Business leaders, what's one leadership book or resource you've found invaluable, and how has it shaped your leadership style?

Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi is an invaluable book that has significantly shaped my leadership style. The core premise of nurturing authentic relationships resonates deeply with me. Ferrazzi emphasizes that the currency of success is not merely talent or skills, but the network of people you connect and share value with. This book has inspired me to be a relationship-oriented leader. I make conscious efforts to build genuine connections with my team members, understanding their aspirations, strengths, and motivations beyond just their roles. I prioritize face-time through team lunches, coffee chats, and open-door policies. Additionally, Ferrazzi's principles have taught me the importance of reaching out to my professional network, offering support, and seeking advice. I've learned to be generous in sharing knowledge, making introductions, and celebrating others' wins. This fosters a culture of trust, collaboration, and loyalty within and beyond my organization. Rather than a top-down, authoritarian approach, Never Eat Alone has ingrained in me a leadership style centered around empowerment, mentorship, and creating an ecosystem of mutual growth. It has been an invaluable resource in shaping how I inspire, develop, and build lasting connections with my team and network.

One resource I've found in my leadership style is to ensure everyone has a voice. Being in leadership doesn't mean your way or the highway, because valuable employees aren't always replaceable. My goal as a leader is to empower my team, give them room to grow, and provide constructive criticism.

A book that I found useful in contributing to the leadership style that I desire most to exeucte is “Delivering Happiness” written by the former CEO of Zappos.com Tony Hsieh. This form of leadership led by Tony exemplifies the true meaning of treating your employees with Integrity.

Atomic Habits by James Clear has effectively changed not only how I lead but how I show up for myself. In the quest for growth we so often think big picture and have big goals. Leaders need to think that way, it’s our job. But to effect change you can start small. The smallest of steps compound into remarkable results over time. Tiny wins and breakthroughs not only help get you toward your goal but they help ignite your brain activity and that brings momentum to other initiatives.

This is a great question. To answer this one must understand the meaning of Leadership. It has different perceptions, as not everyone thinks the same. As per the Dictionary - Leadership means the action of leading a group of people or an organization. Personally to me it is way bigger than that. A leader does not become a leader by coincidence. To me, leadership is being Authoritative, being Assertive, being able to communicate effectively, being able to listen and last but not the least, be able to understand the needs of the people who are being lead. There are so many books I can name which I have read on leadership. But, if I had to pick my top 2 - they would be Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy and How to Win Friends & Influence People. These 2 books has helped me tremendously with listening to business owners who need help understanding their own business model. Starting a business and running a business are two different things. Anyone can start the business, but sustainability is the hardest part of any business, as a result of which many businesses go out of business within the first 2 years of their operations. Some businesses start a business and expect an immediate return, which once again is a flaw in their business thinking and strategy. Yes, numbers do matter significantly on the balance sheet in businesses, but one must not forget the importance of building long term relationships with their clients and others. Without that a business is impossible to sustain by itself and the balance sheet won't mean anything. No matter how much we have and continue to evolve on the Tech and AI world, nothing beats the good old successful ways of shaking hands with people and being able to converse in person. The future looks bright!

Hands down it is starting my own podcast and it has been more valuable than any book I could read. The networking effect I get from podcasting is worth the effort alone and I get the chance to learn from other CEOs and entrepreneurs. Imagine getting to have a 1 hour call with one of your peers, this is what I get once a week and it is worth more than the marketing value a podcast brings.

One book that's been incredibly helpful for me as a leader is "Crucial Conversations" by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Al Switzler, Ron McMillan. Tough conversations aren't exactly my forte, but this book gave me some practical frameworks for navigating those high-stakes situations. The biggest takeaway for me was learning to separate facts from emotions and stories. This helps me approach difficult discussions with a clear head and focus on solutions. It's definitely a skill that takes practice, but Crucial Conversations has been instrumental in making me a more confident leader.

One book that has been particularly invaluable to me as a leader is "The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, Updated and Expanded" by Michael D. Watkins. This book provided me with critical insights into navigating complex transitions, especially when I moved from a marketing executive role to CEO. The strategies outlined helped me understand the importance of securing early wins to build momentum and establish credibility within the organization. Applying these principles has shaped my leadership style to be more strategic and proactive, particularly during the critical initial stages of new leadership roles.

"The Making of a Manager" by Julie Zhuo is a gem for business leaders looking to navigate the transition from individual contributor to manager. What makes this book invaluable is its practical advice and real-world insights into the challenges and opportunities of leadership. Watch the review here: https://youtu.be/iGXfblf7sJY For me, this book has been transformative in shaping my leadership style by emphasizing the importance of empathy, communication, and empowerment. Zhuo provides actionable strategies for building trust, giving feedback, and fostering a positive team culture. Her emphasis on leading with authenticity and vulnerability has encouraged me to embrace my strengths and weaknesses as a leader and to create an environment where my team feels safe to do the same. One key takeaway from "The Making of a Manager" is the idea that leadership is not about having all the answers but about empowering others to find solutions. This mindset shift has allowed me to delegate more effectively, encourage innovation, and foster a sense of ownership among my team members. Overall, this book has been instrumental in helping me develop a leadership style that is both impactful and authentic.

If may seem very odd, but I think the Robots and the Foundation series from Isaac Asimov shaped me into the person I am today. What does Sci-Fi have to do with leadership? Well, it taught me to think about the greater good, not in terms of "what is best for me". Yes, Asimov's robots were programmed to act in the interest of the whole humanity, but you can read between the lines, even if you're an adolescent, as I was when I first read his books. Ironically, or not, this has helped me indirectly throughout my career. Setting an example for your team, acting in their interest will ultimately lead to a work environment where willing people can flourish, not feel like it's just another job to pay the bills.

