If you are thinking of Scaling Up your career and moving into a management position, could be technical leadership or people management, you are going to need to understand how people work. If you come from a technical background and didn't study management or influence, we've got your back. Below are 4 of our favourite books to help guide you on developing those interpersonal skills you will need to stay on top of your game.

These books are written by some of the worlds best critical thinkers and people who have dedicated their life to studying their field.

Drive by Daniel Pink

First up is Drive by Daniel Pink. This book is all about motivation, and Pink argues that traditional rewards and punishments aren't always the best way to motivate people. Instead, he says that autonomy, mastery, and purpose are the three key elements that drive motivation and engagement. By giving your team members more freedom to make decisions, opportunities to master new skills, and a sense of purpose in their work, you can create a work environment that fosters intrinsic motivation and leads to great results.

The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

Next, we have The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni. ScaleUp Co-Founder Sam, remembers when he first saw the 5 Dysfunctions pyramid upon his honeymoon in New York whilst visiting MOMA. It was like a light bulb went off as he was studying management philosophy and influence in his spare time and immediately saw the parallels between Maslow's 'hierarchy of needs" and how a team interacts with each other. This book explores what makes a team successful, and Lencioni identifies five key dysfunctions that can hold a team back: lack of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. By tackling these dysfunctions head-on, you can create a team that collaborates effectively and produces great work. Check out our blog post exploring this further.

The One Thing by Gary Keller

If you're struggling with focus, The One Thing by Gary Keller is a must-read. Keller argues that we often get bogged down by too many tasks and responsibilities, which can prevent us from accomplishing what really matters. He suggests that by identifying the one thing that's most important and focusing all our energy on that, we can achieve amazing things. This book can help you prioritize your work and help your team members do the same, ultimately leading to more productivity and success.

Influence by Robert Cialdini

Finally, we have Influence by Robert Cialdini. This classic book delves into the psychology of persuasion and offers practical tips for influencing others. Whether you're trying to negotiate with clients, inspire your team, or sell an idea to upper management, understanding the principles of persuasion can make you a more effective communicator and leader. Cialdini's boyish wit is evident through at times hilarious examples of how he utilises and is effected by all "weapons of influence" that he breaks down. It's a must read.

These four books are total game-changers for anybody who is moving up in their technical career into ANY sort of people management. By implementing the ideas and principles they offer, you can create a workplace culture that encourages motivation, collaboration, focus, and influence, all of which will lead to greater success for your team and your organization.

Let us know what you think of these books OR if there are any other great books you can recommend to us let us know so we read them and follow up with a blog post that could help others to ScaleUp their career!

If you would like to chat more about the topics covered in this blog, or require any help, please reach out to us via our Contact Us page or email info@scaleuprecruitment.com.au.