So much of leadership in practice is about communication and relationships – with oneself as well as with others. This reading list sets out to identify those books that support a style of communication that is rooted in an understanding of our true nature and in the ‘win, win’ values psychologists identify. This is about sustainable approaches which meet the needs of everyone involved.

Resonant Leadership: Renewing Yourself and Connecting with Others Through Mindfulness, Hope, and Compassion
Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee

Boyatzis and McKee set out to translate the research findings outlined in their book (with Daniel Goleman) The New Leaders into practical approaches, recognising the extraordinary demands placed on leaders in today’s world.

Words that Change Minds: Mastering the Language of Influence
Shelley Rose Charvet

Our success in communication reflects our ability to appreciate the way others see the world as well as to understand our own views and perspectives. Shelle Rose Charvet’s book stands out in helping the reader to understand the language of influence.

Influence: Science and Practice
Robert B. Cialdini

Cialdini’s book comes highly recommended for anyone who has to market their ideas. This includes leaders as well as salespeople, trainers and others.

The Courage to Love: Principles and Practice of Self Relations Psychotherapy
Stephen Gilligan

Love may not be top of the list as a subject for leaders. Still, Gilligan’s book is valuable reading for the leader who wants to understand and develop his relationship with himself or others.

Nonviolent Communication: A Language for Life
Marshall Rosenberg

This is the book I have most often recommended to others since I first read it in 2003. If you want to develop an approach to leadership which understands human nature and is rooted in values of compassion and accountability, this is your essential “must read”.

The Skilled Facilitator Approach
Roger Schwarz

Schwarz’s book stands alongside Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication in translating the findings of leadership theory into clear values and approaches for effective communication. Also a leadership “must read”.

Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success in Work and in Life: One Conversation at a Time
Susan Scott

Scott makes a compelling case for open, honest and courageous conversations in every area of our lives and demonstrates how they act to create momentum, progress and success. Any senior leader who baulks at reading Scott’s input needs to keep reading – again and again and again.

Getting to Yes: Negotiating an Agreement Without Giving In
Roger Fisher, William Ury, Bruce Patton

and

Getting Past No: Negotiating with Difficult People
William Ury

Fisher, Ury and Patton have outlined ways of negotiating such that everyone wins. And whilst you may rarely think of the conversations you have as “negotiations”, you may find the wisdom outlined in these two small books supports you in the day-to-day business of leadership – from performance appraisals to meetings of the Board.