Senior leadership is largely about being a leader of leaders. The foundational leadership skills needed at every level of management are still required, but there are issues that senior leaders need to grapple with that are specific to that level of seniority. For example, thinking strategically, the ability to create high-performing teams of leaders and managing organisational change all fall into this category.

In addition to that, a leader of leaders must deepen their existing skill set. Their self-leadership and self-awareness, emotional intelligence and listening skills, humanity and humility, all need to grow alongside the adoption of new competencies.

That is why, in this list of books for leaders of leaders, there are some old titles and some new, some that people will know (and should re-read) and others they may not have heard of. They are all personal favourites, but also ones that come highly recommended by many other leaders.

The Top 11 Books for a Leader of Leaders:

1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
2. Leaders Eat Last – Simon Sinek
3. Good to Great – Jim Collins
4. Dare to Lead – Brené Brown
5. The Art of War – Sun Tzu
6. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership – John C. Maxwell
7. The Coaching Habit – Michael Bungay Stanier
8. Turn the Ship Around! – L. David Marquet
9. Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman
10. Time to Think – Nancy Kline
11. Team of Teams – Stanley McChrystal

Here is a short summary of the key themes in each book and why you should read them:

1. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey

This classic self-help book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, outlines the key habits for personal and professional success. It was the first leadership book I read that truly transformed my thinking about leadership. 

Covey emphasises a principle-centred approach, starting with internal development—being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, and prioritising important tasks. He then shifts to interpersonal effectiveness, advocating for win-win thinking, empathetic communication, and synergy. Finally, he stresses continuous self-improvement. By focusing on character over personality, Covey provides a timeless framework for effectiveness and meaningful success in all areas of life.

“Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” ― Stephen Covey

2. Leaders Eat Last – Simon Sinek

One of the memorable phrases I was taught in the military was: “Horses first, soldiers next, officers last.”This principle (obviously going back to the days of mounted units) is about prioritisation (mission essential tasks first as without your horse you are ineffective) and humility (as a soldier respects an officer who practices servant leadership). It is this same concept that Sinek explores. 

In Leaders East Last, Sinek explores how great leaders create environments of trust, safety, and collaboration. He helpfully links the science of how human biology drives our need for strong, protective leadership; for example, how chemicals like oxytocin and serotonin foster loyalty. 

Using examples from the military, business, and history, he shows that when leaders prioritise the well-being of their teams—putting employees before profits—they inspire commitment and drive high performance. The book argues that leadership isn’t about authority but about serving others, ultimately fostering organisations where people feel valued, safe, and motivated.

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ― Simon Sinek

3. Good to Great – Jim Collins

I was introduced to Good to Great when I was part of a senior leadership team, and our boss chose this book for us all to work through together. It was transformative both at an individual and team level. 

Collins and his research team studied companies that transformed from mediocrity to sustained greatness. They found common traits among successful companies: disciplined people, thought, and action. Key concepts include Level 5 Leadership (humble yet determined leaders), the Hedgehog Concept (focusing on what a company does best), and the Flywheel Effect (small, consistent actions building momentum). 

The book contrasts these companies with those that failed to sustain greatness, highlighting strategic discipline, the right leadership, and an unwavering commitment to long-term success as essential factors. Although the case studies are somewhat dated now, it is still highly compelling.

“Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline.” ― Jim Collins

4. Dare to Lead – Brené Brown

In Dare to Lead, Brown applies her research on vulnerability, courage, and leadership to create a guide for modern leadership. She argues that great leaders embrace vulnerability, cultivate trust, and foster a culture of openness. Using personal stories (that role-model vulnerability) and research, she emphasises the importance of clear communication, empathy, and authenticity. 

Brown introduces the concept of “rumbling with vulnerability” and encourages leaders to foster psychological safety within teams. The book is practical as well and provides actionable strategies for leading with courage, honesty, and emotional intelligence in workplaces. I particularly recommend the audiobook version that Brené narrates herself.

“The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing, it’s about the courage to show up when you can’t predict or control the outcome.” ― Brené Brown

5. The Art of War – Sun Tzu

The Art of War is an ancient Chinese military treatise offers timeless wisdom on strategy, competition, and leadership. It is also relatively short and easily digestible (unlike On War by Clausewitz!). Sun Tzu emphasizes intelligence, adaptability, and deception over brute force. Key principles include knowing both yourself and the enemy, the importance of preparation, and the ability to turn weaknesses into strengths. 

While originally meant for warfare, its insights have been widely applied in business, sports, and personal development, teaching readers how to approach challenges strategically and decisively.

