Leadership Books from the Top. Marine Corps Commandant Reading List for Leaders

1/8/2024

Leadership Books from the Top. Marine Corps Commandant Reading List for Leaders

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THE COACHING HABIT: SAY LESS, ASK MORE & CHANGE THE WAY YOU LEAD FOREVER by Michael Bungay Stanier

Coaching is an essential skill for leaders. But for most busy, overworked managers, coaching employees is done badly, or not at all. The author shares seven transformative questions that can make a difference in how we lead and support. Dynamic question-and-answer sections help identify old habits and kick-start new behavior.

FAITH THROUGH THE STORM: MEMOIRS OF MAJOR JAMES CAPERS, JR. by Maj. James Capers, Jr. (USMC Ret.)

This is a book about war: a war against America's enemies, against racism, against the loss of fellow warriors in battle, and against the personal loss of family back home. Major James Capers, Jr. (USMC Ret.) was born to a family of sharecroppers in South Carolina who escaped to Baltimore, Maryland in the dead of night to escape the days of Jim Crow laws for a better life. Joining the Marines fresh out of high school, he had no idea that he was paving the road for future Marines, black and white alike. The first African-American Marine to receive a battlefield commission as a member of 3rd Force Recon, a new special forces unit designed specifically for the war in Vietnam; the first African-American Marine officer used on a Marine recruitment poster; co-leader of the first special forces team to attempt the rescue of American and allied POW's held in a North Vietnamese prison; a leader in Team Broadminded (whose missions were so secret, their military records from Vietnam were not declassified until 2006); nominated for the Medal of Honor; inducted into the Commando Hall of Honor for special forces; awarded the Bronze and the Silver Stars. This book is about a man who is a true American hero, a husband, a father, a patriot, and a warrior who has dealt with the tragedies of his military and personal life, always depending on his faith in God to guide him through the storm.

PERFORMANCE CONVERSATIONS: HOW TO USE QUESTIONS TO COACH EMPLOYEES, IMPROVE & BOOST CONFIDENCE (WITHOUT APPRAISALS!) by Christopher D. Lee

There are three universal truths about traditional performance management. They are widely used, universally despised, and are known to be ineffective. These reasons are cited in the recent spate of announcements from dozens of major corporations who have abandoned their appraisal systems. As a result, many organizations are grappling with what to do instead. They have adopted many interesting and innovative practices, but most are a random collection of activities that are not bound together by a sound theoretical framework. This new approach is built upon a sound theoretical foundation, uses proven management techniques, and offers a novel framework and tool for managers for regulating and enhancing the performance of their staff. Dozens of ready-to-use templates and accompanying tools help make good management practice more accessible, practical, and effective. Just as important, the new approach is both millennial- and remote worker-friendly as it incorporates features that speak to how they work.

TURN THE SHIP AROUND!: A TRUE STORY OF TURNING FOLLOWERS INTO LEADERS by Capt. L. David Marquet (USN Ret.)

David Marquet, an experienced Navy officer, was used to giving orders. As newly appointed captain of the USS Santa Fe, a nuclear-powered submarine, he was responsible for more than a hundred sailors. In this high-stress environment, where there is no margin for error, it was crucial his men did their job and did it well. But the ship was dogged by poor morale, poor performance, and the worst crew retention in the fleet. -- Marquet acted like any other captain until, one day, he unknowingly gave an impossible order, and his crew tried to follow it anyway. When he asked why the order wasn't challenged, the answer was ''Because you told me to.'' Marquet realized he was leading in a culture of followers, and they were all in danger unless they fundamentally changed the way they did things. That's when Marquet took matters into his own hands and pushed for leadership at every level. Note: This book also goes by the title Turn the ship around!: a true story of building leaders by breaking the rules.

