Books That Every Leader Should Read

Many leaders have pledged to better support diversity, equity, and inclusion in their organizations, but those pledges haven’t gone far enough. In Racial Justice at Work, DEIJ pioneer Mary-Frances Winters and her co-authors address the most significant reasons to add a justice focus to diversity work and show how to create a workplace culture where equity is lived versus performed. Thought-provoking and solutions-oriented, this book provides leaders with strategic advice on how to adopt a justice mindset, shift power dynamics, and create a psychologically safe organizational culture.

Effortless is for anyone who’s ever teetered on the edge of burnout or felt that they were moving faster … but not getting closer to their goals. Greg McKeown’s bestselling book gives actionable advice to make the most essential activities the easiest ones, so you can achieve your desired results — without burning out. From simplifying your processes to turning tedious tasks into enjoyable rituals, Effortless shows high achievers how to make life and work a bit easier, so you can do what matters most.

How do you get people to take you seriously when it feels like they have written you off? The answer lies in Laura Huang’s groundbreaking book, Edge. As an award-winning Harvard Business School professor, Huang shows us that success comes from gaining an edge: that elusive quality that gives you the upper hand and attracts attention and support. She teaches you how to confront factors that seem like shortcomings and turn them into assets that make others take notice. With her unique approach and deeply-researched framework, you’ll take the things that you think are holding you back and make them work in your favor.

Adam Grant, the bestselling author of Give and Take and Originals, delivers another game-changing book that explores the critical art of rethinking (aka learning to question your opinions and open other people’s minds). With his background as an organizational psychologist, Grant depicts how to let go of views that no longer serve you and prioritize mental flexibility over foolish consistency. In reading Think Again you’ll see that you don’t always have to believe everything you think or internalize everything you feel and that there is real power in that freedom. Take it from Brené Brown, who, after reading, said, “I’ve never felt so hopeful about what I don’t know.”

For every newly-minted leader who suddenly realizes that they don’t really know what they’re doing, Julie Zhuo’s book is the answer. The Making of a Manager is a field guide to becoming the manager or leader you wish you’d had. Drawing from Zhuo’s experience of feeling lost as a manager, she answers questions like how to build trust with your direct reports to where to look when you lose faith and lack the answers. To Zhuo, if you care enough to read this book, you care enough to be a great manager.

This book is a wake-up call for anyone who feels that success is for others or that only certain people get to fulfill their dreams. You Owe You is an urgent message from Eric Thomas to stop waiting for inspiration to strike and take control of your life. Thomas illustrates critical steps to change the script of your life, including working to deeply understand yourself and the world around you, finding your why, accepting that you may have to give up something good for something great, and constantly stretching your potential. Even Michael Jordan (yes, THE Michael Jordan) said this book is “full of insight and guidance for those seeking their inner selves.” You owe yourself this read.

No leadership book list is complete without Brené Brown. To this four-time #1 New York Times bestselling author, a leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas and has the courage to develop that potential. Brown believes that in order to cultivate braver, more daring leaders, they must utilize essentials like empathy, connection, and courage, and show up with their whole hearts. Packed with research, stories, and examples in Brown’s no-BS style that millions have come to love and adore, Dare to Lead is for anyone who wants to step up and step into brave leadership.

Carla A. Harris knows a thing or two about impactful leadership. President Barack Obama appointed Harris to chair the National Women’s Business Council in 2013, and today she serves as Senior Client Advisor at Morgan Stanley. Her book, Lead to Win, offers practical advice for anyone who wants to lead effectively and influence positive change. Her cornerstone advice hinges on the eight things people need to be intentional about — authenticity, building trust, creating other leaders, clarity, diversity, innovation, inclusivity, and voice—to become powerful, impactful leaders. Read this book to redefine leadership and learn how to harness essential skills to lead efficiently.

Based on one of the most popular TED Talks of all time — with more than 61 million views and counting — Simon Sinek’s Start with Why started a movement that inspired millions to demand purpose at work and ask the why of their organizations. In reading this revolutionary book, you’ll learn that the leaders with the most significant influence in the world all think, act, and communicate this way — and it’s the opposite of what everyone else does. Discover how they found their why and how you can find yours.

Great leaders inspire great work cultures. In The Culture Code, Daniel Coyle unlocks the secrets of highly successful groups and gives leaders (like you!) the tools needed to build a cohesive, motivated culture. By going inside some of the world’s most successful organizations (think SEAL Team Six) and identifying what really makes them tick, Coyle offers a unique roadmap for creating an environment where innovation flourishes, problems get solved, and expectations are exceeded. If you want to understand the principles that transform individuals into teams that can accomplish amazing things together, this book will help you unlock the code.

Understanding and genuinely connecting with people is often the beginning of great leadership. Journalist Mónica Guzmán shows you how to overcome the fear and certainty that surround us to finally do what only seems impossible: understand and even learn from people in your life whose whole worldview is different from or even opposed to yours. Learn how you can put your natural sense of wonder to work for you immediately, finding the answers you need by talking with people — rather than about them — and asking the questions you want, curiously.