BLUF

Details of the books and publications on Leadership recommended for further reading.

Summary

An overview of  recommended books and papers to support Leadership Studies.

Why reading is important for military professionals:
  1. Enhances ethical decision-making in complex situations.
  2. Broadens understanding of leadership styles and impacts.
  3. Encourages reflection on personal and professional values.
  4. Improves communication and team-building skills.
  5. Cultivates resilience and adaptability in challenging environments.

ADF Philosophical Doctrine - ADF Leadership Recommended Reading 

Military publications:

A..For our identity:

A01..Australian Government, 2017 Foreign Policy White Paper. Canberra, DFAT 2017.  CHAPTER ONE Foundations for success  2017 Foreign Policy White Paper (dfat.gov.au)
  • The White Paper emphasizes the importance of values such as democracy, freedom, and the rule of law in shaping Australia's approach to international relations. These values are seen as reflective of Australia's identity as an open, tolerant, and inclusive society.
  • The White Paper also notes the importance of engaging with Australia's diverse communities, including Indigenous Australians and those with cultural ties to Asia and the Pacific, in promoting a more nuanced understanding of Australia's national identity and interests in the region
A02..Hall of Memory – Values and Character, documentary film, produced by Max Uechritz, 2019.
  • The Australian War Memorial - The Hall of Memory on Vimeo
  • The documentary film explores the values and character that underpin the Australian War Memorial's Hall of Memory, which is a national monument to the service and sacrifice of Australian military personnel.
  • Through interviews with veterans, curators, and other experts, the film examines the stories and symbolism behind the Hall of Memory's design and decoration, including the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier.
  • The documentary also explores the broader significance of the Hall of Memory as a place of reflection, commemoration, and national identity, and how it helps to preserve the memory of Australia's military history for future generations.
A03..Horner, D., Making the Australian Defence Force. Melbourne, Oxford University Press, 2001.
  • The book explores the formation and evolution of the Australian Defence Force, examining the political, social and strategic factors that influenced its development. [Source:
  • Horner argues that the Australian Defence Force has been shaped by a unique combination of factors, including the country's geography, history and national identity, as well as external threats and alliances. [Source:
  • The book also discusses the challenges faced by the Australian Defence Force in adapting to changing strategic circumstances, such as the shift towards a more complex and uncertain security environment in the 21st century.
A04..Keneally, T., Australians: Origins to Eureka. Crows Nest, Allen and Unwin, 2009.
  • The book provides an extensive and detailed account of Australia's history, from the arrival of the Indigenous Australians to the events leading up to the Eureka Stockade rebellion.
  • The author, Thomas Keneally, is a renowned Australian author, best known for his book Schindler's Ark, which won the Booker Prize in 1982. Source:
A05..Ward, R., The Australian Legend. Melbourne, Oxford University Press, 2003. Originally published in 1958 and republished in 2003.
  • The Australian Legend: The Australian Legend is a concept coined by writer and historian Russel Ward in his book of the same name. It refers to the national identity and character of Australians, which is said to be shaped by a combination of egalitarianism, anti-authoritarianism, and resourcefulness.
  • Criticisms: While the Australian Legend has been widely discussed and debated, it has also been subject to criticism. Some have argued that it reinforces outdated stereotypes and fails to reflect the diversity of contemporary Australian society.
  • Legacy: Despite the criticisms, the Australian Legend continues to be an important concept in Australian history and culture. Its influence can be seen in literature, film, and popular culture, as well as in political discourse.

B..For theories of leadership:

