Books Every Leader Should Read

Great leaders are not born; they are made. In other words, anybody can be a great leader if they put their minds to it. Yes, growing as a leader takes time and effort, but the result will always be a happier and more confident workforce.

It is easier than ever to find advice and information on becoming a better leader. Podcasts, articles, and even books are designed to coach leaders onward. Here are some of the top books that all aspiring leaders should read.

The Gift of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Compassion is a trait that is painfully uncommon these days, at least in many leadership roles. Help become the solution to this problem by reading The Gift of Imperfection by Brene Brown. This book helps encourage readers to embrace self-compassion and self-love to become stronger versions of themselves.

On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis

Warren Bennis is a leadership guru (according to Forbes Magazine), and his book, On Becoming a Leader, is here to help others follow in his footsteps. It breaks down the qualities that go into becoming a good leader and how to apply them.

Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankel

Viktor Frankel's book, Man's Search for Meaning, is another must-read for aspiring leaders. Here Frankel discusses his past, his time in Auschwitz, and his journey to find meaning in everything, even suffering.

Coaching Agile Teams by Lyssa Adkins

Coaching Agile Teams is the perfect book for leaders trying to find breakthroughs in aiding their teams. Lyssa Adkins breaks down the effort to guide a team into becoming a high-performing and well-oiled machine.

CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets That Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, and Vikram Malhotra

Several top leaders from McKinsey & Company teamed up to write CEO Excellence, a novel that takes a closer look at how CEOs manage their jobs and more. Their information is based on interviews with top CEOs across the country.

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…and Others Don't by Jim Collins

Leaders need to understand what does and doesn't work in business. That's why Jim Collins wrote Good to Great, a novel that delves into 11 companies that managed to bridge that gap and become phenomenal.

Go: Put Your Strengths To Work by Marcus Buckingham

People like doing things they're good at. However, many people don't know how to take what they're good at and turn it into a success story, let alone a professional trait. That's where Marcus Buckingham's Go: Put Your Strengths To Work comes into play.

Primal Leadership: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence by DanielGoleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee

Emotional intelligence is often overlooked in the business world, which needs to change. Primal Leadership helps open readers' eyes to the passion that can drive leadership, the emotions that fuel business, and more.

The Truth About Leadership by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner

The Truth About Leadership compiles thirty years of leadership research into one informative book by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner. Read this book to learn about leadership traits and core principles.

The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

A leader's job is to deal with their people. To succeed at this, they need to understand people. The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team looks into what happens when a group works together. This includes the most common reasons why their efforts fail or falter.

The Power of Meaning by Emily Esfahani Smith

Last but not least, consider reading The Power of Meaning by Emily Esfahani Smith. This book has many lessons to teach about meaning, purpose and belonging. Leaders need to understand these points, as they drive us as individuals.