“In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity”― Sun-Tzu

Leadership Development: Master the Top Leadership and Life Skills

Better lead in life and work to maximise your success. Sign up and access materials for free!

6. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership – John C. Maxwell

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership is another classic that I am sure many readers here will already know. But this is a book I continually go back to, and if you have not read it for a while, I challenge you to go back and remind yourself of the principles. 

For those who don’t know, in this book, Maxwell outlines 21 timeless leadership principles, each supported by real-world examples. These include the Law of Influence (leadership is earned, not given), the Law of Process (leadership develops daily), and the Law of Legacy (leaders leave a lasting impact). 

He emphasises continuous growth, integrity, and the importance of surrounding oneself with strong teams. The book serves as a practical guide for aspiring leaders at any stage – but especially leaders of leaders – offering actionable insights on effective leadership practices.

“People don’t care what you know until they know what you care” ― John C. Maxwell

7. The Coaching Habit – Michael Bungay Stanier

This book teaches leaders and managers how to develop a coaching mindset using seven essential questions. As a professional leadership coach, who has a passion for asking the right questions, it is no surprise that I recommend this book! But I am certainly not alone in liking this award-winning bestseller.

In The Coaching Habit, Bungay Stanier emphasizes that effective coaching isn’t about providing answers but about asking the right questions to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving. 

By using techniques like the “Kickstart Question” (What’s on your mind?) and the “AWE Question” (And what else?), he helps leaders develop deeper conversations, build autonomy in their teams, and create lasting behavioural change. The book promotes a simple, practical approach to coaching that fosters growth and self-sufficiency.

“If this were a haiku rather than a book, it would read: Tell less and ask more. Your advice is not as good As you think it is.”― Michael Bungay Stanier

8. Turn the Ship Around! – L. David Marquet

Turn the Ship Around is a must read for senior leaders as it emphasises the importance of being a leader of leaders.  A former U.S. Navy submarine captain, Marquet shares how he transformed the USS Santa Fe from one of the worst-performing submarines into one of the best by shifting from a leader-follower to a leader-leader model. 

Instead of issuing orders, he empowered his crew to take ownership and make decisions. The book illustrates how decentralizing authority and fostering accountability create high-performance organisations. Through real-world examples, Marquet provides lessons on trust, empowerment, and leadership that apply beyond the military to business and life.

“Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves.”― L. David Marquet

9. Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman

In his book Emotional Intelligence, Goleman argues that emotional intelligence (EQ) is more critical to success than IQ. He breaks EQ into five key components: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. 

Using neuroscience and case studies, he explains how individuals and leaders can develop their emotional intelligence to improve relationships, decision-making, and leadership effectiveness. 

The book has revolutionised how we understand intelligence and success, showing that emotional mastery leads to better performance in personal and professional life. As such it is the book to read on the subject.

“Leadership is not domination, but the art of persuading people to work toward a common goal.” ― Daniel Goleman

10. Time to Think – Nancy Kline

Not everyone has  heard of this book, but ever since I was recommended it, it has become the book that I have gifted the most to other leaders.

In Time to Think Kline introduces the concept of a “Thinking Environment,” emphasizing the power of deep listening and uninterrupted thinking. She argues that true innovation and problem-solving emerge when people are given the space to think independently. 

The book provides practical techniques to improve meetings, conversations, and leadership through attentive listening, removing distractions, and valuing silence. It’s a compelling read for anyone looking to enhance creativity, communication, and decision-making in personal or professional settings. I guarantee that it will transform the way you approach meetings!

“Usually the brain that contains the problem also contains the solution – often the best one.” ― Nancy Kline

11. Team of Teams – Stanley McChrystal

In his New York Times bestselling book Team of Teams, General McChrystal shares how he transformed the U.S. military’s approach to leadership in the fight against Al-Qaeda. Facing a fast-moving, decentralised enemy, he shifted from a rigid, hierarchical structure to a more agile, networked system.

This book is not just for those interested in military leadership. It is relevant to all leaders because we all face increasing uncertainty and change. In essence, it is about effective organisational culture and change. The book argues that traditional organisations must embrace adaptability, transparency, and decentralised decision-making to succeed in complex environments. McChrystal uses military and business examples to illustrate how teamwork, trust, and shared purpose drive innovation and effectiveness.

“Purpose affirms trust, trust affirms purpose, and together they forge individuals into a working team.” ― Stanley McChrystal

Resources for Leader of Leaders

I hope you have been reminded of some leadership classics and inspired to further reading in this list of best leadership books for senior leaders. If you have any further recommendations for books suitable for a leader of leaders, do drop me a line to let me know – I love to find new books and get new inspiration!

