Episode Details

Hosts Mallory and Seth dive into the books that have profoundly shaped their leadership philosophies. From timeless business classics to modern leadership must-reads, they share personal anecdotes, key insights, and how these books have influenced their careers. If you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, rethink your approach to work, or just add some solid reads to your bookshelf, this episode is for you.

Their Book Recommendations:

• How To Be a Great Boss - Gino Wickman and Rene Boer 
• The First 90 Days - Michael Watkins
• Financial Intelligence - Karen Berman and Joe Knight 
• Linchpin - Seth Godin

Key Takeaways

• Leadership wisdom in print – Books like The Contrarian’s Guide to Leadership and The First 90 Days provide invaluable frameworks for becoming a more effective leader.
• Decluttering your learning habits – Seth shares why he donated 1,000+ business books and how it changed his mindset.
• The power of delegation – How to Be a Great Boss introduces the “Delegate and Elevate” method to help leaders focus on their strengths.
• The business side of leadership – Financial Intelligence is a must-read for marketers and leaders who want to master financial decision-making.
• Navigating change – Leading Change by John Kotter offers an eight-step framework for organizational transformation.
• Why AI makes Linchpin more relevant than ever – Seth Godin’s classic on being indispensable in an evolving workplace takes on new meaning in the age of AI.

Why Seth Donated 1,000+ Business Books‍ 
At one point, Seth owned over a thousand marketing and business books—until he gave almost all of them away. The decision wasn’t about decluttering; it was about mindset. He realized he had been reading out of self-doubt rather than genuine curiosity. His takeaway? Read intentionally, not out of obligation. This led to a more thoughtful approach to learning and a more focused book collection, including only the works that truly resonated with him.

‍The Books That Shaped Our Leadership Approach 
‍Mallory and Seth each br