CALL SIGN CHAOS: LEARNING TO LEAD by Jim Mattis; Bing West

Call Sign Chaos is the account of James Mattis' storied Marine Corps career, from wide-ranging leadership roles in three wars to ultimately commanding a quarter of a million troops across the Middle East. Along the way, Mattis recounts his foundational experiences as a leader, extracting the lessons he has learned about the nature of warfighting and peacemaking, the importance of allies, and the strategic dilemmas -- and short-sighted thinking -- now facing our nation. He makes it clear why America must return to a strategic footing so as not to continue winning battles but fighting inconclusive wars. The book is divided into three parts: Direct Leadership, Executive Leadership, and Strategic Leadership.

IT WORKED FOR ME: IN LIFE AND LEADERSHIP by Colin Powell

Colin Powell, one of America's most admired public figures, reveals the principles that have shaped his life and career in this inspiring and engrossing memoir. Powell's memoir is a trove of wisdom for anyone hoping to achieve their goals and turn their dreams into reality. A message of strength and endurance from a man who has dedicated his life to public service, It Worked for Me is a book with the power to show readers everywhere how to achieve a more fulfilling life and career.

THE LEADER'S BOOKSHELF by Adm James Stavridis, USN (Ret.); R. Manning Ancell

The authors surveyed over two hundred active and retired four-star military officers about their reading habits and favorite books, asking each for a list of titles that strongly influenced their leadership skills and provided them with special insights that helped propel them to success in spite of the many demanding challenges they faced. The Leader's Bookshelf synthesizes their responses to identify the top fifty books that can help virtually anyone become a better leader. Each of the works-novels, memoirs, biographies, autobiographies, management publications-are summarized and the key leadership lessons extracted and presented. Whether individuals work their way through the entire list and read each book cover to cover, or read the summaries provided to determine which appeal to them most, The Leader's Bookshelf will provide a road map to better leadership. Highlighting the value of reading in both a philosophical and a practical sense, The Leader's Bookshelf provides sound advice on how to build an extensive library, lists other books worth reading to improve leadership skills, and analyzes how leaders use what they read to achieve their goals.

TRIBE: ON HOMECOMING AND BELONGING by Sebastian Junger

We have a strong instinct to belong to small groups defined by clear purpose and understanding -- "tribes." This tribal connection has been largely lost in modern society, but regaining it may be the key to our psychological survival. Decades before the American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin lamented that English settlers were constantly fleeing over to the Indians -- but Indians almost never did the same. Tribal society has been exerting an almost gravitational pull on Westerners for hundreds of years, and the reason lies deep in our evolutionary past as a communal species. The most recent example of that attraction is combat veterans who come home to find themselves missing the incredibly intimate bonds of platoon life. The loss of closeness that comes at the end of deployment may explain the high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder suffered by military veterans today. Combining history, psychology, and anthropology, Tribe explores what we can learn from tribal societies about loyalty, belonging, and the eternal human quest for meaning. It explains the irony that-for many veterans as well as civilians -- war feels better than peace, adversity can turn out to be a blessing, and disasters are sometimes remembered more fondly than weddings or tropical vacations. Tribe explains why we are stronger when we come together, and how that can be achieved even in today's divided world.

UNBROKEN: A WORLD WAR II STORY OF SURVIVAL, RESILIENCE, AND REDEMPTION by Laura Hillenbrand

On a May afternoon in 1943, an Army Air Forces bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean and disappeared, leaving only a spray of debris and a slick of oil, gasoline, and blood. Then, on the ocean surface, a face appeared - Lt. Louis Zamperini. Captured by the Japanese and driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor.

