Effective leadership requires continuous learning and reading leadership books is crucial to this process. Whether you prefer to crack open a hardcover or tap your way through an electronic reader device, reading these books can provide valuable insights into current industry trends and shed light on other leaders’ experiences.
To bring the wisdom and lessons gained from leadership books to life, consider working with an executive coach. They can help you tie everything you’ve learned together and craft an effective leadership development strategy that can be deployed within your organization.
The greatest leaders are constantly learning.
By reading these top leadership books and opening yourself up to expert guidance, advice and mentorship, you can embark on a journey of continuous learning and growth as a leader.
8 Most Influential Leadership Books
Whether you are a new leader or a seasoned veteran, there is always room for learning, growing and developing. What there isn’t always time for, though, is combing through a massive list of business leadership books to find reads that are worth your time.
That’s why I’ve curated a list of the 8 best books on leadership and management available today. These leadership development books, authored by some of the most influential leaders worldwide, have become an integral part of my daily work, providing valuable insights into effective leadership styles and strategies.
Let’s turn the page on ineffective leadership and write a new chapter on how to be the best leader you can be.
1. Change Proof: Leveraging the Power of Uncertainty to Build Long-Term Resilience by Adam Markel
While I may be partial to the first book on this list, it is because it arose out of my most personal experiences. It brings words to every success and failure I’ve experienced that allowed me to grow and develop resilience through uncertain times.
Through these experiences, I learned that change is inevitable. Those who embrace it and use it to build resilience in the face of uncertainty will discover long-term success. Change Proof: Leveraging the Power of Uncertainty to Build Long-Term Resilience delivers practical strategies for managing change, including tools for dealing with stress, developing a growth mindset and building a support system.
An important component of building resilience is learning how to prioritize self-care. This book includes real-life tips for achieving a level of well-being that allows you to navigate challenges with grace and confidence.
In today’s fast-paced world where change and uncertainty are the norm, I offer this timely and essential change management book as a reminder that we have the power to shape our own futures. By building resilience and deploying the right mindset and tools, we can leverage the power of change and thrive in the face of adversity.
2. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
Next up on this list of the best books on leadership and management is The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni. In this thought-provoking read, Lencioni’s powerful words illustrate how a team can become dysfunctional due to a lack of trust, fear of conflict, absence of commitment, avoidance of accountability and inattention to results.
This leadership development book is packed with advice for every leader.
By learning how to avoid dysfunctions that cripple teams, you can increase performance and guide employees to achieve their goals. Learn practical solutions and actionable steps that are invaluable for anybody working with, or leading, a team.
Through a compelling narrative, Lencioni takes you on a journey toward creating a culture of collaboration, trust and accountability.
3. The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino
In this next business leadership book, The Greatest Salesman in the World, Og Mandino narrates the inspirational tale of Hafid, a poor camel boy who became the world’s greatest salesman. As you follow Hafid’s journey through the unveiling of ancient scrolls, you will learn the power of persistence, gratitude and positive thinking.
This book is important for anybody seeking success, not just salespeople. Filled with timeless advice, it encourages you to live a life of meaning and impact. Page by page, you will find that the motivating words in this top leadership book jump off the page and straight into your heart.
4. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Pocketbook Guide to Fulfilling Your Dreams by Deepak Chopra
Many of today’s powerful leaders are influenced by Deepak Chopra’s unique approach to success. His important lessons about listening to our inner selves, following our intuition and living in harmony with the world are masterfully detailed in his leadership book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.
This transformative and enlightening read teaches you how to achieve success through a spiritual approach. Chopra shares his take on seven spiritual laws that, when practiced regularly, allow you to discover abundance, happiness and fulfillment.
Through captivating words and inspiring stories, Chopra teaches you how to apply these laws to your daily life as you learn to attain even your loftiest goals with ease and grace.
