This is a guest blog by Emily Henry
In any industry, leadership is a real skill. That goes double for anyone in the engineering field. If you have recently moved to a management position, or have your eye on one in the future, you should check out these leadership books right now.
1. The 80/20 Principle: The Secret To Achieving More With Less by Richard Koch
As an engineer, you’ll have the mindset that everything in your role is important. If you’re in a leadership role, however, you need to be able to prioritize and focus on the things that really matter. This is where this book can help you.
The 80/20 principle is that 20% of your work will result in 80% of your output. It can help you become a better leader as you understand where to place your focus, and encourage others to do the same. It’s a highly popular book, and one you should check out.
2. How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This is a book title you’ve surely heard of before. How does it relate to you as an engineer though? ‘Even though you’re working on machinery and structures, you’re still working with others first and foremost’ says Mia Hamilton, a journalist at Elite Assignment Help and Essay Services. ‘By reading this book, you can get real insight into how to work with others.’
This book has been recommended to leaders in all industries for decades now. In it, you’ll see how to get people on your side, and win them over to your way of thinking without making them feel sidelined or resentful. It’s a must read for any leader.
3. The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
In this book, you’re going to learn what is that makes effective people so good at what they do. As the title suggests, it will take you through every habit step by step, so you can make change in your own work.
It’s easy to follow and something many people have found a lot of value in. If you think you need to make changes to your own leadership style, this is the book for you.
4. Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action by Simon Senek
Simon Sinek is a well-respected author and speaker about the power of good leadership. If you want to learn how some of the best leaders really get the best out of people, then you want to read this book. As the title says, you have to start with “why.”
Whatever you’re doing in your role, you need to show the people you lead why their work is important and why they need to follow your methods. If you can do that, then you have a strong base to lead from.
5. Good To Great: Why Some Companies Make The Leap And Others Don’t by Jim Collins
If you’re running a company and want to ensure you can stand the test of time, then you need to read this book. It’s based on the Built to Last study from the 90s, which showed how you can set up a business for success from the very beginning.
This book discusses the key concepts of leadership that allow businesses to flourish. It’s an easy read, and one you’ll learn a lot from.
6. Humble Leadership: The Power Of Relationships, Openness And Trust by Edgar H. Schein and Peter A. Schein
If you’re running a company and want to ensure you can stand the test of time, then you need to read this book. It’s also based on the Built to Last study from the 90s, which showed how you can set up a business for success from the very beginning.
This book discusses the key concepts of leadership that allow businesses to flourish. It’s an easy read, and one you’ll learn a lot from.
7. On Becoming A Leader by Warren Bennis
This book is a little different than the others on this list, as it isn’t something that focuses on concrete evidence like case studies. While that sounds less than ideal, it’s a book that you should still really read.
This book is more of a reflection on leadership, and what it should mean to you. It’s something you can use to reflect on yourself and understand your own skills as a leader.
8. The Art Of Possibility, by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
“This is the book to read if you’re looking at the role of creativity in your leadership” says writer Monika Phillips, from Custom Writing and Revieweal. “The writers have used personal stories and anecdotes to show you how being open to possibility can make you a better leader.”
These are some of the leadership books out there right now. Pick the ones that speak to you, and get reading to improve your skills.
About the Author Emily Henry
Emily Henry is a writer on staff with Essayroo and Big Assignments. She creates book reviews on management and leadership titles. She’s also a tutor for SimpleGrad.
We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you might share on leadership books that you have read.
Please leave your comments, feedback or questions in the section below.
To your success,
Anthony Fasano, PE, LEED AP
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success
