Learning from great leadership books is a surefire way to maximize impact, whether you’re a seasoned leader with decades of experience or just starting out and want to tap into your full leadership potential. Every year, an influx of leadership books hits the shelves. But how do you even begin when there are so many possibilities? This article is here to help with that.
This article compiles a list of five must-read leadership books that will help you become a more effective and influential leader. The best leaders never stop learning, growing, and looking for ways to increase their impact and influence. By consistently investing in developing and growing as a leader, you are investing in your future career success as well as the success of those around you.
One of the most accessible and practical ways for leaders to improve their performance is to develop the habit of reading great leadership books. Although nothing can replace actual day-to-day real-life experience and repetition, leadership books can provide a wealth of insights from experienced leaders who have walked the path before you. They offer valuable lessons that can be applied in real-life situations.
Exceptional leaders share an insatiable appetite for knowledge. The desire to consume varying perspectives and expand their knowledge base grows regardless of where they are, what they have accomplished, or the title next to their name. Reading excellent books on leadership also exposes you to different perspectives and ideas, which can help you see things in a broader light and find new ways to tackle leadership challenges.
With that said, let’s get to the five must-read leadership books.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey is a timeless classic that has impacted the lives of millions of readers worldwide.
Covey provides readers with long-lasting principles that they can apply in their daily lives to cultivate universal habits and improve their overall effectiveness. The concepts expounded in the book are straightforward to comprehend and implement.
Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their ability to lead and achieve lasting success. Because of the invaluable wisdom it imparts, which is unparalleled in the modern era, I find myself returning to this book often.
Find it on Amazon
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Sinek shares in his book Leaders Eat Last that a culture of trust and collaboration, along with a focus on the needs of team members, fosters a sense of loyalty and belonging. This results in increased levels of engagement and productivity, as well as overall success for the team and the organization.
This book is full of inspirational examples of leaders who have made a difference by making their teams and those they lead feel respected, appreciated, and empowered. Sinek demonstrates the powerful impact that leadership can have on individuals and organizations through these examples.
Leaders Eat Last is a thought-provoking and inspiring read that challenges traditional and old-school leadership methods and encourages leaders to take a more human-centered approach.
Find it on Amazon
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman
A key component of effective leadership, according to Goleman, is emotional intelligence. Relationship building, inspiring others, and overcoming challenges are all areas where leaders with high emotional intelligence shine. They have excellent social skills, are in tune with themselves, and can control their emotions.
Emotional Intelligence offers practical strategies and techniques for developing and enhancing emotional intelligence. To illustrate the influence of emotional intelligence on the effectiveness of leadership, Goleman employs real-life examples and case studies.
Find it on Amazon
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
Will Guidara’s Unreasonable Hospitality can be characterized as a manual for business owners and customer service professionals, as it emphasizes the significance of exceeding customer expectations.
This inspiring book, however, is much more. The element of leadership is woven throughout, and the underlying premise of providing unreasonable hospitality isn’t solely about the customer but about going above and beyond to provide exceptional experiences for both customers and employees. Throughout his illuminating and fruitful career in hospitality, Guidara reveals how consistently exceeding people’s expectations yields superior results.
Unreasonable Hospitality is a complete page-turner and one of my favorite leadership books of 2023.
Find it on Amazon
The Wisdom of the Bullfrog by Admiral William H. McRaven
Throughout his thirty-seven-year career as a Navy Seal, Admiral William H. McRaven commanded at every level; the inspiration and wisdom he conveys in The Wisdom of the Bullfrog are timeless.
Despite being a relatively short and easy read, this book packs a powerful and impactful punch. McRaven shares inspiring stories about leadership and effectively leading others, as well as eighteen mantras, sayings, and creeds that have guided him throughout his career.
Regardless of your current leadership journey, this book is an absolute must-read due to the practical application of its principles. This is one of those leadership books that you will come back to again and again.
Find it on Amazon
Conclusion: Leadership Books to Guide Your Journey
Whether you are an experienced leader or just starting out, you will find insightful and useful advice in these five leadership books. They are excellent resources for anyone seeking to improve their interpersonal skills, master the art of leading others, or understand the power of inspiring those you lead.
You can reach your full leadership potential and advance your career to new heights by immersing yourself in the wisdom within the pages of these excellent leadership books. Remember that leadership is more than just titles or positions; it is about making a positive impact and inspiring others to reach their full potential.
As Harry S. Truman once said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”