Five Good Books On Leadership & More

I just wrapped up teaching an 8-week course on leadership in the nonprofit management graduate program at Spertus College, located here in Chicago's south loop neighborhood. Many of my students are in management positions, already, in social service and nonprofit agencies across Chicagoland; others hope to be. On our last night together I asked them how their understanding of "leadership" has changed as a result of the work we've done together. Here are the top five things I heard them say. Also, just in case you're looking for a good read and/or movie this summer, I'm including both the "reading list" and the "movie list" for the course:

• I used to think leadership was about being in charge of everything and making all the decisions. Now I think it's more about getting people to do their best and work together. 
• I felt nervous about being a leader because I didn't think I was ready. Now I know I don't have to have all the right answers as long as I'm asking the right questions!
• I learned that I'm a control freak but that I can't control everything that happens. I need to learn how to be more flexible so that I can pay attention to the opportunities that are emerging and where the energy is - and go with the flow.
• I didn't realize there were so many different ways to define leadership. Now I know there are a lot of ways to be a leader and that I need to figure out who I am and what my approach will be.
• I realized that a lot of the things I've been doing as a leader are good! And I just need to be more intentional about doing them.

(If you're a regular reader, you'll recognize that these students have discovered the importance of asking purposeful questions, using participative processes, taking place seriously, and other renewable practices.)

Here are the books I asked them to read for the class:

• Leadership on the Line, Heifetz & Linsky. This is a few years old and the authors have a more recent book that builds on the work they did here. But I still like this one for helping leaders understand the difference between adaptive and technical change; and for the way it challenges leaders to both see and respond to the dangers of leading. For most members of the class, this was their top pick.
• Getting to Maybe, Westley, et al. One of the most important books I've read this decade. Research from the field of social innovation offers leaders concrete, credible direction for creating change in complex organizations. Teaches you about emergence - how to pay attention for where the energy is so that you can follow it. Leaders don't open doors - they just see more open doors than other people. Most of my students were both challenged and inspired by this book.
• Managing the Nonprofit Organization, Peter Drucker. Drucker, who died in 2005, has roots in the modern industrial approach to organizational management. But several decades ago he was challenging leaders to pay attention to people on the front lines because those are the folks who know what is happening and probably know what needs to be done. In other words, he helped lay the groundwork for a new, renewable way of working together. The students appreciated the practical aspect of this book, especially his work on the importance of a clear sense of purpose and how to work with a board.
• Bringing Out the Best in Yourself at Work: How to Use the Enneagram System for Success, Ginger Lapid-Bogda. The Enneagram is a psychological system based on nine number types that can give you insight into why and how you function...and a better appreciation for why and how other people function. Generally, my students described their delight at being able to see themselves more clearly and made commitments to doing things differently as a result of their new self-awareness.
• The Starfish and the Spider, Brafman & Beckstrom. Yep, that's right. I had them read a book about "leaderless organizations" in a class about leadership! Why? Because I believe the future of most organizations is decentralization - less hierarchy and more collaboration, less top-down and more bottom-up. Several students chose this book as their favorite.

I also encouraged students to watch three movies to help bring their reading to life:

• The Great Debaters, starring Denzel Washingon, about the 1935 champion debate team from the all-African-American Wiley College. Great illustration of "leadership on the line" and the danger of leading.
• Real Women Have Curves, starring America Ferrera, about an East Los Angeles latina who works to create change within complex cultural and economic systems - before they break her spirit.
• Accepted, starring Justin Long, about a young man who "accidentally" starts a college and ends up creating a dynamic and decentralized learning movement where the students are the teachers. 

P.S. If you've got a management position open in your nonprofit organization, let me know. I have a dozen excellent candidates to tell you about.

Comments

[Dave Coker]

Kelly--

In response to your invitation to contact you if we have a leadership position open...I'm looking for a person to serve as Executive Director of Camp Tomah Shinga, Junction City, KS. It's an ELCA camp that we (Nebraska Lutheran Outdoor Ministries) have operated the last four years. The job description is available at www.tomahshinga.com.

[Kelly]

dave - thanks for jumping in here. i'm not sure any of my current students would be looking for a job at a church camp but i know there are a lot of faith-based leaders who read our blog and maybe there will be a connection made here. i'll also share news of this opening with our facebook friends and my tweeps. let me know if, once you have an new director in place, we can help you with a strategic visioning process. good luck! - kelly