More About Amazon.com's Best Books of the Month

Each month, Amazon.com's editorial team reads scores of books in search of those we consider the Best Books of the Month. We also seek and select the best books in popular categories like Cooking, Food & Wine books, Literature & Fiction, Children's books, Mystery & Thrillers, Comics & Graphic Novels, Romance, Science Fiction & Fantasy, and the best books for kids and teens.

We scour reviews and book news, we swap books amongst ourselves, and spend our nights and weekends tearing through as many of the best books as possible. Then we face off in a monthly Best Books showdown meeting to champion the books we think will resonate most with their readership.

The titles that make our Best Books of Month lists are the keepers, the ones we couldn't forget. Many of our editorial picks for the best books are also customer favorites and bestsellers, but we strive to spotlight the best books you might not otherwise hear about. Each month we also pick "Spotlight" book (the #1 Editors' Pick) and a "Debut Spotlight" (the best new book by a debut author).

The books included in Amazon's Best Books of the Month program are entirely editorial selections. We have great passion for uniting readers of all ages and tastes with their next favorite read, helping our customers find terrific gifts, and drawing more attention to great books by exceptional authors.

Interestingly, the stats we receive on those downloads indicate that the podcast listeners come from across the world.  In fact, only about half of the downloads come from the United States. Clearly, the desire to be a great boss is universal!

The podcasts are free, and that certainly adds to their appeal. But what I hear from listeners is that they appreciate several things about them:

1. The practical topics. I share tips about issues that managers face each day.
2. The brevity.  Typical episodes run between 3 and 5 minutes. I've been told by listeners that I often ride to work with them in their cars, or jog along with them on a run. The concise episodes work well for busy people.
3. The optimistic but realistic advice. I think management can be a challenging, frustrating and often lonely endeavor. But because I also believe management can be an absolutely joyful mission as leaders help others do their best work.

My favored form of management training will always be face-to-face, so it can involve customization and coaching for each participant. I know from evaluations of the many workshops I lead that people truly value the ability to get individualized feedback.

But if that's not a reality for you today, feel free to take advantage of the "What Great Bosses Know" podcasts and the book "WORK HAPPY: WHAT GREAT BOSSES KNOW."

You can also check out the book's Facebook page, where I curate and share worthwhile readings on leadership and management and update it regularly.

At the end of the seminar, I mentioned to a colleague how energized I was by the group.  There was an optimism in the room that was undeniable.  It was a special mindset -- refreshing in these days of downsizing, changing demands and tight budgets.  The more I thought about it, the more I was inspired to write, so I could encourage veteran managers to recapture an essential part of the new manager mindset.  Here's a link to that column and podcast on Poynter.org.

Hope you enjoy it!  Let me know what you think.

Over the past ten years, the University has been at the fore of conversations about leadership and its impact on business, education, government and civic life.  Stritch brings together people who care about leadership, problem-solving and success in a diverse society.  I'm honored to be a featured speaker this year.

I hope I will see you for this special event.  More information is below.  Please use the following link to access the site for registration, tickets and other information: Helen Bader Leadership Speaker Series. (Links within the flyer below aren't active via this page.)

Leaders from Denmark

It's always fun to work with leaders from other countries.  We learn from each other.  This week at the Poynter Institute, we're working with 21 leaders from across Denmark.  They represent newspapers, TV stations, radio stations, online media and magazine journalism.

Fortunately, our seminar participants are fluent in English, which is a common second language in Denmark, since my command of Danish is limited to "Velkommen" (welcome) and "Takk" (thank you.)  Clearly, I have a lot to learn!

Difficult Conversation Session

• Base it on a solid theoretical foundation (not just the teacher's opinions)
• Make it relevant to the daily lives and needs of the managers
• Focus it on helping people do their best work
• Keep it fun and interactive

Apparently lots of people have found "What Great Bosses Know," according to the weekly download reports for 2012 that come to us from ITunes.

Because it's usually among the top ten podcast collections, I knew it had a following.  But the final tally for 2102 was remarkable. Are you ready for the total?  Drum roll, please:

3,187,324!

The production isn't sophisticated.  My studio is wherever my laptop and I happen to be.  This photo is from my home office, but I've recorded in many locations, including on the road when I'm away teaching or consulting.

The podcasts are brief, practical and conversational.  People tell me they listen to them while driving to work and even while exercising.  Perhaps the real secret to their popularity, though, is that they are FREE!

If you'd like to be among the 2013 downloaders, just click on this link and it will take you to iTunes U and the "What Great Bosses Know" podcasts.  And of course, if you like what you learn by listening, just think what "WORK HAPPY: WHAT GREAT BOSSES KNOW" -- with its greater depth -- could do for you!