2010 Book Recommendations for "Leadership as Artistry"

Last month we sent out an article I wrote called “Leadership as Artistry: A Perspective Whose Time Has Come”. This article talked about what this concept entails, why it’s important, and how we can develop the necessary capacities. I promised to devote future writings to this topic of “the how”…especially critical since the development of these largely non-intellectual, right brain oriented ways of seeing, listening, sensing and being require new approaches.

As part of this quest, I’ve listed 25 books that will help you better understand this concept. Some of these books are a quick read and highly accessible, others are more academic and a bit heavier. All offer pearls of wisdom that will enable you to walk the path of leadership as artistry.

I’d love to hear from you as you embark upon your journey with this material.

(Also, let me know if you want to join a book club or telecourse involving this stuff).

Here you go:
Collective Wisdom by Alan Briskin
The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything by Ken Robinson
Sparks of Genius: The 13 Thinking Tools of the World’s Most Creative People by Robert & Michelle Root-Bernstein
The Design of Business: Why Design Thinking is the Next Competitive Advantage by Roger Martin
The Story Factor: Inspiration, Influence and Persuasion Through the Art of Storytelling by Annette Simmons
Crossing the Unknown Sea: Works as a Pilgrimage of Identity by David Whyte
The Dance of Leadership: The Art of Leading in Business, Government and Society by Robert & Janet Denhardt
Aesthetic Intelligence: Reclaim the Power of Your Senses by Rochelle Muncha
Visionary Leadership Skills: Creating a World to Which People Want to Belong by Robert Dilts
Theory U: Leading From the Future As It Emerges by Otto Scharmer
The Four Powers of Leadership: Presence, Intention, Wisdom, Compassion by David Kyle.
Artful Work: Awakening Joy, Meaning, & Commitment in the Workplace by Dick Richards.
The Three Faces of Leadership: Manager, Artist, Priest by Mary Jo Hatch, Monika Kostera & Andrzej Kozminski.
A Way of Seeing: Perception, Imagination & Poetry by John Allison
Leaders Make the Future: Ten New Leadership Skills for an Uncertain World by Bob Johansen.
Creative Leadership: Skills That Drive Change by Gerard Puccio, Mary Murdock, and Marie Mance
Artful Making: What Managers Need to Know About How Artists Work by Rob Austin & Lee Devin
Aesthetic Leadership: Managing Fields of Flow in Art and Business by Pierre Guillet de Monthoux andcolleagues.
The Art of Management and the Aesthetic Manager: The Coming Way of Business by John Dobson
In Praise of Slowness: How a Worldwide Movement is Challenging the Cult of Speed by Carl Honore
How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day by Michael Gelb
The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World by David Abram
The Opposable Mind: How Successful Leaders Win Through Integrative Thinking by Roger Martin
Group Genius: The Creative Power of Collaboration by Keith Sawyer
Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius by Michael Michalko
Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul by Stuart Brown

Enjoy!!
Warmly, Ipek