As has become my quarterly tradition, I want to provide my quarterly reading list to you as a resource. Many of these books have already helped me become a better leader. Other books are in my queue and will be read in the coming months and I am sure will stretch me. I think they will make you a better leader as well.
The following are 10 Books Every Leader Should Read This Winter:
- The Genius Of Desperation: The Schematic Innovations That Made The Modern NFL by Doug Farrar. This is the book I am reading this quarter on creativity and problem-solving. If necessity has been the mother of invention throughout the history of professional football, it could also be said that desperation is the father. Rare are the football innovations that have occurred without an owner, general manager, coach, or player up against the wall and reaching for a way to succeed anyway. In this meticulously researched, lively book, Bleacher Report lead NFL scout Doug Farrar traces the schematic history of the pro game through these “if this/then that” moments—paradigm shifts in the game from 1920 through the present. More than just a book about schemes and strategies, The Genius of Desperation: The Schematic Innovations that Made the Modern NFL also tells the stories of the game’s most prominent innovators, the adversities they endured, and the ways in which they learned to exceed their own expectations on the path to true greatness.
- Better Together: Discover the Power of Community by Rusty George. In Better Together releasing on February 6th, pastor Rusty George teaches how to satisfy your deepest needs through the power of “us.” Together we connect with God better. Together we heal better. Together we overcome fears, raise families, fight temptations, and bless the world around us better. Learn how to live in true community to find the fulfillment you’ve been looking for.
- Guts and Genius: The Story of Three Unlikely Coaches Who Came to Dominate the NFL in the ’80s by Bob Glauber. I love this book! Bill Walsh, Joe Gibbs and Bill Parcells dominated what may go down as the greatest decade in pro football history, leading their teams to a combined eight championships and developing some of the most gifted players of all time in the process. In interviews with more than 150 players, coaches, family members and friends, GUTS AND GENIUS digs into the careers of three men who overcame their own insecurities and doubts to build Hall of Fame legacies that transformed their generation and continue to impact today’s NFL.
- Church Strategies: & Ministry Systems: The Essential Guide to Seeing Under the Hood of Urban Churches by Christopher J. Harris. Churches and Ministry Leaders want to win. What often challenges that desire are threats to the vision, people, leadership development, and even resources when the focus has less often been on effective strategies and solid systems. This challenge is exacerbated even more for urban churches where there is a lack of effective, balanced, and contextually relevant resources available. Church Strategies and Ministry Systems is designed to fill this gap by offering practical information and solutions specifically for the urban church community. Presented as a primer for pastors who want to ensure that their churches are growing and healthy; Executive Pastors and Assistant Pastors who are tasked with leading the day-to-day operations of the church, leading people, and connecting vision and systems; and leaders who are called to serve their church, this resource is written from an experienced practitioner who has made the mistakes, done the heavy lifting, gathered the research, understands the challenges, and sees the theological foundation for strategy.
- Everyday Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Extraordinary Wealth―and How You Can Too by Chris Hogan. Everywhere we turn, we hear negative financial news—that the American Dream is dead or that the little man can’t get ahead. Our culture feeds us the lie that it’s impossible to become a millionaire in America today, but it’s time you heard the truth. In his newest book, Everyday Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Extraordinary Wealth—and How You Can Too, Chris Hogan destroys millionaire myths that are keeping everyday people from achieving financial independence. Chris and the Ramsey research team surveyed over 10,000 US millionaires, discovering how these high-net-worth people reached their financial status. And the formula might surprise you.
- Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John Maxwell. In his latest book Leadershift releasing on February 5th, John helps leaders gain the ability and willingness to make leadership changes that will positively enhance their organizational and personal growth. He does this by sharing the eleven shifts he made over the course of his long and successful leadership career. Each shift changed his trajectory and set him up for new and exciting achievements, ultimately strengthening and sustaining his leadership abilities and making him the admired leadership expert he is today.
- Leaders: Myth and Reality by General Stanley McChrystal. General McChrystal served for thirty-four years in the US Army, rising from a second lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division to a four-star general, in command of all American and coalition forces in Afghanistan. During those years he worked with countless leaders and pondered an ancient question: “What makes a leader great?” He came to realize that there is no simple answer. General McChrystal profiles thirteen famous leaders from a wide range of eras and fields—from corporate CEOs to politicians and revolutionaries. He uses their stories to explore how leadership works in practice and to challenge the myths that complicate our thinking about this critical topic.
- The Gold Mine Effect: Crack the Secrets of High Performance by Rasmus Ankersen. We all want to discover our hidden talents and make an impact with them. But how? Rasmus Ankersen, an ex-footballer and performance specialist, quit his job and spent six months living with the world’s best athletes in an attempt to answer this question. Ankersen presents his surprising conclusions in seven lessons on how anyone—or any business or team—can defy the misconceptions of high performance, learning to build their own gold mine of real talent.
- Raise Your Game: High-Performance Secrets from the Best of the Best by Alan Stein Jr. As a performance coach, Alan shares the secret principles used by world-class performers that will help you improve your productivity and achieve higher levels of success. High achievers are at the top of their game because of the discipline they have during the unseen hours. They have made a commitment to establish, tweak, and repeat positive habits in everything they do. RAISE YOUR GAME examines the top leaders in sports and business and proves that success is a result of the little things we do all the time.
- Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story by Christopher Yuan. This books is getting a lot of advanced promotion. From the author of Out of a Far Country, which details his dramatic conversion from an agnostic gay man who put his identity in his sexuality to a Bible professor who now puts his identity in Christ alone, comes a gospel-centered discussion of sex, desire, and relationships. Dr. Yuan explores the concept of holy sexuality–chastity in singleness or faithfulness in marriage–in a practical and relevant manner, equipping readers with an accessible yet robust theology of sexuality. Whether you want to share Christ with a loved one who identifies as gay or you’re wrestling with questions of identity yourself, this book will help you better understand sexuality in light of God’s grand story and realize that holy sexuality is actually good news for all.
- ***BONUS*** The Power of Discomfort: Discover How Greatness Waits on the Other Side of Fear by Manny Languasco. In this book written by someone I attend church with, you’re going to learn how to:• Transform your life by creating the person you want to become
• Stop focusing on your weaknesses and master your strengths instead
• Find a mentor who’s waiting for you and willing to help
• Expand your comfort zone
• And Much more….
Also, my book Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices Of Apex Leaders is available for purchase. If you have ever wanted to become the leader God created you to be, this book is for you! By combining leadership lessons from biblical heroes like Jesus, Daniel and Joseph, along with modern day leaders like Bill Gates, Nick Saban, Kobe Bryant and multiple pastors, Timeless will equip and inspire you. This book is not to be read alone. Discussion questions are included in each chapter allowing you to develop those in your circle of influence. Click HERE or on the image provided and order your copies TODAY.