15 great books about leadership

Intro

I am an absolute book nerd; over the next three weeks, I will share recommended books for a series of topics. If you'd like to download the full 88-page PDF divided into 21 categories, you can do so at my website, Ways to Build a Better World . I hope that you find something you love!

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Books about leadership

Meditations, Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius often cited as Rome’s greatest emperor, wrote this as his diary, i.e. it wasn’t written to impress! Yet it is full of wisdom centred on stoic philosophy. Whilst I believe stoicism has limitations, this book does not. You would have no idea that Marcus Aurelius was leading Rom such as his humility, sincerity, and compassion for his below citizens. I have read this book several times in total, and each time I do, it recalibrates my mindset?and actions for the better (or at least I try). A beautiful book of the most refined wisdom. It's not a book about leadership per se ... but it is a book all leaders would do well to read.

Please note that there are many different translations of this book, and getting the right one does make a difference. I had heard of so many people raving about this book, and when I picked it up, I was a bit disappointed! Thankfully, I learned of the importance of the translation, bought a different version, and then it began to change my life! Thus, I highly recommend this version (sadly, I have been told this edition is no longer available - I will be searching for the best alternative version, and I will update this once I have found it!)

Awareness, Anthony De Mello

It's poignant that the first two books I mention on leadership aren't overtly about leadership. This, for me, is the most important book I have ever read. And if leaders showed up having mastered even a fraction of this book, they will be more effective for it. Anthony De Mello is a beautiful human being, and this book is one of the most unique and inspiring I have read. It is provocative, firm, yet gentle and incredibly funny! He tackles the universal issues of change, happiness, suffering and loss and also gives direction on coping with love, anger and fear. It is one of those books I go back to regularly. It can be enjoyed as a page-turner in a couple of sittings, or in modular form. He is a man that is genuinely self-forgetful, aware of his own failings, and aware of the power we all have to wake up from the misery we often find ourselves in. Put simply, I believe if the entire world read and applied this book, there would be a lot more love, a lot less hate, and probably no wars.

Leadership is Language: The Hidden Power of What You Say and Don’t Say, L.David Marquet

This was of those books that I kept on seeing cropping up when people would ask for book recommendations on Linkedin, and it didn’t disappoint. I won’t spoil anything here, but the opening story about an accident in the US Navy resulting from poor communication was a phenomenal way to frame the importance of communication. The stories David Marquet uses throughout really colour the theory and data, and it has fundamentally shifted how I think about how I and others communicate.

Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, Marshall B.Rosenberg

I'm aware many people are jarred by the title of this book. If that's you, please look past it! This book has transformed the lives of many great people I know, including my own life. I recommend reading the book and attending a course (I recommend contacting Laura Harvey at Shared Space ). I can say with immense confidence that it will transform how you communicate. Which, in the end, is one of, if not the most essential virtue for leadership. It has enabled me to be a more sincere, conscious, and curious partner, parent, sibling, colleague and so on. Marshall defines violent communication as communicating in ways that result in hurt or harm; judging others, having bias, blaming, finger-pointing, discriminating, speaking without listening, criticizing others or ourselves, name-calling, reacting when angry, using political rhetoric, being defensive or judging who's “good/bad” or what's “right/wrong” with people. And so, if you do the work he outlines, you'll communicate in a wholly new (and wholesome) way.

Leaders: Myth and Reality, Stanley McChrystal, Jeff Eggers, Jason Mangone

I first heard of Stanley McChrystal on the Sam Harris podcast, Making Sense, where he spoke so eloquently about how critical social cohesion would be at the beginning of Covid-19 (how correct that turned out to be – and how much we failed). This led me to his books, starting with this one. I wasn't sure, to begin with, as it began with mostly combat references (understandable given Stanley's background), which isn't content I always find that relatable to the context in which I work. However, as I read on, it became one of the finest, most humble and considered pieces of writing I have had the privilege of reading on leadership. The depth of conclusions that the authors reach is quite brilliant. The icons they write about in the book, including Thatcher, Chanel, Disney, and Martin Luther (and Martin Luther King), are fascinating.

