The Minimum Viable Library has released a new edition focused on Agile Leadership. The curated collection includes books such as “Turn The Ship Around!” by L. David Marquet, “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek, “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, “Servant Leadership” by Robert K. Greenleaf, “Team of Teams” by General Stanley McChrystal and others. These resources provide valuable insights for agile practitioners interested in improving their leadership skills and implementing successful agile transformations.
Introducing the Agile Leadership Edition of the Minimum Viable Library!
We have curated a collection of books, newsletters, podcasts, and tools to help expand your knowledge of agile leadership.
Our recommendations cover a wide range of topics, from the importance of self-managed teams and trust-based environments to the crucial roles of accountability and resilience. While the concept of “servant leadership” may be fading, its principles of empowerment and collaboration still hold true. Additionally, stories of transformations in traditional environments highlight the value of decentralized leadership and fast communication.
Here are six books that we believe are essential for anyone serious about agile leadership:
1. “Turn The Ship Around! A True Story of Turning Followers Into Leaders” by L. David Marquet: This book challenges traditional leadership models and promotes a culture where everyone is a leader. It draws parallels with the concept of self-management in scrum.
2. “Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t” by Simon Sinek: Sinek outlines a vision of workplaces where trust and fulfillment triumph over cynicism and self-interest. He emphasizes creating a “Circle of Safety” that prioritizes the well-being of teams, fostering collaboration, autonomy, respect, and ultimately, performance.
3. “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win” by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin: Willink and Babin explore lessons in agile leadership learned from their experiences in combat, highlighting the importance of accountability, resilience, and a relentless focus on mission success. They stress that there are no bad teams, only bad leadership.
4. “Servant Leadership: A Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness” by Robert K. Greenleaf: This book revolutionizes traditional leadership approaches with a holistic, ethical model. It emphasizes empowerment and collaboration to foster smarter and more autonomous (scrum) teams.
5. “Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World” by General Stanley McChrystal, David Silverman, Tantum Collins, Chris Fussell: This book tells the story of the transition from traditional tactics to a highly agile and transparent “Team of Teams” strategy in the Iraq war. Its focus on decentralization and fast communication has proven effective in various settings, offering transformative insights for leaders in any organization.
6. “The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership” by Bill Walsh, Steve Jamison, Craig Walsh: Walsh’s transformative leadership led the San Francisco 49ers from a low point to a dynasty and changed the way football is played. This book offers valuable insights applicable to leadership roles in all industries, including agile organizations.
By gathering carefully curated resources into a Minimum Viable Library, we aim to provide agile practitioners with valuable knowledge in accessible formats. This helps individuals stay up-to-date, adapt to challenges, and drive successful agile transformations.
We would love to hear your suggestions for essential books, newsletters, podcasts, and tools for agile practitioners interested in agile leadership. Please share your ideas in the comments.
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