I know this sounds odd, but years ago, there was a series of books on managing people written as if they were written by people like Ghengis Khan, or Atilla the Hun. The books used history, but were really interesting culturally as well as about how to lead people. You really can't conquer as well as Ghengis Khan or Atilla did without being very good at leading organizations.
Also, in Sun Tzu's "The Art of War", Sun Tzu was asked by the emperor how to lead. Sun Tzu said that the biggest problem with leaders is that they don't make their expectations, rewards, or punishments very clear. The emperor asked what he meant, so Sun Tzu said he would demonstrate.
Sun Tzu gathered 100 of the emperor's concubines together, and separated them into groups of ten. He then selected one from each group of ten, and brought them forward. He told them that the following instructions are very important, and to listen carefully. Sun Tzu then told them that they were to return to their groups and tell the rest of the group that when the drum sounds, face right, and when the horn sounds face left. The concubines giggled, and twittered, and Sun Tzu asked if there were any questions about his instructions, and there were no questions.
The concubines went back to their groups, the drum sounded, and there was no response, the horn sounded, and again there was no response. Sun Tzu then told the emperor to pay close attention. He brought the ten concubines who received the instructions forward again, and had them all beheaded. The emperor was appalled, but Sun Tzu asked for his patience.
Again, Sun Tzu brought forward another ten concubines, and repeated the instructions. The concubines were asked if there were any questions, and there no questions.....there was also no giggling or twittering. The concubines were sent back to the other eight of their group.
The drum sounded and all concubines immediately faced right, the horn sounded and all concubines immediately faced left. Sun Tzu then told the emperor that the it is the fault of the generals and other leaders to give clear instructions with regard to expectations, rewards and punishments that causes so much confusion. Now the emperor understood.
The Art of War, and A Book of Five Rings (By Miyamoto Musashi) are not just about war or sword fighting. They are about life lessons and how to succeed....they are mandatory reading for many major asian companies because the lessons apply not only to fighting, but to business, leadership, and life in general.
Business and leadership are merely warfare without shooting.