Summaries of books about Management & Leadership:
Strengths Based Leadership
Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow
Gallup
The book presents the idea that effective leadership is rooted in the understanding and application of individual strengths, and it provides insights into how leaders can foster strong teams by focusing on their members' unique talents. It also explores the four domains of leadership strength—Executing, Influencing, Relationship Building, and Strategic Thinking—and includes strategies for leaders to help their followers thrive by leveraging these strengths.
See full summary
Scaling Up
How a Few Companies Make It...and Why the Rest Don't
Verne Harnish
The book provides a practical framework and business principles for growth-focused companies to scale successfully, drawing on the original Rockefeller Habits. It offers tools and strategies for managing people, strategy, execution, and cash to help businesses overcome common barriers and achieve sustainable growth.
See full summary
American Icon
Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company
Bryce G. Hoffman
The book chronicles the leadership of CEO Alan Mulally, who took the helm at Ford Motor Company in 2006 and implemented a transformative plan to revitalize the struggling automaker. It details Mulally's strategic decisions, cultural changes, and the pivotal moments that led to Ford's remarkable comeback without a government bailout during the financial crisis.
See full summary
First, Break All the Rules
What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently
Gallup Press
The book presents the findings of Gallup's in-depth study of great managers, revealing that they often defy conventional wisdom by challenging traditional business practices and instead play to the strengths of their employees. It outlines twelve key strategies these managers use to foster employee engagement and maximize their teams' performance.
See full summary
Leading
Learning from Life and My Years at Manchester United
Alex Ferguson|Michael Moritz
The book offers insights into Sir Alex Ferguson's management philosophy, drawing lessons from his tenure as the successful manager of Manchester United Football Club. It explores his leadership principles, decision-making processes, and strategies for building winning teams, as well as personal anecdotes from his extensive career.
See full summary
Ask Iwata
Words of Wisdom from Satoru Iwata, Nintendo's Legendary CEO
Satoru Iwata
The book is a compilation of insights and philosophies from Satoru Iwata, focusing on his approach to leadership, development, and problem-solving in the video game industry. It includes anecdotes from his time at Nintendo and HAL Laboratory, offering a glimpse into his thoughtful and innovative mindset that helped shape the gaming world.
See full summary
Playing to Win
How Strategy Really Works
A. G. Lafley|A.G. Lafley|Roger Martin|Roger L. Martin
The book outlines a practical approach to business strategy through the experiences of A.G. Lafley during his time as CEO of Procter & Gamble. It introduces a framework with five essential strategic choices—what is our winning aspiration, where will we play, how will we win, what capabilities must we have, and what management systems are required—to help organizations make decisions that lead to sustainable success.
See full summary
Built to Last
Successful Habits of Visionary Companies
Jim Collins|Jerry I. Porras
The book examines 18 long-standing, successful companies and identifies key practices that have helped them thrive for decades. It focuses on the importance of having a core ideology, encouraging innovation, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement to build companies that endure beyond market trends and leadership changes.
See full summary
Multipliers, Revised and Updated
How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter
Liz Wiseman
The book explores the concept of "Multipliers," leaders who amplify the intelligence of their teams, fostering an environment of growth and innovation. It contrasts them with "Diminishers," who stifle potential, and provides practical strategies for becoming a more effective, empowering leader.
See full summary
The Fifth Discipline
The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization
Peter M. Senge
The book introduces the concept of a learning organization, where adaptive and generative learning are fostered through five key disciplines: systems thinking, personal mastery, mental models, shared vision, and team learning. It provides a framework for organizations to innovate, grow, and remain competitive by encouraging continuous learning and collective problem-solving among employees.
See full summary