Aussie Mike's top 8 books on Management and leadership !

Over the course of my 32 year Management career I have often been asked to recommend books for people both starting out in leadership positions and for current managers needing some motivation or impetus to further their careers.

 Here are my top 8 Management/leadership books.

But first some background

My Management career began in February 1985 when I was appointed Manager of GJ Coles Corporate Fitness Program in Gepps Cross Adelaide, South Australia.  The program revolved around an approximately 2500 sq. ft. facility, with a fully equipped fitness center and a separate Group Exercise/aerobics studio.

 Considered very lavish for its’ time, the center was built in the GJ Coles offices and Distribution Center and catered for approximately  500 office and distribution staff.

Bevan Bradbury, CEO of G.J.Coles pty ltd  was a true visionary in the field of Corporate Fitness. Inspired by programs he had seen in Japan Mr. Bradbury implemented fitness programs in every GJ Coles state headquarters throughout Australia. 

Professionally managed Corporate Fitness programs were very much in their infancy in the mid 80’s. Hence my employment was very unique both in Australia and throughout the world.  

A few weeks into my new position my best mate Gerard Dillon, a very successful and respected financial adviser and Business Management Consultant, visited me from Melbourne. 

After viewing the program in operation for a week, what he said one day in my office still sticks in my mind some 34 years later.

“Mike, this is a very unique job you have here. I think the biggest challenge you will find is loneliness” he said. 

I was taken aback.  As a very garrulous, and yes very naïve, headstrong 28 year young Aussie bloke, the thought of loneliness didn’t enter my mind.

“I don’t mean in terms of your ability to get on with people and get them involved,” he added. “That and your Fitness expertise are the major reasons they hired you.  But what you will find is that this program is so unique and in such a different setting that you are not going to have many people to advise you or bounce ideas off. There might be some good Mangers in Coles, but they have very little idea about Managing fitness programs and the day to day issues you will encounter. This is a whole different type of dynamic to what they see in their retail stores or office environments”

Looking back now after a 32 year career in Management that has taken me around the world, this is the most salient piece of Management advice I ever received. This rang true whether I was G.J.Coles/Coles Myer or at the World Bank in Washington DC.   Over the course of my career very few Corporate Managers understood the different people skills and human interactions involved in a Fitness Center environment.

While I didn’t fully understand Gerard’s advice at the time, I respected him enough to ask “Well how will I go about solving that?” “Well you can establish contacts outside this environment. With similar programs in Community Centers and even other hospitality industries Hotels etc. which have similar service scenarios.,“he explained

He then added the kicker. “You should also read and seek out further education opportunities, not only on Exercise and Fitness but in Management. There are going to be more and more studies and publications about Management as business in Australia and throughout the world becomes more complex and sophisticated. “

 In hindsight, I realize now that Bevan Bradbury wasn’t the only visionary I was fortunate to be associated with.  I was blessed to have a visionary as one of my best mates.

True to Gerard Dillon’s advice the whole Management/Leadership book publishing genre exploded by the late 80’s right up until today. 

                So here are the top 8 books I recommend on Management and leadership with a few notes added for each.

1.       The 7 Habits of Highly successful People by Steven Covey

  As relevant now as when it was first published almost 30 years ago.

   Reading Covey’s 7 Habits was particularly helpful when I first arrived in Washington DC in 1993 and was coming to terms with changing from the layback, somewhat ribald, Australian Culture to a very conservative multi-cultural organization at the World Bank.  I found all 7 habits useful but the most cogent for me was Habit 2 Begin with the end in mind, which is similar to visualization and Habit 3 Put first things first. The 4 Quadrant Eisenhower Matrix has been and still is, the cornerstone of my day to day planning

2.       Good to Great by Jim Collins

 I found this compelling reading mid way through my career at the World Bank Fitness Center.  The sections on Level 5 leadership which espouses humble leaders as opposed to short lived Charismatic leadership and the Hedgehog concept using the analogy of the Hedgehog and fox were particularly useful.

 3.    The Alchemist by Paul Cehlo

        A novel with a richness of language and story telling that sets itself apart from traditional Management tomes.  The underlying message of following your heart and passion despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles is encapsulated underlying messages like the following

‘Every search begins with beginners luck. And every search ends with the victors being severely tested.

When struggling to achieve your goals “The darkest hour of the night comes just before the dawn”

 4. The Tipping Point, how little things can make a big difference by Malcolm Gladwell

  This book is essential reading for anyone in the fitness Industry seeking to market a program, concept or idea to the masses or a select group.   In my subsequent talks to various groups I always referenced the importance of recognizing the people Gladwell refers to as the connectors within a group.

 5.  David and Goliath, Underdogs and misfits and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell

     I found reading this book very helpful during the stressful time when the World Bank was exploring the possibility of outsourcing the Fitness Center to an external vendor.  The title speaks for itself and illustrates the battle I was having convincing the Corporate Flinty eyed  bean counters who didn’t give a tinkers cuss for the wellness benefits a Corporate Fitness Program nor what they consider as the warm and fuzzy notions of teamwork esprit de corps, and customer service.   Using this book as a reference, coupled with valuable connectors we had established within the organization we thwarted the outsourcing process which very rarely happens.

6.  Drive the Surprising Truth about What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink

   Daniel Pink’s reasoned and MIT researched analysis is a welcome addition to the whole concept of Motivation which I feel has become overly simplistic and based on false notions that we can all become hedonistic Millionaires simply by wishing our lives away. Specifically Pink’s emphasis on purpose and the desire to do something that has meaning and is important exemplified the classic concept of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.

7. The 12 Bad Habits that hold Good People Back by James Waldrop and Timothy Butler

    Written by 2 Harvard professors in the MBA program, this book gives very practical examples of where people can err in the workplaces and most importantly, solutions to help diminish and stop these habits.

    The chapters describing behaviors such as “Emotionally Tone-Deaf” and" Lacking a Sense of Boundaries "were particularly helpful.  Rather than just describe the bad behavior the authors give background as to why this may be occurring and practical solutions to stop habits like these destroying the workplace.

 8 To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

      Yes I know this classic of American literature is not designed to be a Management or leadership book. However the compelling story told through the eyes of a child is damned good writing and that should be enough recommendation in itself.  Combine the writing with vivid descriptions of the strong yet understated leadership of Scout’s father Atticus Finch in treating people of all cultures and walks of life with respects is a good example for any potential Manager or leader.  Chapter 11 where Atticus is called upon to use his marksman skills is particularly noteworthy and has a strong message I will always remember.

      Honorable mentions to “Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman “, “Kiss Bow and Shake Hands” by Terri Morrison and Wayne A.Conaway and “The Four Hour Work Week” by Tim Farris

So there you have it folks, my top 8 books on Leadership and Management that I have referred to throughout my Management career. I found these all very helpful not only in my career but also in my life. Let me know what you think.

Oh and by the way, books can’t teach you everything. Having a mentor and mate like Gerard Dillon in your life is is even more helpful !