There is ample discussion and debate on the topic of “leaders are readers.” Wherever you find yourself in the discussion, reading will almost always result in expanding your knowledge, broadening your thinking and widening your leadership aperture. I often learned more about myself and leadership by reading a variety of books across a spectrum of topics.

So how can we determine what books we should read and why? I submit that if we break down books into three distinct categories of leading self, teams, and organizations, we can find some valuable content in each area.

John Maxwell said, “To lead others, first lead yourself.” By applying this simple concept, reading to better lead yourself is a great place to start. Three books standout to improve individual leadership skills.

Atomic Habits by James Clear has sold over 15 million copies and was the number one book on Amazon in 2021 and 2023. This book provides a hands-on guide to building better habits, creating change in your life, and getting 1% better every day. His concept of four simple laws to changing behavior guide the reader with a systems type of approach, focusing on one’s identity to help build durable habits with long term results. Leaders should read this book to gain keen insight into themselves, their habits and how to make effective and durable change.

Ryan Holiday has revived stoic philosophy into a modern leadership reference. Ego is the Enemy leads the reader with historical stoic and modern-day references across three parts of the book. These three parts correspond to three phases of life: aspiration, success, and failure. This book provides the reader and leader with ample anecdotes on how the ego can and will get in the way of one’s true purpose and adversely impact your leadership. He provides deep insight and lessons for the reader to tame their ego so as not to fall prey to this self-feeding and defeating enemy and potential character flaw. 

Translated into 80 languages, Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is one of the best adventure books about discovering yourself and your calling in life. The book follows Santiago, a shepherd boy on his journey from Spain to Egypt. Santiago has multiple dreams about his goal in life and along his journey, he encounters numerous characters, providing advice and insight on his dream.  This book transports the reader on a journey about finding one’s life purpose and self-discovery.

As a leader, you may find yourself leading a team of two or two hundred. Three books standout among many to help people lead teams more effectively.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni is a story of team leadership in a fictious corporate setting. Lencioni’s fictious company, Decision Tech, ventures on a journey through the five dysfunctions of a team (lack of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoiding accountability and not paying attention to results). In the story the reader gains insight into the realization that good teamwork or bad teamwork can and will make the difference between success and failure in an organization.

Simon Sinek is one of the most recognized thought leaders today. In Leaders Eat Last, Sinek provides vital insight for leaders to put the interests of the team first, creating a culture of cooperation, trust, and safety.  He reminds the reader, that leadership is not about control and results, but instead fostering a feeling of cohesion and belonging. Teams exhibiting these traits aptly documented by Sinek are why some teams experience greater levels of success than others.

Dare to Lead by Brene’ Brown is one of the best books for leaders at any level.  Dr. Brown tackles and dives deep into relevant leadership and workplace issues like trust, vulnerability, core values and resilience. She challenges some conventional thoughts on leadership and creates new and refreshing perspectives that make the reader think and contemplate the many facets of leading people and teams. Her TEDx talk on the power of vulnerability, one concept in her book, has been viewed over 21 million times.  Clearly, she is on to something.

Organizational leadership is the third category of books to read. Leading organizations, regardless of size and scope, comes with many challenges and rewards.  Leaders can accelerate their leadership acumen by understanding organizational culture and learning.

Daniel Coyle wrote in The Culture Code that leaders need three key skills to create and foster a better organizational culture. Through building safety, sharing vulnerability, and establishing purpose, leaders at many levels can improve their organizations and correspondingly the culture. Coyle offers practical tips for creating a favorable culture, ways to identify toxic organizational culture, and techniques to foster a healthy culture.

Written nearly 35 years ago, Peter Senge wrote The Fifth Discipline. This book provides insight into organizational problem solving via a system of five disciplines to create what he calls “the learning organization.” Senge discusses each discipline in depth, highlighting (organizational) learning disabilities and how learning organizations can find a competitive advantages. Leaders must evoke a learning culture in their organzaiton to survive and thrive. This book provides a well-documented blueprint on how to do that.

Finally, as you seek to expand your knowledge and skills as a leader, choose a book on the opposite side of an issue you follow or opinion you hold. By reading books that you believe you disagree with, you may find a new way to view issues and challenges to expand your leadership skill sets.

In the end, you as the leader and reader get to choose your own path. Find books, articles, even podcasts that inspire, challenge, and grow your knowledge and skills. Seek to develop your own reading program and develop a culture of lifetime learning.  Your team will thank you and you’ll become not only a better leader, but a better person.

Authored By:  Thomas Dorl, Managing Director

Referenced Resource(s) Executive Summary

SELF

Atomic Habits

Ego is the Enemy

The Alchemist

TEAM

Five Dysfunctions of a Team

Leaders East Last

Dare to Lead

ORGANIZATION

The Culture Code

The Fifth Discipline