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Did you know that effective leadership skills are essential for success in every part of modern life? So, if you've been looking for new ways to inspire your team and reach your biggest goals, relying on expert advice could be your first step.
This time, we collected the top 15 titles that help you grow, offer new ways to communicate, and build strong teams.
You can find key ideas from Brené Brown, Simon Sinek, and John C. Maxwell as daily learning bites on the Headway app! It provides key ideas from top nonfiction titles in under 15 minutes, in both audio and text formats.
Top 3 leadership books at a glance
Start with these three outstanding titles to become a better leader:
'Dare to Lead' by Brené Brown
'Leaders Eat Last' by Simon Sinek
'The 5 Levels of Leadership' by John C. Maxwell
Keep reading for a full list of leadership books!
The 15 best leadership books you can't miss
This section guides you through a diverse collection of titles suitable for any leader. It covers topics like personal mindset, team culture, and high-performance strategy. There is a choice for every goal among these bestsellers.
Best leadership books for personal growth
Leading a team starts with the person in the mirror. These selections are all about finding your inner footing and building a mindset that stays strong when things get tough.
You'll find practical advice here to help you manage your own habits and ego, ensuring you're grounded enough to carry the weight of others' expectations.
1. '7 Habits of Highly Effective People' by Stephen R. Covey
Best for: Building a foundation of personal character and discipline.
How to use it: Focus on one habit each month to change your daily routine.
Covey explains how to be proactive and begin with the end in mind. This work shows you how to prioritize your time for what really matters. It's a popular choice among the best self-improvement books on Amazon.
2. 'Start with Why' by Simon Sinek
Best for: Finding your purpose and inspiring others to take action.
How to use it: Use the "Golden Circle" framework when you plan your next big project.
Simon Sinek explains that people buy your purpose rather than your product. He helps you find the core reason behind your work. It's a must-read for people who want to lead with passion.
3. 'Emotional Intelligence' by Daniel Goleman
Best for: Identifying feelings and improving social skills.
How to use it: Practice self-awareness during stressful meetings to stay calm.
Goleman shows that emotional intelligence is often more important than IQ. He explores how managing emotions leads to better relationships. It's an excellent choice if you're looking for beginner psychology books.
4. 'The Magic of Thinking Big' by David J. Schwartz
Best for: Overcoming fear and aiming for higher goals.
How to use it: Replace negative thoughts with big, positive plans for your career.
David Schwartz teaches that your success depends on the size of your thinking. He provides ways to build confidence and believe in your own potential. You can find the summary on 'The Magic of Thinking Big' on the Headway app to start thinking bigger today.
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Best leadership books for team leadership and culture
If you want to build deep trust and a space where everyone feels safe to give their best, these books are for you.
They shift the focus to the human side of the office, showing you how to create a supportive environment where performance happens naturally because people feel valued.
5. 'Leaders Eat Last' by Simon Sinek
Best for: Creating a "Circle of Safety" within your organization.
How to use it: Put your team's needs first to build long-term loyalty.
Simon Sinek explains why some teams pull together while others fall apart. He uses real-life examples from the military and big business. Check out the 'Leaders Eat Last' summary on the Headway app for a quick look at these ideas.
6. 'The Five Dysfunctions of a Team' by Patrick Lencioni
Best for: Identifying and fixing problems within a group.
How to use it: Use the fable story to start a conversation about trust with your staff.
Patrick Lencioni uses a story to illustrate common traps teams face, such as a lack of commitment. The five dysfunctions of a team provide a clear model for building a healthy team. It's a quick read for adults who want fast results.
7. 'Dare to Lead' by Brené Brown
Best for: Leading with vulnerability and courage.
How to use it: Have tough conversations with your team instead of avoiding them.
Bestselling author Brené Brown shares research on how being brave helps you connect with others. She teaches that the best leaders don't need every answer.
8. 'Multipliers' by Liz Wiseman & Greg McKeown
Best for: Getting more intelligence and talent out of your team.
How to use it: Stop being the "genius" and start being the "genius maker."
'Multipliers' looks at two types of leaders: those who drain energy and those who amplify it. It shows how to challenge people so they grow beyond their own expectations.
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Best books for tactical leadership and execution
Sometimes, you need a plan that works when the pressure is on. These titles offer clear tools and straight-talking frameworks for leaders who need to see real-world results immediately.
If you're looking for ways to improve discipline and get your projects across the finish line, these guides provide the exact steps to make it happen.
9. 'Extreme Ownership' by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Best for: Taking full responsibility for every outcome.
How to use it: Stop making excuses when things go wrong and look for solutions.
Jocko Willink, a former Navy SEAL, shares lessons from the battlefield for business leaders. He explains that extreme ownership means there are no bad teams, only bad leaders.
10. 'The 5 Levels of Leadership' by John C. Maxwell
Best for: Your influence and how to grow it.
How to use it: Identify which level you occupy with each person you lead.
Maxwell describes leadership as a journey from having a title to having people follow you for who you are.
11. 'Radical Candor' by Kim Scott
Best for: Challenging people directly while caring personally.
