December is a time for celebrating with family and friends and—when you’ve had enough holiday cheer—a time to retreat to a cozy, fireside chair and catch up on reading. Here are three books to help you reset, recharge and revive your leadership style for 2019... and one thrilling book with a cautionary tale.
"Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t" by Simon Sinek

Sinek points out that what the Ancient Romans and our contemporary military leaders do by dining last is actually an ingenious way of preserving group cohesion, synergy and productivity, as well as providing a sense of belonging. An authority who can mitigate risks for her team—even to the point of sacrificing her own comfort, safety, reputation or credit for the organization’s achievements—is a leader. In the end, doing something as simple as sharing a corporate perk or offering hands-on help with a project, instills a sense of belonging that we, as humans, need. Sinek cautions against advice often given to execs in the entrepreneurial world: “look after yourself first” or “pay yourself first.” True leaders, regardless of what field they are in, are those who sacrifice their own comforts so that their subordinates feel safe. By doing so, the entire group is more effective.
"The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" by John C. Maxwell

This isn’t that kind of book.
Dr. John Maxwell devoted a good bit of his lifework to this book. As an academic, he draws from 40 years of experience and research, citing case studies from the worlds of business, politics, sports, religion and the military. It is one of those books—like Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, Machiavelli’s The Prince, or Greene’s 48 Laws of Power—that I would want my children to read before they go off into the world.
The book is thick. But like any long pilgrimage, it is definitely worth it. Expect to spend a few hours absorbing this tome. If you are already a leader, this will make you a better one. If you wish to be a leader, learn from it. Maxwell’s combination of leadership strategies, relevant examples, and his experience makes this a worthwhile reference in your literary arsenal.
"Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup" by John Carreyrou

This book is a page-turner, but if you don’t have time to read it, there's good news: A film version is currently in production starring Jennifer Lawrence and directed by Adam McKay.
"Rebel Talent: Why It Pays to Break the Rules at Work and in Life" by Francesca Gino

But which came first? Did success breed rebellion? Or did rebellion lead to success? Professor Gino makes the case that rebels—the ones who don’t just break the rules, but invent a better way—do more successful, challenging and original work, and we, as a society, follow those types of leaders. Her book, published in May 2018, uses storytelling and case studies to teach readers how to fight against convention and train their minds to avoid stereotypes. Read this book and unleash your inner rebel... just in time for 2019.