Hello, leaders and aspiring leaders! As an executive leadership coach and the director of the Townsend Leadership Program (TLP) in Pittsburgh, PA, I'm passionate about helping individuals grow as effective leaders. In this blog post, I'm excited to share with you some of my favorite leadership books that have been invaluable to me, and several of them are also featured on the TLP Reading List for 2024. Whether you prefer reading in paperback, on an e-reader, borrowing from the library, or listening to audiobooks, these recommendations are accessible in various formats.

Throughout my career, I’ve had to lead people and projects at times of blindsiding loss, the looming passing of loved ones, and struggles with teenagers. It’s hard to focus…it’s hard to lead. Most recently, in the middle of a training day, I had to make a decision to get my golden retriever to the emergency vet. It was a tough call to stop the training day and go to the vet.

As executives and leaders, the journey to success can often feel like a solitary endeavor. The weight of important decisions, strategic planning, and the ever-evolving business landscape can be overwhelming. In such moments, the value of a trusted, non-biased support team is almost immeasurable.

In modern workplaces, the role of a manager is both challenging and rewarding. The responsibility of leading a team to achieve success and maintain harmony is no easy task. Often, managers find themselves juggling various demands and expectations from both superiors and subordinates. In this whirlwind of responsibilities, it becomes crucial for managers to set boundaries at work to ensure a healthy and productive environment. Renowned psychologist and founder of Townsend Leadership Program (TLP) Dr. John Townsend wisely said, "Boundaries are a critical part of life, and they are crucial in having a healthy work-life balance.”

One trait that many executive leaders share is the desire to improve leadership skills and inspire our teams to succeed. I've continuously sought ways to improve my leadership skills throughout my life. One person who has been a valuable mentor and taught me many lessons in leadership is Dr. John Townsend, a renowned clinical psychologist, best-selling author, founder of the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling at Concordia University.

Active listening is the practice of fully focusing on what the other person is saying, understanding their message, validating their feelings, and responding appropriately. Although it makes a lot of sense, this is often easier said than done. You likely have many irons in the fire and this type of communication requires your full attention. The time investment will pay off and often will save many hours wasted due to miscommunication. 

Finding the right mentor can be a game-changer for your career. A mentor can provide guidance, support, and advice, helping you navigate challenges and make informed decisions. But finding an ideal mentor can be challenging, and it requires some effort and strategy. Here’s my advice to find an ideal mentor:

The world is changing faster than ever before, and as a result, today's leaders need to be adaptable. In a rapidly evolving landscape, leaders need to be able to pivot quickly and adapt their strategies to stay relevant and successful. Today I have some ideas to share about why adaptability is a crucial trait for today's leaders and executives.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the rate of reported mental health challenges has significantly increased around our nation. Naturally, these issues spill over into the workplace as well. Team leaders and executives have more conversations than ever with their employees about mental health concerns in the workplace. With this new information in hand, how do leaders better staff and assign work without unfairly disadvantaging someone because of a perceived mental health concern?

Have you ever heard a colleague explaining how overwhelmed they are, and another team member jumps in to pridefully remark about how hard they’ve been working, how many extra hours they’ve put in, or how they go the extra mile? This kind of conversation is not inherently bad, but it squashes empathy throughout the team. The first person opened up about how he or she felt about their work, and the second overrode those feelings with their own prideful view.

Recently, during one of my workshops, I asked an executive, “What do you do for fun?”. He looked at me, looked down and then said, “It’s been so long since I’ve done something fun, I have no idea what I would do.” My heart sank. It was obvious he was worn out mentally and emotionally exhausted.

So many people have stories from past bosses they’ve worked under. There are plenty of awful stories about bosses who weren’t ready to be in leadership, but I’ve always been far more interested in people’s stories about the best bosses they’ve ever had. 

Over the past six months, I’ve heard from more leaders than usual who share that they are exhausted, angry, and feel trapped. They’ve been in jobs, roles, or behaviors far too long and are grieving the loss of purpose and fulfillment. These people are hungry for something different, something life-giving, and something that makes a difference.

In the book, No One Succeeds Alone, the author, Robert Reffkin, recounts his story of how his trials and tribulations shaped his life as a leader and CEO. Through personal stories, Reffkin shares lessons he learned from his mentors, friends, coworkers, and even through antagonists in his life. His book resonates so strongly with me because of how much it speaks to the power of mentorship in a person’s life. I’ve dedicated my career to mentoring and coaching individuals and groups in their leadership skills.

Everyone endures at least a few bumps and bruises along their leadership journeys. Sometimes, the moment you feel like you're at the peak of your game, life throws you one too many curveballs, and it can feel like you're sent back to square one. The key to keeping your momentum going is having the courage to step back up to the plate ready to take another swing. You never know, this just might be the moment you knock it out of the park.

I’ve had weeks where it feels like I’m absolutely drowning in work. They’re the kind of weeks where I finally get one thing done, and it seems like three more urgent tasks come my way! Sometimes, no amount of 12-hour work days, cups of coffee, or power naps can take away the feeling of being overwhelmed. But don’t fret! There is hope! In my years of experience as a Leadership Coach in Pittsburgh, I’ve found some habits to be extremely helpful for reducing fatigue, overcoming your workload, and finally feeling relieved. I want to share 4 of these habits with you today. 

I absolutely hate feeling stuck on a problem without a clear path forward. It feels like running into a brick wall over and over. Sometimes, no matter how you might look at it, certain obstacles seem like they just can’t be overcome. Whenever a challenge becomes that much of a headache, it’s a sign that you need to bring in a teammate who can look at the problem with a new perspective. 

The switch to remote working left many executives scrambling to figure out how to lead effectively from afar. Even once the right communication platforms were in place, some leaders felt like they could not guide their teams properly. Communicating with your team when everyone is remote can feel like talking into a void, but it doesn’t have to be this way. As leading remote teams continues to be the new normal, it’s high time to clarify your remote leadership strategies.

Have you ever walked into the office feeling good, productive, and ready to tackle the day ahead of you, then your boss walks through the office in a sour mood and exuding stress, and it crushes your positive attitude? This is a fairly common occurrence in most offices, and it’s a testament to how much a leader affects the mental and emotional environment in an office setting.

Over the past couple of months, a number of my clients have shared they are struggling with guilt in their leadership. While they are talking about it now, they have struggled with guilt feelings for their entire career, and it’s impacting their decisions.