I love to read. Whether I’m reading fiction to unwind, or non-fiction to learn and stimulate my thinking, I enjoy digesting great ideas and insights from people with unique perspectives. I’m often asked by clients and colleagues what books are on my shelf, and what books I’d recommend to them. One thing has always been the case: I have far more business and leadership books on my shelf than I could ever finish (or even start!)
So when I’m deciding to read a book… I am looking at it to see whether it will make me a more effective leader and entrepreneur as I seek to grow The Humphrey Group and the Niagara Institute. I’m also looking for books that will provide insights and guidance to share with the clients I coach and the companies we work with.
As I reflect back on the books that have checked those boxes for me, here are five that I wholeheartedly recommend:
Speaking as a Leader by Judith Humphrey
It may be written by my mother, and The Humphrey Group’s Founder, Judith Humphrey, but you can’t take away from the fact that Speaking as a Leader remains a foundational text in the practice of leadership communication. I love the clear way the book sets out the link between leadership and communication, and then lays out our core framework for persuasive, inspirational communication.
Every year I speak with clients who tell me the impact of the book, and every year I recommend it to more clients. Many have told me the book remains on their shelf for easy reference.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
Switching gears into the entrepreneurial space, the next book I recommend is The Hard Thing About Hard Things. I picked up Horowitz’s book in the first few years that I’d bought The Humphrey Group and had full responsibility for its success. Becoming a true entrepreneur – making payroll, managing employees, fending off competitive threats, deciding how much risk I was willing to take to drive growth, and still working with clients – had been much more of a raw process than I could have imagined.
Horowitz's candid sharing of his own experiences provided me with comfort that the challenges I was facing were just part and parcel of running a business. From handling crisis situations to making payroll, the practical advice offered in this book served to normalize the day-to-day pressures of entrepreneurship and renewed my confidence that I could build a team to take the business where I wanted to go. Horowitz emphasizes resilience and adaptability, qualities that I have (sometimes painfully) had to build in my 10 years as a business owner. I recommend this book wholeheartedly to anyone who has entered – or is thinking of entering – the world of entrepreneurship.
The Power of Pressure by Dane Jensen
Now a book for entrepreneurs and leaders: The Power of Pressure, by my good friend Dane Jensen of Third Factor. Dane, who I went to high school with and did a mediocre job coaching his high school basketball team, has written a powerful book on types of pressure and how to work through it to achieve success.
Dane’s been on The Inspire Podcast to talk about the book; I love that he highlights that experiencing pressure is a signal you're engaging in something that really matters. This is a critical message for our clients who often feel pressure and stress around speaking. Jensen’s insights are invaluable for those looking to turn pressure into a catalyst for performance rather than a source of stress.
Dane also categorizes different types of pressure, from long-term, low-burn to acute, event-specific, offering effective strategies for managing each. His approach demystifies the challenges associated with pressure and equips leaders with the tools to harness it positively, turning potential stress into a driver of performance. This book is a great resource for those looking to thrive under pressure rather than be overwhelmed by it.
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Another book I love is Extreme Ownership, and in fact I gave it to my whole leadership team a few years ago. Written by retired Navy SEALs-turned-leadership-trainers, the book is underpinned by a simple idea: as a leader, you must assume accountability for everything. No, do not point fingers or blame others when things go awry.
Instead, you must take ownership of the challenges and their resolutions. This mindset shift is pivotal, emphasizing practices like 'cover and move' – a metaphor for teamwork and mutual support – and 'delegated authority,' which fosters autonomy and partnership within the organization. Its straightforward, engaging narrative is packed with compelling stories that not only illustrate these principles but also make them memorable and actionable.
In fact, I loved the book so much I had one of Jocko Willinck’s team, Dave Berke as one of my inaugural podcast guests for The Inspire Podcast.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
This one has been around for years and was an early influence on me and my clients. Good to Great is a seminal work that has influenced leadership for years. This book, along with another one of his greats, "Built to Last," set the stage for many of the principles we now see as foundational.
For example, Collins's concept of getting the right people on the bus underscores the critical importance of team composition in achieving organizational success. This simple yet powerful principle, along with others explored in the book, provides a robust framework for making strategic decisions in management.
These insights are especially valuable in navigating the complex challenges that big companies face, helping distinguish those that merely survive from those that truly thrive. One of the standout principles in it is the Hedgehog Concept, which encourages companies to focus on what they can be best at, what drives their economic engine, and what they are deeply passionate about. This focus can help organizations achieve sustained success and maintain a competitive edge in their industry
Unlocking Leadership Potential
This is a short list of the books that hit home for me as a leader, coach and entrepreneur. There are countless more… and I’ll keep reading and sharing here. What I’d recommend to you is not only these books but to think of what you want to get when you read… because there are so many more choices than you’ll ever cut through. Read on!
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