In my role as a leadership consultant I am frequently asked about the books that I read and recommend. During the past few months I have found myself recommending the same handful of books and thought it might be worthwhile to share my recommendations here.

First of all, I need to tell you that I have a bias when it comes to the books that I read. My bias is that if I am going to read a book, the concepts and ideas being presented must meet two criteria: First, they must be explained in simple and direct terms. It has always seemed to me that ideas that need a lot of detailed explanation usually do not offer new creative insights – at least not the kind of conceptual insights that trigger the creative connections in my brain that I thrive upon. Second, the concepts and ideas must have real world applicability. In other words, how is my behavior going to change as a result of what I am learning?

So what books have done that for me?

One of the books on the top of my list is The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell. I know that this book has been out there for a few years, but it still is on my “Must Read” list. Why? For the simple reason that it challenges me to think of problems in a different context than I normally feel comfortable with. 

As a consultant I often work with leaders and managers that are either in the midst of guiding change in their organizations or are overwhelmed by the changes that are occurring without their control, influence or leadership. This book provides profound insights into how change can occur and the role that key individuals can play in that process.

But the real reason that I like this book, and I have read it three times, is that it challenges me to think about my “normal” world in different ways – ways that sometimes make me feel uncomfortable.  But it is in that uncomfortable area that I gain new insights and find growth areas. You will too. Read this book. But do it with a highlighter in your hand and notepad handy to record the new ideas that spring into your head while you are reading. This book is a true thought catalyst.

Check out Gladwell’s blog, http://gladwell.typepad.com/gladwellcom/ or if you want to learn more about the Tipping Point check out the Q&A with Gladwell at http://www.gladwell.com/tippingpoint/index.html.  Read a few of the book excerpts on this page and you will want to run out and get a copy of this book for your own personal library. Also check out the New Yorker Archive section which has a bunch of Gladwell articles. This guy has a an interesting, sometimes weird slant on things – and he will always make you think.

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