Marcus Buckingham Books

At the heart of this book lies one defining idea: the role of a manager is different from that of a leader. While leaders focus on vision, managers focus on people. A leader sets direction for an organization; a manager turns that direction into reality by working closely with individuals to transfo...

From First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently

One of the first rules great managers break concerns their hiring process. Traditionally, organizations seek candidates with the longest resumes, the most impressive degrees, or the highest scores on procedural tests. But our data revealed that none of those metrics consistently predicted success. W...

From First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently

When I talk about love in the context of work, I don’t mean a sentimental affection for a company or role. Love at work is the experience of emotional resonance—the sense that your daily activities amplify rather than drain your vitality. We each have unique configurations of enthusiasm. One person ...

From Love + Work: How to Find What You Love, Love What You Do, and Do It for the Rest of Your Life

For decades, my research has revolved around strengths—the recurring patterns of thought, feeling, and behavior that make you effective. Strengths are not simply talents you were born with, nor skills acquired through repetition. They are activities that make you feel strong. The science shows that ...

From Love + Work: How to Find What You Love, Love What You Do, and Do It for the Rest of Your Life

Let me start with the most seductive of corporate illusions: that employees care about the company name embossed on their ID badge. When leaders talk about engagement, they often describe the brand, the mission statement, or the culture as if these abstractions directly inspire people. Yet, if you o...

From Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader's Guide to the Real World

Planning feels safe. It brings comfort—an illusion that the future can be mapped if only we’re diligent enough. But the workplaces we studied showed a different reality. Success rarely comes from a meticulously crafted plan. It comes from the ability to read the present moment and adapt. We found t...

From Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader's Guide to the Real World