Here are 10 highly recommended books for aspiring leaders:
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie:
A classic guide on building rapport, influencing people, and fostering cooperation.
This book teaches one of the most underestimated leadership lessons: people respond to how you make them feel. Carnegieâs principles may seem simple, but they require humility and genuine care. Remembering names, listening with intent, and appreciating others are not tactics. They are acts of respect. Many leaders realize, through this book, that influence grows not from authority, but from empathy. It reminds us that leadership begins when people feel valued, not managed.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey:
Focuses on principles for personal and professional effectiveness.
Coveyâs work invites deep self-examination. It challenges leaders to pause and reflect on their values before chasing results. Habits like âbegin with the end in mindâ and âseek first to understandâ reshape how leaders approach decisions and relationships. This book often resonates during moments of transition, when leaders feel overwhelmed or directionless. It quietly reinforces the idea that effectiveness is not about control, but alignment between character, purpose, and action.
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek:
Explores how creating a culture of trust and safety builds stronger, more engaged teams.
Sinekâs message is both inspiring and confronting. Leadership, he argues, is a responsibility, not a privilege. When leaders put their people first, teams become resilient, loyal, and brave. This book often strikes a chord with leaders who have experienced toxic environments, reminding them that trust is built through consistency and care. It reframes leadership as service, asking leaders to protect their teams even when it is uncomfortable.
Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman:
Highlights the importance of self-awareness and empathy in leadership.
Many leaders underestimate how much their emotions influence others. Golemanâs work reveals that emotional intelligence is often the difference between a respected leader and a feared one. Self-awareness, emotional regulation, and empathy shape workplace culture more than policies ever will. This book encourages leaders to look inward, to recognize how their reactions affect morale, motivation, and trust. It teaches that leadership maturity begins with emotional honesty.
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell:
Provides foundational principles for effective leadership development.
Maxwellâs laws feel like guideposts along the leadership journey. They emphasise that leadership is earned daily through consistency, integrity, and growth. One of the most powerful takeaways is that leadership influence expands only as personal credibility deepens. This book reassures aspiring leaders that no one is born ready. Leadership is learned through practice, reflection, and sometimes failure.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni:
A leadership fable that teaches how to build high-performing, cohesive teams.
Through storytelling, Lencioni exposes the silent issues that undermine teams: lack of trust, fear of conflict, and avoidance of accountability. Many leaders see their own teams reflected in this narrative. The book gently reminds leaders that strong teams are built on vulnerability and honest dialogue. It challenges the notion that harmony means agreement, showing instead that healthy conflict strengthens collaboration.
Start with Why by Simon Sinek:
Focuses on inspiring others by leading with purpose and vision.
Purpose is a powerful motivator. Sinekâs work encourages leaders to articulate why their work matters, not just what they do. When people understand the âwhy,â they connect emotionally, not just professionally. This book often resonates with leaders who feel stuck or uninspired, reminding them that clarity of purpose fuels commitment. It reinforces that vision is not about slogans, but about meaning.
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin:
Teaches accountability and ownership in high-stakes environments.
This book delivers a tough but liberating lesson: leaders are responsible for everything that happens under their watch. There are no excuses, only ownership. While the context is military, the lessons apply universally. Many leaders find this perspective transformative, shifting from blame to action. It teaches that accountability builds trust and that strong leadership begins with personal responsibility.
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap⌠and Others Don’t by Jim Collins:
Examines how good companies become superior through disciplined, thoughtful leadership.
Collins challenges the myth of the charismatic, ego-driven leader. His concept of âLevel 5 Leadershipâ emphasizes humility paired with unwavering resolve. This book resonates with leaders who value substance over spotlight. It shows that long-term success is built quietly, through discipline, consistency, and a commitment to values rather than recognition.
The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhuo:
A practical guide for new managers navigating their roles.
Zhuoâs writing feels reassuringly human. It acknowledges the anxiety and uncertainty that come with managing others for the first time. This book reminds new leaders that confusion is normal and growth is messy. It offers practical advice while validating the emotional challenges of leadership. Many readers feel seen, realizing they are not alone in learning through trial and error.
