My friend Wally Bock publishes a reminder every year for us to make our summer reading lists. That’s my cue to build and share mine. I suspect a few of these professional development reads might trickle over onto my into my fall reading; however, it’s good to have an inventory of great books at the ready! And remember, “Leaders are readers!”

I hope you find ideas and inspiration here! 

Sidebar: I will publish a listing of Recommended Reads for Leaders under separate cover. All the books here are new to me. 

Art Petty’s Summer 2023 Reading List

Best Team Ever: The Surprising Science of High Performing Teams by David Burkus.

Power to the Middle: Why Managers Hold the Keys to the Future of Work by Bill Schaninger, Bryan Hancock, and Emily Field (to be released on July 18, 2023).

Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot’s Lessons on Leading with Courage, by Kim “KC” Campbell.

The Leap to Leader: How Ambitious Managers Make the Jump to Leadership by Adam Bryant (to be released July 11, 2023).

Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts, and Change the World, by Sally Susman.

Good Power: Leading Positive Change in Our Lives, Work and World by Ginni Rometty.

The Commandant’s Professional Reading List (U.S. Marine Corps): two selections t.b.d.

Leadership Styles: Directing, Discussing, Delegating, by Paul Thornton.

Ideaflow: The Only Metric that Matters by Jeremy Utley, Perry Klebahn, and David Kelley.

The Search: Finding Meaningful Work in a Post Career World, by Bruce Feller.

Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity, by Peter Attia, MD with Bill Gifford.

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OK, that’s a good list that will keep me up reading late into the evenings and on any rainy Wisconsin days headed our way (need more of those right now!) And yes, I’ll throw in some sci-fi, historical fiction, and a few detective procedurals plus at least one biography to make sure there’s a bit of spice here.

If you choose one or more, drop a note at [email protected] and let me know your favorites and what you liked about them. I’ll share your insights with the Leadership Caffeine e-News audience!

Happy Reading, and Happy Summer!

Art's Signature