Being a great manager requires a combination of skills, experience, and knowledge. While there are many resources available to help you develop these skills, books remain one of the most popular and effective ways to learn.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to six of the best books on management that can help you become a better leader, improve your communication skills, and enhance your decision-making abilities. Whether you’re a new manager looking to improve your skills or a seasoned pro seeking new insights, these books offer practical advice and proven strategies to help you succeed in your role. So if you’re ready to take your management skills to the next level, read on to discover the best books to make a great manager.
source: freepik
Elevate Your Management Skills: Discover the Top 6 Must-Read Books for Any Manager
Managing teams, projects, and leadership can be difficult, particularly for those new to the field. Fortunately, there are numerous publications available to help you become a better manager.
But I don’t want to jam your schedule with books that don’t always make sense at first.
Why this list of books?
We will start from the idea that every manager has to have some fundamental abilities, which are: In this post, we will provide you a list of the six finest ones for you to become a great leader.
- Communication: everything in your life depends on communication and being a manager, this skill will be even more important when dealing with your team, peers, leaders and customers
- Growth Mindset: as a manager, you need to see every challenge as an opportunity, learn to deal with constant change, acting like this the sky will be the limit
- What are the game’s rules: You must comprehend the requirements of your new role and focus your attention in the proper directions
- Influence people: you need to be aware that you are not superman or wonder woman, you need a team, you will deliver results through people
- Traditional project management: you need to know techniques on how to manage projects and yes, you also need to know the traditional model
- Agile project management: in today’s world, you need to make your deliveries quickly, without losing quality, and without losing your team either.
By absorbing all the contents of the books above, you will build a solid base of knowledge that will open up an ocean of possibilities, you will know how to direct what you need and want to study.
You will also see that many other books, trainings and courses are variations on the books above, when you enter meetings you will hear terms that are in those books.
This concise list’s objective is to provide you with a firm foundation in knowledge so you may effectively navigate challenges you face at work and progress both your team and your career.
1. Communication
“Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships“ is an empowering and life-changing book that provides practical tools for building healthy relationships. Written by renowned psychologist and mediator, Marshall B. Rosenberg, the book teaches readers how to communicate more effectively and compassionately.
The author presents a four-step model for communicating nonviolently, which involves expressing observations, feelings, needs, and requests. This approach encourages readers to move away from blame, criticism, and judgment, and towards empathy, understanding, and cooperation.
Rosenberg also shares his personal experiences of using nonviolent communication in various contexts, such as parenting, education, and conflict resolution. He provides relatable examples of how this approach has transformed relationships and resolved conflicts.
What sets this book apart is its focus on the positive impact of nonviolent communication. The author emphasizes that this approach can lead to greater self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and personal growth. It can also foster deeper connections, trust, and intimacy in relationships.
Overall, “Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships” is a must-read for anyone interested in improving their communication skills and building healthy relationships. It is a motivating and helpful manual that will enable you to speak more skillfully and compassionately, as well as to experience more personal growth and fulfillment. So why wait? Invest in yourself and your relationships today by buying this life-changing book!
2. Growth Mindset
Do you want to realize your full potential and succeed more in life? Then “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck is a must-read book for you!
Dweck presents a groundbreaking concept that our mindset can have a profound impact on our success and happiness. She explains that people can have either a fixed or growth mindset, which influences how they approach challenges, setbacks, and opportunities.
Those with a fixed mindset believe that their abilities and traits are fixed and unchangeable. They tend to avoid challenges, feel threatened by failure, and seek validation from others. In contrast, those with a growth mindset believe that their abilities and traits can be developed through effort and learning. They embrace challenges, learn from failure, and seek opportunities to grow and improve.
Through relatable examples and scientific research, the author shows how a growth mindset can lead to greater success and happiness in various domains, such as education, sports, and business. She also provides practical tips for developing a growth mindset, such as embracing challenges, learning from feedback, and celebrating effort and progress.
What sets this book apart is its positive and optimistic message. The author emphasizes that anyone can develop a growth mindset and achieve their full potential with the right mindset and effort. You may unleash your full potential and increase your success and pleasure in life with the help of this book, an encouraging and useful manual.
So why wait? Invest in yourself and your success by buying “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” today!
3. What are the game’s rules?
If you want to develop your leadership abilities and build a profitable, efficient organization,, then “The Leadership Pipeline: How to Build the Leadership Powered Company“ is a must-read book for you.
This book, written by Ram Charan, Stephen Drotter, and James Noel, is a comprehensive guide on how to develop leaders at every level of your company. It offers practical advice and strategies that will help you build a strong leadership pipeline, from identifying potential leaders to developing their skills and helping them grow within your organization.
