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In a recent conversation with some HR colleagues, we shared some of our favorite non-fiction books with each other. As a result, I decided to share my list with you. Below are the 2015 top 10 books on employee engagement based on the Agent In Engagement Blog and Gregory F Simpson. The books are presented in the order in which they were read with the last book being the most recent book completed.
“These assets should be viewed as “Agent” manuals and reviewed at your convenience.”
This was the first book I read that was devoted to employee engagement. Based on millions of global surveys, they show that employee success is linked to company success. An employee’s level of engagement is driven by opportunities for growth, recognition of ideas and contributions, and trust in leadership and the direction they are taking the company.
Kevin Kruse provides managers with an overview of employee engagement as well as ideas to better engage employees.
Kevin Kruse provides employees with a foundational understanding of engagement and offers suggestions on how to become more engaged at work. I was lucky enough to be part of Mr. Kruse’s “street team” for this book’s launch.
I was on a plane returning from visiting my family and a fellow passenger struck up a conversation about We, the book I was reading. Hours later, we were still talking and based on our conversation, she recommended that I read this book. Chance encounters can bring wonderful gifts. This book discusses how to approach situations where the stakes are high, opinions differ, and emotions are strong. While most of the time, we tend to avoid these situations, the authors provide practical advice on how to approach them and gain resolution.
“There are leaders and there are those who lead. Leaders hold a position of power or influence. Those who lead inspire us.” This book is written for those who want to truly lead. Using his “Golden Circle” concept, Sinek helps readers learn to think, act, and communicate in ways that inspire others. Instead of focusing on “What” or “How,” those who inspire us start with a sense of purpose. Starting with “Why” provides the opportunity to connect with and inspire others to support you or your company.
Related blog post: Start with Why – Book Review
I was introduced to this book by Rick Auman of Healthy Companies International. I attended the NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering – Department of Technology Management and Innovation’s third annual conference on Human Capital Innovation in Technology & Analytics in April. This year’s conference theme was “Predicting Engagement & Performance Using Human Capital Data Analytics.” After an interesting presentation by his colleague, Dr. Dominick Volini, I decided to visit their booth. Mr. Auman and I talked for a bit and then he gave me a complimentary copy of this book (written by the Company’s CEO, Bon Rosen).
While the book focuses on the individual leader, I found the book to be more broadly applicable to employee engagement. Individuals and leaders can benefit if they explore each of the 6 roots of the Healthy Leader Model: Physical Health, Emotional Health, Intellectual Health, Social Health, Vocational Health, and Spiritual Health.
Three prominent Silicon Valley entrepreneurs propose “a new employment framework that facilitates mutual trust, mutual investment, and mutual benefit. An ideal framework encourages employees to develop their personal networks and act entrepreneurially without becoming mercenary job-hoppers. It allows companies to be dynamic and demanding but discourages them from treating employees like disposable assets.”
The Alliance is based on ‘tours of duty’ that have specific timeframes and cover how the employer and employee will benefit from working together. It offers a way for companies to engage and retain employees while simultaneously achieving their business objectives.
Related blog post: Key Learnings from The Alliance: Managing Talent in the Networked Age
Yes, a children’s book made the list this year. While this book targets children ages 3 – 7, you might be surprised by how familiar the story sounds in relation to disengagement on your team. How many of these colors sound like the people you manage or that you know within your organization?
Related blog Post: What Crayons Can Teach Us About Employee Engagement
This book confronts the subject of change and how we can improve our odds of successfully achieving the goals we set for ourselves. As a leadership coach, Mr. Goldsmith takes an established approach with all of his clients. Once he learns about the changes his clients want to make. He helps them establish a daily routine that focuses on a series of questions written in the active voice. Clients rate themselves on these question each day. This process helps to maintain a daily focus on goals while the ratings show progress over time.
Take advantage of Mr. Goldsmith’s experience and insights to make the changes you want/need in your life. Change isn’t easy. With Mr. Goldsmith’s help, you can reach your goals (faster) and avoid the normal pitfalls along the way.
Related blog Post: The Engaging Questions
I finished this engaging book at the beginning of July (2015). My head has been spinning ever since. Leaders Eat Last is packed with great information on leadership and employee engagement. It is a combination of lessons in history, chemistry, and management enhanced with examples from Congress, Presidents, Goldman Sachs, Citi, Merrill Lynch, the military, GE, Cosco, Next Jump, etc. Basically, it all comes down to enhancing trust and cooperation in the workplace.
What are your thoughts on these selections? Which employee engagement books would you recommend to fellow “Agents”?
Let’s Engage!
I’m Agent in Engagement Simpson…Gregory F Simpson.
Employee engagement is a critical mission. I hope I can count on your help! Subscribe to the RSS Feed to receive the latest intelligence/insights and/or register to make entries in the comments log.
You can follow me @agtinengagement.
Email me at g…@a…t.com.
Connect via LinkedIn at LinkedIn.com/in/GregoryFSimpson.
Learn more about me at gregoryfsimpson.com.
P.S. First contact? Welcome to the Agent In Engagement community. Explore and join fellow employee engagement operatives in targeting a known thief – alias: Disengagement. Together we can bring this thief to justice and make the world a better place for all companies and their employees.
Other recent Agent in Engagement data/reports by Agent Gregory F Simpson:
- Employee Engagement Intelligence Briefing: 2015.07.06 – 2015.07.10
- Veteran Employee Engagement Operative Insights: 06.29 – 2015.07.03
- The Fixation on Digital Communication over Direct Communication
- 2015 Workforce Live! NYC – Recap Part II
- 2015 Workforce Live! NYC – Recap Part I
- How do Companies Demonstrate Employee Engagement
- The Engaging Questions
