Whether you're a top performer recently promoted to management, an aspiring leader, or an experienced manager seeking growth, continuously improving your leadership style is imperative. The best leaders are constantly drawing inspiration from diverse sources—observing previous managers they’ve admired (or disliked), listening to leadership podcasts, diving into insightful books and more.

As an experienced HR professional, I’m often approached by employees eager to improve their leadership skills. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, my extensive book collection includes several must-reads that can guide you on your journey to becoming a better leader.

Looking for leadership insights? Check out my top recommendations for leadership books that can transform the way you lead.

Here are the top five books I would recommend for anyone looking to be a remarkable leader:

The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhou

Management isn’t some mystery, in fact it’s rather simple when you boil it down. Set clear expectations, build relationships, deliver feedback (both positive and negative) and hold yourself and your team accountable. But for some reason it’s become mystified (like the ~cloud~ in the early 2010s). Julie Zhou’s book is a practical, no nonsense guide on management. No big fancy words to put you to sleep, just a practical book about what to do as a manager. Now you might say, I’ve been a manager, I’m the Head of Marketing at a successful company, why would I need to read this. Some of the highest ranking executives I’ve coached don’t do the basics of good management. Trust me, a refresh wouldn’t hurt.

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Patterson, Granny, McMillan, and Switzler

I was introduced to this book by someone who claimed it saved their marriage. Woah, talk about a testament to the impact of this book. Tough conversations are… tough. No one likes having them, but as a leader you are literally paid to have them. This book gives you a framework for how to structure your tough conversations so they can actually be productive and move you and your peer/manager/support forward. And, just like the person who recommended this book to me, I use this in both my professional and personal life

Radical Candor by Kim Scott

You’re probably no stranger to this book. It definitely made its way around the recommended book circuit for a while. But just like Taylor Swift, everyone likes this book for a reason. It’s good. It’s spot on. And it will change the way you think about giving feedback.

Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs by John Doerr

Now, I’m not saying every company needs to implement OKRs, in fact many companies should lean into the EOS framework first. What I am saying is that understanding how to build objectives and drive team performance is critical to success. And so is pushing your team to the next level. This book gives you a practical framework and examples for how to do it.

The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One that Isn’t by Robert I. Sutton

It’s not that hard to be nice. Now, being nice does not mean being a push over or not holding people accountable. But creating a no asshole culture and building a zero tolerance for asshole behavior is paramount to having a successful business. Yes, Steve Jobs made brilliant products, but he also burned out the majority of his staff and was straight up cruel. Read this book and trust me, don’t become a Steve.

Now, there you have it—the five books I’d recommend to anyone ready to uplevel their leadership style. Each one offers valuable insights, practical advice, and actionable strategies to help you navigate the challenges of leadership with confidence and skill.

But remember, reading these books is just the beginning. Leadership isn’t learned solely from pages—it’s about applying these lessons in real-world situations, reflecting on your growth, and continuously striving to improve. Whether you’re just starting your journey as a manager or you’re a seasoned leader looking for fresh perspectives, there’s always room to grow.

So, pick up one (or all!) of these books, take notes, and see how these ideas can transform the way you lead. Because the best leaders are not born—they are made, one step, one lesson, and one book at a time.

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The Top Leadership Books Everyone Should Read