From Leadership to Habit Building: 12 Books That Will Enrich Your Fall Library

Fall is the perfect time to cocoon yourself in a warm sweater, sightsee some foliage, and make yourself a hot cup of soup, but there’s one additional activity our leaders swear by: diving into a good book. Needless to say, the Keller Williams team recommends this activity regardless of season, rain or shine. But, if you’ve suddenly found yourself with an extra boost of motivation as the days become shorter, we’ve got you covered. Here are 12 books to sink your teeth into, straight from the libraries of kwx and KWRI leadership.

Twelve Books to Add to Your Reading List

Marc King, president, KWRI

Liz Wiseman, “Impact Players” – New York Times bestselling author and researcher Liz Wiseman’s work revolves around how to contribute in big and meaningful ways. In Impact Players, she explores the question of how some people are able to create a lasting impact within an organization as others go through the motions. The book explores what type of mindset shift can give everyone the ability to contribute at the highest level. In an interview with King, Wiseman says, “It’s not about some people being smarter, more talented or more hardworking than others. It’s – they’re working and they’re thinking about their work in ways that are different from other people.” Watch the full interview below.

Liz Wiseman, “Multipliers” – In Multipliers, Wiseman identifies five disciplines that distinguish leaders that amplify their teams from those that drain their colleagues. In addition, she provides nine accidentally diminishing behaviors to watch out for on your leadership journey. This book is a great tool for learning to become a leader who uses their intelligence to amplify those around them – also known as a multiplier.

Bill Hybels, “Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs” – Fitting in naturally with Keller Williams’ cultural pillar of “God, family, then business,” Bill Hybels’ Axiom explores how his God-given convictions have shaped his leadership strategies in his role as senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church. In particular, he zeroes in on four key leadership categories: vision and strategy, teamwork and communication, activity and assessment, and personal integrity.

Carl Liebert, chief executive officer, kwx

D. Michael Abrashoff, “It’s Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy” – As a U.S. Navy veteran himself, kwx CEO Carl Liebert connects with the subject matter on a personal level. In It’s Your Ship, Abrashoff, who took command of the USS Benfold, came to the realization that he needed to improve his own leadership skills in order to improve his ship. The book follows Captain Abrashoff’s quest to successfully manage his ship, including the ways in which he involved the crew, his communication style, and focusing on a purpose to create discipline.

Kevan Hall, “Making the Matrix Work: How Matrix Managers Engage People and Cut Through Complexity” – In this book, Hall goes beyond traditional management training, focusing instead on the challenges of a matrix structure, such as competing goals, and a more complex environment. To do so, the book focuses on providing practical tools in three areas: flexibility, connectivity and effectiveness, and a new way to create control. This book is perfect for leaders who are ready to develop their mindset and take control of their goals.

James Shaw, vice president of learning

Jon Acuff, “Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done” – If you are a quick starter but have trouble getting to the finish line, this book is for you. Acuff offers research-based strategies to give yourself the gift of done. And the best part? They are counterintuitive, and focused on taking the pressure off instead of adding more to the plate.

Jonah Berger, “Contagious: Why Things Catch On” – Why DO things catch on? In Berger’s Contagious, he explores the question of popularity, particularly when it comes to word-of-mouth and social transmission. This book focuses on six basic principles that help everything from consumer products to YouTube videos to become ‘contagious.’

Marc & Angel Chernoff, “1000+ Little Things Happy Successful People Do Differently” – Celebrate your existence. Appreciate life’s perfect moments. Fill your own bucket. Paving the path to a more successful life does not only rest in grandiose actions, but in the small everyday ways in which you show up for yourself. The Chernoffs make this point within their book by bringing together a collection of the best advice on timeless lessons, nurturing relationships, tough truths, and more.

Rodney Scott, “Rodney Scott’s World of BBQ” – What’s life without a scrumptious meal? Whether you’re a connoisseur or a BBQ novice, Rodney Scott’s recipes will pave the path to your own award-winning (or, at least ‘family seal of approval’-winning) smoked prime rib, pork T-bones, or fried chicken.

Matt Green, head of agent growth and experience

Sean Covey, Jim Huling & Chris McChesney, “The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals” – If your implementation style is formulaic, this may be the right book for you to pick up. The four disciplines are simple and repeatable ways to execute your top strategic priorities and produce quality results. This proven set of practices includes focusing on the wildly important, acting on lead measures, keeping a compelling scoreboard, and creating a cadence of accountability.

Jay Papasan, vice president of strategic content

Chet Holmes, “The Ultimate Sales Machine: Turbocharge Your Business with Relentless Focus on 12 Key Strategies” – With The Ultimate Sales Machine, the task of the day is focus. Holmes covers plenty of ground on how to transform your business into a well-oiled sales machine. In an environment where a corporation fails every three minutes, it’s never a bad time to brush up on time management, strategy, marketing, and finding talent – among many other important skills.

Katy Milkman, “How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be” – In How to Change, first-time author Katy Milkman explores the path of getting from your current situation to where you want to be. This begs the question: What’s standing between you and your success? Through her research, Milkman is able to explore the topic and share strategic methods for overcoming common hurdles. Whether you are impulsive, a procrastinator, both, or something in between, this book will provide you with invaluable knowledge to push through your specific barricades. In an interview with Jay Papasan, Milkman takes an in-depth look at goal-setting strategy.

Meredith Maples, senior director of KWU

John Doerr, “Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs” – In this New York Times bestseller, venture capitalist Doerr looks at the connection between a goal-setting system of objectives and key results (OKRs) and the tech giants that have benefited from explosive growth by employing this method. The book is filled with case studies that leave behind rich lessons all leaders can benefit from.

What’s on YOUR Reading List?

What are the topics that you are most interested in exploring this fall? Which books and authors have made it on your reading list? And which leadership-recommended books are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments section!

Twelve Books to Add to Your Reading List

What’s on YOUR Reading List?

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