The Books That Changed How We Lead

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About the Episode:

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.

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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.

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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.

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‍The Books That Shaped Our Leadership Approach

‍Mallory and Seth each brought a list of their top leadership books, and surprisingly, some picks overlapped. Both agreed that The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins is an essential read for anyone stepping into a new leadership role. Whether you’re joining a new institution or taking on more responsibility in your current role, the book provides a roadmap to navigating those crucial first months. Mallory highlighted How to Be a Great Boss, which introduces a simple but powerful framework for delegation. The “Delegate and Elevate” model helps leaders identify what tasks they should focus on and what they should offload to empower their teams. Seth emphasized the importance of Jim Collins’ work, particularly Good to Great, for understanding how to build high-performing organizations.

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‍Bridging the Gap Between Marketing and Finance

‍One of the most overlooked skills for leaders—especially in higher education—is financial literacy. Mallory recommended Financial Intelligence, a book that helps non-financial professionals understand balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow in a way that’s practical and approachable. If you want a seat at the leadership table, you need to be fluent in the language of finance.

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‍The Role of AI and Why Linchpin Matters More Than Ever

‍Seth Godin’s Linchpin has been a staple for years, but Mallory argues it’s more relevant now than ever. In a world where AI is taking over repetitive tasks, the book’s core message—being indispensable by focusing on creativity, empathy, and problem-solving—is crucial. AI can handle the data, but it’s humans who bring strategic insight. If you’ve read Linchpin before, this might be the perfect time to revisit it through the lens of today’s evolving workplace.

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‍More Book Recommendations for Leaders

‍Seth wrapped up the conversation with a speed round of additional must-reads:

• Marketing & Strategy: Ogilvy on Advertising, Ryan Holiday’s Ego is the Enemy
• Biographies & Memoirs: Shoe Dog (Phil Knight), Steve Jobs (Walter Isaacson)
• Mindfulness & Philosophy: Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, Tao Te Ching

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Want More Leadership Insights?If you’re looking for an actionable guide to integrating AI into your leadership strategy, check out The AI Playbook for Institutional Leaders. This free resource breaks down AI adoption into three phases, offering checklists and frameworks to guide your institution’s approach. Download it now on Enrollify’s site under the Guides section, and be sure to explore our other resources on leadership, enrollment marketing, and higher ed trends.

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• 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

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Connect With Our Hosts:

Mallory Willsea
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/
https://twitter.com/mallorywillsea

Seth Odell
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethodell/
https://twitter.com/sethodell

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About The Enrollify Podcast Network: The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Generation AI and Confessions of a Higher Education Social Media Manager.

Enrollify is produced by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

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