BATTLE CREEK, Michigan –
March is National Reading Month. It's a time to encourage everyone to pick up a good book, whether for personal or professional growth. As we approach the month long celebration, DLA Disposition Services would like to especially focus on the workforce, which includes both civilians and military personnel in the field and here at the Battle Creek headquarters.
Reading has many benefits for individuals and organizations alike. From improving literacy skills to enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, reading plays a major role in personal and professional development. In today's fast-paced world, it's more important than ever to take a moment to slow down and engage with a book, whether it be fiction or non-fiction.
Reading is a means of continuing education and professional development. It's also a way to learn new skills and improve upon existing ones, while also providing a source of entertainment and escape from the daily grind.
Leadership is encouraging everyone to participate in National Reading Month by setting aside some time each day to read. Whether it be during lunch breaks, before bed, or during your daily commute, every moment spent with a good book can make a big difference. And for those who may be looking for some inspiration, we have a special reading list from the DLA Disposition Services leadership team.
These books cover a wide range of topics, from business strategy to personal development. Everyone tis encouraged o check them out and start the conversation.
Finally, DLA Disposition Services Deputy Director Col. Andre Toussaint would like to invite the workforce to attend an open forum discussion March 7 where attendees can discuss the books on the list, as well as any other great books that people are currently reading. This will be an opportunity to share insights, ideas, and recommendations, and to get the conversation going about the importance of reading and how it can contribute to personal and professional growth.
DLA Disposition Services Reading List
Mike Cannon
DLA Disposition Services Director
The Bible
*A hard copy is available for loan for associates from his personal collection.
In addition to keeping me spiritually grounded and balancing that pillar of resiliency, there are great pearls of wisdom and recommendations for behavior throughout.
19 Stars by Edgar F. Puryear, Jr.
*A hard copy is available for loan for associates from his personal collection.
It provides insight into military character (which translates well to character, in general, especially within DoD) and leadership by looking at four of the most famous and successful U.S. Generals.
Sharing Success Owning Failure; Preparing to Command in the Twenty-First Century Air Force by David L. Goldfein, (then) Colonel, USAF
*A hard copy is available for loan for associates from his personal collection.
Written by the current Chief of Staff of the Air Force back when he was a Colonel. He focuses on command of an Air Force unit, but contains universal leadership truths. He delves into expectations at all levels, developing a vision and building the environment, how to “walk the walk,” handling discipline and accountability through a justice lens, and some of what he calls “Great Ideas,” that includes fostering fun, sponsoring new people, rewarding people, mentoring, etc. It really helped get me prepared for my first big leadership challenge, squadron command. Oh and it’s only about 100 small-sized pages.
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
*A hard copy is available for loan for associates from his personal collection.
Although some of the language has been updated for easier reading and the author does some character interpretation, it is a very accurate story of the Battle of Gettysburg. It provides historical insight into the most tumultuous time in our nation’s history and shows how and why some very difficult decisions were made.
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
*A hard copy is available for loan for associates from his personal collection.
Although a work of science fiction, it’s a great book on small unit leadership. It shows, in mostly relatable terms, how a person can go from a new teammate with some initial disciplinary issues, to a dynamic and valued team leader.
Why CEOs Fail by David L. Dotlich and Peter C. Cairo
*Available through LMS/Skillsoft for DLA associates. A hard copy is available for loan to associates from his personal collection.
Easy read that outlines 11 behaviors that can derail any leader. They focus on CEOs, as their failures are well known and tend to be more spectacular. However, the 11 behaviors transcend the spectrum of leadership.
Col Andre Toussaint
DLA Disposition Services Deputy Director
The Bible
I am led by the Spirit and not by sight. The Bible is my go-to book that has the answers for everything in life. It’s the only book that I read daily. It’s everything from a history book to how to conduct yourself in your current life to telling you what’s to come. It is all things past, present and future.
The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey
*Available through LMS/Skillsoft for DLA associates.
I sometimes discuss building the three ships (partnerships, relationships and friendships). This cannot happen without first building trust. Trust is the foundation for any relationship whether personal or relationship. Trust is a force multiplier when built correctly but distrust is a cancer in any body of relationship.
