100 books like Row the Boat

This book is an inspiring and highly practical guide from one of the most respected leaders in the hospitality industry. As the co-founder of Ritz-Carlton, Schulze shares the secrets behind creating a culture of excellence that drives world-class service and lasting success.

He emphasizes the importance of a customer-first mindset, empowering employees to take ownership and setting uncompromising standards that everyone in the organization strives to meet. Schulze’s approach shows that excellence isn’t just about meeting expectations—it’s about consistently exceeding them in every detail. This book is a masterclass for leaders who want to build a high-performance organization that stands out and thrives through exceptional service and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

In some ways, Horst Schulze invented modern hospitality in America. His leadership lessons can be seen in the way companies like Chick-fil-A interact with their customers. This is a journey of greatness that we can all emulate. 

Captain Marquette’s YouTube video inspired me to create a highly productive team using independent thinking. Then, reading his book really spoke to me because it resonated with my first working experience outside the University of Massachusetts—namely, with the Pittsburgh Pirates as SVP of Business. The Pirates were the worst team in Major League Baseball then, losing over 100 games per season, drawing only 7,000 fans per game, and losing $10M annually. The staff were deflated and defeated.

After getting direct input from the senior staff, I planned the Pirates turnaround in three stages: 1. Stop the ship sailing in the wrong direction; 2. Turn the ship around; 3. Gain speed and momentum in the right direction. I think the key statement in Marquette’s book is, “It doesn’t matter how smart the plan is if the staff can’t execute it.”

I read this landmark book well after being at the Pirates… show more.

Twin Thieves is a true story whose main message is simple and reinforces what I know to be true—great teams are built first and foremost by great leaders. The focus is on overcoming the two biggest fears that most of us have as athletes, coaches, and/or leaders of teams—the fear of failure and of being judged unfavorably.

In reading the book, one of the first things that came to mind was the old adage: “Everyone wants to go to heaven, but no one is willing to die first.” The trick in applying this book to enhance my leadership style was to recall and tap into how I’ve overcome those fears in my life as an athlete, team member, coach, and executive. I personally learned how to get all, or at least the majority, of team members to channel those fears into positive energy.

I recently turned 75, and my son told me, “Dad, you’re now entering the 4th quarter of your life.” The book quite simply spoke to me and where my head has been for the last 2 to 3 years as I made the decision to sell my company, The Aspire Group. I had plenty of time to think through the lessons of this book—what did I really need and want from selling the business? What ongoing lifestyle did I want? What outcomes did I want, and how much money did it really take to achieve those goals and live that kind of life?

During three years of extreme pressure, there was a lot of introspection while getting the business into the right shape to put it out on the market and then negotiating the sale terms. The only way to continue to run my business, stay sane and afloat, and… show more.

I know Mark Cuban from when I was SVP of Marketing and Team Business at the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the early 2000s. When he bought the Dallas Mavericks franchise, I had just created the NBA Owners 101 program to introduce new team owners to the assets they’d acquired. Mark was as fascinating then as he is now, although less famous.

I spent two days getting to know him and telling him what he was buying. Since that time, he has only become more fascinating to me. When I read this unusual book several years ago, his advice was exactly what I’d witnessed from him in person—completely unique and different. Namely, the businesses started with no money are those you’re really passionate about; learn how to learn first; embrace technology; only associate yourself with those who are equally passionate about the business, and learn from failure. His other key… show more.

This book is a profound and practical guide on how love can transform leadership. Manby, who’s spent decades in executive roles, argues that love isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s a strategy for success. He shares seven principles of agape love, like patience, kindness, and honesty, which foster stronger relationships, deeper trust, and higher performance in the workplace. Manby shows that when leaders embrace these values, they create a culture where employees feel valued, morale soars, and productivity flourishes. His message is simple yet powerful: leading with love is not just good for people; it’s good for business, and it leads to sustainable success.

At a time when it seems everyone around us is lonely and sad, Joel not only gives us permission to tell people we love them but gives us the language to do it in a safe and affirming manner.

Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara is a fresh take on leadership that emphasizes the power of extraordinary customer service. Guidara, a renowned restaurateur, shares how going beyond what’s expected—by offering "unreasonable" levels of hospitality—can set any organization apart. He breaks down how genuine care, attention to detail, and surprise moments can turn ordinary customer interactions into unforgettable experiences. His lessons aren’t just for restaurants; they’re for any leader who wants to create a service-oriented culture that makes customers feel truly valued. Guidara shows how exceptional hospitality can build deep, lasting relationships with clients and create a culture of excellence within the team that leads to sustained success.

Will Guidara takes us through a journey of excellence that is neither straight nor easy, but his easy style of persistence is achievable in all our lives and organizations.  

This is a game-changing book for leaders looking to stay relevant, adaptable, and authentic in today’s fast-paced world. Lomenick distills leadership into three essential traits: Humble, Hungry, and Hustle. Through a combination of practical insights and personal stories, he provides actionable habits that leaders can adopt to improve themselves and their teams.

Lomenick encourages leaders to embrace humility, never lose their hunger for learning and growth, and maintain a relentless drive to get things done. This book offers a roadmap for becoming a leader who not only achieves results but also inspires and empowers others, making it a must-read for anyone serious about long-term leadership success.

H3—Humble, Hungary, and Hustle exemplifies Brad Lomenick’s life and commitment to lifting up everyone around him. After reading this book, you will understand why Brad is referred to as the most connected Christian leader in America. 

I’ve read this book 3-4 times, and every time I’ve picked up something new.

The writer focuses his entire history of the game on how the tactics have evolved from its beginnings to the modern day, showing how the global nature of the game created melting pots of ideas.  

The book is peppered with interesting anecdotes and trivia, which I love, and made me a much more informed viewer of soccer matches.

Moon realizes that certain words are particularly helpful and powerful in making conversations better (all conversations, not just coaching ones). It’s one short word per letter (“Difference”, “Might”, and “Yet” are three of my favourites), and this feels like a collection of twenty-six precise tools that can help any type of discussion more elegant, more curious, more filled with potential and more useful.