In this article, we will present you with the 10 best leadership books available with a detailed description of each.
What makes a human being a leader? What is that extraordinary trait that makes them stand apart from the rest? There are a lot of factors. However, one constant thing is their courage to never give up! Some of the greatest leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Barack Obama, Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa, gave in their best to bring a change in the world and succeeded.
There is no rocket science behind bringing a change. It is just about being consistent and taking small steps every day towards your goal. Most people quit in between whenever they hit a low. This attitude has never taken any individual far in his or her journey. It is completely fine to fail but not to quit!
If you fall down, you must get back again. Change your strategies, make new plans but you must go on.
In addition, if you wish to understand more about leadership traits then start exploring and reading. You have plenty of mediums such as YouTube channels, podcasts, videos, and books. If you are an avid book reader then you have landed in the right place.
Let’s begin!
Top 10 Leadership Books Every Leader Must Read In 2024
Here in this section, we have explained some of the best books on leadership:
1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Highlights
Author: Stephen R. Covey
Publication Year: 2004
Publisher: Free Press
Description
The 7 habits of highly effective people, is a New York Times bestseller and has been named the number one most influential business book of the 20th century. Such accolades themselves prove that the book is a gem.
For a long time span of 25 years, this book has increased the number of readers more and more. It is undoubtedly a highly impactful and motivational book. The writer has brought exceptional changes in the lives of many people who are educators, CEOs, presidents, parents, and many more.
Stephen R. Covey has written this classic book that has finely imparted timeless wisdom. It encourages you to endure your purpose in life and motivates you for the same. Several principles and ethics described in the book would impact you in the most positive way. The writing is simple yet remarkably effective. Today’s competitive world demands the best out of you and this book delivers just the same.
You can not skip this incredible masterpiece!
You can buy this book here.
2. Good To Great
Highlights
Author: Jim Collins
Last Published: 2001
Publisher: Harper Business
Description
Go to great is a remarkable compilation written by Jim Collins is one of the best leadership books. He mentioned some of the smartest strategies and tips to understand in order to set your mark. There are some interesting and impressive insights in the book. The key findings are mentioned below:
- Level 5 Readers: it was a shock for the research team to see the kind of leadership needed to achieve greatness
- A culture of discipline: very beautifully the book mentions how the combination of both entrepreneurship and discipline gives you great results
- The Hedgehog Concept: you will understand how the transformation of good to great needs transcending competence
- The flywheel and the doom loop: individuals who plan radical change programs and restructuring tend to fail in making a difference
These findings are an eye-opener for a lot of people. Every piece of information is well researched and is supported by authentic data.
Overall, it is an easy-to-understand book that intrigues the readers. There are plenty of helpful and effective books on leadership skills.
You can buy this book here.
3. Start With Why
Highlights
Author: Simon Sinek
Last Published: 2011
Publisher: Penguin UK
Description
This book one among the global bestsellers and best books on leadership. Moreover, the TED talk regarding this book is the third most-watched video of all time. It raises various important questions such as how some people or organizations are more successful than others or how they are able to achieve more and more.
The writer depicts how what you do in business is not important, rather, what matters is, why you do it!
With this thought, there are various examples, tips, and strategies mentioned in the book that you can follow. The stories and life journeys of some great leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr, Steve Jobs, Bill Gates are mentioned and analyzed. Simon has entailed how and what they did differently that made them such great inspiration.
There are plenty of stories that will inspire you. Interestingly, the chapter also makes you understand the two major ways to influence human behavior, that is, inspiration vs manipulation. This beautiful depiction will help you to gain a new perspective.
Overall, it’s an easy-to-understand and highly motivating book that you must purchase!
You can buy this book here.
4. Leaders Eat Last
Highlights
Author: Simon Sinek
Last Published: 2014
Publisher: Portfolio
Description
This book is the New York Times bestseller and a highly acclaimed compilation. There are some thought-provoking insights in the book. It helps an individual to wake up inspired and value their being and work.
With some of the greatest examples, the writer has asked the right questions. Questions such as why some teams trust the team members blindly and are so productive? whereas other teams fail fragmented even after getting incentives? Well, the simple answer is ‘officers eat last’. This line is symbolic of the fact that great leaders sacrifice their comfort and survival for the people who care for them.
To support his stance there is a depiction of some true stories of the government, big businessmen, investment bankers, and much more.
Leadership is a journey as well thought and explained by the writer. All they need is to be empathetic, humble, and create a safe environment for their people and the team. Overall, the book is a masterpiece and you must purchase your copy now!
You can buy this book here.
5. How To Win Friends and Influence People
Highlights
Author: Dale Carnegie
Last Published: 1998
Publisher: Pocket Books
Description
This book is time-tested advice performed on millions of people to boost their personal as well as professional lives. It is one of the most timeless and groundbreaking bestselling leadership books of all time. There are various lessons in the book that help to polish your communication skills. Some of the most important chapters in the book are mentioned below:
- 12 methods to attract people to your way of thinking
- Six ways to convince people to like you
- Nine methods to change the thinking of people without any resentment
The book is full of interesting approaches that help to change your approach to better communication. The content helps you to reach your maximum potential.
