Leadership Books That Will Change How You Think

In Never Enough, Mike Hayes draws upon his experience as a former Navy SEAL commander to present leadership practices that work on the battlefield as well as in the boardroom. If you ever wanted to learn about leading under pressure, this book is for you.

Originally published in 1989, Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is considered to be one of the most impactful business books on the market. With over 40 million copies sold, this New York Times bestseller has inspired leaders for over three decades. The book lays out seven distinct habits of high-performing individuals, offering a principle-centered approach to solving problems and becoming one’s most effective self.

Nearly a decade after it was first published, Simon Sinek’s Start with Why continues to engage readers the world over. The reason? Sinek’s focus on “The Golden Circle,” a framework first proposed by the author in his revolutionary 2009 TED Talk. Sinek encourages you to focus on the “why” behind your product or service as a way to inspire others and achieve lasting success.

Brené Brown is famous for her work on courage and vulnerability. In Dare to Lead, she draws upon her own research with leaders and changemakers, applying her mantras of “dare greatly” and “rise strong” to the world of leadership. Any fan of Brown’s other books will find a wealth of insight in this #1 New York Times bestseller.

Sheryl Sandberg’s Lean In is one of the most notable leadership books of the last decade. The bestselling narrative is crucial to the discussion of women in the workplace. What’s more, we love the way Facebook’s influential COO uses both personal anecdotes and hard data to discuss topics like negotiation and mentorship.

Similar to Never Enough, Extreme Ownership is written by two former Navy SEAL officers, which further affirms the relevance of Navy leadership principles in the management sphere. In this New York Times bestseller, Jocko Willink and Leif Babin draw upon their time in Iraq to illustrate how one can lead effectively and motivate high-performing teams.