Organisational growth relies on character based leadership creating healthy teams, battling for clarity of vision and investing disciplined work into implementation. I have a stack of organisational books in storage on two continents, but if I could only own and read six that summarise this mix well, this is what would be on my bookshelf…

‘Start with Why’ – Simon Sinek

A core foundation for organisations is their mission, vision and values, yet an even deeper foundation is ‘Why’. If there is not true alignment lived out at this level, there will always be a something missing in the culture resulting in drag in the organisation. The potency of the ‘why’ is that if it is widely held beyond the senior leader, you will see levels of organisational productivity and explosive creativity that money can’t buy. If you don’t have time to read the book or you just want a taste, Simon has a great TedTalk… it is well worth the 13 minutes to watch!

Good to Great – Jim Collins

This is a timeless book of organisational principles that I dare say that you cannot over implement. Years ago a good friend and myself ran a leadership retreat and to this day I think regularly about Colin’s writings on ‘the Hedgehog Concept’, a ‘culture of discipline’ and the ‘flywheel’. These are simple, potent, evidenced based concepts from companies that made the jump from good to great and if this is not enough, read Collin’s book ‘Built to Last’.

First Things First – Stephen R. Covey

Organisations are the sum total of the health of the people who are in it. No book in my professional life has had more of an impact on me than in leading through Covey’s concepts of self-leadership and discipline. It has even influenced the disciplines of my faith walk. The challenge is, you can’t fake it, so it has to be fully who you are when no one is looking. A great companion book, also written by Covey, is ‘Seven Habits of Highly Effective Leaders.’ Oh wait, this sort of makes my list seven, not six!

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick Lencioni

I know of no leader who wants to lead a team that on the surface looks functional, but peeling back the layers by listening into back hall conversations there is backstabbing, a fear of retribution, weak buy in and political self protection. Yet it takes great courage ask questions about team dysfunction, so most rarely do. If you can face the truth regardless of how painful, the rewards are great. However, if you don’t, you might as well throw most of your organisational books away.

Mastering the Rockefeller Habits – Verne Harnish

Beyond the theory of these books, you just have to get things done. This is an awesome ‘how to’ and roadmap book that literally references and draws from books like Good to Great and First Things First. As you start to implement Collin’s and Covey’s principles, you focus on scaling and the rhythms, like beating a drum, to maintain and speed up growth. A new edition to this book has been released called ‘Scaling 2.0’ and it is equally as good, but I prefer this older edition.

Turn the Ship Around – L. David Marquet

This is a recently discovered book for me, but nothing in recent years has impacted me more than reading this story which puts handles on how people respond to leadership differently than they did 30 years ago and how they now best rise to their potential when led like leaders. If you are in a turn around situation or just starting out, I think what David is highlighting is very critical to leadership in the information age. Thought provoking and challenging stuff.

There you have it. There’s my six and if I stuck to this, I would save a lot of bookshelf space and money. If you have a different list, please leave a comment below as my list is always dynamic as things change around us and we grow in leadership.

In the future I will also blog a list of the top six books that have influenced my beliefs and theology as a follower of Jesus. Happy reading!