Millions of people have seen changes in their day-to-day life after finishing this book. Various strategies and tips help you to apply them in real life. Many people who were socially awkward or timid earlier, seem to be more confident and collected after applying the lessons in their practical lives.
Several sections of the book also help you to understand the basic tenets of leadership in a work ecosystem. It further helps you to attain brilliance and intellect.
If you wish to grasp the basics of communication.
You can buy this book here.
6. The Five Dysfunctions Of A-Team
Highlights
Author: Patrick Lencioni
Last Published: 2006
Publisher: Wiley India Pvt Ltd
Description
There are instances where most of the organizations have teams that are underperforming or even dysfunctional. The writer here presents you with a powerful theory related to the five behavioral tendencies that degrade a team. Undoubtedly, there are ways through which you can help your team to get back up. You have to be a motivator.
The insights of the writer here are both simple and groundbreaking. You can incorporate them into your organization and see results immediately. The five dysfunctions are mentioned below:
- Recognition corrupts results
- Popularity corrupt accountability
- Certainty curves clarity
- Harmony corrupts conflict
- Invulnerability corrupts trust
These five pointers are a complete gem in themselves and help you to lead the team with utmost understanding and intelligence. Every analysis and question provokes the reader to assess their organization and teamwork model. The book also tells you about the most authentic solutions.
You can buy this book here.
7. Extreme Ownership: How U.S Navy SEALs Lead and Win
Highlights
Author: Jocko Willink
Last Published: 2017
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Description
This addition is a blockbuster bestseller that talks about the 2 US Navy SEAL officers. Both of them were a major part of the Iraq war and a part of a special operations unit. Their experience and tale depict how a powerful leadership can do wonders in business, life, as well as the battlefield.
Both of them were a part of the most violent battle in Iraq. They had to face an impossible mission of helping US forces to secure a city named Ramadi. It is a remarkable tale of heroism, hard-won victories, and tragic loss. After returning, both the leaders passed on their leadership principles to organizations and businesses.
They launched their own company and motivated hundreds of clients to build high-performance teams and dominate in the business. Every chapter of the book focuses on leadership, decentralized commands, how to build a leadership environment, and much more.
Overall, it is a compelling book that has powerful instructions and applications. It surely helps people to lead in an authentic way. To understand more,
You can buy this book here.
8. Dare To Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
Highlights
Author: Brene Brown
Last Published: 2018
Publisher: Ebury Digital
Description
This book is on the list of New York Times bestsellers. It is a widely popular and remarkable compilation written by Brown. There are some incredible insights given on the subject of leadership. It helps you to bring changes in your perspective and motivates you highly.
The writer says leadership is not just about power and status over people. Great leaders hold themselves accountable in recognizing the ideas and potential of people. If you also wish to choose courage over your comfort zone and want to make a difference then this is a good read for you.
One has to keep a broad approach and understand that power becomes infinite when shared and aligned with accountability. The writer has penned the past decades understanding emotions that make life more meaningful.
There are various skill sets and behaviors mentioned to inherit leadership qualities. You will get a lot of information on how to inherit those qualities and incorporate them into your organization and life.
You can buy this book here.
9. Primal Leadership, With A New Preface By The Authors: Unleashing The Power Of Emotional Intelligence
Highlights
Author: Daniel Goleman
Last Published: 2013
Publisher: Harvard Business Review Press
Description
This book talks about emotional intelligence and how it is a necessary skill for leaders to inhabit. Often neglected, primal leadership with emotional intelligence is a must. There are some groundbreaking techniques and tips in the book that will help you in the best way possible.
This edition illustrates the power of empathetic, motivating, and self-aware leadership.
Primal leadership will help you shift your perspective from just being a leader to being an intelligent and emotionally aware leader. This will benefit you enormously. To unravel more, purchase your copy now!
You can buy this book here.
10. Developing The Leader Within You
Highlights
Author: Maxwell, John.C
Last Published: 2005
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers
Description
Dr. Maxwell has written this remarkable book called Developing the leader within you. More than 1 million copies have been sold to date. He has incorporated and discovered the biblical foundation of leadership. There are some principles and practices that one must incorporate in order to become a good leader.
This book explains how leadership is not just an exclusive club where people are born with this talent. However, all the traits associated with it can be acquired. You need to put up efforts and dedication to become a leader.
This book is highly motivating and inspiring. There is a list of some great steps, principles, and strategies to follow. If you wish to acquire the qualities of a leader.
You can buy this book here.
Conclusion
Leadership is about a lot of things altogether. It’s not something that you are born with but something that you inhabit with time. It includes a lot of learnings, lessons, practice, and strategies to understand leadership and become a leader.
It’s a constant journey of effort and dedication.
There are various ways through which you can understand this concept. As leadership books to read are the richest resources, you can always take help from them. In this article, we presented you with the 10 best seller leadership books with a detailed description of each.
We hope that this information helps you in the best way possible.
Keep learning, keep reading!
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