I love walking. I also love reading. So here I bring together where these two passions collide in my list of favourite walking books. These that are books that have inspired adventures, instructed me in navigation techniques, educated me in the advantages of walking, helped me plan treks or just simply helped me to relax and escape to another place when my legs are too tired to carry me any further. I help you find something in this list to inspire you too.

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein

The Lord of the Rings is simply my favourite fiction book of all time. I love it, I have read it several times and seen the movies, played the games; you name it – I am most definitely a fan! The scale and complexity of the book is of course epic but there is a simple premise at the core, and that is of two friends on a very long walk. The key relationship of lord of the rings is Frodo and Sam, the two hobbits, on their quest to destroy the ring of power. It is a story of universal themes: overcoming adversity and good over evil. It is about ordinary folk doing extraordinary things and a tale of personal discovery and enduring friendship.

I recently read the book again on my kindle while walking the Tour de Mont Blanc and my kids loved my reciting of the story as we walked along. This book, more than any other, taught me that every walk is an adventure; even if you are not going all the way to Mount Doom.

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” – J.R.R. Tolkein

Mind over matter by Ranulph Fiennes

Mind Over Matter was the first real life account of an epic walk that I ever read, and it deeply affected me.  Ranulph Fiennes’ account of his trek across the Antarctic with Mike Stroud is inspiring, educational and scary in equal measure. This book was one of the key reasons for pursuing my Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society and I had the honour to meet Sir Ranulph in person before some of my own expeditions to Svalbard and Greenland. His book prompted me to seek out new paths in the polar wildernesses. One very practical tip I took from this book was the idea of the ‘polar plod’; setting a walking pace that you can maintain all day every day on long expeditions. Setting a new record for the longest unsupported expedition polar journey (1350 miles), this is a story of real endurance.

“There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.” – Ranulph Fiennes

The Old Ways –  A journey on foot by Robert Macfarlane

If you are a writer and then you will really appreciate the poetic musings of Robert Macfarlane. Quite frankly I get jealous reading his books as I wish I could write as well as him. All his published work is great but The Old Ways is a real love song to walking. Macfarlane seamlessly mixes history, philosophy and detailed observations of the natural world with his own musings. It is a magically evocation of some of the oldest paths and their connection to our present and future.

“The compact between writing and walking is almost as old as literature — a walk is only a step away from a story, and every path tells.” – Robert Macfarlane

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Bill Bryson is very readable and his books are laugh out loud funny. His self depreciating observational humour is nowhere better showcased than in A Walk in the Woods, his account of walking (a large part of) the Appalachian trial. The book has also been made into a film starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte. This is fun but if you just see the film you miss a lot. As well as being funny Bryson brilliant captures culture, personalities and the environment so under the waves of humour there are depths of incisive observation. Bryson would be the first to confess he is not your typical athlete so his walking accomplishments are an encouragement to all of us. Reading this made me add the Appalachian trail to my todo list.

“Hunters will tell you that a moose is a wily and ferocious forest creature. Nonsense. A moose is a cow drawn by a three-year-old.” ― Bill Bryson

Leadership Development: Master the Top Leadership and Life Skills

Better lead in life and work to maximise your success. Sign up and access materials for free!

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce

I picked this book up by chance. I was between books, on holiday and wanted something to read. On first inspection I was not expecting to like the book but after the first chapter I was hooked. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry is about a simple task – walking round the corner to post a letter – that turns into an odyssey. His walk takes us on a journey through love and loss, regret and forgiveness, desire and hope. The characters and relatable and the story intriguing and plausible and thus you are drawn in to Harold’s quest.

“The least planned part of the journey, however, was the journey itself.” ― Rachel Joyce

In Praise of Walking by Shane O’Mara

Shane O’Mara has written the best book that I know of that encapsulates the science of walking. In Praise of Walking details the evolutionary, physiological, psychological and environmental importance of walking. O’Mara outlines the strong evidence for the beneficial effects of walking on physical and mental health. One of the most important recommendations of the book are his principles for town planning summarised in the acronym EASE. That “cities should be easy (to walk); accessible (to all); safe (for everyone), and enjoyable (for all). But the book is not just a dry thesis. O’Mara has a true passion for walking and he punctuates the evidence with anecdotes and stories that make the book enjoyable as well as educational.

