I think it’s an especially great question for you and me to be asking ourselves. Why? Because being a lifelong learner is a crucial mindset for strong, successful leaders. Every great leader believes that. In my training course, 7 Days to Becoming a Great Manager, I make the following statement,

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a successful executive and now as a successful business owner, it’s this. You can never stop learning. You can never stop growing and investing in your future. The minute you do, the descent begins.”

There’s really no such thing as sitting still. In the global, fast-paced environment we’re operating in, you’re either progressing forward, or sliding backward. The pace of this movement may vary, but there’s always movement. Great leaders believe this. Don’t be fooled into believing otherwise.

There are many ways to intentionally invest in learning and in the coming weeks I’ll be giving my top picks for enjoyable and productive learning. You should focus on the one or two methods that are most enjoyable and productive for you. Here’s my favorite option:

Reading great books. I would encourage you to make sure you read a variety of books. The best leaders I know read far beyond the business/leadership genre. Reading stimulates creative thinking and helps to keep us in a mode of being open to new ideas and possibilities. And with the rise of audiobooks, this is more accessible than ever, even to busy travelers.

Best of the Best

Here are ten of my favorite (i.e. most impactful) books of all time, not in any particular order. These have all shaped me as a person and have impacted how I lead.

1. Leadership and Self Deception (The Arbinger Institute) – I’m very close to making this a requirement for every one of my coaching clients. It’s a powerful book about how we look at ourselves and others and, if you allow it, will have a radical impact on your relationships at work and home.

2. The Advantage (Patrick Lencioni) – This is the best of Patrick Lencioni. In this book he takes all of the wisdom he and his team have gained through the years and puts it in practitioner’s terms. Clear and straightforward, this book hits the mark.

3. The Power of Full Engagement (Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz) – This is one of the best books I’ve read this year. It’s had a tremendous impact on my health and productivity and will do the same for you. These authors bring their research based approach right to the heart and mind of leaders.

4. Undaunted Courage (Stephen Ambrose) – I read this book many years ago, but have never forgotten it. It’s a riveting account of the harrowing journey of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery, but has some tremendous leadership lessons tucked inside.

5. Crucial Conversations (Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, Switzler) – Every adult should read this book. It’s not only one of the best business books I’ve read, but has immediate and obvious application to every relationship in which you and I are involved. It’s about how to skillfully navigate difficult conversations.

6. Getting Things Done (David Allen) – David Allen uncovers and passes along some crucial insights into how we think about work and other tasks. In addition, he communicates a wonderful and closed-loop process for getting the things done that matter most to us.

7. Integrity (Henry Cloud) – Integrity is more than simple honesty, it’s the key to success. A person with integrity has the ability to pull everything together, to make it all happen no matter how challenging the circumstances. This is essential reading for every aspiring leader.

8. The Bible (God) – The best-selling book in the history of mankind. It has impacted me more than any other book on the planet. I read it almost daily to ground myself in the truth.

9. Good to Great (Jim Collins) – This book has become a classic that’s referenced in leadership circles across the globe. Collins’ research and writing once again hit a home run in helping business owners and leaders everywhere understand what creates and sustains greatness.

10. The Power of Habit (Charles Duhigg) – This is probably the most intriguing book I’ve read recently. It gives powerful insight into how habits work, both personally and organizationally. It also shows us how we can change them, when needed, to get more positive results.