12 Must-Read Books for Scaling Leaders (Episode 70)
- Chad Lingafelt
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
If you asked three successful security business owners for their top book recommendations, you’d expect a solid list. But in Episode 70 of the Unlocked Podcast, Tony (Assured Security), Lars (Calgary Lock & Safe), and Chad (Loc-Doc Security) took it a step further with a "Blind Rank" challenge. The goal: rank 12 influential books one by one, without knowing which one was coming next.
Foundational Philosophies
The heavy hitters appeared early. "Turn the Ship Around" by David Marquet was ranked as the #1 book by Chad, who described it as "transformational". The book’s focus on intention-based leadership helped him shift from a controlling leader to one who builds proactive teams. Similarly, Jocko Willink’s "Extreme Ownership" was highlighted for its core message: "There are no bad teams, only bad leaders".
The "Broccoli" and the "Fuel"
The trio had a love-hate relationship with some of the more technical entries. Lars famously referred to "The 4 Disciplines of Execution" (4DX) as "eating your broccoli"—a tough, university-level read that is hard to chew but vital for organizational health. On the other hand, "Rocket Fuel" was noted as an "integrator vs. visionary" manual that is essential for owners trying to escape the day-to-day "whirlwind".
The Unlocked Official Top 12 Rankings:
Through the chaos of the blind rank, here is where the books landed:
Buy Back Your Time (Dan Martell)
Turn the Ship Around (Lars/Chad's pivot point)
10X is Easier than 2X (Strategic Mindset)
Never Split the Difference (Negotiation)
4 Disciplines of Execution (Operational Alignment)
Traction (The Reference Bible)
Radical Candor (People Management)
Drive (Motivation Psychology)
Extreme Ownership (Personal Accountability)
Profit First (Financial Discipline)
Atlas Shrugged (The Fiction Entry)
Rocket Fuel (The Simple Start)
Why It Matters
As Lars pointed out, the secret to success isn't just doing more; it's doing less by focusing on what moves the needle. Whether you are a "guy in a van" or managing a team of 80, these books provide the vernacular and frameworks to stop reacting to fires and start building a legacy.
🔗 Podcast Links:
The Unlocked Podcast: unlockedpodcast.com
🎧: Apple & Spotify
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