“Although walking arises from our deep, evolutionary past, it is our future too: for walking will do you all the good that you now know it does.” ― Shane O’Mara

Mountaincraft and Leadership Eric Langmuir

This book was the set text for those wanting to be qualified Mountain Leaders in the UK. Even if you do not aspire to getting a qualification, Mountaincraft and Leadership, or its successor, Hillwalking by Steve Long are manuals that covers all the key skills you will need as you start to make your walks more adventurous. Navigation, first aid, weather, camp craft and team leadership are among the subjects he covers. I still use the equipment lists in the book as a useful reference and prompt when planning for a trip. Another similar manual I would recommend is the US equivalent, Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills, but this gets into more technical climbing techniques so goes beyond the needs of most walkers.

“A decision without the pressure of consequence is hardly a decision at all.” Eric Langmuir.

Cicerone guides (by various authors)

Cicerone publishes a wide range of excellent guides and these books are often the starting place for my long distance walks and expeditions. The guides are amazingly helpful with route planning, navigation (they generally contain good maps), and logistical details such as potential accommodation and camping sites. I have recently walked the Tour De Mont Blanc (TMB guide by Kev Reynolds) and South West Coastal Path (Minehead to South Haven Point guide by Paddy Dillon) and both books were excellent. The Camino de Santiago guide is also on my shelf, as that is the next big (COVID-19 delayed) trip I am planning. I would recommend these to any one thinking of a multi-day walking, trekking or hiking holiday.

“On blue-sky days it (Mont Blanc) dazzles in the sunshine or floats on a raft of cloud, commanding one’s attention with it’s dominating height, for it has regal presence equal both to its appearance and stature.” Kev Reynolds

Ordnance Survey Puzzle Book

If you want to go for a walk, one of the best things you can do is just look at a map and piece together your own route. When I go to a new place one of the first things I want to do is look at a map and get out for a walk. There is nothing better than walking for really getting to know a new area, be it a bustling city or an empty wilderness. A detailed map, such as those produced by ordinance survey, are ideal for planning a walk but to get the most out of them you need to learn to read them properly so that the two-dimensional symbols and lines can be interpreted and allow you to picture the ground in your mind.

If you want a fun way to improve your map reading skills then check out the Ordnance Survey Puzzle Book. It will really help you focus in on the detail and appreciate the insight that a map can provide. The original was so popular there is now more, such as the Puzzle Tour of Britain.

“A map does not just chart, it unlocks and formulates meaning; it forms bridges between here and there, between disparate ideas that we did not know were previously connected.” – Reif Larsen

Considering how many decisions we make on a daily basis it is amazing how little training we receive in decision-making. Perhaps it is even more surprising that – despite all our advances in science and particularly psychology – quite how hard it is to capture the complexity of human decisions.

The capacity that humans have to make decisions, be that through intuition or rational thought, is something that sets us aside from everything else on the planet; be that animals or computers.

In an ever faster-paced and changing world, with growing access to information and choice, it is of growing importance to understand decision-making. If we want to become comfortable with uncertainty, risk and change; if we aspire to embrace learning, innovation and growth, then we need to be better at making decisions.

We all can make better decisions, but if you are a leader or manager, and your decisions affect the people and organisation you are responsible for, then this skill is of critical importance. It is no surprise that decision-making is recognised as a vital leadership skill.

How do we get better at decision-making?

To be more effective at decision making we need to look at questions such as: is intuition or rational thought better for making decisions? How do we make logical or ethical decisions? Can we even classify decisions in these ways? Can we override our biases and fallacies? When are statistics and decision-making models effective and when not? Which approaches and tools can help us? How can we think more effectively?

Here are some reviews and summaries of great books to help you on this journey. You will capture a glimpse of how amazing your brain is while getting a feel for its limitations. You will learn to embrace your innate ability to make superb decisions along with being more cognisant of the heuristics and biases we all harbour. Armed with this knowledge you can develop strategies, and choose the right tools, to help make the best decisions in the various situations you are confronted with.

If you like the look of any of the books just click on the pictures to link to their reviews on Amazon.

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Thinking Fast and Slow is an international bestseller by Daniel Kahneman. Kahneman’s book is perhaps best known for his helpful and widely used classification of decision-making into system one; intuitive (fast) decision-making and system two; logical or rational (slow) decision-making. The book distils several decades of research on cognitive bias, prospect theory and happiness. It is highly instructive, especially in understanding the intellectual challenges we face when making decisions.

