Leaders Read#99

👋 Hello everyone,

Winston Churchill said, “Diplomacy is the art of telling people to go to hell in such a way that they ask for directions.”

Here are a few resources you might have missed:

• Book notes: How to Know a Person by David Brooks

• All 195 Book notes for your enjoyment

• Catch-up: #1 - #98 Leaders Read Newsletters

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📚 Book Summary:

This week's book is "The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking" by Micheal D. Watkins.

This book outlines six ways to think more strategically—and, just as importantly, it explores who to bring along for the journey and how to communicate your vision.

One of my favorite takeaways from the book is this:

"In seeking to influence the rules of the game, it's helpful to imagine you are a corporate diplomat. International diplomats seek to protect and advance the interests of their nations by fostering relationships, building alliances, and negotiating agreements. As a corporate diplomat, you must learn to do the same to protect and promote the interest of your business."

✅ Actionable advice:

The creed of a diplomat: calm under pressure, decisive but not rough, knowledgeable without arrogance, adaptable and observant. These are not just good leadership behaviors on paper; they’re how you earn trust, create clarity, and align outcomes. If you want to shape the game, start by leading like a diplomat.

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Have a great week!