Corporate culture. Social engagement. Inclusivity and diversity. These are just a few of the ideologies that have become essential in the workplace in recent years. The reality is that these things were always essential, however, leadership within organizations had a more minimalistic view of their role within their team. The cheapest and most effective way to increase your team’s understanding of the new culture of business and to improve morale overall, is to encourage them to read together. Here are some of our favorite books for corporate book clubs that encourage engagement, enhance team cohesion, and fuel conversation.
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
If there is one thing that is well known about improving corporate culture, it is making sure that your leaders and employees know that they are valued and seen as humans with lives outside of their work. Brené Brown fuses her unique research on vulnerability in the workplace to guide readers through the benefits of understanding the people who work for you and how to nourish their potential for their own growth and the good of your business.
Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson
Erikson’s work is not only fun to read but is increasingly helpful in mastering communication. The fastest way to derail a team is to have poor communication. Erikson dives deep into his four key behavior types and how to communicate despite the differences and challenges inherent in each type. If you enjoy this one, he has another publication, Surrounded by Psychopaths, that is just as good.
Talking to Strangers by Malcolm Gladwell
Gladwell’s books are a staple in the genre of investigative journalism because they are well-researched and global in their approach to the topic. His newest book is no different and engages and rarely-engaged topic—our confidence in our faulty decision-making. In Talking to Strangers, Gladwell engages the ways in which our decision-making tools have failed to clarify and guide us to making the best decisions. This book is sure to cultivate conversation between leaders and their team regarding decisions, dealing with difficult clients or projects, and how to overcome our confidence when it doesn’t serve us well.
Emotional Agility by Susan David
The pandemic changed the reality of life and work for everyone in the world for over a year and will continue to do so in the future. A byproduct of the multitude of changes experienced by the world is diminished mental health and changed perspectives of work and family balance. David addresses this in her book and encourages techniques for navigating the changes that must occur in the workplace and in our personal lives so that we can begin to thrive and make better decisions about how we want our lives to look.
The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
The Culture Code is one of the most influential and helpful books we have read about fostering a healthy and unique corporate culture. It turns out that creating a corporate culture, regardless of business size, is an extremely nuanced business. The way we have been taught to engage, encourage, and support in the world of business has been outed as being flawed and Coyle exposes these flaws through various case studies of well-known businesses so that you can begin to positively change the dynamic of your corporate culture.
So, You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
This book is a bold introduction to the race conversation in America. The format in which each chapter answers an often-asked question regarding race allows for chapter-by-chapter discussion. This book is a great starting point for reading about difficult conversations regarding inclusion, diversity, and various -isms in your corporate book club. While the conversation surrounding this book may begin uncomfortably, it is likely that there will also be increased team cohesion and understanding when you are done.
What books do you plan to read or have already read to support your leadership skills?
