NextGen Know-How: 5 books every leader should read this year
These great books can help change your perspective, build self-awareness and spark personal and professional growth.
A great book can change your perspective, open up possibilities, build self-awareness and spark personal growth and change. There is one author whose work has had a big impact on my life over the past few years. I believe Ryan Holiday is one of the greatest authors of our time, and his books are personally and professionally transformational.
Holiday combines philosophy, stoicism and relevant stories and applies them to the modern world and our current challenges. Reading the below books this year will cultivate personal and professional self-awareness, change and growth. Every leader can benefit from the wisdom and principles in these books. (And I promise that Ryan did not pay me for my endorsement!)
- The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumphs by Ryan Holiday. Most of us respond to obstacles with fear, frustration, confusion, helplessness, depression or anger. Holiday writes that great individuals transform weakness into strength and use obstacles as a way to improve. He shares several practices and skills to navigate tough times. This is a great book for increasing emotional intelligence.
- Ego Is the Enemy. Beyond the typical ego discussion, Holiday delves into important elements of leadership: taking tough feedback, managing emotions, focusing on others and their success, and staying level-headed when you’ve achieved success. He provides stories and examples of great leaders as well as leaders who have let ego get in the way. Defensiveness, escalating emotions and the constant pursuit of more are all acts of the ego.
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