1. THE FIVE DYSFUNCTIONS OF A TEAM: A LEADERSHIP FABLE – PATRICK LENCIONI
This is not just your average (boring?) business book, rather it’s written as a story, for some making for easier reading! Lencioni uses this distinctive storytelling approach to explore why even the best teams struggle, and lays out actionable steps that can be used to overcome the common hurdles leaders face, to ultimately build a cohesive, effective team. This is a great book for new managers learning the dynamics of managing a team for the first time. It’s also a great refresher for managers who might be having problems navigating an existing team of reports.
“One of the best books I’ve read. It has great actionable takeaways,” Mike Cunningham, Co-Founder, nDeva Recruitment
2. THE ADVANTAGE: WHY ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH TRUMPS EVERYTHING ELSE IN BUSINESS – PATRICK LENCIONI
For fans of Lencioni but who are looking for less of a narrative style, this could be your go-to. In this book Lencioni argues organizational health is the most powerful competitive advantage a company can have and creates an environment where star performers never want to leave. A great read for new leaders looking to create environments free from politics and confusion and get their teams off on the right foot.
“Follow up the Five Dysfunctions with The Advantage! It takes a higher level, less narrative look at a handful of Patrick’s books,” Branden Foote, Senior Manager, Core SaaS Sales, Homebase.
3. LEGACY: WHAT THE ALL BLACKS CAN TEACH US ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF LIFE – JAMES KERR
What lessons does the world’s most successful team, the New Zealand All Blacks, have for new people managers? There are many, and they may surprise you. New managers who are searching for help in defining the kind of personal leadership style they want to embody will find lessons from champions in the pages of these books.
The two favorite lessons taken by Stacey Scheliga, HR Business Partner at AgriWebb and a manager in The Mintable community?
“That would be the first one: character – sweep the sheds. Never be too big to do the small things that need to be done. A very close second would be authenticity – know thyself.”
4. CONSCIOUS BUSINESS: HOW TO BUILD VALUE THROUGH VALUES – FRED KOFMAN
A great read for new managers who are striving to build sustainable, high performing teams while ensuring the dignity and happiness of each individual team member.
In the words of The Mintable’s CEO and co-founder Lauren Humphrey, “This is my favorite business book. It raised my consciousness as a leader and gave me and my team actionable practices to better communicate, relate purposefully, and be an owner of our actions.”
5. WHO MOVED MY CHEESE? – DR. SPENCER JOHNSON
Moving from being an individual contributor to a manager is a big role shift. Additionally, when you layer on the tough times that are playing out in the macro environment – – global unrest, recession fears, layoffs and cost-cutting and the ongoing pandemic to name a few – it’s understandable if new managers need some help in dealing with change! This best seller deals with the way one reacts to major life and work changes through the characters of mice and “Littlepeople” on the hunt for cheese.
Kris Owens, Partner – Technology, nDeva Recruitment, said, “I have read this a few times throughout my life. Very simple book, but I absolutely love it. It can be applied anywhere inside and outside of work.”
6. THE SALES ACCELERATION FORMULA – MARK ROBERGE
MIT-alum Roberge built a high-performing winning sales team at global software leader Hubspot using insights from his engineering background to apply a metrics-driven, process-oriented approach. For new managers who are looking for a formula, process driven frame to approach their new role, this could be the book for you.
“Really insightful & fully relatable,” Toby Hartley, Business Development @ Fresho.
7. RADICAL CANDOR – KIM SCOTT
The art of giving feedback is a skill that comes naturally to very few of us – but it’s one new managers need to master in order to be successful in their roles and for their organizations to continue to grow. This book gives new managers a framework to create a culture of feedback and build a cohesive team while being empathetic and caring for their team members.
Multiple members of The Mintable’s member community recommended this book!
“This is my favorite professional development book. I used it at one of my companies to help develop the up and coming associates into future leaders,” Brittany Cannon, People Empowerer – Group Operations @ Gusto.
8. THINKING IN BETS: MAKING SMARTER DECISIONS WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE ALL THE FACTS – ANNIE DUKE
And finally, for this round of recommendations, our Mintable Manager Federico Dominguez (Manager, Business Development @ Hostfully) recommended Thinking in Bets as a helpful resource for new managers looking to get comfortable with making decisions in uncertain conditions. Author Annie Duke (poker champion turned business consultant) draws on real life examples from business, sports and politics to share tools that can be used to embrace uncertainty.
Are you looking for ways to upskill your managers and help them share better feedback? Learn more about Tandem – the continuous feedback system for high performing companies.
