Long ago a leadership guru told me he retained far more by reading/listening/watching 1 quality book/tape/DVD 10 times than 10 various once. Made sense to me! Years later I can say it was one of the best decisions I made. I am always having so many books suggested and so little time. I  base my selections on author, reputation, my own familiarity with author and topic, practicality, applicability, length.

Here are some of the important lessons off the top of my head that I’ve learned from these various sources.

Don’t give up until you find your Grant-Lincoln on Leadership

Decisions precede results. Make sound decisions. John Maxwell

Risk Reversal-Jay Abraham

Stick to the knitting-Executive Excellence

Catch people doing something right-One Minute Manager

Law of the Lid-21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

Resolve conflicting stories by putting all the people in a room together-Lincoln

Always leave yourself a fallback position and your opponent a way to save face-JFK

People remember how you made them feel, not what you said or did-Maya Angelou

BATNA-Getting to Yes

Every business has 5 critical 12`positions whether you realize it or not. You may occupy multiple positions if you own the Company!: Visionary, Integrator, Ops, Marketing, Finance

So many practical ideas, too many to list!-Harvey Mackay, Swim with the Sharks.

If I had to recommend 3 books: Lincoln on Leadership, Getting to Yes, Swim with the Sharks. These books are all about 30 years old or more. Their lessons stand the test of time

What are the very best references that you recommend?