This book’s straightforward writing style is one of its finest assets. The authors make complex concepts easy to understand, with practical examples and real-world case studies that bring the principles to life. The book is well-organized and follows a logical progression, making it easy to read and implement the strategies outlined within.
What’s more, “The Leadership Pipeline” is grounded in research and experience. The authors have worked with numerous companies across different industries, and their insights and lessons learned are reflected in the book. They include several instances of businesses that have successfully adopted the ideas in the book, which makes it simple to understand how these tactics might be used in your own company.
If you’re looking for a practical guide to building a strong leadership pipeline and creating a culture of leadership within your organization, “The Leadership Pipeline” is the book for you. Anybody who wants to improve their leadership abilities and build a successful, high-performing organization must use it as a key resource. So why wait? Order your copy today and start building your leadership pipeline!
4. Influence people
Are you looking to improve your interpersonal skills, build better relationships, and influence others positively? Look no further than “How to Win Friends & Influence People” by Dale Carnegie!
Millions of people worldwide have benefited from this timeless masterpiece’s guidance on how to communicate and interact with others. Carnegie provides practical tips and techniques for becoming a more effective communicator, building rapport, and winning people over.
Through relatable examples and inspiring stories, the author shows how anyone can become more likable, persuasive, and influential. He emphasizes the importance of listening, showing genuine interest, and giving honest and sincere praise. He also provides practical tips for handling difficult conversations and conflicts.
What sets this book apart is its positive and optimistic tone. The author highlights that we may create enduring and meaningful connections that are advantageous to both ourselves and others by treating others with respect, understanding, and compassion.
Overall, “How to Win Friends & Influence People” is an empowering and practical guide that will transform the way you interact with others. This book is essential reading for anybody wishing to advance their social abilities, whether they are a salesperson, corporate leader, or both. So why wait? Invest in yourself and your success by buying “How to Win Friends & Influence People” today!
5. Traditional project management
If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to project management, look no further than the “Project Management Body of Knowledge” (PMBOK) by PMI!
This book is a crucial tool for any project manager since it offers a plan for carrying out projects successfully from beginning to end. With clear, concise language and helpful illustrations, the PMBOK breaks down complex project management concepts into easily understandable terms.
Whether you’re new to project management or an experienced professional, the PMBOK is a valuable reference to have on hand. It covers a wide range of topics, including project planning, execution, monitoring, and control. You’ll learn about important tools and techniques for managing project scope, time, cost, quality, and more.
One of the great things about the PMBOK is that it’s constantly updated to reflect the latest best practices in project management. The current version, the sixth edition, includes new information on agile project management, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, among other topics.
In addition to its practical value, the PMBOK is also a respected credential in the project management field. Many organizations require or recommend the PMBOK as a reference for project managers, and passing the PMP (Project Management Professional) certification exam requires a thorough understanding of the PMBOK.
Overall, if you’re serious about project management, the PMBOK is a must-have resource. It is a well-written, comprehensive manual that goes through all the fundamental ideas and ideal methods of project management. So why wait? Order your copy of the PMBOK today and take your project management skills to the next level!
6. Agile project management
Looking to boost your productivity and achieve better outcomes in less time? Look no further than “Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time” by Jeff Sutherland.
As one of the co-creators of Scrum, Sutherland is an expert in agile project management and provides a comprehensive guide to this revolutionary framework. This book is an engaging and inspiring read that challenges the traditional approach to work and encourages you to adopt a more flexible and collaborative mindset.
Through relatable examples and personal experiences, the author shows how Scrum has helped teams to work smarter, not harder. He emphasizes the importance of transparency, inspection, and adaptation and provides practical tips for implementing Scrum effectively.
Also, this book serves as both a motivating and a practical guide. It shows how the values and principles of Scrum can lead to improved productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction. You’ll be inspired to progress your profession and achieve more than you ever thought possible with the aid of this book.
So why wait? Take the first step towards working smarter by buying “Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time” today. You won’t regret it!
Bonus Read: LeadershipAndMuchMore.com 😁
Read our series “10 Skills to Become a Better Leader” and “Complete Guide for New Managers” which has a lot of content to help you in your day to day and much more.
If you are looking for a new job, I have a complete guide to prepare for an interview and an exclusive article with the main questions in an interview.
Feel free to leave a comment below, bring suggestions for improvements to the content.
Other references:
https://www.lifehack.org/872361/best-management-books
https://www.wrike.com/blog/15-books-every-manager-should-read/
Thank you and see you!