One leadership book that shaped how I think and how I lead others is "Rocket Fuel," by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters. This book became the basis for their entire "Traction" library and methodology. Their theory divides leadership into two different types and styles: the Visionary and the Integrator. What's interesting and important is this: you need both of these skills/gifts for a company to be successful. Unfortunately, most leaders are either one or the other - Visionary or Integrator - not both. As a leader, the key is to know which type you are and to find (and rely on) your counterpart. This is the best way to drive succes. This theory helps to explain why and how great companies were so successful: when visionary leaders have integrators to make the vision real: Steve Jobs had Steve Wozniak, John D. Rockefeller had Henry Flagler, etc. This book helped me to see how people typically fit more into one category than another, and helped me to realize all the skillsets necessary for a visionary organization to grow and prosper.

The Drama Triangle, a transactional analysis tool developed by Dr. Stephen Karpman influenced my career, my books, and my leadership. The idea is that when there's relationship dysfunction it can be identified by three orientations: Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor represented by three points on the triangle, with the Victim landing on the bottom in the one-down position. Dr. Karpman developed this tool for his therapy work, and I adapted his methods and ideology to improve leadership and workplace relationships. This tool helps you to recognize dysfunction and take responsibility for your personal and professional life.

My go to book on strategy has been “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu. "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu is a timeless strategy book that CEOs can benefit from due to its insights into leadership, competition, and strategic thinking. As a CEO, you face complex challenges and competition in the business landscape. Sun Tzu's principles emphasize understanding your environment, assessing strengths and weaknesses, and making calculated decisions. The book teaches the importance of adaptability and flexibility in strategy, which is crucial for CEOs navigating changing markets. It also highlights the value of intelligence gathering and strategic positioning to gain an edge over competitors. By applying concepts from "The Art of War," such as knowing your enemy and yourself, you can better anticipate challenges and opportunities. The book encourages strategic patience and efficiency in resource allocation, enabling you to maximize your company's potential. Embracing these teachings can lead to more effective decision-making and ultimately contribute to your success as a CEO.

Dan Sullivan's books have caused a complete mindset shift for me - twice. The first was through 10X is Easier than 2X, then through Who Not How. It felt like every chapter in both had that "Aha" moment. Who Not How has completely changed the way I recruit and structure teams. The right bums in the right seats is my priority. Once I have that, the rest of the pieces fall into place.

My co-founder, Jose Jacho, introduced me to the HBR (Harvard Business Review) IdeaCast, and it has proven to be an invaluable resource. Given my hectic schedule, I reserve my reading time for fiction books or poetry, hence why "The Tim Ferris Podcast," "How I Built This," and "Masters of Scale" have become constants in my rotation. One book that particularly inspires me is "Walk Through Walls" by Marina Abramovic. I firmly believe that fearlessness, coupled with kindness and empathy, are essential qualities in the leaders whom I admire.

This might sound a bit out there, but I recently re-read the Art of War by Sun Tzu, and was surprised at how much it had influenced my leadership style since I first picked it up in college. It may have been written with conflict in mind, but several lessons therein are also applicable in business. Largely, it's about being prepared and tailoring your response to the situation at hand. Both are incredibly valuable things to keep in mind as a leader. Preparation has been key to my success, and I never go into a situation without a firm plan. Flexibility, and shifting my approach based on environment and culture, is also a trait that I've honed over the years.

There are few books that summarize what I've learned as a leader quite so well as "Leaders Eat Last" by Simon Sinek. The book looks into the concept of leadership that is based on trust, collaboration and empathy because great leaders need to prioritize the overall well-being and success of their teams above their own - a servant leader, to use the Scrum term. The book helped crystalize my own leadership style that is very much in line with what Sinek outlines, because I've long ago realized that a good leader is one that takes themselves out of the process as much as possible except to enable the team of experts that they've hired to do their jobs. By focusing on building strong relationships and not letting ego get in the way, you become the best version of a leader you can be in my opinion.

Worthy of mention in any list like this should be 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' authored by Dale Carnegie. A staple for communication, this book has helped strongly influence and develop my leadership style. I'm now someone who values building strong relationships, fostering open communication, and motivating my team through encouragement and collaboration.

The most invaluable leadership training I've received came from my military education, where I led up to 40 people in high-pressure situations from a very young age. While sometimes this involved direct command and control, often I had to rely on my team's direct knowledge and judgment, setting guardrails but allowing them to make key decisions. This military foundation strongly influences my current role as a CMO, where I lead a global team of 15. I set clear objectives and boundaries, but the methods for achieving our goals are largely up to my team. This approach not only empowers them but also prepares them to take on my role in the future, allowing me to pursue broader strategic opportunities for our business's growth.

I have got many leadership development resources, and am not debating here which is the best; however, I can say frankly that out of all of these resources that I have, Simon Sinek's "Start with Why" book is the most valuable one for me. It changed my way of thinking about leadership, which I thought that the leader should define the major goal and then lead people to achieve that common goal. In the situation of my tech client, I did this by helping them express their "why" and link it to their marketing affairs. This trend only contributed to an increase in customer engagement by another 25%, as well as a 20% higher brand loyalty. As they grasped the calling for their brand and articulated it to their audience, the client was able to develop a connection that transformed engagement to a more meaningful one and consequently resulted in greater loyalty.