RECOMMENDED READINGS
EXPERT INSIGHTS TO ELEVATE YOUR LEADERSHIP
Diamond6 faculty members are not only experienced and expert leaders—they're also accomplished authors whose books offer valuable insights into leadership, mentoring, and organizational growth. These recommended reads reflect the depth of their expertise and provide practical tools, research-based strategies, and inspiring stories to support personal and professional development.
Whether you're looking to enhance your leadership skills, navigate complex workplace dynamics, or empower others, these books serve as trusted guides on your journey.
BATTLE TESTED! GETTYSBURG LEADERSHIP LESSONS FOR 21ST CENTURY LEADERS
Dr. Jeff McCausland & Tom Vossler
Battle Tested! uses lessons from the Battle of Gettysburg to reveal timeless leadership principles that apply to organizations, teams, and careers today. Through the successes and failures of Union and Confederate commanders under extreme pressure, the book shows how effective leaders communicate vision, inspire trust, and guide others through change. Drawing on historic examples, it offers practical insights for mastering decision-making and leading with impact in any field.
A FIELD GUIDE TO GETTYSBURG: EXPERIENCING THE BATTLEFIELD THROUGH ITS HISTORY, PLACES, AND PEOPLE
Carol Reardon & Tom Vossler
A Field Guide to Gettysburg takes visitors through every key battlefield site, offering historical context and personal perspectives from soldiers and local residents answering essential questions about the battle’s events, leaders, and lasting impact.
A FIELD GUIDE TO ANTIETAM: EXPERIENCING THE BATTLEFIELD THROUGH ITS HISTORY, PLACES, AND PEOPLE
Carol Reardon & Tom Vossler
A Field Guide to Antietam offers an engaging tour of the battlefield, blending historical context, firsthand accounts, and insights into the battle’s leaders, events, and lasting impact, including its link to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
LEAD LIKE A GUIDE: HOW WORLD-CLASS MOUNTAIN GUIDES INSPIRE US TO BE BETTER LEADERS
Dr. Chris Maxwell
Discover how the leadership strengths of world-class mountain guides—like managing risk, building trust, and empowering others—can elevate your impact at work and in life. Based on years of research and real-world experience, this book offers a practical, inspiring model for leading with clarity and resilience.
ATHENA RISING: HOW AND WHY MENS SHOULD MENTOR WOMEN
W. Brad Johnson, PhD & David Smith, PhD
A practical guide for men on mentoring women with intention and impact. Drawing on research and experience, the authors address the dynamics of cross-gender mentoring and show how supportive mentorship leads to stronger leadership and more inclusive workplaces.
THE ELEMENTS OF MENTORING: 75 PRACTICES OF MASTER MENTORS
W. Brad Johnson, PhD & Charles R. Ridley
The Elements of Mentoring offers a concise, practical guide to effective mentoring. Drawing on research and real-world experience, the book outlines essential principles and behaviors that foster meaningful mentor-mentee relationships. It's an invaluable resource for anyone looking to support and develop others with integrity, clarity, and impact.
GOOD GUYS: HOW MEN CAN BE BETTER ALLIES FOR WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE
W. Brad Johnson, PhD & David Smith, PhD
Good Guys is a practical, research-based guide for men who want to be effective allies to women in the workplace. The book highlights how gender-inclusion efforts often exclude men, despite their influence, and shows that real progress happens when men are actively engaged. With firsthand stories and actionable tips, it empowers men to partner with women to promote leadership and equality.
THE EMPATHY EDGE: HARNESSING THE VALUE OF COMPASSION AS AN ENGINE FOR SUCCESS
Maria Ross
This practical guide shows how a lack of empathy can hurt businesses—and how cultivating it can drive success. Combining branding expertise with real-world stories and research, Ross offers actionable strategies for building stronger teams, creating authentic brands, and fostering more loyal, productive workplaces.
THE EMPATHY DILEMMA: HOW SUCCESSFUL LEADERS BALANCE PERFORMANCE, PEOPLE, AND PERSONAL BOUNDARIES
Maria Ross
The Empathy Dilemma helps leaders balance compassion with high performance in a post-pandemic world. Through five key pillars, Ross offers practical strategies to support mental health, build trust, and maintain strong results. This essential guide shows how empathy and productivity can successfully coexist.
LINCOLN’S SANCTUARY: ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE SOLDIERS’ HOME
Matthew Pinsker
Lincoln’s Sanctuary reveals how a little-known cottage at the Soldiers' Home in Washington, D.C., served as a refuge for Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. Living there for a quarter of his presidency, Lincoln found solace, forged critical relationships, and made pivotal decisions like the Emancipation Proclamation. Drawing on rare sources, Pinsker offers a fresh, intimate portrait of Lincoln’s leadership and personal resilience.