The Biology of Belief by Dr. Bruce Lipton
There’s an adage what we are what we eat. Well, we are also what we think. There’s a myth that we are subject to our genes – that they control our living. Dr. Lipton shows us that we are products of what we believe and that we control our genes vice our genes controlling us.
Zen: Zen for Beginners by Daniel D'Apollonio
I believe in living a Zen lifestyle. All plants and animals communicate through vibration. Through language, humans have lost the art of communicating through vibration. Zen helps me be in the here-and-now and be able to read between the lines. Zen asks for a continued improvement of our goals and dreams and encourages meditation.
Start with Why by Simon Senek
*Available through LMS/Skillsoft for DLA associates.
This is a favorite book of mine because Simon Senek tries to get the reader to think differently. Instead of beginning with what we are doing. Start with the ‘why’ we are doing it. Beginning with ‘why’ creates buy-in from your audience which can result in friends/colleagues/customers/clients for life.
The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw
If the world were perfect according to Andre Toussaint, this would be a required reading list for all high school seniors. The Greatest Generation illustrates the perfect examples of selfless service, sacrifice and compromise. Compromise is a word almost extinct in today’s vernacular. Everyone can learn from their examples.
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
*Excerpts available through LMS/Skillsoft for DLA associates.
This book may not tell you anything you don’t already know but seeing these laws explicitly on paper has helped me navigate being a professional. This book is on my kids mandatory reading list prior to graduating high school. They are great laws on navigating through life.
The Myth of Race by Robert Wald Sussman
Robert Wald Sussman traces the history of how and when ‘race’ began. He then takes us through a historical trip of how the term ‘race’ evolved and the consequences it produced. He gives several painful examples of how our some of our institutions and large companies viewed race and how they acted on those views. Reading these examples may have been painful to hear but when is learning and growing ever comfortable. Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
*Excerpts available through LMS/Skillsoft for DLA associates.
This is the basic doctrine on how to fight as a Soldier. It’s a Soldier’s operating manual from which all others derive. This is like reading Proverbs for war; quick sentences that may require reflection to gain its true meaning.
On War by Carl Von Clausewitz
This is a favorite book of mine as Clausewitz gives us his trinity: government, people, military. It’s not only a guide to how to fight a war but it inter-relates the government, people and military. These linkages are important as he gives us his Grand Strategy and the popular Center of Gravity.
Pete Foreman
Chief of Staff, DLA Disposition Services
Call Sign Chaos: Learning to Lead by Jim Mattis and Bing West
Call Sign Chaos is about retired Gen. Jim Mattis' career and provides great insight into effective leadership at all three levels: tactical, operational and strategic. It is the best book on leadership that I have read.
Arthur M. Welsh
Director, DLA Disposition Services Operations Support Directorate
Who Moved My Cheese? By Spencer Johnson
See what you are doing wrong, laugh at it, change and do better. If you do not change, you can become extinct! Change is not always because of something bad. Change can be for the better. Releasing yourself from the precious “cheese” is hard but the hopes of new “cheese” always has an upper hand. Prepare your mind for a change. Don’t sit back and become comfortable in the old “cheese.” Dr. Spencer Johnson summarized his book with “anticipate change, adapt to change quickly, enjoy change and be ready to change quickly again and again.”
Tracy Hart
Director, DLA Disposition Services Contacting
The Right to Lead – Learning Leadership Through Character and Courage by John C. Maxwell
*A hard copy is available for loan to associates at HDIFC from her personal collection.
This is one of my favorite books on leadership and it’s a short read. I read it in 2011 as a branch chief in contracting, during a time when we were struggling with overcoming some long-standing issues that were negatively impacting our organizational culture. Reading the book help reinforce my leadership beliefs and reinvigorate my pursuit of growing a top-notch team despite differences.
The book provides inspiring examples of true heroic leaders that faced adversity and excelled on bringing people together to achieve success. Even if you can’t read the book, abiding by the following tips identified by the author will help the reader grow as a leader:
- Let go of your ego – you’re not in it for personal gain.