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, by Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell’s bestselling book Blink is all about our amazing ability to make fast and effective decisions. In other words, it is about intuitive thought and how we know things without knowing. At the heart of this book is the idea of keeping decision-making simple and avoiding the ‘analysis paralysis’ that can be the result of too much information. It is full of fascinating examples and insight and provides an interesting counterpoint to Kahneman’s Thinking Fast and Slow.

Thinking: The New Science of Decision-Making, Problem-Solving and Prediction, Edited by John Brockman

In his book Thinking, John Brockman, publisher of Edge.org, brings together a selection of essays and transcripts in this book that explore various facets of thinking and decision-making from leading psychologists, philosophers and neuroscientists. The book is intellectually challenging and tackles diverse issues such as desire, intuition, morality, statistics, rationality and human nature. I found the content humbling, as it opens the door to the amazing complexity of the brain and how much we still have to learn. It does not serve particularly well as an introduction to decision making but if you are interested in the subject then it does expose you to some of the leading thinkers and ideas in this field of psychology.

Leadership Development: Master the Top Leadership and Life Skills

Better lead in life and work to maximise your success. Sign up and access materials for free!

Time to Think by Nancy Kline

In Time to Think, Nancy Kline demonstrates that the quality of our thinking depends largely on the situation provided for us to think within.  In particular, Nancy shows the empowering nature of focused attention and how active listening enables us to think better.  The concept of ‘The Thinking Environment’ outlined in this book can help to transform your work meetings and personal relationships.  The book is a rallying call to improve not just the way we work, but the way we approach life.  I found it inspirational, I think you will too.

The Chimp Paradox, by Steve Peters

Steve Peters is a psychiatrist and sports psychologist who has worked extensively in the field of elite sports, and most notably with British Cycling. The Chimp Paradox seeks to explain, in simple terms, how the mind works and how to manage thoughts and emotions in order to be more confident, effective and happy. Although the book does not set itself out to be about decision making per se, the mind management model – that compares the emotional ‘chimp’ mind to the logical ‘human’ mind – is very much related to Kahneman’s systems one and two thinking or intuitive and rational decision making.

The Decision Book: Fifty Models for Strategic Thinking, by Mikael Krogerus and Roman Tschappeler

The Decision Book is a highly practical guide to 50 decision-making tools that can be employed in various circumstances. It is broken down into four sections looking at; how to improve yourself, how to understand yourself better, how to understand others better and how to improve others. Even if you already know and use a few decision-making techniques you can guarantee that there are more in this book to challenge and inspire you.

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, by Dr Robert Cialdini

Ciadini’s book Influence is one of the ‘go-to’ works on marketing and why people say ‘yes’. Ciadini’s research outlines the various ways we influence other people (and get influenced ourselves) when making decisions. Whether you are trying to impact someone else’s way of thinking or wanting to be aware of what sways your own decision-making, this is a must-read.

Nudge: Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth and Happiness, by Richard H Thaler and Cass R Sunstein

Nudge theory looks at our biases and how we can subtly influence behaviours to make better decisions. Thaler and Sunstein look at decision-making on a social scale and how changes in behaviour have large social impact. It is therefore no surprise that the book has been popular with policymakers among others. The book is a good companion to Cialdini’s book on Influence.

The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

In The Black Swan, Taleb brilliantly, boldly (and somewhat brashly) puts forward arguments for the limitations of statistical analysis and how statistics are often very poor predictors of the future, especially in complex fields such as economics. Knowing this he puts out a rallying call that we should embrace uncertainty and leverage random opportunities as they arise. Prepare to be challenged!

Lateral Thinking, by Edward de Bono

Lateral Thinking is a classic text on creative thinking.  De Bono explains how the mind works, and then sets out various inventive methods to inspire lateral thought. This is essential reading on problem solving and compliments other approaches to slow thinking. The book champions divergent thought as opposed to purely vertical, convergent decision-making methodologies.

The Dice Man, by Luke Rhinehart

Just like Spinal Tap, our top ten goes all the way up to 11 with the inclusion of The Dice Man. This cult classic by Luke Rhinehart is controversial but worth a look. A fictional premise of a man who gives over every decision to a throw of a dice. It is not there to tell you how to make better decisions (such as the non-fiction titles above) but it will certainly get you thinking more about your decisions!

---

And if you want some good ideas for audiobooks then click here.

How do you influence others? What make makes someone persuasive? Which skills do you need for effective negotiation?

You may not think that these questions are that important to you but consider: how many times today have you had to communicate with someone? Chances are in each of these interactions you have had to put a point across, ask someone to do something or come to an agreement on something. Simply put, this is influence, persuasion and negotiation. All three are key building blocks of effective communication.

