Abracadabra!: Improve the Place Where You Work by Zelma Lansford, 2007.

For a discount on multiple copies, contact Dr. Lansford directly.

Have you ever wished you could wave a magic wand over your workplace and instantly make your job more enjoyable? Then let Zelma Lansford show you how it can be done easily, cost effectively, and quickly, using key strategies and practices that will turn your workplace from one that makes it challenging to get the job done to a place where you love to do your best.

The 5 Patterns of Extraordinary Careers: The Guide for Achieving Success and Satisfaction by James M. Citrin and Richard Smith, 2003.

Insights gained from the authors’ work with the executive search firm, Spencer Stuart, make this a superb resource for finding and/or succeeding in high level jobs. Of special interest to any executive in transition are the pages, “The Spencer Stuart Survival Guide.”

Predictable Surprises: The Disasters You Should Have Seen Coming, and How to Prevent Them by Max H. Bazerman and Michael D. Watkins, 2004.

This is required reading for any manager who wants to be solution oriented, not just an identifier of potential problems. It will raise the leader’s awareness of risks before they become catastrophes.

Knock ’em Dead 2008 by Martin Yate, 2008.

The latest in a series of Yate’s job search books, this is the beginning point for writing a resume, preparing for an interview, and the other tasks integral to the job search.

Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni, 2006.

This quick read illustrates the costly struggles that result when barriers frustrate productivity and push good people out the door. Lencioni includes methods for combating such losses and creating a unifying direction to achieve positive results. Along with his previous books, and 2007’s Three Signs of a Miserable Job, these texts make excellent choices for discussion groups or “lunch and learn” sessions.

Winning by Jack Welch and Suzy Welch, 2005.

Not in the typical egocentric Welch style, his latest book demonstrates a very different approach toward people. It is a great source for information on leadership, performance assessment, and careers. My favorite quote is, “The world has jerks. Unfortunately, some of them get to be bosses.” (p. 300)

Networking Magic by Rick Frishman and Jill Lublin, 2004.

More than networking, this quick, easy-to-read book is about initiating and maintaining relationships. It has some useful and thought provoking activities along with some great tips for people in sales.

Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell, 2002.

This is a fascinating insight into how trends, epidemics, and fads occur. While it has major implications for marketing, it contains a fascinating analysis of the difference between Blues Clues and Sesame Street, how to discourage children from using tobacco and captivating ideas for anyone.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick M. Lencioni, 2002.

The third of his business fables, Lencioni weaves his observations into a fictional tale of the difficulties of a leadership team and the model that they used to develop collaborative teamwork and organizational success. Lencioni deals with the importance of the leader’s perspective and not allowing a personal power and status needs overcome the need for good business decisions. A quick read, this one is a must for leaders, especially at the top of organizations. Overcoming The Five Dysfunctions of a Team is an additional resource for team development material.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by Jim Collins, 2001.

Not only is this a superb source on great organizations, it includes a valuable perspective of leadership. Collins identifies the components of a what is needed to become a great organization, and in the process, describes why so few actually make it.

Organizing Genius: The Secrets of Creative Collaboration by Warren Bennis and Patricia Ward Biederman, 1997.

My favorite source on teams, this is not so much a “how-to” book on teams as a description of the results of teamwork and the lasting effect it has on those who experience a high performance team. Some examples are more interesting than others, with “Black Mountain” probably being the least compelling, but the overall “lessons” are excellent.

Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by James Collins and Jerry Porras, Harper Business, 1994.

This is the classic study of the components of lasting successful companies, tied to their financial performance over many decades.

PeopleWare: Productive Projects and Teams by Tom DeMarco, 1987.

Intended for enlightening technology managers about how to increase employee value, productivity, and satisfaction, the concepts will apply to many types of employees. With emphasis primarily on providing the appropriate environment and developing opportunities for collaboration, Geeks will love the concepts, but so will anyone who uses a brain at work!

Jamming: The Art and Discipline of Business Creativity by John Kao, 1996.

This is a stimulating resource for harnessing and energizing the creativity that already exists in the organization.

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher by Roger Fisher, 1991.

Useful background reading for building skills in managing conflict.

Getting Past No: Negotiating Your Way from Confrontation to Cooperation by William Ury, 1993.

Useful background reading for building skills in managing conflict.

Developing Management Skills, Fifth Edition by David Whetten and Kim Cameron, 2002.

This is a great comprehensive text for the graduate student with exercises, questions, case studies, and foundation material.