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The Leadership Library is a forum where members of our State of Missouri team - from all agencies and from all levels - share books, articles, videos, and other sources that inspire them to think and do differently.

The Library aims to share great ideas to help us better lead ourselves, our teams, and our organizations to serve the citizens of Missouri and make our state stronger.

The Library's collection will grow every week, so please come back regularly.

When Pride Still Mattered Book cover
Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Sarah Steelman, Former Commissioner, Office of Administration
The story of a master coach and how he built commitment, confidence, and winning teams.
 
Moneyball cover
Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Drew Erdmann, Former Chief Operating Officer, Office of the Governor
How an insider overturned “conventional wisdom” and revolutionized how people understand good performance.
 
The Wisdom of the Enneagram book cover
Book
Recommended by: Anastasia Smith, Alternative Project Delivery Coordinator, Department of Transportation
Identifying personality traits leads to greater self awareness
 
Leadership: In Turbulent Times book cover

Leadership: In Turbulent Times (2018) by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Mardy Leathers, Division of Workforce Development, Department of Economic Development
How presidents lead the U.S. through turbulent times in history
 
Lincoln The Unkown by Dale Carnegie

Lincoln the Unknown (1932) by Dale Carnegie

Book
Recommended by: Grace Link, Executive Director, Missouri Veterans Commission
 
Lincoln on Leadership
Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: T. Scott Pinkley, Youth Group Leader, Member of the Missouri Leadership Library, Division of Youth Services, Department of Social Services
Abraham Lincoln's leadership provides foundation for effective leadership
 
Show Up As Your Best Self: Mindful Leaders, Meditation, & More
Book
Recommended by: Stacia Dawson Missouri Leadership Academy member, Services Section Manager, Office of Administration
 
Powerful: Building a Culture of Freedom and Responsibility (2018) by Patty McCord
Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Michelle Hataway, Project Manager, Department of Economic Development, and Missouri Leadership Academy member
Learning from Netflix how to have fun and deliver impact
 
It's Our Ship: The No-Nonsense Guide to Leadership

It's Our Ship: The No-Nonsense Guide to Leadership (2008) by Captain D. Michael Abrashoff

Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Crystal Wessing, Director of Finance & Administration, Office of Administration
Stories of service impart practical leadership advice
 
Team of Team Book Cover

Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World (2015) by General Stanley McChrystal (retired)

Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Randall Williams, Director, Department of Health and Senior Services
How to reach common goals and create change with shared consciousness
 
Make Your Bed book cover
Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Drew Erdmann, Chief Operating Officer, Office of the Governor
If you want to change the world… start every day by getting something done
 
Made to Stick Book Cover

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die (2007) by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Jaron Vail, Research Associate - Proprietary School Certification, Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
How to make an idea memorable
 
Leadership Gold Book Cover
Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Stan Payne, Warden of Potosi Correctional Center, Department of Corrections
Lessons you can learn from 40 years of leadership experience
 
Who Moved My Cheese Book Cover
Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Anna Hui, Director, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
How to adapt for success when someone moved your “cheese.”
 
Monday Morning Leadership Book Cover
Book
Recommended by: Cari Pointer, Child Abuse and Neglect Program Development Specialist, Department of Social Services
Tips and tricks to becoming a great manager
 
Daring Greatly Book Cover
Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Dr. Tara Tubbesing, Director of Psychology, Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center, Department of Mental Health
Why vulnerability is our most accurate measure of courage.
 
Beyond Paper or Plastic Book Cover
Book
Recommended by: Brenda Buschjost, Health Program Representative, Department of Health and Senior Services
Why we need to remember those we serve everyday
 
Leadership Library Advice: Fourteen Leadership Principles by Dr. Charles McClain
Article
Recommended by: Zora Mulligan, Commissioner, Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development
A more personal reminder of how to lead
 
Let My People Go Surfing Book Cover
Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Alex Kovac, Assistant District Supervisor, Department of Natural Resources
How investing in your employees and customers produces positive results
 
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking Book Cover
Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Joel Walters, Director, Department of Revenue
How diversity in approach can make teams stronger
 
The Martian book cover

The Martian (2014) by Andy Weir

Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Brooke Mayfield, Assistant Director of Investigations, Department of Mental Health
How to use creative problem solving to get you through any situation – even on Mars
 
Start With Why Book Cover
Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Rob Dixon, Director, Department of Economic Development
Why an organization’s “Why” shapes its success
 
The Change Agent's Guide to Radical Improvement book cover
Book
Recommended by: Tammy Cavender, Deputy Director, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
How to make organizational change for sustained improvement
 
Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity
Book (with additional video)
Recommended by: Colleen Dowd, Planning Unit Manager, Department of Corrections
Learning to give feedback is the critical skill for leading successful teams
 
A Passion for Leadership book cover
Book
Recommended by: Eric Greitens, Former Governor
Practical wisdom from fifty years of experience on how to change your organization
 

Check Out Books

The Leadership Library Team is excited to partner with the Missouri State Library to provide state employees more access to the recommended books. Please know that while many books are accessible through the state library, not all are in its inventory.

Missouri state employees can apply for a free library card here. For step-by-step instructions on how to request a book from the Missouri State Library, you can view the Using MOBIUS guide or the video.

Requested materials can be picked up at the State Library (600 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65101), picked up at a MOBIUS member library, delivered through interagency mail (Jefferson City only), or delivered via UPS (outside Jefferson City only). Please contact the Missouri State Library if you have any questions.

You can also check out books from the Leadership Library’s lending library at the Harry S. Truman building at 301 W. High St. in Jefferson City or by emailing leadership.library@oa.mo.gov. Please include the book title and your work address when requesting a book through email. 

If you have other questions or feedback, please let us know at leadership.library@oa.mo.gov