In June, I recommended three leadership books for summer reading. Here are three more books I have found helpful to my work, to take readers into fall.

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

by Daniel Pink. Riverhead Books. December 2009.

Pink gives real-life examples about what motivates a person. As it turns out, it’s not so much carrots and sticks, as the rewards of autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Self-knowledge is extremely important to leadership, and in this book, you’ll learn what most drives you forward.

Leadership from the Inside Out: Becoming A Leader For Life

by Kevin Cashman. Berrett-Koehler Publishers. 2nd revised & updated edition, September 2008.

A philosophical book, with research and case studies, that covers the importance to leadership of doing inner work on who you are, your mission, and your vision. This work can help guide external work such as structure, relationships, role clarity and conversations.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable

by Patrick Lencioni. Jossey-Bass. First edition, 2002.

Lencioni’s book has sold over two million copies, This is a quick read, which uses irresistible storytelling in a fable to outline the most common dysfunctions of teams, and steps to overcome them.

The Five Dysfunctions is almost fifteen years old, so Lencioni’s characters do not represent the range of employees and situations, particularly in technical jobs, that readers are now likely to find at most larger companies, but it is enlightening in several areas, including the importance of self-awareness and communication at the heart of leadership, and the breezy writing style will keep you turning pages while you learn.

I’d love to hear recommendations from others in the comments section, below.