My Top 50

Over the last few years, I have compiled a list of the top 50 recommended readings for my mentees. As it comes up in conversation, I've had requests to share it... and am long overdue in posting it. As we are turning the page to a new year, many of us with eyes towards growth and development; I thought it was the right time to follow through on my promise to share my top recommended books for personal/professional development.

Note: New and interesting books are always coming out, so the list will evolve. This list is as of 2024.

Wendy's Top 50 Recommended Reads for Growth & Development:

These are in no particular order...

1. Leading Change by John Kotter
2. Start with Why by Simon Sinek
3. Finding Your Why by Simon Sinek
4. Deep Work by Cal Newport
5. Start with Your People by Brian Dixon
6. The Road Back to You by Cron & Stable
7. Visioneering by Andy Stanley
8. Communicating for Change by Andy Stanley
9. Lead Like Jesus by Blanchard, Hodges & Hendry
10. The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
11. Know What You’re For by Henderson
12. The Juggling Act by Pat Gelsinger
13. So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport
14. Free to Focus by Michael Hyatt
15. The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Morgan and Michael Lennington (+ Study Guide = key component for application)
16. Essentialism by Greg McKeown
17. Talent is Never Enough by John Maxwell Team
18. Prayer: The Timeless Secret of High-Impact Leaders by Dave Earley
19. The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni
20. H3 Leadership by Brad Lomenick
21. Good to Great by Jim Collins
22. The Mentor Leader by Tony Dungy
23. Start by Jon Acuff
24. Hand Me Another Brick by Charles Swindon
25. Discipline: The Glad Surrender by Eisabeth Elliot
26. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
27. Integrity by Henry Cloud
28. Building a Story Brand: Clarify Your Message so Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller
29. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work by Timothy Keller
30. Choosing to Cheat: Who Wins When Family and Work Collide by Andy Stanley
31. Good Habits, Bad Habits by Wendy Wood
32. Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
33. Daring Greatly by Brené Brown
34. Rebel Talent by Francesca Gino
35. The Heart of Leadership by Mark Miller
36. Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
37. The Obstacle is the Way by Ryan Holiday
38. The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
39. Measure What Matters by John Doerr
40. Emotional Agility by Susan David
41. Tribes by Seth Godin
42. Strengths Finder & Strengths Based Leadership
43. The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
44. The Motivation Myth by Jeff Haden
45. 5 Levels of Leadership by John Maxwell
46. Radical Candor by Kim Scott
47. The No Asshole Rule by Robert I Sutton
48. Integrity by Henry Cloud
49. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
50. Infonomics by Douglas Laney