The key to being a good manager is to constantly be thinking about new and innovative
ways of doing things. The best way to do that is to beef up your library of
career, leadership and management books. Some you’ll read from cover to cover
while others you’ll flip to the sections/passages that speak to you the most.
But all will help you grow as a leader and think about new ways to
inspire everyone who looks to you for guidance and
motivation—from your teachers to the students too. Here are nine of our
favorite picks to get you started.
1. The One Minute Manager
This classic (it was originally published over 30
years ago) is told as a parable of a young man in search of a good manager. The
simple story-telling, however, has a big message—it takes very little time to
get the results you AND your employees desire. This can be done via one minute
goal setting, one minute praising and one minute redirecting when things don’t
go as planned.
Bottom line: No one wants to be coddled and micromanaged,
but they do want and need to be acknowledged, even if just for one minute of
the day!
2. Don’t Bring It to Work: Breaking the Family
Patterns That Limit Success
We all have baggage and for many, that baggage comes from our
family of origin. And when you can’t quite figure out what to do with your
overachieving new teacher or admin who just can’t seem to meet
deadlines—understanding why they’re wired that way can really help you as a
manager. The thirteen most common patterns that play out in the office include:
Super Achiever, Rebel, Persecutor, Victim, Rescuer, Clown, Martyr, Splitter,
Procrastinator, Drama Queen or King, Pleaser, Denier, and Avoider.
Bottom line: While you can use
this book as a tool to better understand your staff, use it to look within.
What do you believe arr your greatest weaknesses and struggles as a manager?
This book can empower you to make shifts both at work and home.
The “rules” of this book are as much about leadership as they
are influence. Maxwell tells stories of successful influencers like Princess
Diana, Lee Iaccoca and Abraham Lincoln to illustrate his points so you can
start applying his techniques.
Bottom Line: Each of these
“laws” will spark something different depending on your current frustrations,
needs or issues. Our favorite? Number nine: the law of magnetism— who you
are is who you attract!
4. Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits,
Passion, and Purpose
You wonder what a book written by the CEO of Zappos has to do
with leading and managing a school. Well, a lot more than you think! Just view
your parents and students as a “customer” and your staff as “employees.” Then
delve deep into this best-seller and think about how you can create a school
culture focused on happiness.
Botttom Line: Hsieh made company
culture his top priority. He applied research from the science of happiness
when dealing with his employees plus made it his mission to help them grow both
personally and professionally. Not unlike a principal, right?
5. Tribes
No, you don’t want to think of your teachers, students, parents
and support staff as your followers. But, you DO want them to feel like
they’re part of something big. And, you want them to see you as their fearless
leader, rallying for them, inciting change and bringing your school to the
forefront of the community. This is a leadership book about finding loyalty
among your team and connecting with them as a strong and trusted leader.
Bottom Line: Godin’s three steps to
building a tribe are: the desire to change things, the ability to connect your
“tribe,” and the willingness to lead. All things principal’s want to accomplish
too.
6. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be
Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
You know the old saying, “never let them see you sweat?” Brown
busts that myth wide open, arguing that vulnerability is where our greatest
strength and courage comes from. She writes: “When we shut ourselves off from
vulnerability, we distance ourselves from the experiences that bring purpose
and meaning to our lives.”
Bottom line: This isn’t a book
about wearing your emotions on your sleeve. It’s a book about being courageous
and always taking important leaps in your professional, personal and creative
pursuits.
7. The One Thing You Need to Know . . . About
Great Managing, Great Leading, and Sustained Individual Success
This book has a
wonderful approach to getting the most from your staff. Buckingham says great
managers should identify their employees’ individual strengths and capitalize
on them instead of trying to improve their weaknesses. To motivate and get the
best out of your team, he suggests setting clear expectations, offering praise
and recognition, and showing them you care.
Bottom Line: Godin’s three steps to building a tribe are: the
desire to change things, the ability to connect your “tribe,” and the
willingness to lead. All things principal’s want to accomplish too.
8. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free
Productivity
This book stays true to it’s title—you will get things done. It
teaches you how to get organized and accomplish everything on your daily to-do
lists (both at work and home). Allen’s overall method is meant to declutter
your brain so you can focus on the big picture.
Bottom line: How can you focus
on the needs of your teachers and students if you’re distracted by an
overflowing inbox or pile up of calls to return? You can’t. But, this book
helps you bring your mind back to what matters most.
9. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear
No, this may not be your typical
leadership/management book. Yes, Gilbert, is the author of Eat, Pray, Love.
But, she’s tapped into the importance of being creative in everything we do.
When we’re not feeling creative it’s because fear is holding us back. Broken
down into six sections—courage, enchantment, permission, persistence, trust,
and divinity—Gilbert’s tips and strategies will inspire you to do big and
innovative things at your school.
Bottom Line: Your staff and students can greatly benefit
from the philosophy of this book too. Encouraging creativity in all aspects of
your school will bring the best out in everyone, guaranteed!
No comments:
Post a Comment