20 of My Favourite Leadership Books!

This week, I have been building and organising my dream bookcase. The key to success—leaders are readers! Here’s a list of 20 of my favourite leadership books! What are your favourites?

1. “Leadership Attitude” by Sonia McDonald Focuses on the mindset needed for effective leadership, emphasizing positivity, self-belief, and the power of a supportive and courageous attitude. McDonald combines practical advice with inspiring stories to help leaders develop a resilient and impactful leadership style.
2. “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek explores how leaders can create trust and cooperation within teams by prioritising the needs of others. Sinek emphasises the importance of a safe environment for teams to thrive.
3. “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown discusses the importance of vulnerability, courage, and empathy in leadership and provides actionable strategies for leaders to embrace discomfort and lead authentically.
4. “Start with Why” by Simon Sinek Encourages leaders to inspire others by clearly communicating their purpose or ‘why.’ Sinek argues that understanding the ‘why’ behind actions can lead to greater motivation and success.
5. “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni is A fable that explores common team challenges such as lack of trust and fear of conflict. Lencioni offers a model for building strong, cohesive teams.
6. “Leadershift” by John C. Maxwell Highlights the importance of adaptability in leadership. Maxwell outlines eleven key shifts leaders must make to stay relevant and effective in today’s fast-changing environment.
7. “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel H. Pink Explores the science of motivation, arguing that autonomy, mastery, and purpose are the keys to fostering engagement and leadership.
8. “Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us” by Seth Godin Discusses the power of communities and how leaders can build and lead their own ‘tribes’ by connecting people with shared interests and goals.
9. “The Infinite Game” by Simon Sinek Sinek explores the idea that leadership is not about winning but about playing an infinite game with no finish line focused on resilience, adaptability, and long-term thinking.
10. “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck Highlights the importance of a growth mindset in leadership, showing how a leader’s beliefs about learning and intelligence can influence their team’s success.
11. “Radical Candor” by Kim Scott Encourages leaders to provide honest feedback with care. Scott introduces the concept of radical candor as a tool for building trust and improving performance.
12. “The Leadership Challenge” by James Kouzes and Barry Posner is a comprehensive guide to exemplary leadership practices. It emphasises the importance of modelling the way, inspiring a shared vision, and enabling others to act.
13. “Multipliers” by Liz Wiseman Focuses on how leaders can amplify the intelligence and capabilities of their team members, contrasting the effects of ‘Multiplier’ and ‘Diminisher’ leadership styles.
14. “The Art of Possibility” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander Combines practical guidance with personal stories to inspire leaders to approach challenges with a mindset of possibility and creativity.
15. “The Culture Code” by Daniel Coyle Explores the secrets of highly successful groups and provides strategies for building a strong, collaborative team culture.
16. “Primal Leadership” by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee Focuses on the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership and how leaders can cultivate it to inspire and drive positive change.
17. “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” by Susan Cain Examines the value of introverted leaders and how their quiet strength can be an asset in leadership roles.
18. “Legacy” by James Kerr. This book explores the leadership principles of the New Zealand All Blacks, emphasizing humility, resilience, and continuous improvement. Kerr outlines 15 lessons that showcase how a strong team culture, purpose-driven leadership, and a commitment to leaving a legacy can drive sustained success both on and off the field.
19. “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” by Doris Kearns Goodwin This book provides an in-depth look at Abraham Lincoln’s leadership style, focusing on his ability to bring together and work effectively with a diverse group of individuals, including his political rivals.
20. “Emotional Agility” by Susan David“Emotional Agility” by Susan David explores how leaders can navigate their inner world—thoughts, feelings, and self-talk—to achieve a more effective and fulfilling approach to leadership. D

These books offer diverse insights into leadership, ranging from emotional intelligence and team dynamics to motivation and mindset, providing valuable guidance for developing effective and authentic leadership styles. They also offer diverse perspectives on leadership, covering key areas like mindset, team dynamics, motivation, adaptability, and authenticity, providing valuable insights for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills.