You might be feeling uninspired and ill-equipped for your leadership role, struggling to find guidance on how to lead authentically. In order for your team to grow, you know you should be modeling growth. But what resources and tools are available to help inspire you to grow as an authentic leader? One go-to resource is Crosworks Leadership Coaching, which provides customized plans and training for your unique leadership situation and goals. But for now, here are some must-read books that may help you improve as a leader this year.
“Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown
Brené Brown defines leadership beyond titles and power and places priority on responsibility, curiosity, and vulnerability. This book highlights the need for human-centeredness in the workplace. Brown challenges leaders to develop empathetic and authentic traits for success in today’s world.
“Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek challenges readers to take on authentic leadership by prioritizing a team’s needs, not just profits and revenue. In his book, Leaders Eat Last, he emphasizes the importance of building a strong work culture, being transparent, and practicing empathy.
“Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value” by Bill George
In “Authentic Leadership,” Bill George emphasizes the need for ethical leadership. He draws from his experience as Medtronic’s CEO and encourages leaders to be mission-driven with their teams. George shares personal anecdotes, reflections, and guidance about values such as purpose, relationships, and integrity.
“Integrity” by Dr. Henry Cloud
Dr. Henry Cloud, a renowned clinical psychologist and leadership coach, provides top-notch insights about how our character can help us achieve amazing things. He challenges, and instructs, readers to connect with people and build trust, understand situations realistically, and finish well. While this is a great book for any person, the values highlighted in this book are absolutely essential to being an authentic leader.
True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership by Bill George
“True North” by Bill George and Peter Sims provides insights from 125 successful leaders, which offer a roadmap for readers who desire to be authentic leaders themselves. Through interviews, the book highlights self-discovery, values, motivations, support networks, and life integration as important factors of good leadership. It helps readers create a Personal Leadership Development Plan to grow as a leader continuously.
So there you have it! A list to get you started on how to be an authentic leader in 2024. Not sure where to start, with this list or in general? Chatting with one of our leadership coaches would be a good first step! An exploratory call is free.