Influencing, persuading and negotiating are therefore essential skills for everyone — not just for those in the sales, marketing or business development teams. By the way, if you are a job seeker, business owner, freelancer or self-employed you are the sales, marketing and business development team, whether you know it or not!

And this is certainly not just about the corporate sector. Whether you are an writer, actor, teacher, parent, scientist, coder, law-enforcement officer or working in the charitable sector, knowing more about influence and persuasion will make you more effective at what you do.

If you are a leader then you definitely need to hone your skills in this area. As the leadership expert John C Maxwell said:

“Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.”

And, by that definition we are all leaders at some level, even if we don’t hold specific leadership responsibility.

I have picked the resources that I have found most helpful, particularly in my capacity as a leadership coach. Most of these titles are already very popular and you may be familiar with some but I hope there is at least one new title or perspective you can find in the list below. Enjoy!

1. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B Cialdini

Want to read one book on influencing and persuading people? Start here. Influence is the classic work on persuasion by Robert Cialdini. Pretty much every other book or expert on the subject of psychology, sales and communication makes reference to Cialdini. Make yourself an expert too!

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher and William Ury

Do you want to improve your negotiation skills? Another seminal work, Getting to Yes is all about the art of negotiation. What sets this book aside is the concept of using empathy as a starting point and aiming for ‘win-win’ rather than ‘win-lose’ outcomes. In other words, reaching an agreement that is to the benefit to all parties, rather than the traditional dynamic (particularly in sales) where one side of the negotiations is left worse off.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey

Has anyone not heard of this book? If you haven’t then you are missing a treat. For starters, it was Stephen Covey who took the concept of ‘win-win’ and moved it into modern management parlance by applying it beyond just negotiations and adopting it as a habit (the fourth habit: think ‘win-win’) for all our interactions with people. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is probably the most popular business and self-help book of all time and — even after 30 years since first being published- it remains as relevant as ever. I keep going back to this book, it is a fantastic resource, so get one if you don’t have it already.

Time to Think: Listening to Ignite the Human Mind by Nancy Kline

Do you think you are good at listening? Don’t assume so until you have read this. Active or empathetic listening is a critical skill and vital if you want to be effective in influencing a persuading people. In Time to Think Nancy Kline develops the concept of creating a ‘Thinking Environment’ and gives practical approaches and tips on truly effective listening. Her work and research have shown how this is foundational to quality thought, creativity and communication.

The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist’s Guide to Success in Business and Life by Avinash K Dixit and Barry J Nalebuff

Scared by the concept of mathematical models? Don’t be! The Art of Strategy is an accessible introduction to Game Theory, the mathematical models and strategic psychology behind decision-making. The popular terms ‘win-win’ and ‘win-lose’ (already mentioned above) are from Game Theory and this book explores many of the common terms, aspects and models of the field (such as The Prisoners’ Dilemma) that you are probably aware of but have not considered how you could apply. The Art of Strategy gives just enough theory, layered with examples, to allow a common sense application of this fascinating science of decision making.

Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wellness and Happiness by Richard H Thaler and Cass R Sunstein

Want to help people make better choices? Nudge is all about just that. Thaler and Sunstein take the art of influence onto the grand scale and explore what it takes to persuade and move large masses of people towards healthier and more productive lifestyles. Behavioural science has never been more interesting or accessible than in Nudge. Nudge has been hugely influential and is another must-read, particularly for policymakers and anyone involved in mass communications.

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Take Hold and Others Come Unstuck by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Why do some ideas take hold more than others? To answer this question, Chip and Dan Heath have studied information hooks and the essence of what makes messages persistent. Made to Stick is fascinating and will change the way you pitch your next idea or even draft your next email. It is an invaluable resource for learning how to be concise, effective and ‘sticky’ with your communications.

Rapport: The Four Ways to Read People by Emily Alison and Laurence Alison

Want to know how to deal with difficult people? Wondering how to quickly build trust and effective communication? Then read Rapport by Emily and Laurence Alison. Emily and Laurence are experts in forensic psychology who have spent more than 30 years studying rapport building under the most challenging circumstances; namely through investigating the interrogation of terrorists and how (without torture) interrogators were able to establish trust with and gain information from their subjects. A fascinating read with lots of practical applications to everyday communications and building relationships.

