The 15 Best Leadership Books of All Time (2024)

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is about becoming more effective at reaching our goals and leading others. Stephen Covey says his teachings are based on timeless principles like personal responsibility, empathetic listening, and treating others with fairness.

Why should you read it? This book teaches 7 key principles that you can apply to almost any area of life, kind of like a Swiss Army knife for personal development. Stephen Covey shifts focus from the surface-level pursuits of busyness and status to the character ethic - which says true success is about who we are, not just what we achieve. After all, being busy isn't a personality trait, no matter how much we pretend it is on social media. 🤷‍♂️

Start With Why says that great companies, organizations, and leaders are those who first understand their 'Why' - their purpose, cause, or reason for existing. Simon Sinek shows how leading companies like Apple inspire extraordinary loyalty with a strong focus on 'Why' they do what they do, not 'What' they sell, or 'How' they do things.

"Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin is a book about leadership and discipline, based on the authors' experiences as U.S. Navy Seals. The core concept is that a true leader must take full responsibility for both the successes and failures of their team or organization.

Crucial Conversations teaches you how to handle difficult conversations at work and home, especially when people have opposing opinions, strong feelings, and the outcome matters. The book gives you tools and strategies to speak honestly yet respectfully, so you can communicate your thoughts and needs, while maintaining good relationships.

Why should you read it? Crucial Conversations equips you with practical tools to handle challenging conversations gracefully and effectively. Whether it's a tough talk with a colleague, a heart-to-heart with a loved one, or negotiating in high-stress situations, this book helps you stay composed and achieve the best possible outcomes. It's a must-read for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and build stronger relationships.

"How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie is a classic self-help book that offers practical tips for better communication and relationships. It teaches key principles for handling people, making friends, influencing others, and becoming a respected leader. The book highlights the importance of empathy, respect, and appreciation.

Why should you read it? The book is filled with timeless wisdom on how to build meaningful relationships and influence people positively. It's not just about making friends but also about becoming a better communicator and leader. I found the real-life examples and practical tips incredibly useful in both my personal and professional life. You should definitely read it to enhance your social skills and become more effective in your interactions.

Who Moved My Cheese? is a fable about dealing with life's never-ending change. Spencer Johnson describes four small characters living in a maze. One day, their cheese suddenly disappears. They can either resist the change and suffer, or learn to embrace it and move onto something better.

The Ride of a Lifetime is an inside look at leadership, from former Disney CEO Robert Iger. You'll see how he earned so many promotions, managed people to avoid resentment, and negotiated billion-dollar deals.

Steve Jobs is the official biography of the co-founder of Apple and Pixar. He had an intense passion to create revolutionary products like the iPhone, iPad, iPod, iTunes, and Macintosh computers. His personality was an unusual mix of Zen hippie and brash business visionary.

Why should you read it? If you've ever wondered how a man who only owned black turtlenecks became the icon of innovation, or how persuasive one needs to be to sell a phone without buttons, this is your golden ticket! Isaacson’s book isn’t just a biography; it’s a roller coaster ride through the ups and downs of a man who could sell sand in the desert. For anyone into business, startups, or leadership, this book is like sitting down for a chat with the obsessive entrepreneur who thought different. 🖥️🍏

Elon Musk is a biography of the man who led Tesla, SpaceX and PayPal. Musk inspires many people with his futuristic plans for new technologies, and his seemingly unstoppable ability to overcome all obstacles. But his employees are often pushed to their limit, trying to reach impossible deadlines.

Grit says being a top achiever is less about natural talent and more about your "grit," which means working consistently and staying interested in one direction for multiple years. Angela Duckworth shares research on how we can become grittier, and help others do so too.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is the life story of one of the Founding Fathers of America. Franklin is often described as a "self-made man" and "The First American" because of his lifelong dedication to values like enthusiastic work, self-education and personal improvement.

Made in Japan is the autobiography of Akio Morita, who co-founded Sony and grew it to become one of the largest electronics companies in the world. Akio shares his advice for management, leadership and innovation. He also explains many differences in the working culture between Japan and the West.

Sam Walton: Made in America shows how Walmart grew from one small store into the largest retail business in the world. Sam Walton is often seen as one of the greatest entrepreneurs ever. His journey was filled with risk, obstacles, adversity, failure... but also fun, discovery, passion and persistence.

"Pour Your Heart Into It" by Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks, is a memoir that details the story of how Starbucks grew from a small coffee shop in Seattle into a global brand. The book combines Schultz's personal journey with the principles and values that guided him in building Starbucks, emphasizing the importance of passion, perseverance, and authenticity in business.

Why should you read it? You should read "Pour Your Heart Into It" because it's more than just a business book; it's an inspiring story of how a strong vision and unwavering commitment can transform a small idea into a global phenomenon. Schultz's journey is filled with valuable lessons on leadership, innovation, and staying true to your core values, no matter how big you get. It's a great read for anyone who believes in the power of passion and purpose in business.

"Measure What Matters" by John Doerr is a book about a system called OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). It’s a simple way to set goals and measure progress so you can stay focused and get things done. The book shows how big companies like Google and Intel use OKRs to dominate their industries, and how you can use them too—whether for a team, a business, or even for your personal goals.

Why should you read it? You should read Measure What Matters because <strong>it teaches a super simple and powerful way to set goals as a team and actually achieve them.</strong> There are great case studies from inside top companies and startups like YouTube, Adobe, and MyFitnessPal. Trying the method, I was able to focus on my top goals and make progress on them in a measurable way. If you want a clear plan for reaching your goals and a way to track how you're doing, this book is awesome.