This is a question I hear a lot. It’s a good question; leaders should be avid readers on a variety of subjects. But, as one who has read a lot of leadership books, and even written a couple, I warn you they can be dangerous!
What! Dangerous? How can that be?
Leadership books provide a great source of information to help leaders improve their skills and there are many different types of books available. Some, like those written by Jim Collins are based on careful analysis of detailed research. Others, like those penned by John C. Maxwell, who has written more books than I can count, also contain careful research but rely more on his and other’s individual experiences rather than large population studies. Some books concentrate on the success or failure of one particular individual or company. But no matter how they are written, all leadership books contain the point of view and experience of the author. That’s not bad.
The problem is that while most authors study their subject extensively and have at least some expertise, many readers unfortunately do not. Those readers often have never learned the basics of leadership and so don’t really know how to apply the concepts that the books present. One leader I know read a leadership book that presented some fairly advanced ideas and he decided he would implement those ideas. While that was a noble thought, he completely lacked the fundamental leadership skills necessary to actually apply those techniques and he really just looked silly.
Compare leadership books to a cookbook. I like to occasionally dabble in the kitchen. A chef I’m not, but I like to attempt new creations. I usually succeed without major catastrophe, but I still have to keep it relatively simple because I have never had training in the basics of cooking. I often have to learn what specific terms I see in recipes mean and figure out how to do that particular technique. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t. But when cooking, I can’t really hurt anyone but myself and my wife is very good about giving honest and immediate feedback.
The office environment isn’t that way. When a leader tries to apply a specific technique, without a clear understanding of the underlying leadership basics, the organization can suffer, people can suffer, and chances are good that the boss won’t get the necessary feedback until the damage is done.
Don’t misunderstand. I want leaders to read and learn from the vast pool of knowledge and experience that’s available at the bookstore. But if they don’t have a basic understanding of leadership fundamentals, that’s where they should start.
Bob Mason is dedicated to leadership development. He works with companies to solve problems by helping supervisors and managers become more effective leaders leading more productive teams. He is a professional speaker and author of Don’t Worry, You Can Do This: What New Supervisors and Managers Need to Know About Leadership; The Art of Not Motivating: How Leaders Can Succeed by Understanding the True Nature of Motivation; Balancing the Generations: A Leader’s Guide to the Complex, Multi-Generational, 21st Century Workplace; and Planning to Excel: Strategic Planning That Works.
A 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force exposed him to great leaders and leadership opportunities such as command of four squadrons, including the Air Force’s largest munitions squadron. He has studied leadership extensively, but more importantly has been there, working with real people, making hard decisions, and experiencing the results.
Contact Bob at Bob@BobMasonSpeaker.com or 505-453-5266
