My Top 10 Books of 2024
Top 10 Books of 2024
This past year, I took a new job that forced me to increase my leadership capacity. At times, this meant looking at different leadership frameworks; at others, it was about practical competencies. During the year, I read a pile of books and implemented many of these principles to great effect. The following list is ten books on leadership and productivity that stood out to me. Some stand in for several books by the same author. For example, I spent a lot of time with the works of Simon Sinek, Daniel Pink, Donald Miller, and Mark Miller. However, in the name of arbitrary limits, I forced myself to only choose one of their books. For each book, I've included one key idea that stood out to me and one lesson I took from each work. Enjoy. And let me know what books made a difference for you this past year.
10. The Effective Executive by Peter Drucker Main Idea: Leaders don't just get things done; they do the right things. Focus on what truly matters and prioritize the most impactful tasks. Key Lesson: Track your time to identify and eliminate non-essential activities, freeing up energy for high-impact work.
9. The Heart of Leadership by Mark Miller Main Idea: Great leadership is grounded in character and a genuine desire to serve others. Key Lesson: Shift your mindset from "being in charge" to "caring for those in your charge" to inspire and support your team.
8. The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier Main Idea: Coaching isn't about giving answers—it's about asking the right questions to empower others. Key Lesson: Use the AWE Question ("And what else?") to deepen conversations and help others uncover their own solutions.
7. Atomic Habits by James Clear Main Idea: Small, consistent changes compound into massive results over time. Key Lesson: Focus on 1% daily improvement and design habits that are easy and repeatable to build lasting momentum.
6. The One-Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson. Main Idea: Great leaders give their team responsibility, freedom, and accountability. I've since added they also give them appropriate training and resources, but this leadership system works. Key Lesson: Hire great people and let them work. Use short, intentional times to set goals, praise, and redirect to provide clarity, motivation, and timely feedback.
5. When by Daniel Pink Main Idea: Timing is crucial in productivity and decision-making. Key Lesson: Work during your peak energy hours and reserve less critical tasks for your low-energy times.
4. Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek Main Idea: Great leaders prioritize the safety and well-being of their teams, fostering trust and collaboration. Key Lesson: Build a culture of trust by showing your team you've got their back, creating a safe environment for growth.
3. Business Made Simple by Donald Miller Main Idea: Sixty days to focus on the key aspects of leading and building a business that they should have taught you in business school but probably didn't. Key Lesson: Focus on key ideas concerning character, leadership, productivity, strategy, sales, marketing, and execution, and you will increase your competency and value in the open market.
2. Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt Main Idea: Productivity is about doing less but achieving more by focusing on high-value tasks. Key Lesson: Eliminate non-essential tasks and align your work with your biggest goals for greater efficiency.
1. From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks Main Idea: True fulfillment comes from shifting focus from achievement to purpose, connection, and inner peace. This is especially true for high achievers as they enter the second half of their careers. Key Lesson: Let go of the endless race for success and prioritize relationships and impact to find lasting happiness.
