TLP428: What Makes A Good Leadership Book with Jim and Jan

The Leadership Podcast

Jim Vaselopulos and Jan Rutherford discuss what makes a great leadership book including the value of storytelling in making concepts relatable for the audience. They also discuss the importance of evidence-based concepts, and the significance of lasting and practical advice that transcends time. The best leadership books aren't necessarily leadership books.

“The books that help you most are those which make you think the most. The hardest way of learning is that of easy reading. But a great book that comes from a great thinker is a ship of thought, deep braided with truth and beauty. ” — Pablo Neruda

https://bit.ly/TLP-428

Key Takeaways

[02:06] Jim and Jan discuss what makes a great leadership book, preferring evidence-based works over parables. Jim values data-driven insights, while Jan appreciates storytelling for its lasting impact, noting that different styles resonate with different readers.

[06:18] They both share that a great leadership book should offer practical, timeless advice, with a preference for shorter, more digestible formats.

[12:49] Jim and Jan discuss how to write impactful leadership books. They said Jennifer Garvey Berger found success by simplifying her content and making it more engaging. They emphasize the importance of practical advice, real-world applications, and effective storytelling. They also appreciate niche topics that offer fresh insights, like Valerie Friedland's work on linguistics.

[17:13] They both highlight the need to balance employee and employer perspectives in leadership. They emphasize that effective leadership involves not just setting direction and pace but also considering the tone and impact on people.

[21:34] Jan highlights the value of being open to changing one’s views and learning from diverse sources. He also concludes with a story about historian Stephen Ambrose advising a young aspiring historian to gain real-world experience.

[23:56] They discuss the value of curiosity in leadership and suggest that a good leadership book should inspire curiosity in its readers. They reflect on their own experiences with writing and invite listeners to share their favorite books and ideas for future topics.

[27:17] Closing quote: Remember, “The books that help you most are those which make you think the most. The hardest way of learning is that of easy reading. But a great book that comes from a great thinker is a ship of thought, deep braided with truth and beauty. ” — Pablo Neruda

Quotable Quotes

"A useful outcome of any leadership book is does it make you more curious? And if it does, to some degree, mission accomplished."

“The best leadership books aren't necessarily leadership books."​

"If you're talking about leadership, you better be facing your own hypocrisy because nobody's got it all figured out ever."

“Those leaders constantly test themselves and reframe their life story.”

"Different things speak to different people."​

“A new way to communicate an idea is always interesting in a leadership book but it also needs to last."

“The books that help you most are those which make you think the most. The hardest way of learning is that of easy reading. But a great book that comes from a great thinker is a ship of thought, deep braided with truth and beauty. ” — Pablo Neruda

Resources Mentioned

• The Leadership Podcast | theleadershippodcast.com

• Sponsored by | www.darley.com

• Rafti Advisors. LLC | www.raftiadvisors.com

• Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | selfreliantleadership.com

• Jan Rutherford’s Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/janrutherford

• Jan Rutherford’s Twitter | @janrutherford

• Jim Vaselopulos Linked In | www.linkedin.com/in/jimvaselopulos/

• Jim Vaselopulos Twitter | @jim_vas