To Sell is Human by Daniel H Pink

What do you think when you hear the term salesperson? Do you picture yourself? Probably not, but To Sell is Human may well challenge your thinking. Dan Pink writes accessibly and this short tome brings together much of the subject matter in the field of persuasion, influence and negotiation (including many of the books above) and is therefore a good way into the subject area. Dan Pink also helps to de-bunk the popular negative stereotype of sales and salespeople and challenges more traditional sales practices. Therefore this is the sales book for all those (such as me) who hate the idea of the hard sell!

Leadership Development: Master the Top Leadership and Life Skills

Better lead in life and work to maximise your success. Sign up and access materials for free!

There are lots of list of the best leadership and management books such as those on Google, Soundview and Amazon. I have compared these against the recommendations of Time magazine, and the New York Times bestsellers lists to come up with an integrated list that I can personally vouch for, having read all of the titles.

All these books are great resources of wisdom and practical advice for leaders and managers, and I would recommend you read them all. But, with busy lives and so many books to read, where should you start?

Hopefully these pity summaries can help. I have composed these Haiku poems, each as a short synopsis of each book. Any volume would be hard to sum up in 1700 words, let alone 17 syllables, but hopefully there is enough to reveal a key lesson or inspire you to try the book.

I have included Amazon links to each publication. These are affiliate links so don’t feel you need to use them.

---

1. Start with Why by Simon Sinek

Always Start With Why.

The question unlocks purpose,

To ensure success.

---

2. Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Fear is not weakness.

Be courageous, bold and lead,

While vulnerable.

---

3. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

First, lead yourself well

And be principle centred.

Then influence all.

---

4. The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

Design your business,

Create a passive income,

Work from anywhere.

---

5. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Whether fast or slow,

Understand your biases

For good decisions

---

6. Outliers – The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

To become master

Ten thousand hours of practice

Is a minimum.

---

7. Good to Great by Jim Collins

Connect your passion

With your world class expertise

For sustained profit.

---

8. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C Maxwell

All laws here agree:

Leadership is influence.

Use your power well.

---

9. The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Know your enemy

And by knowing thyself too,

One fears no defeat.

---

10. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

Build your prototype,

See what customers want most,

Learn and pivot fast.

Here are the books that I recommend the most to other people. The list reflects my favourite writings on leadership, management, work, strategy, decision-making and success in life.

I read (and listen to audible books) vociferously but these books have impacted me most and are ones that I keep re-reading, referring to and recommending to others.

You may well recognise a few but hopefully, you will find some to add to your reading list. I hope they help you as much as they have helped me!

For understanding how to be a leader and manager

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell is one of the best-selling leadership books of all time. One of the reasons is that it is easy to read and apply. If you are wanting to examine your strengths and weaknesses as a leader then this book is a great aid. I find that Maxwell’s definition of leadership as ‘influence’ as being one of the most useful paradigms for thinking about leadership, in all its forms.

For people who want to lead but don’t feel confident

There is little evidence to support the idea of people born to lead, but when you step into leadership (or it is thrust upon you) it can be daunting looking at all the confident looking executives that seem to be everywhere you look. The truth is, even experienced leaders can feel a lack of courage when faced with the challenges of leading authentically in an ever more challenging environment. That is why I recommend reading Dare to Lead by Brene Brown no matter where you are on your leadership journey.

For people exploring their own or their company’s purpose

The obvious choice here is Start with Why by Simon Sinek. It is an easy and pleasurable book with a simple premise: why people do things is more important to understand than just what they do.

The other book I recommend is Good to Great by Jim Collins. It is a bit dated now, especially as some of the example companies have failed to remain great since publication, but there are still some great insights in this book such as the ‘hedgehog principle’ that helps to work out an organisation’s sweet-spot for success.

For understanding business strategy

Strategy is a common word in the business (as well as military and political) lexicon, but it is very hard to get any two people to agree on a definition of strategy, let alone how to make one. Good Strategy Bad Strategy by Richard Rumelt does a great job in sifting through what is and isn’t a strategy and then outlines the building blocks of developing a good one.

For leading people through change

Leadership is all about steering people through change. Change is a constant (and therefore so is the need for leadership) but this is often forgotten, particularly in large institutions. Another common mistake is trying to implement change management without the right leadership direction. Leading Change by John P. Kotter outlines the steps of successful change leadership, based on over 25 years of experience in the field.

For those starting a new business

The Lean Startup by Eric Ries is required reading for any entrepreneur and start-up, but should also be read for those working in larger corporations. Every size of business have to deal with complexity and fast-moving change, the principles of ‘lean’ organisations and agile management are relevant to all.

For people who want to understand and build teams

In terms of identifying team roles and helping team members understand each other, I still refer to R. Meredith Belbin’s work, captured in his book Team Roles at Work. The 9 roles, identified by Belbin in his research, are a useful framework for analysing or building any team.

