Reading List

Emotional Intelligence

The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book Bradberry, Travis & Greaves, Jean, The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book: Everything You Need to Know to Put Your EQ to Work (New York: Fireside, 2003)
In The Emotional Intelligence Quick Book, authors Bradberry and Greaves outline techniques anyone can use to achieve goals in an easier and more fulfilling way, improve relationships, enhance health, and become more accomplished in the work force. Starting with a discussion on what emotional intelligence (EQ, for short) is and how it impacts our lives, Bradberry and Greaves then provide readers with instructions for determining their own EQ via the book’s companion Web site (the passcode for doing so can be found on the inside of the book’s dust jacket). They also provide a variety of ways readers can increase their EQ and put it to use in their personal and professional lives.
Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ Goleman, Daniel, Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ (New York: Bantam Books, 1995)
The Western cultures esteem analytical skills measured by IQ tests: but there is clearly more to success and happiness, even in technological societies, than IQ alone. Goleman has written one of the best books on the nature and importance of other kinds of intelligence besides our perhaps overly beloved IQ.
Primal Leadership Goleman, Boyatzis, McKee, Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence (Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 2002)
Business leaders who maintain that emotions are best kept out of the work environment do so at their organization’s peril. Bestselling author Daniel Goleman’s theories on emotional intelligence (EI) have radically altered common understanding of what “being smart” entails, and in Primal Leadership, he and his coauthors present the case for cultivating emotionally intelligent leaders. Since the actions of the leader apparently account for up to 70 percent of employees’ perception of the climate of their organization, Goleman and his team emphasize the importance of developing what they term “resonant leadership.”
Working with Emotional Intelligence Goleman, Daniel, Working with Emotional Intelligence (New York: Bantam Books, 1998)
Business leaders and outstanding performers are not defined by their IQs or even their job skills, but by their “emotional intelligence”: a set of competencies that distinguishes how people manage feelings, interact, and communicate. Analyses done by dozens of experts in 500 corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide conclude that emotional intelligence is the barometer of excellence on virtually any job. This book explains what emotional intelligence is and why it counts more than IQ or expertise for excelling on the job.
The Emotional Brain LeDoux, Joseph, The Emotional Brain: The Mysterious Underpinnings of Emotional Life (New York: Touchstone, 1996)
A comprehensive examination of how systems in the brain work in response to emotions, particularly fear. Among the author’s fascinating findings is the work of amygdala structure within the brain. The amygdala mediates fear and other responses and actually processes information more quickly than other parts of the brain, allowing a rapid response that can save our lives before other parts of the brain have had a chance to react. He also offers findings and theories on how the brain handles–and in many cases, buries–extremely traumatic experiences. In all, a compelling read about the mysteries of emotions and the workings of the brain.
Emotional Intelligence at Work Weisinger, Hendrie, Emotional Intelligence at Work (San Francisco, Jossey-Bass, 1998)
Experts now acknowledge that emotional intelligence (EI) is perhaps the most crucial determinant of success in the workplace. And unlike IQ or other traditional measures of intelligence, EI can be developed and dramatically increased. This unprecedented book demonstrates how to master the core competencies of EI, abilities that include self-motivation, high self-awareness, mood management, and emotional mentoring. In addition, it includes scores of real-world examples and dozens of practical exercises that accelerate the process, along with step-by-step approaches to mastering a variety of EI techniques.
Creating Effective Teams Wheelan, Susan A., Creating Effective Teams: A Guide for Members and Leaders (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1999)
Creating Effective Teams takes readers by the hand through the four developmental stages of getting from group creation to highly effective teams. It is packed with strategies for building and supporting well-managed, high-performing teams. The author provides ample checklists and case examples to guide members and leaders through their groups’ developmental states and to help them work through the times when they inevitably get stuck. She does an amazing job of summarizing a vast literature of empirical research on team functioning and development into a comprehensive yet uncomplicated, straightforward guide.