- Become a good follower first – how can you be a good leader if you first aren’t a good follower?
- Build positive relationships – leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.
- Work with excellence – No one respects and follows mediocrity.
- Rely on discipline, not emotion – tough times and how you react earns your place as a leader.
- Make adding value your goal – a leader’s highest calling is helping others live better lives to reach their potential.
- Give your power away – if you use your power to empower others, your leadership will extend far beyond your grasp.
Childhood favorites:
- The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
- Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls
- Old Yeller by Fred Gipson
- Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Chris Judd
Director, DLA Disposition Services Resource Management
Lincoln on Leadership by Donald T. Phillips
Great book about how difficult but also how necessary it is to do the right thing when in a position of leadership.
The Truth About Being a Leader by Dr. Karen Otazo
Good leadership techniques that can be used everyday.
The Charm School by Nelson DeMille
*Fiction
Interesting read on how the Soviet Union exploited some of our “missing” Vietnam POWs.
LTC Vincent Felix
Director, DLA Disposition Services Central Region
It worked for me: In life and leadership by Colin L. Powell
This is an inspirational book from the life of a man who showed how hard work, perseverance, respect for others, thirteen rules and a strong faith in God allowed milestone achievements to become a four star General and former Secretary of State. It is one of my favorite books.
Angie Wilbur
Issue Division Chief, DLA Disposition Services Operations
The Carpenter, The Coffee Bean and The Positive Dog by Jon Gordon
Pretty much anything by Jon Gordon is a simple read with a clear message that can be applied to work and home life. These three are my favorite.
Call Sign Chaos by Jim Mattis and Bing West
After seeing the Mr. Foreman’s recommendation for this one, I listened to it on audiobook while on a long run…it was impactful. It helped me better understand the military mindset on leadership and how leadership changes throughout your career.
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
This book is about being brave enough to lean into uncomfortable situations as a team and have hard conversations about what really needs to happen. We don’t pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions.
Motivated Runners Find a Way by Kent Falting
While this book is more about running, the themes can be applied to many aspects of life and provide some great tips for being successful in anything you do.
Professional Military Reading List
For additional reading, view the Professional Military Reading List from the National Defense University.
This reading list has been constructed to support the renewal of our commitment to our Profession of Arms and the development of Joint Force 2020. The books selected capture the values and ethos of our military profession, promote innovative thinking to prepare for the operational realities of an uncertain future, and provide insights into the foundations of our service cultures.
The Army List is compiled for leaders. The Chief of Staff of the Army (CSA) views it as a pillar for his leadership development efforts. Titles are included that will provoke critical thinking about Professional soldiering and the unique role of land power; analysis and reflection on the past and the future; and a deep understanding of the Army and the future of the profession of arms in the 21st Century.
A list of books from Chief of Naval Operations Reading List that includes history, fiction, inspirational and patriotic titles, biographies and the classics on military strategy and theory. The list provides an understanding and analysis of sea power, naval history, naval aviation, and the role of the U.S. Navy in past, present and future conflicts.
The Marine Corps Professional Reading Program began as the Commandant's Reading List in 1988, although recommended reading list have been generated for Marines since the 19th century. Each Commandant since 1988 has placed his personal stamp on the program, but many books remain constant. Great books will always remain a staple of informal, self-paced professional development.
The CSAF Reading list is compiled to inform, analyze, inspire and educate. Titles are selected to inform readers about the history of the Air Force, analyze on-going conflicts and their relevancy to the future, inspire readers with success stories and provide lessons learned from conflicts.
This reading list is designed to offer Coast Guard people recommended books related to leadership. This list is not all-inclusive; the goal is to provide a starting point or expand existing knowledge and skills. The reading list provides a tool for individual leadership growth, taking into account that responsibility for leadership development rests on each individual, his or her unit, and the organization.
The Defense Acquisition Professional Reading List is intended to enrich the knowledge and understanding of the civilian, military, contractor and industrial workforce who participate in the entire defense acquisition enterprise