6 leadership books that will prepare you for future

I’ve been inspired by the greats—leaders, change-makers, and artists alike. I’ve even looked up to fictional characters like Jessica Pearson, Jaqueline Carlyle, and Lorelai Gilmore. I’ve wondered what it takes to command attention and adoration like them and empathise and encourage the team. I have come to understand that leadership is never about the power and authority that the position brings; it is about bringing out the best version of your colleagues and working constructively towards a goal. I have a long way to go before I take charge of teams, but I’m learning every step of the way. And these are the books that are helping me. 

Leader: 50 insights from mythology by Devdutt Pattanaik 

In this book, speaker, author, and mythologist, Devdutt Pattanaik draws on the worlds of many myths and legends that have been an integral part of our culture, society, and economy, to give a new perspective on what makes a good leader. From tales from the Mahabharata to the story of Nathan and David from the Bible, Pattanaik presents a unique take on leadership and its many facets—what it takes to be a good leader, effective communication, drawing boundaries, and more. We recommend reading this for historical insight into modern-day ideas of leadership.
 
Leaders eat last by Simon Sinek 

A personal favourite, Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek should be on everyone’s reading list, no matter where they aspire to be in their careers. Sinek talks about the simple values of a leader and exemplifies them with case studies and instances of real-life companies that implemented a healthier working environment for its employees. He writes: Those who have an opportunity to work in organisations that treat them like human beings to be protected rather than a resource to be exploited come home at the end of the day with an intense feeling of fulfillment and gratitude. This should be the rule for all of us, not the exception. Returning from work feeling inspired, safe, fulfilled and grateful is a natural human right to which we are all entitled and not a modern luxury that only a few lucky ones are able to find.  

Iacocca: An autobiography by Lee Iacocca and William Novak 

Here’s a first hand-account of a person who (almost) single-handedly transformed the Ford Motor Company. The book largely revolves around Iacocca’s time with the company and his journey to ‘power’. He emphasises and writes in detail about his relationship with Henry Ford and his tenure as president of the company, eventually leading to his resignation. The third part of the book covers the Chrsyler story—its rescue and flourishing transformation. The last part speaks of American politics, legislation, and the aspiration to ‘Make America Great Again’. 

Art of War by Sun Tzu 

Though not an out and out book on leadership, Art of War by Sun Tzu talks about strategy, ideation, and execution. It is a guide for leaders to create strategic systems for the smooth-functioning of their organisation. The book is for all those who are determined to create and transform the organisation’s vision and work practices for a better tomorrow. The book has been divided into 13 chapters, each one describing, in detail, the various stages of implementation and execution, with a philosophical and spiritual insight into the same. If they say, “In the midst of chaos there is also opportunity,” it must be true. 

Learning to Lead: The journey to leading yourself, leading others and leading your organisation by Karl Weber and Ron Williams 

Written by Karl Weber and Ron Williams, Learning to Lead is a step-by-step guide brimming with practical leadership advice and proven management solutions. Drawing inspiration and lessons from Williams’s personal and professional journey along with insights from America’s leading CEOs, the book covers topics like beginning a career in a leadership position, avoiding obstacles, learning how to deal with challenges, building an efficient and high-performance team, effective communication, and much more. Use this as your go-to guide while taking charge of the C-suite. 

Humble Leadership: the power of relationships, openness and trust by Edgar H Schein and Peter A Schein 

In this book, Edgar Schein collaborates with his son and consulting partner to explore the other side of the corporate world; leadership. The book is a detailed insight into what they call the Level 2 type of leadership, wherein the term is redefined as a collective challenge of helping to improve how the team performs as opposed to only developing singular leadership skills. The duo questions the hierarchical nature of leadership in corporates and offers another, newer model of working to think about and execute.