A thirst for learning is the hallmark of a great leader. With thousands of books exploring leadership, management, teamwork, business, and beyond, there’s no shortage of advice out there. We’ve compiled ten must-read books recommended by our expert leadership development coaches.
From renowned organisational psychologists, authors, and leaders, these books explore what inherently motivates people to succeed, the misconceptions of leadership, what it takes to build high-performing teams, the hard side of leadership, and more.
In the words of American entrepreneur, Jim Rohn; “Reading is essential for those who seek to rise above the ordinary.”
In no particular order, discover the books our expert coaches highly recommend:
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
A new way to think about motivation, Drive uncovers the secret to high performance is the need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world.
Grounded in decades of research on human motivation, Pink examines the three elements of true motivation — autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Throughout the book, he uncovers practical tools to put this practice into action.
Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck
Backed by decades of research, Dweck explores the power of mindset for us to not only achieve their goals, but exceed them. She uncovers how our success is significantly influenced by how we think about ourselves, our abilities, and our talents.
She asserts that people with a fixed mindset are less likely to excel, compared to those who believe their abilities can be constantly developed.
Fierce Conversations And Fierce Leadership by Susan Scott
Debunking many conventional myths of leadership, this book explores how leaders can zero in on their biggest challenges and implement practical tools to overcome them.
By cutting through the business jargon, Scott unveils a new leadership model – fierce leadership. This call to arms for leaders encourages transparent and real conversations to build trust and performance.
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini
As the classic book on persuasion, Influence uncovers six universal principles for leaders to effectively communicate their ideas, persuade others and defend themselves against other persuasive tactics.
With millions of copies sold around the world and backed by decades of research, Cialdini explores the psychology of why people say “yes”. Importantly, he outlines how to ethically apply this knowledge in the world of leadership.
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
Small, seemingly insignificant actions have the power to change your life. The key to success is whether you are learning every day. Hardy makes the case that consistent actions, tracked over time lead to the greatest results.
Grounded in research, Hardy explores how to make life-long positive habits and keep them. And how collectively these positive habits yield strong outcomes for individuals in leadership, life, health, and beyond.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
With brutal honesty, Horowitz discusses the reality of running a business and the challenges involved. As a seasoned entrepreneur, he draws on his own experiences buying, selling and investing in companies.
Filled with humour and straight talk, the book explores the hardest parts of being a leader from hiring and firing friends, what to do when smart employees are bad employees and admitting your fallibility.
Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute
Leadership and Self-Deception explores the ways we blind ourselves to our motivations and unknowingly sabotage our effectiveness to achieve success.
Published over two decades ago, the book has become a global phenomenon, uncovering powerful insights into motivation, conflict, and collaboration. It focuses on how we trap ourselves in a box of endless self-justification, and importantly, how we can escape.
Quiet Leadership by David Rock
The best leaders help others think for themselves. In Quiet Leadership, Rock asserts the importance of effective communication to bolster performance at work.
The book addresses six steps to unleash higher productivity, new levels of morale and greater job satisfaction, ranging from thinking about thinking, listening for potential, speaking with intent, creating new thinking and beyond.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
With millions of copies sold around the world, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that shaped her life. From growing up on the South Side of Chicago to being the First Lady of the United States, she unpacks what it means to steadily defy expectations.
With relatable honesty, Obama explores triumphs and disappointments to empower everyone to live their authentic lives.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
For over twenty years, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team has resonated with leaders around the world exploring the common struggles inherent in teamwork.
Lencioni offers a step-by-step guide for overcoming these challenges, and importantly, how to build an environment where a team can effectively work cohesively towards collective goals.
Feeling inspired to develop your leadership skills? Hellomonday provides expert leadership development coaching to help everyone thrive in a job they love.