Spiral Dynamics: Integral: Prof. Don Edward Beck (audiobook) + Spiral Dynamics, Mastering Values, Leadership, and Change by Prof. Don Edward Beck and Christopher C. Cowan

The book is perhaps most ubiquitous; thus, if you’ve looked at multiple sections in this document, you will see it crop up a lot. For me, it’s the number one book for understanding leadership and culture. This book fundamentally changed how I view the world, myself, and every person and organisation I work with. It’s a true masterpiece and perhaps the defining book on Systems Thinking. I recommend you begin with this great ‘lecture’ on YouTube .?Given the density of the book (it took me a few months to read, and I have been told it is “pretty much impenetrable), I first?recommend listening to Don Beck’s audiobook, Spiral Dynamics, Integral, then reading the short 50-page summary: Emergence Volume 1 by Rosemary Wilkie and then if you’re still interested, reading the main text by Beck and Cowan. By understanding Spiral Dynamics, you will learn a wealth about yourself, those around you, and society. And centring how you show up on having empathy for that could transform how you see the world and interact with others. The book is well supplemented by the many available videos on YouTube, especially those?by Leo at Actualized.org.

Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela

I haven't populated this list with endless streams of autobiographies (though perhaps I should). But this one is a must. The riveting memoirs of the outstanding moral and political leader. An endlessly insightful book that covers hardship, resilience and ultimate triumph told with clarity and eloquence of a born leader

Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography, Walter Isaacson

This book is a beast, and I found it interesting throughout. It is so well researched and a fascinating insight into the man, the mission. A wise read for any person interested in design, company culture, and leadership. Whether you love or loathe Jobs, there are valuable insights here.

Ego is the Enemy: The Fight to Master Our Great Component, Ryan Holiday

This book is by no means an extensive look at the deeper spiritual?level of ego (for this, I recommend you read Awareness, The Power of Now and a Course in Miracles); instead, it looks at the archetypal definition of ego that we see in the workplace and world around us - and that’s why this book is so good. It speaks to a level of the ego we’re having to deal with on a daily basis, whether in ourselves or from others.

Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the box, The Arbinger Institute

I first read this in my twenties and it blew me away. However, it was about the third non-fiction book I’d ever read. And so when I went back to it in my late thirties, it felt a little cheesy and cliché. That said, I still believe the core message is superb: we all have blind spots, and in some way, we are all self-deceived. The essential message is don't focus on what others are doing wrong until you focus on yourself and your blind spots.

Give and Take: Why helping others drives our success, Adam Grant

This crops up in a couple of sections and with good reason. It’s an excellent book that deconstructs why your personal and organisational success will be underwhelming when you dominate others or allow yourself to be a doormat. Whereas if we cultivate giving in a genuine and well-thought-out manner, we will see greater fulfilment and success. An excellent book for all leaders.

Humble Inquiry: The gentle art of asking instead of telling, Edgar H.Schein

Edgar H.Schein is a great man. His writing oozes kindness, compassion and dedication to creating a less violent, collaborative way. I turned to this book when really struggling with how my friend and I communicated, having started an organisation together. It is a short book with one unequivocal message: don't assume bad of people, ask before you assume, be humble, and have more fruitful and compassionate communication. You will likely need to go deeper than just this book - for which I recommend Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life.

Helping: How to offer, give and receive help, Edgar H.Schein

Complementing his book, Humble Inquiry, this is another breezy and short book that digs into why helping can be so passive-aggressive, difficult, confusing, frustrating and alike.

The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever Michael Bunguy Stanier

Simply the most direct, consequential and brilliant model to coach people I have read. It offers a short, simple, and highly effective 7-step coaching method. Having used it (in principle) with several hundred people, I know it works. Personally, I continuously adapt the model slightly depending on the individual and/or company culture, it gets you 80 per cent of the way there.

The Captain Class: The Hidden Force Behind the World’s Greatest Teams, Sam Walker

Personally, I see this book's message as more of a powerful metaphor, which is that groups need a solid role model at their heart to pull a great team together (the actual goal of the book is to say it has been the captain that has made truly great teams, contrary to the belief that great teams have been because of star payers and/or managers.)

Footnote

I care deeply about building a better future for my daughter and future generations. This is why I created Ways to Build a Better World . My site provides free learning content for people who are also interested in building a more kind, equitable, and sustainable planet.

Alongside Ways to Build a Better World, I run a small charity, The Shining Light Project . I volunteer for the Samaritans and Hope & Aid Direct . I work in Sustainability and Human Rights for the brilliant LRQA (all words and errors here are my own!)

Thanks for reading and take care.

Benjamin