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By Lindsay LaNore, ICBA
In a rapidly changing world, it’s more important than ever to commit to lifelong learning, but it’s just as challenging to find time for it. However, extending education beyond the classroom can be as easy as planning a reading list, starting a departmental book club, or gifting each member of your team a book they love.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are some great suggestions from members of the ICBA Banking Education Committee.
- the fred factorMark Sanborn: The most recommended book on this list, The Fred Factor uses the true story of a community-minded mailman to educate readers on how to make a real difference every day and build strong relationships.
- The five dysfunctions of a teamPatrick Lencioni: Told from the perspective of a CEO whose team struggles to bankrupt his company, this fable reveals why teams often struggle and often fail, with tips on how to avoid it.
- Becoming a person of influenceJohn C. Maxwell and Jim Dornan: A must-read, this classic teaches readers how to interact more effectively with others, whether you’re a bank leader or a parent.
- The advantagePatrick Lencioni: Lencioni was a popular choice for this list, and this work on organizational health is recommended as a great group read for leadership teams.
- The speed of trustStephen M.R. Covey: It won’t be surprising that trust is essential to a successful business, but this book makes the case that it’s a key competency in our global economy, with advice on how to grow it.
- great leaders growKen Blanchard and Mark Miller: This recommended reading advocates that personal growth is critical to leadership success and offers help designing a unique growth plan.
- Results that lastQuint Studer: It may have been written for the medical profession, but one of our members loved this book so much that he asks every new team member to read it.
- the generous leaderBob Burg and John David Mann: A parable about a chair manufacturer forced to modernize in order to survive was chosen as a year-end gift for all supervisors at one of our member banks.
- Make your bedWilliam H. McRaven: Written by an admiral who trained as a Navy SEAL, this intriguingly titled book shares principles gained in basic training that can change the way we work.
- thanks for being lateThomas L. Friedman: A highly praised guide to overcoming stress while surrounded by accelerations in technology, globalization, and the environment, this is another must-read, if only to find out what the title means!
We thank Shane Pilarski, Aaron Panton, Brenda Foster, Martha Haymaker, Jason Jones, Josh Pape, Noah Wilcox, Frankie Cole, and Emily Mays for their contributions.
lindsay la nore (lindsay.lanore@icba.org) is ICBA Group Executive Vice President and Director of Learning and Experience
