As I look back on 2019 here is my summary of reading for the year. In 2019 I read 20 books in total with some monumental reads for my leadership development*. Below is a list of the top ten reads from 2019 that may be of interest for your own leadership journey.
*Some of these reads are present on my Stay The Course Leaders Reading Challenge which is a great way to kick-off your reading in 2020. Take a peak at the reading list here.
#10 - Sea Stores - Admiral William H. McRaven
A great read, the memoirs of a tried and tested leader. A former Navy Seal and a critical member of the leadership cabinet of the United States during multiple world conflicts. A captivating read, where it feels like you are sitting for coffee with the author listening to their stories. In this case, the stories are incredible.
#9 - Character Carved In Stone - Pat Williams
Pat Williams takes us to the prestigious United States Military Academy in West Point, New York to discuss the twelve virtues of one of the most prestigious academies and leadership hotbeds in the world. Read my notes on this book here.
#8 - The Dichotomy of Leadership - Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
Picking up with some of their tremendous insights from their first book, Willink & Babin dive deep into the nuances of leadership and how there is a dichotomy for every leader, a balance to strike in every situation, and how landing on the extremes can cause trouble for a leader.
#7 - Range - David Epstein
An incredible read on the idea of how to build skill and gain experience. Contrary to the 10,000 hour rule, David Epstein believes that in some domains, building skill does not come from repetitions, but from a range of skills that are transferrable. In the dynamic space of building leadership skills, this book will challenge how you view growth.
#6 - The Score Takes Care of Itself - Bill Walsh
An excellent read on organizational culture and strategy from one of the best coaches in the history of the National Football League. Walsh shares personal insights that blends leadership principles, football stories, and his personal memoirs into a captivating read. Read my notes on this book here.
#5 - The Culture Code - Daniel Coyle
What do highly successful groups have in common? Is there a science to building elite teams and groups? Best-selling author Daniel Coyle provides his insights of common threads from his time studying with some of the world’s most elite groups.
#4 - All Is Grace - Brennan Manning
Brennan Manning was a well known traveling evangelist. At one point, he left the priesthood of the Catholic church. An author of tremendous spiritual insights through many books, in his final memoirs he unveils his life-long struggle with alcoholism all while being used by God to share the love of Christ. An incredible read that brings all of life with God back to the foundation…Grace.
#3 - Man’s Search For Meaning - Viktor E. Frankl
A timeless classic. Frankl, a holocaust survivor takes readers through the entire journey of this experience. He describes in detail, the experiences of the holocaust all while probing and provoking deep thought on the dynamics of life and faith.
#2 - Atomic Habits - James Clear
An instant classic read. I read this one in January and re-read as I went through 2019. James Clear brings us loads of research and information on habits, how to break bad habits, how to develop habits, and how it can revolutionize your life, leadership, and organization. Read my notes on this book here.
