IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CULTURE
It’s one of the most important things a company can get right. It was the biggest driving factor in wanting to start a new firm; culture starts at the top. I wanted to create an environment where people were excited to get up and come into work everyday and be empowered to do what they’re passionate about. How was I going to make sure that it happened?
Reading was my answer.
The only way I knew how to find the answers I was seeking was to consume as much information as I could and see what stuck. I made a goal and read upwards of 50 books. As someone who struggles with dyslexia, this was quite the accomplishment for me (thanks in large part to Audio Books for supporting me on my journey). Out of all those, I’m going to narrow in on the Top 5 and why I considered these to be the most impactful (in no particular order).
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
This was the first book I read that gave a good overview of what it looks like to run a business. It provided actionable methods for effective meetings, goal setting, and making sure you hire the right people in the right roles.
Steve Jobs
What struck me most about this biography of Steve Jobs was his commitment to great design, functionality, and beauty. His passion impacted every level of the organization, and made it easy for people to buy into his vision. He had an ability to push people beyond their perceived limits to help them achieve things they never thought they were capable of. He was able to focus on a few things, making sure they were done really well. Apple succeeded at becoming a niche company and strengthened their culture by being clear on who they were and what their market was.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things
This one seems pretty obvious; trying new things is hard. The main takeaway from this book for me, is the importance of having a “just keep swimming” attitude. This is an important lesson to learn not only as a leader, but in creating an overall culture where it’s ok to fail, learn from your experiences, and get back up and try again. It also highlights the importance of having a strong culture of teamwork, where we support each other through our failures and admit when we are having a hard time. Growth happens outside of the comfort zone.
Radical Candor
Although there are many great takeaways from this book, the one that stood out to me the most was that not everyone has the same desire for growth on the same timeline. This book talks about the difference between Rockstars (people who are really awesome at their strengths) and Superstars (the ladder-climbers; they’re always striving for more). Rockstars are creatures of comfort. They thrive in stability. Superstars on the other hand are growth and change seekers. It’s important as a leader to recognize these traits in your team and realize that everyone is different. You may need to modify your approach to each team member through the lens of Rockstar or Superstar. Pushing a Rockstar too far outside their comfort zone may result in tension. Similarly, not pushing a Superstar enough may result in boredom and resentment for lack of opportunity.
Principles: Life + Work
One of the most important qualities of a healthy team is the ability to disagree on good terms. As a leader, you must set the standard with your team that it’s ok to disagree, and to speak up about it. However, you also must learn to express disagreements in a way that promotes the open exchange of ideas so that things stay productive and solution-oriented. One technique is to ask questions instead of making statements. When playing devil’s advocate, using questions forces discussion and allows the opportunity for other team members to join the conversation.
What books have made an impact on your leadership style? I’m always on the lookout for good book suggestions!