For people who want to develop their communication, listening and soft skills

Good communication is dependent upon people’s ability to listen effectively. It turns out that is also the case for quality thinking as well. If you want to improve your active listening skills (and other so-called soft skills such as question technique and rapport building) then I cannot recommend the works of Nancy Kline highly enough. Her insights have transformed how I coach, facilitate meetings, even the way I talk to my family. Her first book, Time To Think is a great place to start.

For people who want to understand and influence groups

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini is the go-to book on this subject. The seven principles outlined in the book provide a real insight into influence at scale. But if you are wanting to influence lots of people and their decision-making then Nudge by Richard H. Thaler and Cass R. Sunstein should be on your bookshelf too.

For people who want to understand and influence individuals

If you want to understand and influence people at a one-to-one level, then I recommend the book Rapport by Emily and Laurence Alison. The Alisons are world leaders in forensic psychology and have honed a framework for building rapport through 30 years of experience in trying to effectively communicate with the most challenging of people. It has been proven with terrorists, hardened criminals…even teenagers!

For people who want to improve their presentations and public speaking

Who doesn’t enjoy and admire a good TED talk? Well, the same principles that make a viral TED talk can be used in other presentations and public speaking engagements. The TED Talks official guide to public speaking by Chris Anderson is one of the most practical books on presentation skills you will find, and the evidence for it…well just go and see another TED talk!

For people who want to communicate an idea effectively

TED talks are all about communicating one big transformative idea. If you want to know how to make that idea go viral then read Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath. The Heath’s give you all the ingredients for turning an idea into a great story that people will remember and want to share.

For people who want to market and sell their idea

Once you have your idea, you have crafted it, packaged it and know how to communicate it, then you are ready to sell it. Daniel H. Pink’s book, To Sell is Human, is a great compliment to the other books listed above. It is particularly helpful if (like me) you are not a natural salesperson or can’t shake the negative connotations of marketing.

For people who only want to ever read one self-help book

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey was the first self-help book I ever read, and I still refer back to it. There is a good reason why it is still a best-seller today, there is a lot of wisdom to be found in the book, particularly around being ‘principled centred’, a theme which echoes in Simon Sinek’s book Start with Why.

For challenging the 9-5 culture and getting work-life balance

The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss is a provocative read. Tim Ferris uses hyperbole, over-simplification and clever marketing to get his point across, but his book is still a useful challenge to the ways we choose to work. It is always good to examine why we work the hours we do and how we can be more effective, even if we don’t want to fully buy into Ferris’ idea of the ‘new rich.’

If you are thinking of creating new ways of working within your organisation then I would also recommend Brave New Work by Aaron Dignan. Dignan gives practical advice that can help businesses function more effectively and is particularly poignant as teams seek new ways of operating in the post-pandemic world.

For understanding how decisions work

Simply put, Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman is the most influential book on decision-making in at least the last 20 years. Kahneman’s research has transformed the way we understand psychology, demonstrating the limits of human rationality, and thereby challenged a lot of traditional economics.  A must-read.

For integrating values into decision-making

If, after reading Kahneman, you want to think about how you make choices in line with your values or want to incorporate new decision-making processes into your organisation, then I recommend reading Principles by Ray Dalio. Dalio became a successful individual and built a highly successful company, by embedding his values into his decisions in life and work. He shares the principles and the approach in his book.

For people who want to be world-class in what they do

If you want to be excellent at what you do, in whatever field and with whatever skill, then it takes hard work and time. Most people are aware of the science of expertise due to Malcolm Gladwell’s bestselling book Outliers, but it is Peak by Robert Pool and Anders Ericsson that best explains the secret to success and how deliberate practise makes the difference between good and exceptional people. Both are great books but if you read one, read Peak.

For people who want to develop better habits

Achieving our goals is generally down to our behaviours. Our success in being productive, in keeping fit and healthy, in learning new skills, is all dependent upon the habits we have, be they good or bad. If you want to properly analyse the habits you have and build new (and better) ones then read The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg.

For people who want a healthier and more balanced life

There is a ton of advice out there about daily routines and examples of people who seem to get by with little sleep. But before you try to emulate any of them read Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker. The clinical research on sleep is eye-opening (excuse the pun) and the science will inform how you construct your days and nights. I radically changed my routines as a result of this book and feel healthier and more energetic as a result.

I am always reading and updating my book lists so do let me know your favourites or what you think of my recommendations above. Happy reading!