Da Coach's Blog

He knows "Jack" about Leadership ...

Jack Welch Speaks  A lot of meaty quotes from the former GE CEO about what it was like to reshape an already good company into a great one over the course of almost 20 years.
      

A great book for leaders ...

What Got You HERE Won't Get You THERE  Marshall Goldsmith, THE "Coach to the CEO Stars," give solid actions you can take to go from being a very good leader to becoming a great one.  His unique approach:  Most people at or near the top of an organization are pretty good at "To Do" lists.  Goldsmith suggests a "To Stop" list, and goes on to list 20 specific habits you might need to break to help you improve your interpersonal leadership skills.

Bring the right Mindset ...

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success  What separates high achievers from the pack?  Author Carol Dweck suggests winners have an ability to view failure as a "growth opportunity" rather than a defeat, an important lesson for anyone in a leadership position, especially parents and teachers.  The book shows us how to interpret situations that don't go our way as a challenge to get better rather than labeling ourselves a "f&#%ing loser!"  (That would be "failing loser" -- what were YOU thinking?)

"Happyness" is what you make it ...

The Pursuit of Happyness  Yeah, the movie was good.  But if you want the real inside scoop of how much adversity Chris Gardner overcame to make it, well, the book's a lot rawer than the movie.  Yet he triumphs in the end, which begs the question: What's your excuse?

Go Give to Get ...

The Go-Giver  Bob Burg (author of Endless Referrals) and John David Mann have crafted a fine parable about the power of sharing your network with other people regardless of any initial personal gain for you.  What's interesting is Napoleon Hill mentions the exact same concept in Think and Grow Rich -- so the message of Burg and Mann's book might as well be "GIVE and Grow Rich." A must read for those who want to understand what networking is REALLY all about.

Do you like Beatles music?

Here, There and Everywhere  This is the best book I've seen on the creation of the Beatles' landmark recordings, written by a guy who would know -- their sound engineer from 1962 - 69, Geoff Emerick.  If you ever wondered what went on in the studio between John, Paul, George and Ringo to make some of the greatest music of all time, THIS is the book you've got to read!

Working too many hours?

The 4-Hour Workweek  Pretty outrageous title, no?  But author Timothy Ferris claims he's doing it, and give you a road map on how to do it for yourself.  While most of you won't get your week down to four hours, wouldn't it be nice to cut some of your workweek down (while being even more effective) to spend more time with family, friends and/or recreation?  Lots of tips in here on how to do just that.

Hello Dalai!

The Art of Happiness  Think you got problems?  The Dalai Lama got tossed out of his own country!  He's got some good ideas about how to control your thinking to help you maintain a positive attitude despite life's challenges.  (Ya wanna be happy, doncha?)

Well do ya?

Got What It Takes?  The people profiled in this book do.  Donald Trump, Richard Branson, Clive Davis, Mario Cuomo and Joe Torre are among dozens who give their tips on what made them successful.  I especially appreciate author Bill Boggs putting a few of his personal positive affirmations in this book -- if it's good enough for HIM to use them every day, it's good enough for me 'n you too!

Don't suck ...

Wish somebody would tell you the truth about your leadership? Mark Stevens doesn't pull any punches when he lays it on the line in Your Management Sucks.   A lot of the stuff here will hit you right between the eyes and challenge you to have another pair of anatomical parts rise to the occasion to blow up what is merely good in order to become great.  A sample:  "I absolutely believe in firing people who don't perform, and you'd better believe in it too."   And that includes your star performer, if he violates your culture, endangers your business model or tries to hold you hostage by threatening to walk.