easy to digest) and his insights are founded on solid research. It is worth reading, and includes some great questions you can use as part of your own self development as a leader.

Self Development in Business

The Diamond Cutter: The Buddha on Strategies for Managing Your Business and Your Life by Geshe Michael Roach


Doubleday New York 2000

I am very fond of books that combine story telling with morals or lessons. Similar to Leading At the Edge, Roach shares his life story –a young man who studied Buddhism, becomes a Buddhist monk and then takes his spiritual knowledge to the streets of the diamond industry in New York. His business life and business solutions are easily digestible, and help me remember to stay mindful, aware and focused on those qualities I hold dear: compassion, patience, wisdom, and joy.

I felt I could be both a better coach and business person as a result of reading this book.

Self Development/Awareness of Others

Human Dynamics: A New Framework for Understanding People and Realizing the Potential in Our Organizations by Sandra Seagal & David Horne


Pegasus Communications Inc. Cambridge Massachusetts 1997

For those readers who believe there is life after Myers Briggs, read this book. Although a rigorous read, you will begin to see yourself with a greater tenderness about the kinds of habits and patterns you bring to the workplace, as well as have greater respect and insight into those assumptions we bring into the workplace. Human Dynamics helped me see how other people learn, a great tool when coaching or managing others. Awareness is the first step. You will have greater sensitivity for yourself and for others in the workplace.

The Wisdom of the Enneagram: The Complete Guide to Psychological and Spiritual Growth for the Nine Personality Types by Don Richard Riso and Russ


Bantam Book 1999

Although I was a little skeptical about learning how the Enneagram works, I thought this book was really thorough. Both Wisdom of the Enneagram and Human Dynamics provide a holistic approach to understanding and accepting human nature. Plus, Riso offers lots of great practices that will help you close gaps between where you are and where you wish to be.

Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey



Simon and Shuster New York 1989

When working with new managers or any emerging leader who wants to build and operate from a principle centered framework I recommend this book. Why? Covey’s book is a great primer for anyone who wishes to define and live from his/her personal vision. I often refer back to his lessons on time and project management, because even the most successful among us lose sight of what we’ve declared important as we are tossed from one commitment to another. A good menu of lessons, plus easy to do exercises that will deepen your awareness of what you declare is worth accomplishing.

Communication/Self Development/Workforce Innovation

How the Way We Talk Can Change the Way We Work : Seven Languages for Transformation by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey


I think that the really challenging books on communication often yield the best results, if we are willing to keep reading to the very end. Most of us get bored, confused or tired, all symptoms that our brains are getting unscrambled so that the learning can occur. This book provides that kind of learning environment. By doing some of the exercises you will be more skillful understanding how your assumptions shape your interpersonal communication. I think the bottom line to this book is learning how to think , act and communicate with authenticity rather than having our conversations shaped by our assumptions, contradictions, and other learned patterns that limit our ability to relate deeply and well to ourselves and others.

Career Management

I know that Richard Bolles’ book, What Color Is Your Parachute 2004: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career is on almost everyone’s bookcase, but if you
are interested in more excellent career books read:

Zen and the Art of Making a Living: A Practical Guide to Creative Career Design by Laurence G. Boldt


Penguin, Arkana 1999

The chapter titles are enough to mobilize even the “deadest” of employees. From The Art of Life’s Work, to The Quest For Life’s Work, to The Game of Life’s Work, and the Battle For Life’s Work to the ultimate School of Life’s Work, Boldt leaves no stone unturned in this imaginative, and readable workbook that leaves me breathless each time I tackle another exercise. Wherever you open the book, that is where you can jump in to learn.

Who amongst you does not want to feel that your life has purpose, that you --whatever you are doing make a difference?


Boldt is also the author of the wonderful book How to Be, Do, or Have Anything: A Practical Guide to Creative Empowerment.


 

Rest/Renewal of the Spirit

Currently, my favorite writer is Anne Lamott. She helps me remember what it is to be human, with all our frailties, quirks and gifts. She makes me laugh. I take my time reading her books, especially:

For more information on innovative Post and Associates training/coaching programs, please call Rhona Post at 202-484-4747 or email rpost@coachscorner.com.

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