YOU ARE WORTH IT: BUILDING A LIFE WORTH FIGHTING FOR by Kyle Carpenter; Don Yaeger

On 21 November 2010, U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Kyle Carpenter was posted on a rooftop in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, when an enemy grenade skittered toward Kyle and fellow Marine Nick Eufrazio. Without hesitation, Kyle chose a path of selfless heroism that few can imagine. He jumped on the grenade, saving Nick but sacrificing himself. Kyle’s remarkable memoir reveals a central truth that will inspire every reader: Life is worth everything we’ve got. It is the story of how one man became a so-called hero who willingly laid down his life for his brother-in-arms—and equally, it is a story of rebirth, of how Kyle battled back from the gravest challenge to forge a life of joyful purpose. In 2014, Kyle was awarded the nation’s highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his “singular act of courage” on that rooftop in Afghanistan, an action which had been reviewed exhaustively by the military. Kyle became the youngest living recipient of the award. You Are Worth It is a memoir about the war in Afghanistan and Kyle’s heroics, and it is also a manual for living. Organized around the credos that have guided Kyle’s life (from “Don’t Hide Your Scars” to “Call Your Mom”), the book encourages us to become our best selves in the time we’ve been given on earth. Above all, it’s about finding purpose, regardless of the hurdles that may block our way.

DARE TO LEAD: BRAVE WORK. TOUGH CONVERSATIONS.WHOLEHEARTS by Brené Brown

Daring leadership in a culture defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply and uniquely human. The irony is that we're choosing not to invest in developing the hearts and minds of leaders at the exact same time as we're scrambling to figure out what we have to offer that machines and AI can't do better and faster. What can we do better? Empathy, connection, and courage, to start.

SMARTER FASTER BETTER: THE SECRETS OF BEING PRODUCTIVE IN LIFE AND BUSINESS by Charles Duhigg

This book explores the science of productivity, and why, in today’s world, managing how you think—rather than what you think—can transform your life. Eight key concepts—from motivation and goal setting to focus and decision making—explain why some people and companies get so much done. Drawing on the latest findings in neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral economics, as well as the experiences across the business and military spectrum, this book explains how the most productive people view the world, and their choices, in profoundly different ways.

Reading books on leadership written by the Commandant of the Marine Corps can provide valuable insights and lessons that civilians can apply to their own lives, even if they are not in a military context. Here are some key takeaways:

Discipline and Accountability: The Marine Corps places a strong emphasis on discipline and accountability. Learning about these principles can help civilians develop a strong work ethic, be reliable, and take responsibility for their actions.
Adaptability: Military leaders often face rapidly changing and unpredictable situations. Civilians can learn to be adaptable and flexible in their approach to challenges, understanding that the ability to adjust to new circumstances is crucial for success.
Leading by Example: Marine Corps leadership often emphasizes leading by example. Civilians can benefit from understanding the importance of setting a positive example for others and demonstrating the values and behaviors they expect from their team.
Teamwork and Unity: The Marine Corps places a strong emphasis on teamwork and unity. Civilians can learn about building strong teams, fostering collaboration, and understanding the collective strength that comes from individuals working together towards a common goal.
Decision-Making under Pressure: Military leaders often have to make critical decisions under high-pressure situations. Civilians can learn about effective decision-making, maintaining composure in stressful situations, and the importance of quick but thoughtful actions.
Mission-Centric Leadership: The Marine Corps is mission-oriented, and leaders focus on achieving specific objectives. Civilians can benefit from understanding the importance of goal-setting, strategic planning, and aligning actions with a clear mission or purpose.
Resilience and Perseverance: Military leaders often face adversity and challenges. Civilians can learn about resilience, perseverance, and the mindset required to overcome obstacles in both personal and professional life.
Effective Communication: Communication is crucial in any leadership role. The Marine Corps emphasizes clear and concise communication. Civilians can learn to articulate their thoughts effectively, listen actively, and convey information in a manner that fosters understanding.
Ethical Leadership: The Marine Corps values integrity and ethical conduct. Civilians can gain insights into the importance of ethical leadership, making decisions based on principles, and maintaining a strong moral compass.
Continuous Learning: Military leaders are often committed to continuous learning and improvement. Civilians can adopt a mindset of lifelong learning, seeking new knowledge and skills to stay relevant and effective in their chosen field.

While the military context may differ from civilian life, the principles of leadership are often universal and can be applied across various domains. Reading books on leadership from the Commandant of the Marine Corps can provide civilians with a unique perspective and valuable lessons for personal and professional growth.

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