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Throughout the course of human civilisation, many of our greatest leaders have imparted their wisdom through written works. Whether it’s a military strategist born 2,500 years ago like Sun Tzu, or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company like Bill Gates, powerful and influential people share their experiences to benefit the leaders of tomorrow.
Whether you’re an aspiring leader, just landed your first role with managerial responsibilities, or you’re an industry veteran, there is so much to gain by reading these books. You can generate new plans, develop your business faster, master your interpersonal skills, discover problem-solving techniques, and learn how to think two steps ahead.
Pick up a How-To guide from some of the most important leaders ever to sit in the big chair. Here are some of the best books on leadership that I have read.
Having lived during the Eastern Zhou period of ancient China, you might think Sun Tzu has nothing relevant to offer. While your daily experiences may be worlds apart, Sun Tzu’s tactical mind transcends the ages and continues to influence modern readers.
You can remove his war-based context and apply his lessons to business. For example, when he talks about commanding terrain, you think about market share. With some simple reimagining, The Art of War provides timeless wisdom on the value of preparedness, integrity, judging your competition, collaboration, confidence, delegating, and so much more.
In 1999, before the term “data science” was familiar to the leaders of every single organisation in every single sector of the economy, Bill Gates was singing the praises of data-backed decision making. Business @ The Speed of Thought encourages leaders to view the ongoing shift to technology-based work as a strategic asset.
Gates writes, “The most meaningful way to differentiate your company from your competition, the best way to put distance between you and the crowd, is to do an outstanding job with information.”
One of the most prominent black female politicians in the United States, Stacey Abrams has written a necessary guide for people traditionally seen as outsiders to embrace their identity and harness that strength. Lead from the Outside is a handbook on how ambition, fear, money, and failure function in leadership. Stacey draws on her own personal story and hard-won insights to offer practical strategies for changing the world one step at a time. She argues that being in the minority actually provides unique and vital strength you can employ to launch a company, run a successful political campaign, or fight for what’s right.
Meetup CEO David Siegel believes the right frame of mind can help you overcome the fear of failure. Using his own experience navigating a major company through tumultuous times, David demonstrates how core values like transparency and kindness can remove potential roadblocks before they become a problem.
This book is a guiding light for leaders faced with bad options, deep anxiety about the future, and the burden of responsibility.
Business isn’t the only realm where effective leadership is a necessity. Wooden on Leadership focuses on the essential people skills that make your team trust you, respect you, and work hard for you. If you’re interested in the mental and emotional aspects of great leadership, this book belongs on your shelf. You’ll be winning in no time.
Winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, Daniel Kahneman is also a cognitive psychologist with a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. Reason number one to read this book is that Kahneman’s a pretty smart guy.
Reason number two is that Thinking, Fast and Slow takes you on a tour of your own mind, with the goal of helping you better understand your judgments: why you make them, and how to improve them. Kahneman explores two systems that affect the way people think. In a nutshell, System 1 is fast and emotional thinking, while System 2 is logical and deliberate. His insights can help you combine your System 1 and System 2 thought processes into a well-oiled judgment machine.
So, there you have it, 6 books on leadership that can make a real difference to your professional development. Whether you’re a seasoned executive, a new team leader, or someone who just wants to learn more about the art of leadership, these books are sure to offer you valuable insights and ideas.
But this is just the tip of the iceberg - there are countless other books on leadership out there, each with their own unique perspective and approach. So, what are some of your favourite books on leadership? We’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments below.
In the meantime, pick up one of these books and start reading - you might be surprised at just how much it can help you in your career!
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