For the next several posts in this series, I will be making some book recommendations in various categories. The lists will neither be exhaustive nor full scale endorsements of everything in each one. I generally read to learn (not to be entertained) and welcome points of view from a broad perspective.
The books mentioned will categorized this way:
- Biographies
- Favorite authors
- Sport
- Theology
- Coaching
- Leadership
- Psychology
- Business Management
- History
- Christian Living
Coaching -
InSideOut Coaching by Joe Ehrmann - I believe this to be the best coaching book I have ever read. Joe outlines the difference between Transactional Coaches and Transformational Coaches. Further, he provides excellent models for transformational coaching, tips for shaping one's coaching, and inspiration for coaching in this manner. I highly recommend this book.
Season of Life by Jeffrey Marx - This book was my introduction to Coach Joe Ehrmann and his remarkable life story. It's an amazingly engaging read, telling Joe's story from childhood, through Syracuse University, the NFL, through the death of his brother, life in seminary, as a pastor, and eventually as a football coach with Gilman High School in Baltimore. This is a tremendous book full of inspiration and insight.
3D Coaching by Dr. Jeff Duke - This book chronicles Jeff's path through coaching at various levels of sport and how he learned to apply academic research to the practice of coaching. This is an easy read with many ideas presented for immediate application.
Leadership -
Heroic Leadership by Chris Lowney - This excellent book is a thorough look at the leadership principles and practices of the Jesuits. The "Company of Jesus" and its founder, Ignatius Loyola are the centerpiece of the book and the model for leadership advanced on every page. This Protestant reader was thankful and frankly surprised by the simple, clear, and effective leadership lessons provided.
Leaders Who Last by Dave Kraft - This book is quite practical and is informed by the author's long years of service in the Church. Of particular interest to me was the excellent outline for writing a life purpose statement. I use it myself, and I have shared it with many others. This is a good one.
Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels - Despite the red flags just raised in your mind from Hybels' messy departure from Willow Creek, the models for development of leaders in this book are outstanding. In particular, his outline of various leadership styles and ways leaders nurture their development are very useful.
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek - This book gathers models and examples from a wide range of societal backgrounds. The author writes with great detail and an engaging style.
Legacy by James Kerr - This is a winner! Fifteen leadership lessons have been gathered from the New Zealand All Blacks Rugby team and its culture. This is not a "Christian" book, but its lessons are well presented the stories are told well.
Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders - Finally, this classic endures well and is as applicable as ever. This book shares timeless leadership principles drawn from the scriptures. It may be the best of the whole lot.
