It's that time of year when we tell Santa how nice we have been. Well, he also has some secrets to share with us. In The Leadership Secrets of Santa Claus, Eric Harvey provides an engaging approach to leadership using Santa as the model and focusing on strong teams, motivated employees, and a positive work environment. No wonder the North Pole is so productive. Merry Christmas and jolly reading!

Leaders must transform their thinking about workplace culture in this rapidly evolving business climate. Reset by Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. offers a roadmap to implementing strategies to keep great talent, create the right culture and redefine the employee experience. The world is changing and we need to keep up!

Change is a constant, but how we deal with change can vary depending on our past experiences. John Kotter and Dan Cohen's The Heart of Change takes you beyond the mechanics of the change process and places an emphasis on emotional engagement. Through practical action steps and real-life examples, "The Heart of Change" can become your guide to successfully leading change.

Each day we create a to do list, and each day it seems like we never get to the end of that list. Neen James' Folding Time provides a path to not only improve your productivity, but time management for your entire team. Whether it is at work or at home - she has a five step process that can make you feel like you are now in the Matrix!

Fierce Conversations has been a great resource for my leadership development training sessions! Leaders wanting to improve communications with employees may not know where to start, but Susan Scott does.

In “Fierce Conversations,” Scott provides ways to enhance team communications and utilize coaching opportunities – even when it comes to the hardest conversations.

Patrick Lencioni's pyramid model for teamwork is a framework that I continually point to in leadership development training and helping organizations understand how to handle conflict.

For leaders, the CARES model provides a guide through the trials of a rapidly changing leadership landscape. Amid the demographic, generational, and social diversity of today’s workplace, take the time to ask, Who Cares? – and transform your team.

It is said that Emotional Intelligence is more important to a leader's success than their IQ. However too many leaders fail to understand the importance of understanding themselves or their relationship to others. Karen Nutter's The Power of EQ is a great tool to help leaders improve interpersonal relationships and maximize their potential.

We joined the profession because we fell into it or, in some cases, were pushed. We stay in the profession because we love it. This week's book focuses on HR leaders. In HR on Purpose!! Steve Browne tells us his story as an HR professional, and also helps us renew our energy and vigor about the profession. We need to be people focused and excited about the opportunities to do good! Just as Steve would say, I am GEEKED about being in HR...and you should be too!

We all want to become better leaders, and there are a multitude of books telling us how to get it done. But sometimes we get stuck in information overload. Nine Minutes on Monday shows us how to start off the week right with simple steps that can boost engagement, productivity and morale without creating another task that doesn't get done on your to do list. Make an impact without overloading your own schedule.

Tired of workplace drama? Looking for more team productivity and accountability? Cy Wakeman's Reality-Based Leadership will give you the tools to focus on results and not excuses, and help you Ditch the Drama!

If you are trying to figure out how to connect with your team, grab this book today.

I was introduced to The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace 10 years ago and have used it in my leadership training ever since. The book describes how to effectively express gratitude and foster a supportive culture. These lessons can transform relationships with employees and enhance team cohesion.

In this week’s recommendation, Harold S. Resnick describes how gains in workplace performance can be found by energizing and motivating a team the right way. Through purpose, vision, expectations and support, leaders can energize employees to greater productivity.

​Ownership and purpose are two of the hardest, yet most influential things to instill in our employees. It’s Your Ship provides a great example of what to do to elevate your leadership skills and make a real impact on your organization.

Whether your employees are former military or just searching for direction, this book is a MUST READ.

Bob Buford's Halftime focuses on moving from success to significance. He shares insights on balancing professional growth, organizational leadership, job satisfaction, workplace culture and finding purpose. Trying to discover how to give back? "Halftime" could be your guide.

We often learn best from those who already experienced the challenges we face. Bruce Waller's Life in the Leadership Lane is based on his podcast and filled with practical strategies. Waller shares real life stories from leaders around the country who successfully transform and inspire their workforce.

Want to grow personally and professionally? Pick up his book today, and listen to his podcast during your next commute.

Who doesn't want to boost productivity and reduce stress?!? A constant flow of to-do's, notes and other data bombard us, clogging our inboxes. David Allen's Getting Things Done is the perfect guide for managing inboxes (physical, email, voicemail, thoughts that pop into your head...) and tasks. Allen provides a comprehensive system to capture, clarify, organize, reflect, and engage with your to-dos, making you more effective in both your personal and professional life.

As Dave says, your company is only as strong as your leaders!

Business owners and senior leaders are critical to the success of their organizations. In EntreLeadership, Dave Ramsey shows how to combine leadership skills with entrepreneurship to grow a business.
Whether starting a company or building an established organization, this book provides excellent business wisdom and practical advice.

While it's an oldie but a goodie, Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson is a classic book on change management. Workplaces and employees are facing an onslaught of continuous change. This book can help employees embrace change, overcome the fear of change, and find new opportunities in our ever-changing world.

Sometimes we make business too complicated. John Spence breaks down the essentials of any organization into 6 areas critical to your success. To make your job simpler and more effective, check out one of my go-to books, Awesomely Simple.

Clint Swindall's Engaged Leadership outlines what it takes to get the most out of your employees. Employee engagement is at the core of successful organizations. I frequently refer to Swindall's teaching during my leadership training.