B01..Adair, J., Action-centred Leadership. New York, McGraw Hill, 1973.
  • Action-centred leadership: Action-centred leadership is a leadership model developed by John Adair. It emphasizes the importance of achieving goals while maintaining team morale and meeting individual needs.
  • Three core elements: According to Adair, there are three core elements of action-centred leadership: achieving the task, building and maintaining the team, and developing individuals.
  • Action-Centered Leadership: Definition and When To Use It | Indeed.com
B02..Aigner, G. and Skelton, L., The Australian Leadership Paradox. Australia, Allen & Unwin, 2013.
B03..Goleman D., Emotional Intelligence. New York, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2005.
  • Emotional Intelligence: Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a concept introduced by Daniel Goleman in his book of the same name. It refers to the ability to identify, understand, and manage one's own emotions and the emotions of others.  
  • Four components of EI: Goleman identifies four components of EI: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. These components are critical to effective leadership and can be developed through training and practice.
  • Criticisms and controversies: While EI has gained widespread acceptance and popularity, it has also been subject to criticism and controversy. Some have argued that the concept is overly broad and lacks scientific rigor, while others have criticized the use of EI in hiring and promotion decisions.
  • The Dark Side of Emotional Intelligence - The Atlantic
  • What Is Emotional Intelligence? (verywellmind.com)
B04..Hersey, P. and Blanchard, K.H., Management of Organizational Behavior – Utilizing Human Resources. New Jersey, Prentice Hall, 1969.
B05..Haslam, S.A., Reicher, S.D. and Platow, M.J., The New Psychology of Leadership. Hove, Taylor and Francis Ltd, 2010.
B06..Johnson C. and Hackman M., Leadership. Long Grove, Waveland Press, 2018.
  • Leadership styles: "Leadership" explores various leadership styles, including transactional, transformational, and servant leadership.
  • Leadership effectiveness: The book discusses the factors that contribute to leadership effectiveness, such as communication, emotional intelligence, and decision-making.
  • Team leadership: "Leadership" also explores the challenges and opportunities of leading teams, including how to build trust, resolve conflicts, and create a culture of accountability.
B07..Kouzes, J.M and Posner, B.Z., The Leadership Challenge, Sixth Edition. New Jersey, John Wiley & Sons, 2017.
  • Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership: The Leadership Challenge introduces the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership, a framework for effective leadership that includes modeling the way, inspiring a shared vision, challenging the process, enabling others to act, and encouraging the heart. For more information on the Five Practices, see this article:
  • Leadership development: The book also includes practical advice and tools for developing leadership skills, including how to give and receive feedback, create a development plan, and build a support network.
  • Ethical leadership: The Leadership Challenge emphasizes the importance of ethical leadership, and provides guidance on how to build trust, act with integrity, and make ethical decisions.
  • Leadership Styles - Choosing the Right Approach for the Situation (mindtools.com)
B08..Maslow, A., Motivation and Personality. New York, Harper, 1954.
  • Hierarchy of Needs: Maslow's book "Motivation and Personality" introduces the Hierarchy of Needs, a theory that describes the different levels of human needs and how they motivate behavior.
  • Self-actualization: The book also introduces the concept of self-actualization, which refers to the need for individuals to reach their full potential and achieve personal growth.
  • Motivation in the workplace: "Motivation and Personality" explores how the principles of motivation apply to the workplace, including how to create a motivating work environment, provide opportunities for growth and development, and recognize and reward achievement.
  • Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - Simply Psychology
  • Human Resources (liveabout.com)
  • What Is Self-Actualization? Meaning, Theory + Examples (positivepsychology.com)
B09..Nohria, N., Groysberg, B., and Lee, L-E., ‘Employee motivation: A powerful new model’, Harvard Business Review, Jul-Aug 2008, Vol. 86, Issue 7/8.
  • Four-Drive Model of Employee Motivation: identifies four basic human drives that can be used to motivate employees: the drive to acquire, the drive to bond, the drive to comprehend, and the drive to defend.
  • Creating a Motivating Work Environment: Strategies such as providing opportunities for learning and growth, recognizing and rewarding achievements, building strong relationships among employees, and promoting a sense of purpose and meaning in the work.
  • Human Resources (liveabout.com)
B10..Northouse, P., Leadership Theory and Practice (7th ed.). London, Sage, 2015.

C..The  practice of leadership:

