7 Leadership Books You Need To Read In 2025

Leadership is not a title—it’s a practice. In a world defined by rapid change, hybrid workplaces, and rising expectations, great leadership has never been more essential. We don’t become better leaders by accident; we become better through intentional learning, reflection, and application. That’s where books come in.

The right leadership books don’t just inspire us—they challenge our assumptions, sharpen our judgment, and equip us with frameworks we can apply immediately. They act like seasoned mentors, offering hard-won wisdom without requiring decades of trial and error.

Below is a list of 7 leadership books you need to read in 2025. These books are widely respected by executives, entrepreneurs, military leaders, educators, and researchers—and for good reason. Each one has shaped how modern leadership is understood and practiced.

1. Leaders Eat Last – Simon Sinek

Leaders Eat Last explains why trust and safety are the foundations of high-performing teams. Simon Sinek draws on neuroscience, military leadership, and real-world business examples to show how great leaders put their people first. When employees feel protected, collaboration and loyalty increase naturally. The book explores how chemicals like oxytocin and cortisol influence workplace behavior and decision-making. Sinek argues that leadership is not about rank or privilege, but about taking responsibility for others. This book is especially valuable for leaders who want to build resilient cultures where people feel valued, motivated, and willing to give their best.

2. The Infinite Game – Simon Sinek

In The Infinite Game, Simon Sinek challenges leaders to rethink success beyond short-term wins. Drawing from game theory, he explains the difference between finite games, which have clear winners, and infinite games, which are played to keep going. Great leaders, Sinek argues, focus on purpose, resilience, and ethical behavior rather than quarterly results alone. The book encourages long-term thinking, adaptability, and courage in decision-making. It’s especially valuable for executives and founders navigating uncertainty, competition, and rapid change in modern business environments.

3. Dare to Lead – Brené Brown

In Dare to Lead, Brené Brown redefines leadership through courage, vulnerability, and empathy. Based on extensive research, she shows that brave leaders are willing to have difficult conversations, take emotional risks, and build trust. Brown challenges the myth that vulnerability is weakness, proving instead that it drives innovation and connection. The book provides practical tools for developing emotional intelligence, resilience, and psychological safety. It’s essential reading for leaders who want to inspire trust, foster open communication, and lead authentically in today’s complex and fast-changing workplaces.

4. Turn the Ship Around! – L. David Marquet

Based on his experience commanding a nuclear submarine, David Marquet presents a radical shift from traditional command-and-control leadership. Turn the Ship Around! teaches leaders how to build ownership and accountability by empowering teams to think and act independently. Marquet replaces giving orders with asking questions, creating leaders at every level. The book offers practical, real-world examples that apply far beyond the military. It’s ideal for leaders who want to unlock initiative, reduce dependency, and build high-performing teams capable of making smart decisions without constant oversight.

5. Drive – Daniel H. Pink

Drive challenges traditional motivation models based on rewards and punishment. Daniel Pink draws on behavioral science research to show that true motivation comes from autonomy, mastery, and purpose. He explains why incentives often fail in creative or knowledge-based work and how leaders can design environments that unlock intrinsic motivation. The book offers practical insights for managing modern teams, especially in remote or flexible settings. It’s essential reading for leaders who want to move beyond micromanagement and create workplaces where people are motivated to do meaningful work.

6. Start with Why – Simon Sinek

Start with Why explores how great leaders inspire action by clearly communicating purpose. Simon Sinek introduces the Golden Circle—Why, How, What—to explain why organizations driven by purpose outperform those focused only on products or profits. Using examples like Apple and Martin Luther King Jr., Sinek shows how belief-driven leadership builds loyalty and trust. The book encourages leaders to articulate their “why” to motivate teams and customers alike. It’s especially valuable for founders, change leaders, and anyone seeking to inspire commitment rather than compliance.

7. Radical Candor – Kim Scott

Radical Candor introduces a leadership framework built on caring personally while challenging directly. Kim Scott shares lessons from her leadership roles at Google and Apple, offering practical advice on giving honest feedback without damaging relationships. The book helps leaders avoid common traps like being overly aggressive or excessively nice. Through clear examples and actionable tools, it shows how direct communication improves trust, performance, and growth. This book is ideal for managers who want to build strong teams, have difficult conversations, and create cultures of transparency and accountability.

Conclusion

The best leaders are not born—they are shaped through learning, experience, and reflection. These 7 leadership books offer proven frameworks, real-world insights, and research-backed principles that can transform how we lead ourselves and others.

Whether you’re leading a global organization or a small team, the journey starts with curiosity and commitment. Choose one book. Apply one idea. Start today. That’s how leadership changes—not overnight, but for good.