Values-Based Leadership

Heart-Centered Leadership Steinbrecher, Susan, and Bennett, Joel B. Heart-Centered Leadership: An Invitation to Lead From the Inside Out (Memphis, TN: Black Pants Publishing, 2003)
Providing a counterpoint to the ethical bankruptcy of contemporary business, Heart-Centered Leadership champions the message that sound ethical practices must begin from within. This kind of leadership is a personal choice and involves the whole person: body, mind, and spirit.
Values-Driven Organization Barrett, Richard. Building a Values-Driven Organization: A Whole System Approach to Cultural Transformation. (Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2006)
A strong follow-up to his previous book, Liberating the Corporate Soul: Building a Visionary Organization.
Liberating the Corporate Soul Barrett, Richard, Liberating the Corporate Soul: Building a Visionary Organization (Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 1998)
The two most critical issues for business today, according to CEO’s Barrett has worked with, are: “How to tap the deepest levels of creativity and the highest levels of productivity of our employees.” In a world where competition has become global, successful companies are learning to build competitive advantage through their human capital. In the 21st Century, even that will not be enough. Success will also hinge on whether, in the eyes of the employees and society-at-large, the organization is a trusted member of the community and a good global citizen. Developing a values-driven approach to business is quickly becoming essential for financial success. Who you are and what you stand for are becoming just as important as what you sell.
Strengths-Based Leadership Rath, Tom, and Conchie, Barry. Strengths-Based Leadership. (New York, NY: Gallup Press, 2009)
In recent years, while continuing to learn more about strengths, Gallup scientists have also been examining decades of data on the topic of leadership. They studied more than 1 million work teams, conducted more than 20,000 in-depth interviews with leaders, and even interviewed more than 10,000 followers around the world to ask exactly why they followed the most important leader in their life.
Good to Great Collins, Jim. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t. (New York, NY: HarperBusiness, 2001)
Based on Collins’ leadership research, this books explores how good companies can become great companies.
Built to Last Porras, Jerry I. and Collins, Jim. Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies (New York, NY: HarperBusiness, 2004)
This book explores what makes a visionary company and how a company can become visionary.
The 8th Habit Covey, Stephen R. The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness (New York, NY: Running Press Miniature Editions, 2006)
The original seven habits of highly successful people are still relevant, but Covey, author of the mega-bestseller of that title, says that the new Information/Knowledge Worker Age, exemplified by the Internet, calls for an eighth habit to achieve personal and organizational excellence: “Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs.” – From Publisher’s Weekly
Decent People, Decent Company Turknett, Robert L., Decent People, Decent Company: How to Lead With Character at Work and in Life (Boston: Intercultural Press, 2005)
Inspiring people who lead with integrity move things forward, garner commitment from others, and are willing to ask the tough questions when necessary. These are the real leaders who generate and sustain cultures of character in organizations. Decent Peopl, Decent Company puts the power to develop the core qualities of leadership character into the hands of anyone dedicated to bringing integrity, respect, and personal responsibility back to the workplace–regardless of his or her place in the organization.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Lencioni, Patrick. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2002)
Through fable-style story telling and explicit prose, Lencioni offers “instructions for overcoming the human behavioral tendencies that he says corrupt teams (absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability and inattention to results).” – Publisher’s Weekly
Question Behind the Question Miller, John G. QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life (New York, NY: Putnam Publishing Group, 2004)
This is a quick but deep book that explores the role of personal accountability in one’s work and personal life. – Publisher’s Weekly
Love Is the Killer App Sanders, Tim. Love Is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends (New York, NY: Three Rivers Press, 2003)
How to get ahead in business by being loveable and smart.
Saving the World at Work Sanders, Tim. Saving the World at Work: What Companies and Individuals Can Do to Go Beyond Making a Profit to Making a Difference. (New York, NY: Broadway Business, 2008)
Both consumers and employers have turned away from price consciousness to demand that companies make a difference to society through their products, manufacturing methods, environmental efforts and community outreach. According to the author, casual consumers now represent the minority; mindful consumers have brought in a new value system, paying as much attention to a company’s environmental and social policies as to its pricing structures. – Publisher’s Weekly
Servant Leadership Greenleaf, Robert K. Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness. (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2002)
Prophetic essays on what the author coined as “servant leadership,” a practical philosophy that replaces traditional autocratic leadership with a holistic, ethical approach.
Cannibals with Forks Elkington, John. Cannibals with Forks: Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business (Oxford, UK: Capstone Publishing Ltd., 1999)
This book demonstrates how all businesses can and must help society achieve the three inter-linked goals of economic prosperity,environmental protection and social equity, issues which are already at the top of the corporate agenda.