How to use it: Give clear, kind feedback to improve performance.
Kim Scott provides a playbook for honest communication. Radical candor helps you avoid being too aggressive or too soft. It's an essential guide for building trust and achieving results.
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Best books for strategic and high-performance leadership
When you're responsible for the big picture, your perspective has to shift toward the horizon. These picks are perfect for senior roles where the goal is to lead an entire organization toward lasting greatness.
You'll learn how to balance long-term vision with high-performance standards to leave a legacy that matters.
12. 'Good to Great' by Jim Collins
Best for: Why some companies succeed while others fail.
How to use it: Get the "right people on the bus" before you decide where to drive.
Jim Collins and his team studied years of data to find what makes a company truly great. 'Good to Great' discusses the "Level 5 Leader," who is humble yet driven. It's a respected short nonfiction book for executives.
13. 'The Leadership Challenge' by James Kouzes & Barry Posner
Best for: Evidence-based practices of successful leaders.
How to use it: Model the way for your team by setting a clear example.
The leadership challenge outlines five practices that turn employees into leaders. It's a life-changing resource for anyone in a management position. You can find summaries of this and other leadership books on the Headway app.
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Books for specific leader types
There is no "one size fits all" way to lead, because every career path looks different. Whether you're stepping into management for the first time or navigating a unique niche, these picks help you focus on the exact needs of your current role.
They offer a tailored approach to ensure you have the right playbook for your specific professional journey.
14. 'The Coaching Habit' by Michael Bungay Stanier
Best for: First-time managers who want to empower their team.
How to use it: Ask "And what else?" to help your employees find their own answers.
Michael Bungay Stanier teaches you how to coach your team in ten minutes or less. 'The Coaching Habit' is a practical guide for busy managers who want to stop giving advice and start asking questions.
15. 'Culture Code' by Daniel Coyle
Best for: Understanding the secrets of highly successful groups.
How to use it: Build safety and share vulnerability to create a cohesive team.
Daniel Coyle explores how groups build such strong bonds. 'Culture Code' provides the tools to improve your team's internal dynamics.
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How to read leadership books for real results
Choosing a title is just the start. To continue, you need a plan to absorb and use the information you find. Many mentors suggest taking an active approach to reading.
Daily reading habits
Try to read for 15 minutes every day. Consistency builds a strong mind. Use short summaries to keep the habit going without feeling overwhelmed. You can even listen to a podcast or audiobook to supplement your learning.
Note-taking strategy
Write down the most noteworthy ideas during your reading. This practice helps your brain remember what you learned. Use a digital app or a simple notebook to keep track of lessons that speak to you.
Applying frameworks
Try the ideas rather than just reading words. If a title suggests a new way to run a meeting, use it next Tuesday. Testing these frameworks in real life shows if they work for your specific team.
Reflective questions to ask after reading
After you finish a chapter or a summary, ask yourself these questions:
What's one thing that I can change today?
How does this change my view of my team?
What would great leaders do with this information?
📘 Master the art of 'Radical Candor' and honest feedback on Headway!
Speed up your growth with Headway book summaries
Becoming a great leader takes time, but learning lessons is fast. The best leadership books offer a path to success, and Headway helps you walk that path faster. People can stay informed and inspired even on busy days.
The Headway app makes this process easy. You get unlimited access to thousands of book summaries to sample new titles, from Ken Blanchard classics to modern hits.
Our mobile app provides takeaways in audio and text. You can listen to insights during your commute or read on your phone while waiting for a meeting.
📘Download the Headway app and start your journey toward better leadership today!
FAQs
What is the best book to become a good leader?
The '7 Habits of Highly Effective People' book serves as a good starting point. It focuses on character and personal responsibility. You learn to master yourself first in order to establish the trust and respect needed to guide a team. Having this foundation leads to long-term success for everyone involved.
What books do great leaders read?
Great leaders read a mix of biographies, strategy guides, and works on human behavior. They choose titles like 'Good to Great' or 'Start with Why' to stay focused on their purpose. Reading widely helps them see different perspectives and find creative solutions to complex business problems.
What books are CEOs reading?
Many CEOs read 'Extreme Ownership' and 'Leaders Eat Last' to improve company culture. They look for titles that offer high-level strategy and practical ways to build resilient teams. Staying current on leadership trends helps them keep their organizations competitive and innovative in a changing world.
What books should I read to become a CEO?
To become a CEO, focus on titles related to strategy, finance, and emotional intelligence. 'The 5 Levels of Leadership' and 'Leadership in Turbulent Times' are excellent choices. These works teach you how to handle pressure and how to influence people at every level of an organization.
Which is the most powerful book to read?
'Dare to Lead' by Brené Brown is powerful because it challenges traditional views of strength. It teaches that vulnerability and courage are keys to modern leadership. This shift in mindset transforms how you connect with your team and lead through rocky organizational changes.
What books do highly intelligent people read?
Highly intelligent people read short classic books and historical works like 'The Art of War.' They enjoy 'Emotional Intelligence' to understand the science behind human connection. They seek evidence-based insights to apply to their professional and personal lives to improve communication.