With its fresh perspective on success, this top leadership book is perfect for both new leaders and seasoned veterans and will guide you to find joy and purpose in every moment of life.
5. The Radical Leap: Cultivate Love, Generate Energy, Inspire Audacity, Provide Proof by Steve Farber
One of my favorite books for new and advanced leaders alike is The Radical Leap by the audacious and respected leadership expert, Steve Farber. In this powerful leadership book, Steve Farber shares how to take the radical leap into Extreme Leadership by inspiring those around you to achieve greatness.
Written in his engaging and relatable style, Farber’s lessons are indispensable. Through his tried-and-true LEAP framework, which stands for Love, Energy, Audacity and Proof, he demonstrates how to enhance your leadership skills and build a transformational culture of excellence within your organization.
Farber’s message is delivered through strong and influential words that underscore the importance of infusing passion, courage and authenticity into your leadership. You will become entranced by his real-life examples and by the time you’ve absorbed the last word, you will feel prepared to attain even greater levels of success.
6. Remote Not Distant: Design a Company Culture That Will Help You Thrive in a Hybrid Workplace by Gustavo Razzetti
There is no change management book more relevant to the challenges leaders face in today’s unprecedented world than Remote Not Distant by Gustavo Razzetti. As we shift more and more toward remote work, leaders need a roadmap to navigate its myriad obstacles.
The insights and tips offered in this book provide just that. Razzetti’s approach is refreshing and practical as he covers topics such as building trust and communication skills to fostering creativity and collaboration. Intertwined in each strategy is the belief that human connection and empathy are paramount.
This powerful leadership book will teach you how to increase engagement and productivity by focusing on the human side of remote work. Page by inspirational page, you will discover that remote work is about people, not technology. With real-life examples and meaningful tips, this book will prepare you to close the chapter on disconnection and disengagement for good.
Remote Not Distant is the gentle reminder we all need that, even in a virtual world, human connection is everything.
7. Karmic Management: What Goes Around Comes Around in Your Business and Your Life by Geshe Michael Roach, Lama Christie McNally and Michael Gordon
For leaders ready to explore the connection between karma and business, Karmic Management by Geshe Michael Roach, Lama Christie McNally and Michael Roach offers a unique and thought-provoking approach that draws on ancient Buddhist teachings to provide practical strategies for achieving success in the modern business world.
This leadership book is a must-read for new leaders who are starting their journey, as well as for those who have been in the field for some time. Karmic Management takes the stance that success in business is more than just making money and achieving material goals, it’s also about creating positive karma and making a difference in the world.
Written in an empowering style that encourages you to rethink your approach to business, this guide should be on the reading list of anyone taking a journey of self-growth and discovery. Its valuable insights and strategies for achieving success while remaining true to your spiritual values will deepen your impact at work and in the world.
8. Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh
Who doesn’t want more happiness delivered to their life? In his compelling book, late CEO Tony Hsieh tells the inspirational story behind Zappos, an online shoe retailer that revolutionized the customer service industry. Written in an engaging style, Delivering Happiness follows Hsieh’s journey, from his early days in tech to his impactful leadership role at Zappos.
By sharing his own experience, Hsieh shares how to apply a philosophy of building a culture of happiness and customer service to your leadership style. His secrets to success are centered on infusing authenticity, transparency and empathy into every aspect of business. In this book, Hsieh offers practical strategies for growth and sustainable success, all while accessing the highest levels of happiness.
How Reading the Best Books on Leadership and Management Can Enhance Your Leadership Style
Each of these books will inspire you to create the transformational change needed to achieve the highest levels of success. Filled with heartfelt stories and practical strategies, every book on this list is a must-read.
If, after reading one (or all) of these books, you are interested in deepening your impact further, consider participating in leadership development coaching. An expert coach will help you transform the knowledge gained from these powerful reads into a practical and actionable leadership development strategy that can be effectively deployed in your organization.
Open up a world of opportunity with these top leadership books and leadership development coaching.
