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Leadership Six Habits of Highly Effective Bosses by Stephen E. Kohn and Vincent D. O’Connell 213 pages, 9 key chapters So, how many of Kohn and O'Connell's habits do you have? Are you a highly effective boss? If you are currently struggling with the reality of leading others then this is a great place to start. The Six Habits of Highly Effective Bosses is by far and away the best introduction and summary to the core communication and leadership skills. The book is a clear easy read, written in a direct style and provides an overview of the key elements of leading and managing effectively. Not at all “ivory towers” – the authors’ experience training and coaching enable them to describe lots of practical, recognisable cases. The book includes end-of-chapter summaries, exercises and self-assessment surveys to allow the reader to check understanding and applicability. There are lots of references to research and management models, so the reader can dive deeper and follow up if desired. Becoming a highly effective boss starts here!
Just Ask Leadership: Why Great Managers Always Ask the Right Questions By Gary B. Cohen 195 pages, 5 key chapters Cohen identifies the key skill many leaders lack - they just do not ask enough questions. Great bosses are not great because they know all the answers. Great bosses know which questions to ask and then they listen....carefully....with an open mind! An excellent, clearly written book laying out the case and supporting evidence for Managers to stop talking and start listening! Cohen’s experience coaching executives really shows, although it’s a shame that all the examples given are American. The author is certainly knowledgeable, but displays a lack of awareness to the impact of different cultural norms and behaviours – not everyone will always respond as openly to the questioning approach as he suggests. Even given this, this book is fantastic reading for anyone managing sizeable teams.
Managing in Times of Change: 24 Tools for Managers, Individuals and Teams 60 pages This is part of the McGraw-Hill Professional Education series and can be read in an hour! It’s a great introduction to the impact of change and uncertainty on people’s performance and effectiveness, with some clear and simple management strategies to counter-act this.
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