Books
- The following are leadership books that we recommend.
- The Books are in alphabetical order by author.
- When available, links to the author’s website is included so you can purchase the book directly from them.
It’s Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy
By D. Michael Abrashoff
When Captain Abrashoff took over as commander of USS Benfold, it was like a business that had all the latest technology but only some of the productivity. Knowing that responsibility for improving performance rested with him, he realized he had to improve his own leadership skills before he could improve his ship. Within months, he created a crew of confident and inspired problem-solvers eager to take the initiative and responsibility for their actions.
Leadership: A View from the Middle: Lessons from an Aircraft Maintainer
By Mitchell Boling
LEADERSHIP: A VIEW FROM THE MIDDLE offers a refreshing perspective from a leader in “the middle” of the workforce, down in the weeds with millions of other like-minded people. Part leadership lesson and part memoir, it presents true stories of the author’s leadership experiences over two lengthy careers in the U.S. Air Force and afterward.
Seeds of Success: Leadership, Legacy, and Life Lessons Learned
By John Brubaker
It is often said that there is no faster path to change than great pain, and Jack Burton has no small share when it comes to his own. Driven by frustration and failure, a chance meeting with an unlikely mentor propels Jack toward three extraordinary people that plant the seeds of discovery he must now nurture and grow to find the remedy to his misfortune. Like all great endeavors, the path is unexpected, and Jack soon finds himself body and soul deep into the mystery of personal philosophy and how it is inextricably woven into the fabric of success for all.
How to Win Friends & Influence People
By Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie’s rock-solid, time-tested advice has carried countless people up the ladder of success in their business and personal lives. One of the most groundbreaking and timeless bestsellers of all time.
Character in Action: The U.S. Coast Guard on Leadership
By Admiral James Loy
How does the U.S. Coast Guard create, instill, and maintain leadership throughout a 40,000 member force spread across the United States? A former Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and a best-selling author combine their knowledge of the subject to offer a formula for success.
Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders
By David Marquet
Since Turn the Ship Around! was published in 2013, hundreds of thousands of readers have been inspired by former Navy captain David Marquet’s true story. Many have applied his insights to their own organizations, creating workplaces where everyone takes responsibility for his or her actions, where followers grow to become leaders, and where happier teams drive dramatically better results.
Leadership Is Language: The Hidden Power of What You Say–and What You Don’t
By David Marquet
From the acclaimed author of Turn the Ship Around!, former US Navy Captain David Marquet, comes a radical new playbook for empowering your team to make better decisions and take greater ownership.
5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential
By John Maxwell
True leadership isn’t a matter of having a certain job or title. In fact, being chosen for a position is only the first of the five levels every effective leader achieves. To become more than “the boss” people follow only because they are required to, you have to master the ability to invest in people and inspire them. To grow further in your role, you must achieve results and build a team that produces. You need to help people to develop their skills to become leaders in their own right. And if you have the skill and dedication, you can reach the pinnacle of leadership—where experience will allow you to extend your influence beyond your immediate reach and time for the benefit of others.
The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential
By John Maxwell
Are there tried and true principles that are always certain to help a person grow? John Maxwell says the answer is yes. He has been passionate about personal development for over fifty years, and for the first time, he teaches everything he has gleaned about what it takes to reach our potential
Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently
By John Maxwell
While it may seem like some folks are just born with a commanding presence that draws people in, the fact is anyone can learn to communicate in ways that consistently build powerful connections. Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, helps you succeed by revealing Maxwell’s Five Principles and Five Practices to develop this crucial skill of connecting
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You
By John Maxwell
What would happen if a top expert with more than 30 years of leadership experience were willing to distill everything he had learned about leadership into a handful of life-changing principles just for you? It would change your life.
I Have the Watch: Becoming a Leader Worth Following
By Jon Rennie
With a special foreword by John Brubaker, Author of Seeds of Success, Rennie lays out a case for becoming a people-centered leader. Leaders have the watch. They are not only accountable for the results of the organization, but they are also responsible for the people who work for them. Leadership is a people business. The actions of a leader will have a deep impact on the lives and careers of the people they are responsible for.
All in the Same Boat: Lead Your Organization Like a Nuclear Submariner
By Jon Rennie
When Jon Rennie reported to the USS Tennessee as a young junior officer, he had no idea what to expect. He didn’t realize he was heading out on a four-year adventure that would change his life and establish leadership principles that he would rely on for decades.
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
By Simon Sinek
START WITH WHY shows that the leaders who’ve had the greatest influence in the world all think, act, and communicate the same way — and it’s the opposite of what everyone else does. Sinek calls this powerful idea The Golden Circle, and it provides a framework upon which organizations can be built, movements can be led, and people can be inspired. And it all starts with WHY.
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t
By Simon Sinek
Too many workplaces are driven by cynicism, paranoia, and self-interest. But the best ones foster trust and cooperation because their leaders build what Sinek calls a “Circle of Safety” that separates the security inside the team from the challenges outside. Sinek illustrates his ideas with fascinating true stories that range from the military to big business, from government to investment banking.
The Experience of Leadership: Proven Examples from Successful Leaders
By Fred Stuvek
The Experience of Leadership is an anthology of stories, insights, and reflections from highly successful leaders that will motivate and inspire readers of all ages to embrace their journey as a leader.
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win
By Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
Since it’s release in October 2015, Extreme Ownership has revolutionized leadership development and set a new standard for literature on the subject. Required reading for many of the most successful organizations, it has become an integral part of the official leadership training programs for scores of business teams, military units, and first responders.
Podcasts
- The following are podcasts that we recommend.
- Podcasts are in alphabetical order by host.
- All of the podcast listed are available on Apple iTunes.
Tacey Atkinson
The Customers First podcast, a place where I bring together people from all areas of business to discuss the importance of targeted customer service, brand perception and the customer journey. Brand loyalty begins with serving people, not selling to them. Relationship building, it serves us all.
John Brubaker
A leadership performance podcast specifically for entrepreneurs and executives. Because none of us are one dimensional, Coach Bru explores many topics to help expand your results. Occasionally features candid conversations with Stadium Status performers to help you take your business to the BIG TIME.
The John Maxwell Leadership Podcast
John Maxwell
The John Maxwell Leadership Podcast is a regular examination of what it means to be a transformational leader—someone who daily influences people to think, speak, and act to make a positive difference in their lives and in the lives of others.
John Maxwell Company Executive Leadership Podcast
John Maxwell Company
The John Maxwell Company provides Executive Leadership training and coaching based on the principles of its founder John C. Maxwell.
Jon S. Rennie
“Leadership is a People Business.” That’s the philosophy of this leadership podcast from Jon Rennie. It’s real-world, actionable advice from Jon as well as his expert guests. As a former Cold War Submarine Officer who spent 22 years leading businesses in Corporate America before starting his own manufacturing business, he knows that leadership matters!
Eric Reyes
Business Leadership from the Competitive sideline
High Adventure Leadership 