A friend asked me to recommend a reading list for first time engineering managers. While lamenting my inability to narrow my reading list down to a reasonable handful, I realized that I might provide a broader coverage if I tapped a few other engineering managers for their input.
From these friends, I received a list of books that included six of my favorites and five that I immediately purchased and downloaded. I also found, to my surprise, that only one of the 11 was specific to the field of engineering.
Along with these 11, I included my favorite, a book I often share with others. So, here are your 12 books for first time engineering managers – 11 of which are suitable for first time managers in any field.
1. How to Win Friends & Influence People
- Find the book at Amazon
- Written by Dale Carnegie
- Recommended by Godfred Ahuma, Systems Engineer
“This book is a personal favorite, and I recommend it because, one of the most important skills a first time engineering manager needs is people skills, something not so common in a technical environment. Building relationships, knowing how to deal with people, and the team the manager will be responsible for is critical for the manager’s success.”
2. The Culture Code
- Find the book at Amazon
- Written by Daniel Coyle
- Recommended by Aubrey Brockman, Civil Engineer
“The Culture Code really helped me articulate what was important in a company and job for myself, as well as what I wanted to advocate to get for my team.”
3. The Truth About Employee Engagement: A Fable About Addressing the Three Root Causes of Job Misery
Note: This book was originally published with the title Three Signs of a Miserable Job
- Find the book at Amazon
- Written by Patrick M. Lencioni
- Recommended by Cliff Colvin, Software Engineer
“I really grasped the idea of helping each person know what success looks like, that they are a person in our team that matters, and that what they do matters. Three Signs of a Miserable Job was in my mind a great book to help create servant leaders by focusing on the individuals on the team, and helping them to become successful, even though it doesn’t directly discuss servant leadership.”
4. It’s Okay to Be the Boss: The Step-by-Step Guide to Becoming the Manager Your Employees Need
- Find the book at Amazon
- Written by Bruce Tulgan
- Recommended by David Gardner, Mechanical Engineer
“He provides step-by-step instructions for what good managers need to do, in the way engineers are accustomed to approaching problems and processes. Mr. Tulgan explains what the instructions enable you to do and why they are important. He also guidance for making the transition from the practice of engineering to the management of engineers.”
5. Love Works: Seven Timeless Principles for Effective Leaders
- Find the book at Amazon
- Written by Joel Manby
- Recommended by Greg Pick, Nuclear Engineer
“I read this book when the leadership was challenged with lots of distrust. The book enabled me to see and consider what my actions appeared like and enabled me to see the other point of view.
It discusses the positive impact if we practice the seven following principles related to leading with love.”
6. Nine Lies about Work: A Freethinking Leader’s Guide to the Real World
- Find the book at Amazon
- Written by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall
- Recommended by Anthony Presley, Electrical and Computer Engineer
“Most of what these guys say will fly in the face of any large company’s skill and leadership tests, but they are absolutely spot on when it comes to most of their findings. Personal drive is what gets you there, regardless of how your manager treats you. And that’s inversed for anyone who wants to be a manager.”
7. Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box
- Find the book at Amazon
- Written by The Arbinger Institute
- Recommended by John Rodke, Mechanical Engineer
“This is a transformational book. It drastically changed my leadership style. It teaches separating the people from the problem(s) to be able to solve them.”
8. First, Break All The Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently
- Find the book at Amazon
- Written by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman
- Recommended by Monnica Rose, Mechanical Engineer
“This book allows managers to motivate employees to work to their strengths. Helps with understanding the team and for the new manager, helps them know their team and the strength of the team.”
9. The Fully Integrated Engineer: Combining Technical Ability and Leadership Prowess
- Find the book at Amazon
- Written by Steven Cerri
- Recommended by Ray Wolfgang, Electrical and Computer Engineer
“I was having trouble with some of the non-technical parts of the job. This book really helped. It also emphasizes the shift needed to be a good manager. It’s a new career.”
10. Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
- Find the book at Amazon
- Written by David Allen
- Recommended by Sam Wyatt, Construction Engineer
“Before I was able to effectively lead a team or get involved in mentoring and marketing, I had to learn to organize and get things done without dropping anything. This included learning how to effectively delegate, how to carefully follow up with other team members and meet ALL my deadlines. To sum it up, this book gave me the strategic tools I needed to become more organized with a very technical job without losing my sanity.”
11. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win
- Find the book at Amazon
- Written by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
- Recommended by Clayton Chabannes, Civil Engineer
“This is one of my favorite books for new managers and leaders. The book kicks off with the foundational principle that as a leader, you must take ownership of everything you are responsible for. That means you don’t let a team member take the blame when the team fails nor do you make excuses. You own it all, and you work proactively to make sure your team is successful.”
12. Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership
- Find the book at Amazon
- Written by James W. Sipe and Don M. Frick
- Recommended by Tracy Thomason, Software Engineer
“Seven Pillars revamped my model of what makes a great leader. I’ve read the book several times in order to keep myself aligned with its principles. It provides theory as well as the practical application of the seven pillars. Any new or experienced leader would benefit from studying this book.”
Final Takeaway
It was a little difficult for me to pick my favorite. Several others are right up there, but Seven Pillars edged them out. Several of those who helped me with this article experienced similar feelings.
What’s your favorite leadership book? Or have you read any of these and have something to share? Leave a comment below. I’d love to get your thoughts and your suggestion. I’m always looking for another book to add to my list.
Author: Tracy Thomason (with help from 11 friends)
Agile project manager by day, craft beer drinker by night, and avid reader of leadership and personal development books.
More posts by Tracy
Great list, Tracy. Very thoughtfully picked out. I’ll be sure to read some of these. I liked the trend towards human resource management.
Perhaps some engineering books about software development would round out the list? I definitely believe excellent people management skills is a necessity, but technical acumen with SDLC’s, Frameworks, Patterns and Practices are also quite necessary.
A quick glance at my bookshelf…(which is a bit dated, but still relevant)
Project Management, A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling and Controlling (Kerzner)
Software Requirements (Wiegers)
Technical Writing (Diane C. Reep)
The Manager’s Guide to Effective Meetings (Streibel)
Crucial Conversations (Patterson)
Process Consultation, Lessons For Managers and Consultants (Schein)
Working With Difficult People (Solomon)
Managerial and Organizational Reality (Frost)
Coaching, Counseling and Mentoring (Stone)
It’s All Politics (Reardon)
I’d also recommend throwing in a book or two on strategic planning.
Cheers!
Thanks for this list, Chris!