C01..Aurelius, M., Meditations. New York, Random House, 1992.
C02..Bennis, W., On Becoming a Leader. New York, Basic Books, 2003.
C03..Dempsey, M., No Time for Spectators. Arlington, VA, Missionday, 2020.
C04..de Vigny, A., The Military Necessity – A Translation of Servitude et Grandeur Militaires. London, The Cresset Press, 1953.
  • "The Military Necessity" is a collection of essays by French writer and military officer Alfred de Vigny, originally published in 1835. The book reflects de Vigny's disillusionment with the military and the glorification of war in society.
  • De Vigny argues that military service is a form of servitude that requires soldiers to sacrifice their individuality and obey authority without question. He also critiques the idea of military honor, which he believes is used to justify unnecessary violence and suffering.
  • Despite his criticisms, de Vigny also recognizes the necessity of military defense in protecting one's country and preserving freedom. He emphasizes the importance of courage, self-discipline, and sacrifice in military service.
C05..Harvard Business Review, On Leadership. Boston, Harvard Business Review Press, 2011.
  • "On Leadership" is a collection of articles and essays from Harvard Business Review that explore various aspects of leadership, including communication, decision-making, and team building. The book features insights from renowned business leaders and scholars, as well as case studies of successful companies and organizations.
  • The book emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in effective leadership, arguing that leaders who are self-aware, empathetic, and skilled at managing their own emotions are more likely to inspire trust and commitment among followers. It also discusses the role of leadership in fostering innovation and adapting to change in a fast-paced, globalized business environment.
  • One of the key themes of the book is the idea that leadership is not a fixed set of traits or skills, but rather a process of continuous learning and development. The authors encourage leaders to seek out feedback, reflect on their experiences, and engage in ongoing self-improvement in order to become more effective and adaptable in their roles. Source:
  • Leadership - HBR
  • Leadership and managing people - HBR
C06..Hougaard, R. and Carter, C., The Mind of the Leader. Boston, Harvard Business Review Press, 2018.
  • Leaders need to cultivate mindfulness in order to make better decisions, improve their emotional intelligence, and foster more meaningful connections with their teams. (source:
  • Compassion is a key trait for effective leadership. When leaders show genuine care for their team members' well-being, they inspire greater loyalty and motivation, and create a more positive workplace culture.
  • Transforming Leaders into Mindful Leaders - Mindful
  • What Is Compassionate Leadership? (forbes.com)
C07..Jans, N., Leadership Secrets of the Australian Army. Sydney, Allen &Unwin, 2018.
C08..Jans, N., The Chiefs: A Study of Strategic Leadership. Canberra, Australian Defence College Publication, 2013.
C09..Kolenda, C., Leadership: The Warrior’s Art. Carlisle, Army War College Foundation Press, 2001.
C10..Kotter, J.P., Leading Change. Boston, Harvard Business Review Press, 1996.
  • Kotter's 8-step model for leading change has become a widely used framework for organizational change management:
  • the "why" behind the change to gain buy-in from stakeholders:
  • recognizing the importance of planning and execution as well as vision and inspiration:
  • How To Get Real Buy-In For Your Idea (forbes.com)
C11..Mattis, J., Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead. New York, Random House, 2019.
  • In "Call Sign Chaos," Mattis shares the lessons he learned during his time as a Marine Corps general and as the Secretary of Defense under President Trump, emphasizing the importance of leading by example and maintaining integrity. (source:
  • Mattis argues that leaders must be willing to take risks and make tough decisions, even when the consequences are uncertain.
  • Through anecdotes and personal stories, Mattis illustrates the qualities that make an effective leader, including humility, a willingness to listen to others, and a commitment to the well-being of the people under their command.
  • Mattis was a great believer in the importance of reading: General James Mattis, on the Matter of Professional Military Reading (thearmyleader.co.uk)
  • Quote from article: …’.The problem with being too busy to read is that you learn by experience (or by your men’s experience), i.e. the hard way. By reading, you learn through others’ experiences, generally a better way to do business, especially in our line of work where the consequences of incompetence are so final for young men’.
  • Defense Secretary James Mattis' extraordinary reading habits (cnbc.com)
  • Three Voices on Leadership in the Twenty-First Century (jhu.edu)
C12..Moore, H., Hal Moore on Leadership – Winning When Outgunned and Outmanned. Maple Grove, Magnum Books, 2017.
  • Hal Moore on Leadership is a book authored by Harold G. Moore, a retired Lieutenant General in the United States Army, which details his experiences and leadership philosophy based on his time as a commander during the Vietnam War.
  • The book emphasizes the importance of leadership in difficult situations and provides practical advice on how to lead effectively when facing overwhelming odds, limited resources, and uncertain outcomes. It highlights the importance of building strong relationships, maintaining a positive attitude, and taking calculated risks in order to achieve success.
  • Vietnam War Hero LTGEN Hal Moore's Lessons on Leadership | The Cove (army.gov.au)
C13..Moran, Lord C.W., The Anatomy of Courage. London, Little Brown Book Group, 2007. (First published 1945)
  • In "The Anatomy of Courage," Lord C.W. Moran analyzes the nature of courage and its role in both military and civilian life. (Source: Goodreads -
  • Moran uses a mix of personal anecdotes, historical examples, and psychological research to explore the concept of courage and what motivates individuals to act bravely in the face of danger.
  • The book has been praised for its insightful analysis and engaging writing style, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in leadership, resilience, and personal growth.
  • Lord Moran's book is based on his diaries - International Churchill Society (winstonchurchill.org)
C14..Nye, R., The Challenge of Command. New York, Perigee, 2002. Originally published 1986.
  • The book explores the principles of effective leadership and how to develop them in oneself.
  • It presents real-world examples of leadership challenges faced by military commanders and how they overcame them.
  • The importance of moral and ethical leadership in building trust and loyalty among subordinates.
  • How to Be an Ethical Leader (businessnewsdaily.com)
C15..Plato, The Republic. London, Everyman, 1992. First published 375 BCE.
  • The Republic is one of the most influential works in Western philosophy and political theory. Its ideas about justice, democracy, and leadership continue to be studied and debated today.
  • In The Republic, Plato argues that the ideal leader should be a philosopher-king who has both a love of wisdom and the practical skills to govern effectively. This concept has had a profound impact on political theory and has been influential in shaping the idea of the "enlightened ruler.
  • The Republic also includes Plato's famous Allegory of the Cave, which is a powerful metaphor for the power of education and the importance of questioning one's assumptions. The main point being made is that things are not what they always seem and that your perspective dictates what you see.
  • Plato (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
  • Plato | Life, Philosophy, & Works | Britannica
C16..Wooden, J., Wooden on Leadership. New York, McGraw-Hill, 2005.
  • Emphasis on values-based leadership, where the leader's personal character and integrity are crucial to building trust and inspiring followers.
  • Importance of creating a positive team culture that fosters growth, collaboration, and mutual respect. Wooden famously said, "The main ingredient of stardom is the rest of the team."
  • Use of simple yet powerful leadership principles such as goal-setting, prioritization, communication, and continuous improvement. These principles were developed by Wooden over the course of his long and successful coaching career in college basketball.
  • 5 Attributes (And Benefits) Of Values-Based Leadership (forbes.com)
  • Values-Based Leadership: Leading with Principle | icma.org

 

References