A Job to Die For — Lisa Cullen, Common Courage Press, 2002

Mary C. DeVany, MS, CSP, CHMM, says it’s “the best book I have read in recent years regarding occupational safety and health. Ms. Cullen’s thorough and in-depth investigations gave me much insight into the hidden inner workings and interconnections of OSHA, the BLS, and the U.S. workers’ compensation system. It is compelling and interesting as well. I think it should be read by every safety and industrial hygiene professional.

IT’S YOUR SHIP: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy — Captain D. Michael Abrashoff, Warner Business Books, 2002

Says Alissa Wesche: “This book was a New York Times and Wall Street Journal best seller and tells the story of retired United States Navy Captain D. Michael Abrashoff. While at the helm of the USS Benfold, Captain Abrashoff turned it from literally the worst ship in the U.S. Navy to the best. The management techniques and people skills he used to create a culture shift on this naval vessel can be applied to any company, no matter the size, no matter the business focus.”

Leadership 101 — John Maxwell

Says Mark Hansen, CSP: “Maxwell has three other companion books I’ve read, Attitude 101, Relationships 101 and Equipping 101. All excellent fast reads.”

The Essentials of Finance and Accounting for the Nonfinancial Manager — Ed Fields

“Easy to read and understand,” says Paul Watson, CIH.

Built to Last — Jim Collins and Jerry Porras, Random House, and Good to Great — Jim Collins, HarperCollins

“We have used these concepts to drive improvement in our EHS efforts and the key concepts are embodied in the management principles of our CEO and senior staff. This has helped us put EHS issues into management language that they understand. Several concepts have become cornerstones that hopefully will drive culture change to achieve premier performance,” says James “Skipper” Kendrick, CSP.

Prescription for Disaster (from the glory of Apollo to the betrayal of the shuttle) — Joseph J. Trento

Says David F. Coble, MS, CSP: “As the title implies it reports the safety compromises, the game of political posturing and the willful disregard for the safety of our national heroes. It provided me with some additional insight in how difficult this effort of ours truly is.”

The following books are recommended by Dr. Rick Fulwiler, CIH:

Getting Things Done When You Are Not in Charge — Geoffrey M. Bellman, Simon & Schuster, 1992

Supports the contention that we are all leaders even when we are not in charge. It expands on the saying, “Leadership is not the domain of the boss.”

Flight of the Buffalo – Soaring to Excellence, Learning to Let Employees Lead — James A. Belasco and Ralph C. Stayer, Warner Books, 1993

Very good on the subject of empowerment as well as the theme that “leadership is not the domain of the boss.”

Getting to Yes – Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In — Roger Fisher, William Ury, and Bruce Patton (2nd ed.) Penguin Group

Focuses on win/win and the importance of understanding all sides — “Seeking first to understand…”

Work & Family — Sue Shellenbarger (author of “Work & Family” column in the Wall Street Journal), circa 1999

An excellent book on achieving balance between our personal and professional lives.

Working With Emotional Intelligence — Daniel Goleman, Bantam Books

It is not our IQ, SAT score or grade point average that is nearly as important as our people and common sense skills.

Who Moved My Cheese? — Spencer Johnson, MD, Putnam

A simple but very effective way to look at dealing with change. Good for personal and professional situations. A great handout to groups faced with change.

And a few more of our own…

The Elements of Style — William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White

“Omit unnecessary words” and other fundamental truths for anyone attempting to communicate through written words. The only writing book you’ll ever really need.

The Lexus and the Olive Tree — Thomas L. Friedman, Anchor Books

Shows how small and interconnected our world has become. Read this book and the ideas of an ISO safety and health program standard and a global MSDS system don’t seem far-fetched.

The 9/11 Commission Report — The Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States

You don’t have to read all 567 pages of this surprisingly well-written (in non-bureaucratese) report to glean the lessons in failed risk analysis, communication, and emergency preparedness.

The Price of Loyalty — Ron Suskind, Simon and Schuster, 2004

Put whatever feelings you have for the President aside, and read this account of Paul O’Neill’s time in the Bush administration for insights into organizational politics and culture.