What Are Valuable Leadership Books Or Resources?
We asked ten CEOs and Founders for their top book recommendations to help management professionals develop their leadership skills. From Radical Candor to Start with Why, discover the insightful resources these leaders have found invaluable in their own professional journeys.
- Radical Candor
- The Fred Factor
- High Output Management
- Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
- Leaders Eat Last
- First, Break All the Rules
- The Coaching Habit
- Good to Great
- Start With Why
Radical Candor
In my journey from a successful data leader to launching my own coaching business, one leadership book that has been invaluable is Radical Candor by Kim Scott. This book is more than just a guide to management; it’s a mindset-shift that empowers leaders to care personally and challenge directly—a balance that is crucial at every level of leadership.
As I rose through the ranks of corporate leadership, this approach became a game-changer. I learned to give constructive feedback that helped my team grow without making them feel undervalued. By demonstrating that I cared personally, I was able to build trust and create a culture where feedback flowed freely—up, down, and across. This not only improved team performance but also fostered an environment where everyone felt safe to speak up, share ideas, and, importantly, make mistakes.
Starting my own business and pivoting my career introduced a fresh set of challenges. I was now responsible for establishing the tone and culture of a new venture while engaging with a diverse group of partners, clients, and colleagues. Radical Candor once again became my go-to framework, helping me navigate tough conversations, make crucial decisions, and uphold my leadership standards throughout this transition.
In the end, it's not just about being a better leader; it's about creating an environment where people can do their best work and feel valued while doing it. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or building your own path, this book offers practical, relatable, and actionable insights that make a real difference.
The Fred Factor
One leadership book I love is The Fred Factor by Mark Sanborn. It’s all about how you can turn ordinary tasks into something great by bringing passion and creativity to your work, no matter your role. The main takeaway is that leadership isn’t about your title—it’s about how you choose to show up every day and make a difference. It’s a super-easy read with practical advice you can start using right away. Definitely recommend it for a quick dose of inspiration.
High Output Management
High Output Management by Andy Grove, the founder of Intel, was the best management book I've ever read. Too many insights to list, but the one I probably use most often is the idea of "task-relevant maturity." Many people think they should have a "style" of management. But Grove argues your approach should heavily depend on the person and the context of the work. If they're doing something new, micromanagement is perfectly fine. As they demonstrate competence, you can transition your approach to use a lighter touch and lean more on QA spot-checks.
Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader
Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader. It's quite an inspirational book by London Business School professor Herminia Ibarra. She believes in an experimental, bold leadership style. This can be seen in her book, which encourages effective, tactical risk-taking and focuses on learning from positive and negative experiences. While reading it, I felt it was a good read to get a modern viewpoint defying the pre-established leadership norms. It can be helpful in developing effective habits. I suggest it to everyone who wants to explore something new in the usual leadership.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
One leadership resource that I've found invaluable is The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni. This book provides a clear framework for understanding team dynamics and the common pitfalls that can hinder success. It emphasizes the importance of trust and open communication, which are crucial for building a high-performing customer-success team. Lencioni’s engaging storytelling makes the concepts relatable and applicable to real-world scenarios. I recommend it for anyone looking to enhance collaboration and drive results within their organization.
Leaders Eat Last
A book that has been invaluable for my leadership development is Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. This book provides leadership insights, emphasizing the importance of creating a trusting and supportive team environment while highlighting the role effective leadership has on loyalty and collaboration. I strongly recommend this book, as it shifts the focus from traditional top-down leadership to a more empathetic approach, encouraging leaders to build a culture of safety and belonging. This mindset can transform how leaders interact with their teams and contribute to the long-term success of their organization.
First, Break All the Rules
The book I always come back to is First, Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman because it challenges the humdrum, typical narrative of leadership and management. Above all, it argues that the best leaders focus on individual strengths rather than trying to fix the problems and, therefore, break the traditional management "rules" in order to get there. I love the idea of challenging the norm and bending the rules a little bit because sometimes we just have to in order to get to where we want to be. This book has a huge emphasis on great managers' understanding that each person on your team is motivated by different things, has unique strengths, and thrives in their own distinct environments—once we can get on board with that as a concept, it's pretty powerful.
The Coaching Habit
A resource that has been incredibly valuable for my professional development is The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More, and Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier. This book has profoundly impacted how I approach leadership and team management.
The most wonderful aspect of The Coaching Habit is its practical approach to coaching and leadership. The book highlights the importance of asking the right questions, rather than giving direct answers or advice. This shift in approach encourages employees to think critically and develop their problem-solving skills, fostering a more empowered and self-sufficient team.
Good to Great
One book I would recommend is Good to Great by Jim Collins. It is also a good resource because it breaks down the key differences between companies that achieve long-term greatness and those that do not, offering practical lessons on leadership. Collins’s concept of Level 5 Leadership, which emphasizes humility combined with fierce resolve, deeply resonates with my own experience working with business leaders. It challenges leaders to look beyond ego and focus on building something bigger than themselves. This book has been a cornerstone in shaping my approach to developing sustainable, high-performing businesses.
Start With Why
One leadership book that has profoundly impacted my approach is Start with Why by Simon Sinek. This book has helped shape my leadership philosophy as I've grown my business from a personal passion project into a thriving company. The key takeaway that resonated with me is the importance of leading with purpose. Sinek's "Golden Circle" concept emphasizes starting with the 'why' behind what we do rather than focusing solely on the 'what' or 'how.' This principle has guided me to constantly communicate and embody our company's core purpose.
