Learning to Lead With M.O.R.E.: A Personal Books Review

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By Fernando Fernandez Rodriguez PMP, MBA, CPIM 

 

Writing the first sentence is always the most difficult part, so I will take the easy way in this first edition of the column and start with what is obvious to me. Books have become the backbone of my growth and development, both as a professional and as a person, and my journey in project management is no exception. I am glad to have the opportunity to share some of the books that have shaped my thinking along the way.

 

In this first edition, I explore PMI’s central theme for the year. M.O.R.E. is a call to action for project professionals to move beyond execution and own value, by managing stakeholder perceptions, continuously reassessing decisions, and expanding perspective to deliver outcomes that truly matter.

 

With this M.O.R.E. mindset in mind, I selected the books most relevant to this topic, based on how they reflect core M.O.R.E. behaviors, key PMI success drivers, and my own professional experience.

 

Selected Reads: 

 

1. Move Fast & Fix Things – Frances Frei & Anne Morris

This book connects strongly with M.O.R.E. through its focus on owning success beyond execution. It shows how leaders build trust, take responsibility for outcomes, and deliver value that truly matters.

What I enjoyed most is how insightful and motivational it is, while still being surprisingly funny. It genuinely makes you want to go out and fix the world.

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2. Thinking in Systems – Donella H. Meadows

A powerful reminder of the importance of expanding perspective, one of the core pillars of M.O.R.E. It helps project professionals understand complexity, unintended consequences, and value beyond scope and timelines.

This book opened my mind and helped me see the big picture without losing sight of the small details. It explains complex principles in simple terms, using examples that anyone can understand.

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3. Coaching Agile Teams – Lyssa Adkins

Strongly aligned with the idea of continuously reassessing and adapting, this book builds the foundations for learning, reflection, and leadership in complex environments.

For me, it is a must-read. I cannot express how valuable the advice in this book is. It is key to taking your leadership skills to the next level.

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4. Mastering Leadership – Robert J. Anderson

This book reflects the shift M.O.R.E. calls for, moving from execution-focused roles to mature, value-driven leadership grounded in awareness and responsibility.

It is an eye-opener filled with invaluable lessons. It offers a clear roadmap for leadership growth and reveals truths you wish, or don’t if you are not ready, your mentors had told you.

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5. Supercommunicators – Charles Duhigg

A natural fit for managing stakeholder perceptions, one of the most critical aspects of redefining project success. It shows how meaning, context, and value are shaped through communication.

I cannot stress enough how important communication is in our lives, and yet how little effort most people put into doing it right. This book provides a solid framework to move in the right direction.

 

6. Goldratt’s Rules of Flow – Efrat Goldratt Ashlag

Closely connected to the idea of prioritizing value over rigid constraints, this book challenges local optimization in favor of overall system performance and flow.

It makes the Theory of Constraints simple, practical, and immediately applicable. Told through a compelling story, it is a must-read for anyone working in flow-based environments.

 

7. Emotional Agility – Susan David

This book supports owning success at a very personal level, by developing the emotional resilience needed to navigate uncertainty, tension, and change.

It helped me better understand and navigate difficult emotions. I learned that emotional agility is about observing, labelling, accepting, and acting on emotions, even the negative ones. I particularly liked the clear framework and the strong scientific grounding behind each idea.

 

8. Product Mastery – Geoff Watts

A strong bridge between project and product thinking, this book reinforces outcome ownership, value focus, and collaboration across roles, all central to the M.O.R.E. mindset.

Geoff Watts’ narrative is compelling and easy to follow. A good book informs you, but a great one changes how you think. This is a great one.

 

Conclusion: 

 

I am committed to lifelong learning, and I believe we all share a responsibility to keep evolving, both as professionals and as individuals. This passion for learning is what makes me enjoy reading and using books as a practical tool for continuous improvement. Above all, the greatest value comes from our connection with others, through exchanging ideas, learning from one another, and sharing experiences along the way. I hope you enjoyed this first edition, and I would love to hear your feedback and exchange book recommendations. Feel free to reach out through my LinkedIn page. 

 

As Rumi once said, “Yesterday I was so clever, I wanted to change the world; today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”