TLF Recommended Reading

One of the great books on teamwork. Based on practical research work with real teams, the authors clarify the differences between groups, teams and high performance teams. The real strength of the book is that it cuts through the hype and nonsense written about teamwork and provides a framework for creating high performance teams.

A recent and rather trendy look at the cultural divide that exists in most organisations these days. Although, the issues discussed in the book will be familiar to the ‘facebook generation’, the book is of most value to those who need to understand the young whippersnappers who will be the backbone of the business within the next few years. Ignore at your peril.  

One of the most important (and only!) books to be written about organisational culture. The organisational culture framework that Schein develops is a fantastic tool for applying to any organisation in order to understand how and where the existing culture can be developed. The beauty of this book is its practicality and lack of fluffy concepts. 

It’s probably safe to call this a seminal piece of work now, and it is arguably essential reading for leaders who want to learn more about strategic thinking. This book encourages leaders to change their mindset into one which focuses on core competencies rather than simply the things that have been historically good at doing. 

Based on more than 20 years of research, this book identifies the 5 key leadership practices that are common to successful leaders. Written in a very accessible way and looking at leaders across all walks of life, this book is full of anecdotes and stories that demonstrate the findings of the research. Inspiring stuff.  

The authors explain the concept of a blue ocean strategy by comparing it to a traditional strategic positioning which they refer to as red ocean strategy. The core concept is that rather than fight in a congested, highly competitive market place a business should seek to move into a new area with a new proposition. They advise businesses to not compete in existing market space but rather should create uncontested market space. A provocative and informative read. 

Although this has been around for a few years now it is still a great read. The authors challenge our mindset on the nature of business and how the capitalist system works, looking beyond to how the fully global market will operate. A really entertaining approach to describing how the world is changing, it is also provocative piece of futurology. 

A great book that identifies the core principles of running a profitable business: return on assets, growth, rate of inventory turnover, understanding your customers, and the changing marketplace. Reminiscent of books like Who Moved my Cheese?, this book is simple, direct and of immense use to everyone in business - from those starting their careers to senior executives who need reminded that success in the executive suite is based on the same universal business laws that make or break the corner fruit stand. 

Many consider this the finest book on leadership ever written. It is not a business or management book – Burns is a political scientist – but he offers one of the clearest definition of what leadership actually is and how it operates. The influence of this book has been felt throughout the business world since its appearance in 1978. A must read for any student of leadership. 

A nationwide statistical study by the Jackson Organization, unveiled here for the first time, reveals that managers rated as very effective at recognition by their employees were also recognized as communicators, team-builders, and goal setters. The book argues that the most successful business leaders use carrots, not sticks. The authors demonstrate how praise and recognition lead to improved employee commitment and bottom line results. Filled with practical tools and real-life examples of the carrot principle in action. 

A book that has now become a classic in its field. For leaders who want to come to grips with the core concepts of business strategy there is no better book than this. It covers the core models from Porter onwards and is full of updated case studies. It presents complex issues and concepts ina an accessible and useful way. This book has probably been read by every MBA student in the world. 

This book brings together the coaching methods and perspectives of a number of industry experts in a really pallatable and straightforward way. It breaks down what coaching is and isn't and gives best practice tools and ideas on how you can develop your coaching skills and introduce coaching into your business. 

A great, easy to read book about the power of positive psychology and the difference it can make to individuals and their workplaces. It also allows the reader to better understand their own "signature strengths" - the positive characteristics of their own personality that will be seen time and time again across a number of different situations - and help them understand how to maximise the benefits of their strengths. 

Provides meaningful insights into change dynamics within organisations and excellent guidelines and practices for effective change implementation - including the nature and causes of change, the change process, who has what role to play in making change effective, how to support change and combat resistance to it - and the impact of organisation cultures on change. Its aim is to increase your capacity to manage transitions of any type within the organisation. 

A great introduction to Emotional Intelligence - believed by many to be what differentiates great leaders from all others. The book explores the key components that make up Emotional Intelligence and how they impact at inthe workplace and in personal relationships. It includes case studies and examples of emotional intelligence in practice and is relevant both for those who are new to emotional intelligence and those who understand what it is but want to learn how to develop and use their own EI more effectively. 

An international best seller that encourages people to focus more on what they are good at and capitalise on those strengths, rather than constantly dwell on their weaknesses or "development needs" as many parents, teachers and managers tend to do. The book allows the reader to complete an internet-based assessment that will determine their own strengths and provide key insight into their core abilities.