My Dad has often told me that when he has a meeting in someone’s office, he loves to take a look at the office bookshelf. He believes what a book someone reads says a lot about who they are as a person. Dawn Adams felt this way, as well, when she said, "Show me the books he loves and I shall know the man far better than through mortal friends."

As we see technology buzzing around us and diverting our attention on every level, it is important to keep reading, whether on a kindle or not. I sure agree with this quote by Ray Bradbury: "You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them."

In my quest to learn a little bit more about my friends and colleagues whom I trust, I composed a list of books my friends and colleagues have shared that are their "favorite books on leadership." Everyone comes from a different background and part of the country. I hope you can take some inspiration from their choices and then head to your local bookstore for a little spring reading. Enjoy!

1. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People"

Lisa Wink Shultz is the director of communications for the Senate Chaplain in Washington, D.C. She lists Stephen Covey’s "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" as a great tool for her in managing and leading others. Lisa writes, "Because I work in Washington, D.C. a work/life balance can be a difficult task and I really appreciated the freedom and encouragement Covey gave me to strive for a balanced lifestyle."

2. "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership"

David Anderson, the East Coast president of Master Media in New York City shared that "The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" by John Maxwell is one of his favorites. He also enjoys the writings of Jack Welch, including "Winning" and "Straight from the Gut."

3. "When Pride Still Mattered"

Steven Herz, who is the president of If Management in New York City and the agent of San Antonio’s own Sean Elliot, chose the book "When Pride Still Mattered" by David Maraniss. It’s a book about the Green Bay Packers football coach Vince Lombardi. Steve shares that "what amazed me about Lombardi (famous for, among other things, his "winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing" quote) was his incredible attention to detail, his work ethic and his tremendous love for his family. What makes it a great leadership book for me is how you can learn to be a leader by observing what others have done in the past. This is a must read for anyone who cares about faith, family or football in any order."

4. "Leadership by the Book"

Jim Hopson of Hopson Consulting, and a former school superintendent from California, loves "Leadership by the Book" by Ken Blanchard, Bill Hybels, and Phil Hodges. Jim says, "It is a doable, genuinely useful book for faith-based business leaders in the 21st century. It focuses on the leadership genius of Jesus to help the man or woman in today’s business culture understand "servant leadership" and its life-changing implications."

5. "The Federalist Papers"

Erin Hagert-Miller, an actress in New York City, enjoys "The Federalist Papers" by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay. She explains that reading this is "the most motivational to me because of everything that they were up against. Through intense debate, these papers helped form our government."

6. "The Book of Timothy"

Kathleen Mayes, a business owner from Houston, turns to the book of Timothy in the Bible. She says the verses of 1 Tim. 3: 1-13 describe the qualities of a great leader.

She shares, "Especially the verses that list the qualities of a leader - above reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, not addicted to wine, gentle, etc. These are qualities that the Lord says make good leaders."

Thank you to my friends and colleagues for sharing their favorite books. I hope you enjoy their selections.