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Must Read Leadership Development Books
16
items As an expert in Leadership Development, here are the books I think every leader or aspiring leader should read! And books I frequently recommend to the leaders I work with.
Sections
3
Leadership Development
Self-Help
Communication & Feedback Books
Leadership Development
Whether you’re leading a team or aspiring to these books will help you develop the skills needed to drive impact and create high performing teams.
This is a classic and must read for every manager to understand team dynamics and how to overcome challenges
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: 20th Ed.
One of the best books I read in 2024. It provides you tactical insight into how to minimize burnout and inspire high engagement and performance by assigning your team roles in a project based on their type of genius
The 6 Types of Working Genius: Understand Your Gifts & Team
At our core, we as leaders need to put our team first and this explains the how and the why
Leaders Eat Last: Why Teams Pull Together
I tell all my leaders to read this - whether it’s navigating change or asking the team to take on something new, it is critically important for them to understand why, the what’s in it for me,
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire
I read this book three years ago for the first time and it really changed the way I view accountability as a leader
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead
If you’re struggling with difficult conversations, this book will help you navigate how to lead those conversations productively
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking, 3rd Ed
One of the top skills needed in the workforce today across all industries is emotional intelligence. Goldman is one of the key thought leaders in this space and will help you understand what is it and why is it more important than IQ
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Matters More
When I asked my boss, the CHRO, what her favorite leadership development books were, without hesitation she said Impact Players. So we had to add it to the list!
Impact Players: Take Lead, Play Bigger, Multiply Impact
Self-Help
This is an overall great professional development book whether you’re a leader or not. How to build successful habits through short compounding time
Atomic Habits: Easy Way to Build & Break Habits
Reframe your mind and focus on controlling what you can control, you decisions, your happiness, your self.
The Let Them Theory: Life-Changing Tool
This is an old one but a goood one and still one of the most sought out self-help books around. Covey is an expert at walking you through how to build successful habits!
7 Habits of Highly Effective People: 30th Ed
Where are my overthinkers?? (Guilty….) this one is for you. Learn the pause.
The Art of Letting Go: Stop Overthinking
Communication & Feedback Books
Having difficult and critical conversations can be nerve wracking, learn the skills to navigate those with success
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking, 3rd Ed
Did you know most employees wish they received feedback more often? As a leader it’s your responsibility to foster a strong feedback loop.
Thanks for the Feedback: Science & Art of Receiving
A fantastic book on navigating difficult conversations
The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More
This should be on anyone’s list who deals with stakeholders!
How to Win Friends and Influence People