Books are the best way to gain knowledge, and there is something for everyone! The list of books that you should read as a leader changes with your career stage. New insights may become necessary as you move up in your company or take on more leadership roles. Here are some great reads for leaders at every level:
1) For people just starting in their careers
The best books to help you learn how to lead:
The Art of War by Sun Tzu.
This book teaches you how to think strategically, make good choices under pressure and win battles without actually fighting.
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli.
This classic work is the other side of Sun Tzu’s Art of War. It tells you what leaders should avoid succeeding while avoiding war or conflict.
Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday.
This modern-day manifesto will show new managers how their ego can help them get ahead and cause self-sabotage if they are not careful about managing themselves properly around others.
2) For managers- the best books to help you lead your team
The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard.
This book is an excellent reminder that communication, delegation, and clear instructions are the keys to success for managers.
How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
This classic guide teaches us how people’s minds work to get them on our site, so they want what we have instead of being against it without even knowing why.
Rising Strong by Brené Brown.
Renowned researcher Dr. Brown has found that leaders who can face their fears, tell their stories with courage and empathy in difficult times will be most successful at building high-performing teams where everyone wins when things go wrong.
3) For team leaders- the best books to help you lead your team
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek.
This book will teach leaders how to build organizations where people feel safe and supported, even when “going all in” won’t guarantee success for anyone.
The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else In Business by Patrick Lencioni.
Lencioni’s writing is always entertaining, but this one teaches us that providing employees with a clear sense of purpose increases engagement, teamwork, and performance- if we are willing to listen first instead of just talking about it! The other big lesson? Don’t let them fail!
4) For executives
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries.
This book teaches us that we need to eliminate waste in every part of our business, including how it operates, products and services designed and delivered, and how people work together – everything must be measurable!
Lean In: Women, Work, And The Will To Lead by Sheryl Sandberg.
Sandberg’s advice for women aiming high at Facebook has become an international phenomenon with her encouragement not just to aim high but get there faster while still taking care of yourself along the way.