Unlock Your Leadership Potential: 20 Must-Reads for Leaders

In the dynamic world of leadership, staying ahead and continuously improving is vital. As we celebrate 20 years of guiding leaders to their fullest potential, we’ve curated a list of 20 essential reads (in no particular order) that have inspired and transformed our clients and community. Each book offers unique insights and actionable strategies to help you unlock your leadership potential.

1. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Stephen R. Covey
   Offers a principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems.
2. Ask Powerful Questions: Will Wise
   Provides techniques for asking questions that drive meaningful dialogue and solutions.
3. Big Potential: Shawn Achor
   Examines how achieving success and fulfillment is amplified through cooperation and support from others.
4. Co-Active Coaching: Henry Kimsey-House, Karen Kimsey-House, Phillip Sandahl, and Laura Whitworth
   A comprehensive guide to the transformative power of coaching relationships.
5. Crucial Conversations: Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
   Teaches skills for effective dialogue when stakes are high, opinions vary, and emotions run strong.
6. Emotional Agility: Susan David
   Provides strategies to navigate life’s twists and turns with self-acceptance, clear values, and adaptability.
7. Energy Leadership: Bruce D. Schneider
   Explores how leaders can positively influence their environment and inspire others through energy management.
8. Essentialism: Greg McKeown
   Advocates for focusing on what truly matters by eliminating the non-essential.
9. Four Thousand Weeks: Oliver Burkeman
   A reflection on time management, emphasizing the importance of making the most of our limited time.
10. Hidden Potential: Adam Grant
    Explores how individuals and organizations can uncover and develop untapped potential.
11. It’s Okay to Manage Your Boss: Bruce Tulgan
    Offers guidance on how to build a positive and productive relationship with your boss.
12. Mindset: Carol S. Dweck
    Explores how a growth mindset can lead to greater success and fulfillment in various areas of life.
13. Start With Why: Simon Sinek
    Explores how leaders can inspire action by clearly articulating the “why” behind their mission.
14. Switch: Chip Heath and Dan Heath
    Examines how to implement change by understanding the balance between the rational and emotional components of our brains.
15. The Coaching Habit: Michael Bungay Stanier
    Focuses on how to become a better coach by asking questions instead of offering advice.
16. The Leadership Challenge: James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner
    Identifies practices and behaviors that can help leaders inspire, innovate, and achieve remarkable results.
17. The Outward Mindset: The Arbinger Institute
    Demonstrates how shifting focus from inward to outward can lead to personal and organizational transformation.
18. The Power of Full Engagement: Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz
    Discusses managing energy, not time, to achieve high performance and personal renewal.
19. Think Again: Adam Grant
    Encourages leaders to develop the habit of rethinking and unlearning to stay adaptable and open-minded.
20. Transitions: William Bridges
    Provides strategies for navigating life changes and managing the psychological aspects of transitions.

Unlocking your leadership potential requires dedication, reflection, and a willingness to grow. By diving into these 20 essential reads, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools to lead with confidence, creativity, and impact. Here’s to your continued success and the next 20 years of extraordinary leadership!