Tons of Tools

Welcome to the Read & Lead Blog! The best leaders are always reading, learning, and growing. This blog will help leaders like you build your own library. As a student of leadership and history, I want to share some of my favorite books and why I think they can help you on your leadership journey. Each post includes a brief description and why each book belongs in your library. You can follow the links provided to purchase them.

The Go Point: When It's Time to Decide--Knowing What to Do and When to Do It

Dave Maddox

Mar 9, 20201 min read

The Go Point: When It's Time to Decide--Knowing What to Do and When to Do It

by Michael Useem October 3, 2006 288 pages One of the reasons I started studying history and leadership because I have always been...

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Cigars, Whiskey, and Winning: Leadership Lessons from General Ulysses S. Grant

Dave Maddox

Feb 19, 20201 min read

Cigars, Whiskey, and Winning: Leadership Lessons from General Ulysses S. Grant

by Al Kaltman April 1, 2000 322 pages Ulysses S. Grant was one of America’s greatest generals, leading Union forces to victory in many of...

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Ego vs. EQ: How Top Leaders Beat 8 Ego Traps with Emotional Intelligence

Dave Maddox

Feb 4, 20201 min read

Ego vs. EQ: How Top Leaders Beat 8 Ego Traps with Emotional Intelligence

by Jen Shirkani November 5, 2013 218 pages I had the pleasure of reading this after hosting the author at a book event several years ago....

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The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential

Dave Maddox

Jan 20, 20202 min read

The 5 Levels of Leadership: Proven Steps to Maximize Your Potential

by John C. Maxwell September 3, 2013 304 pages No leadership library would be complete without at least one book from John C. Maxwell,...

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Crucial Accountability: Tools for Resolving Violated Expectations, Broken Commitments & Bad Behavior

Dave Maddox

Jan 17, 20201 min read

Crucial Accountability: Tools for Resolving Violated Expectations, Broken Commitments & Bad Behavior

by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler, David Maxfield June 14, 2013 304 pages I recommend this book very highly...

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Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You’re Told to Do is Wrong

Dave Maddox

Jan 14, 20202 min read

Intelligent Disobedience: Doing Right When What You’re Told to Do is Wrong

by Ira Chaleff July 7, 2015 224 pages Boy, do we need this book! Many of us have faced situations where we were told to do something that...

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Courage Goes to Work: How to Build Backbones, Boost Performance, and Get Results

Dave Maddox

Jan 13, 20201 min read

Courage Goes to Work: How to Build Backbones, Boost Performance, and Get Results

by Bill Treasurer December 28, 2012 284 pages I have always felt that courage was the missing competency in many leaders. Aristotle said...

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Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems

Dave Maddox

Jan 13, 20201 min read

Polarity Management: Identifying and Managing Unsolvable Problems

by Barry Johnson June 12, 2014 292 pages Okay, this isn’t a mainstream leadership book, but it does address a challenge that many leaders...

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Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World

Dave Maddox

Jan 7, 20202 min read

Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World

by General Stanley McChrystal May 12, 2015 304 pages A friend in the Richmond Police Department recommended this book to me. Once I...

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