Book Recommendations
from Bret L. Simmons

From Bret's review: "I liked the book so much I might make it required reading for my next MBA class in organizational behavior. I neither like nor agree with everything Pfeffer has to say in the book, but he backs up his points with solid research, which I love. It has a few too many stories for my taste, but this is one of the best evidence-based books on leadership and management you can put your hands on, which is why I am recommending it."

Order now from Amazon!

From Bret's review: "Despite its flaws, it is a good book. It will make the list of optional readings for my MBA class this fall because I think it will have an impact on the students that read it. The book is very well written with excellent organization and a very conversational style. The best thing about the book is the numerous excellent examples Liz gives to support her points, coming from her years of experience as a top executive and consultant."

Order now from Amazon!

MBA Extra Reading, Fall 2010

August 27, 2010 by Bret L. Simmons · Filed under: Leadership

I teach an MBA course in Organizational Behavior every semester. Most of my students have never had a previous course in OB, and many have never had any management course. So I use a textbook to cover the basic concepts of OB and case studies, mostly from Harvard Business School Press, to help us think about how to apply the concepts.

Every semester I also have my students subscribe to six of my favorite bloggers. They are required to leave a comment on at least one blog per week and hopefully engage the blog author in a brief conversation. I have them read blogs because I want them to get a perspective on leadership other than my own. The blogs they are required to subscribe to this semester are:

Bob Sutton: Work Matters

Dan McCarthy: Great Leadership

Wally Bock: Three Start Leadership

Art Petty: Management Excellence

Mary Jo Asums: Aspire

Paul Hebert: Incentive Intelligence

I also give them a list of 4-5 current books and ask them to read and report on one. The books on my list this semester are:

Employees First, Customers Second

Bob Sutton is one of my favorite business authors. His new book, Good Boss, Bad Boss, will be out on September 7 so make sure to get your copy early. If you are interested in continuously developing your capacity to lead, manage, or supervise others, I think you will benefit by reading any of these books or following any of these blogs.

Good Boss, Bad Boss: My Review

Open Leadership: My Review

Employees First, Customers Second: My Review

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Tags: blogs, book review, MBA
Posted in Leadership

4 Responses to “MBA Extra Reading, Fall 2010”

davidburkus says:

August 27, 2010 at 12:51 pm

Great blogs and great books. What text do you use as you main one for OB?

[Reply]
Bret L. Simmons Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
I use Nelson and Quick, ORGB. I’m not really super impressed by any OB text, but at least this one starts with one of my core beliefs that behavior is a function of both the person and the environment.

[Reply]
Timothy Morris says:

September 1, 2010 at 11:55 am

Hey,

I just got hit over to your site from Leader Talk. Love the list man. Will most definitely be reading through.

So what does it take to get my site added to the list?

Any chance? I thought I would just ask. Check it out. I am curious to what you think.

[Reply]
Bret L. Simmons Reply:
September 1st, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Thanks, Timothy! Bret

[Reply]