I Read My Top 3 Leadership Books (What You Need To Know)

In 'Good to Great,' Jim Collins and his research team investigate why some companies achieve long-term greatness while others do not. The book identifies key concepts such as Level 5 Leadership, the Hedgehog Concept, a Culture of Discipline, and the Flywheel Effect. These principles are derived from a comprehensive study comparing companies that made the leap to greatness with those that did not. The research highlights that greatness is not primarily a function of circumstance but rather a result of conscious choice and discipline. The book provides practical insights and case studies to help businesses and leaders understand and apply these principles to achieve sustained greatness.

First released in 1993, John C. Maxwell’s now-classic work revolutionized the way leaders are made. This thoroughly revised and updated edition includes two new chapters with leadership insights and practices learned over the decades. The book outlines principles for inspiring, motivating, and influencing others from any leadership position, including business executives, church leaders, teachers, and parents. It covers key areas such as influence using the 5 Levels of Leadership, character through good ethics and self-leadership, service by asking eight questions to serve others daily, and vision by including eight components to paint a vision for your people.

This book is a gold-standard manual for effective leadership, grounded in research and written by premier authorities in the field. It describes leadership as a skill to be learned and a relationship that must be nurtured. The authors, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner, identify five core practices of exemplary leadership: Model the Way, Inspire a Shared Vision, Challenge the Process, Enable Others to Act, and Encourage the Heart. These practices are supported by numerous international examples and updated cases to address current challenges. The book emphasizes that leadership is not about personality but about an observable and learnable set of skills and abilities.