Whether you’re a new leader or a veteran entrepreneur, a commitment to learning will help you become as effective as you can be — and there’s certainly no shortage of great leadership and management books to help you do just that. How do you know where to begin? Start with this list of some of the best leadership books of all time.
The Gifts of Imperfection, Brené Brown
The Gifts of Imperfection is about practicing self-compassion and self-love. It asks us to embrace our own imperfections as we would anyone else’s and to accept our talents and gifts less as gifts for ourselves, and more as a gift to give to others. Once we know who we are and love who we are, we can engage others at that same level.
The Untethered Soul, Michael Singer
The Untethered Soul is one of the most philosophical and spiritual leadership books available. It can help you pursue your inward journey by observing your ego self more objectively and dispassionately. By untethering yourself from the automatic thoughts and emotions that limit your conscious awareness, you can open the door to growth.
How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie
“Success in dealing with people depends on a sympathetic grasp of the other person’s viewpoint.” – Dale Carnegie
Every successful leader knows that empathy is crucial to team collaboration. If you can’t connect on a deeper level with your employees, you’ll struggle to get results from them. Carnegie’s book is a roadmap to building that skill.
Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni
“Remember, teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability.” -Patrick Lencioni
This book is important for teams looking to overcome the five common “dysfunctions”: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. When leaders carry a clear understanding of these five behaviors and how to remedy them, they are more likely to identify and correct them.
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap, Jim Collins
Good to Great is a classic, must-read leadership book. In it, Collins outlines the research-based principles that separate consistent market segment out-performers from other companies with equal opportunity to do the same.
It also provides insights into what makes a successful leadership team, how to build a culture of discipline, and how technology and analytics can make a difference in an organization’s growth – when used correctly.
