11 Resources That Will Help You Become a Stronger Leader

Whether it be through written word or a mastermind group, expressing yourself can only help you improve your management skills.

Question: When learning how to manage better, what is one resource an entrepreneur should utilize (ex: a book, website, course, etc.) to strengthen their management skills?

Read "A Year With Peter Drucker"

"This fantastic book provides 52 weeks of coaching focused on driving effective leadership. From management to innovation, this read covers all the themes that Drucker identified as most important to leadership development. Our team at AirPR is currently reading a chapter per week and members take turns leading group discussions applying Drucker's words to our business."


Join or Create a Mastermind Group

"A mastermind group, as popularized by Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich," can be tremendously helpful in improving one's self. If you can surround yourself with a few peers facing similar challenges — ideally peers who are a step or two ahead of you in this case — you can tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience. I've personally had opportunities to learn and improve through multiple groups."


Read "Mastering the Rockefeller Habits"

"This book gives you a detailed guide on how to manage your entire business using a simplified plan and a set routine. In the startup world, routine and process is key to manage the endless fires that come up each day. In my previous startup, everyone in the company read this book and we standardized our goal setting and meeting schedule accordingly."


Ask Your Employees

"It's hard being at the top. Getting candid feedback from your employees takes trust and time, so set the tone from the beginning. Employees need to know from day one that honest feedback is not only encouraged, it is required. There is no greater resource for improving your management skills than asking those who are affected by it -- no book, website or course can beat that."


Surround Yourself With Excellence

"I find it invaluable to surround myself with friends and acquaintances who are excellent at a wide range of skills so that I am able to constantly learn from new and interesting perspectives. I set up my entire social structure to avoid mistakes before they happen. But when trouble arises -- it always does -- I am equipped with a group who is willing and capable of supporting and guiding me."


Try StandOut

"So much of management is about communication and listening -- learning about yourself and the people around you. I use StandOut to inform others about my strengths and learn about theirs. StandOut unveils your top two strength roles and offers specific, practical ideas that leaders can use to lead, communicate with and manage others. "


Listen to Audiobooks

"I once heard Brian Tracy refer to his car as a university on wheels. I have to agree as I find that time spent in the car commuting to the office can be utilized best by listening and learning. You can download audiobooks from iTunes or Audible for under ten bucks. Alternatively, consider borrowing audiobooks on CDs from your local library."


Become a Little League Coach

"Children have no filter and will rarely do something unless they want to. If you really want to motivate adults, you should try coaching children in a sport. They'll tell you immediately if you're being unkind, or if they just don't care about what you're saying. If you can stay with one team through an entire season, you're ready to manage a team of adults."


Resources

11 Resources That Will Help You Become a Stronger Leader

Whether it be through written word or a mastermind group, expressing yourself can only help you improve your management skills.

Question: When learning how to manage better, what is one resource an entrepreneur should utilize (ex: a book, website, course, etc.) to strengthen their management skills?

Read "A Year With Peter Drucker"

"This fantastic book provides 52 weeks of coaching focused on driving effective leadership. From management to innovation, this read covers all the themes that Drucker identified as most important to leadership development. Our team at AirPR is currently reading a chapter per week and members take turns leading group discussions applying Drucker's words to our business."


Join or Create a Mastermind Group

"A mastermind group, as popularized by Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich," can be tremendously helpful in improving one's self. If you can surround yourself with a few peers facing similar challenges — ideally peers who are a step or two ahead of you in this case — you can tap into a wealth of knowledge and experience. I've personally had opportunities to learn and improve through multiple groups."


Read "Mastering the Rockefeller Habits"

"This book gives you a detailed guide on how to manage your entire business using a simplified plan and a set routine. In the startup world, routine and process is key to manage the endless fires that come up each day. In my previous startup, everyone in the company read this book and we standardized our goal setting and meeting schedule accordingly."


Ask Your Employees

"It's hard being at the top. Getting candid feedback from your employees takes trust and time, so set the tone from the beginning. Employees need to know from day one that honest feedback is not only encouraged, it is required. There is no greater resource for improving your management skills than asking those who are affected by it -- no book, website or course can beat that."


Surround Yourself With Excellence

"I find it invaluable to surround myself with friends and acquaintances who are excellent at a wide range of skills so that I am able to constantly learn from new and interesting perspectives. I set up my entire social structure to avoid mistakes before they happen. But when trouble arises -- it always does -- I am equipped with a group who is willing and capable of supporting and guiding me."


Try StandOut

"So much of management is about communication and listening -- learning about yourself and the people around you. I use StandOut to inform others about my strengths and learn about theirs. StandOut unveils your top two strength roles and offers specific, practical ideas that leaders can use to lead, communicate with and manage others. "


Listen to Audiobooks

"I once heard Brian Tracy refer to his car as a university on wheels. I have to agree as I find that time spent in the car commuting to the office can be utilized best by listening and learning. You can download audiobooks from iTunes or Audible for under ten bucks. Alternatively, consider borrowing audiobooks on CDs from your local library."


Become a Little League Coach

"Children have no filter and will rarely do something unless they want to. If you really want to motivate adults, you should try coaching children in a sport. They'll tell you immediately if you're being unkind, or if they just don't care about what you're saying. If you can stay with one team through an entire season, you're ready to manage a team of adults."


See Also: 3 Ways to Strengthen Your Ability to Concentrate

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