Suggested CIO Reading for 2013

Last week, we asked you to help us update our list of great business and leadership books. As always, your contributions were excellent and varied. To wit, one recommendation is an ancient sanscrit epic. Thanks for all of your suggestions!

So, You're a Creative Genius... Now What? by Carl King
"While this book has been out for a little while now, this has been one of the ones I've been recommending lately. For many of the most gifted Leaders I’ve run into, the creative process plays a huge role in how they do their thing, especially in the always-innovative IT world. At the very least it provides good insight into the mindset of the Geeks and Rebels of the world that you’ll likely find yourself leading (if you are lucky)"
-Michael Kohlman, Information Systems Manager, Cook Group Inc.

A Man Called Intrepid: The Incredible WWII Narrative of the Hero Whose Spy Network and Secret Diplomacy Changed the Course of History by William Stevenson
-Andrew Dailey, Managing Director, MGI Research

Up the Organization: How to Stop the Corporation from Stifling People and Strangling Profits by Robert C. Townsend and Warren Bennis
"Here's another leadership classic, timely in light of Avis - ZipCar deal."
-Andrew Dailey, Managing Director, MGI Research

Great by Choice: Uncertainty, Chaos, and Luck--Why Some Thrive Despite Them All by Jim Collins and Morten T. Hansen
"Great insight on how to deal with adversity and uncertainty - prepare for the tough times and maintain discipline."
-Michael Del Priore, SVP and CIO, Catalent Pharma Solutions

Yes to the Mess: Surprising Leadership Lessons from Jazz by Frank J. Barrett
"Someone jokingly asked me if it is a book about embracing dysfunction. No. It's about improvisation as an added dimension of leadership and management. Very relevant for today's world."
-Patrick Laughran, CIO, Framingham State University

Turn the Ship Around!: How to Create Leadership at Every Level by David Marquet
"By far a must read for any leader at any level."
-Matthew Henry, CIO, LeTourneau University

Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter, by Liz Wiseman
"Do not lead or attempt to lead without reading this! It will open your eyes and change you!"
-Matthew Henry, CIO, LeTourneau University

The Power of Pull: How Small Moves, Smartly Made, Can Set Big Things in Motion by John Hagel III, John Seely Brown, and Lang Davison
"After reading the book I led an initiative to change the way the Society for Information Management (SIM) explores and selects its involvement in STEM initiatives an a national level."
-Michael Brooks, Kforce Inc.

The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else In Business, by Patrick Lencioni
"Major focus on creating a cohesive team."
-Jeff Main, AVP Information Systems, Union Pacific

American Icon: Alan Mulally and the Fight to Save Ford Motor Company by Bryce G. Hoffman
"Another book I just read recently that helped provide new perspective on my own growth."
-Kevin Chase, CIO, Energy Future Holdings

"I might sound crazy but one of the best leadership/management/philosophy/politics etc. book(s) was(ere) written around 540 - 300 B.C. It is actually a collection of books (Mahabharata, BhagavadGita, Ramayana, etc). The general population see them as epic stories but they offer unbelievable information (only if you know what to look for!) and there has been quite a bit of scholarly research on the content."
-KK

View previously published book list