Matt Burgess

The Leadership Pill: The Missing Ingredient in Motivating People Today (2003), Ken Blanchard, Mike Muchnick

The Leadership Pill is a quick read in the form of a metaphor.  In it, Blanchard and Muchnick contrast two styles of leadership by giving one group a special leadership pill.  The story is slightly redundant in making the distinction between the two leadership styles found in the two groups and is a little corny with the "pill".  Basically, it boils down to what I call the "old" versus "new" mentality where leaders of today prescibe to "old" methods of heirarchical bossing compared to eye-to-eye teamwork.  Perhaps you've worked in an "old" environment where people hold fast to positions and bark orders with no insight to honest objectives and tangible goals.  This is where success is defined behind a facade of b.s. about bonuses and job security while the whipmaster rings the "cash register".  The "new" style doesn't take the leadership pill and is based on teamwork where players are honestly valued and appreciated.  Now you don't have to read the book!

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin

You may have transacted business with an organization named in his honor.  Perhaps you've traveled a city that shares his last name.  You probably have a picture or semi-bust of him in your clothes.  You have heard of documents and organizations he was involved.  One of the most interesting minds in American history, Benjamin Franklin demonstrates his intelligence and candidness in his own memoirs.  Any autobiography provides the great insight into the individuals past (so long as the individual is trustworthy), so Franklin's is no different.  Although you have to consider a personality with an unusually high amount of narcissism leads someone to write an autobiography, Franklin's comes across as humble.  Like any diary, this book is interesting but coupled with historical references to familiar documents, places and organizations makes this book all the more.  I found the Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin very interesting as the scientist, inventor, politician, industrialist, deist was revealed in a seemingly simple giant that has become a legend.  Perhaps the perfect combination of all those things led to his acclamation, in particular the timing of his political rise, the legendary stories he tells and his undirected, albeit unresearched, recognition of a god.