Bookshelf Essentials: 7 Must-Have Books for Developing Leadership Skills

Developing leadership skills involves continuous learning, effective communication, self-awareness, and embracing challenges. It requires seeking feedback, setting clear goals, and practicing empathy, all while leading by example and building strong relationships. To acquire all these skills and traits, you must take the help of leadership skills books. You must use your learnings from some of the bestselling leadership books in real life to get effective outcomes. Thus, to assist you in choosing the right book, we have compiled a list of must-reads for experienced and aspiring leaders. 

Also Read: Top 7 Must-Read Entrepreneurship Books

Top 7 Leadership Skills Books

Let us discover top leadership skills books and embark on our growth journey. 

The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team by Patrick Lencioni 

In his compelling business tale, Lencioni skillfully weaves together key leadership principles, making them easily accessible to a wide audience. He emphasizes that for anyone in a leadership role, understanding how to drive positive results through effective teamwork is crucial. Further, he propounds that the journey to leadership roles begins with building trust. This is because trust serves as the foundation for encouraging constructive conflict, fostering commitment, instilling accountability, and ultimately achieving meaningful results. 

Also, to make the title interesting, the author has added a brief quiz at the end. This quiz will help you evaluate your team. So, take this quiz and excel as a leader!!

Must Read: Phenomenal Business Leaders & Their Secrets to Success

Leadership is an Art by Max DePree

Regarded as a top-tier resource to improve emotional intelligence, this book helps managers acquire the art of developing leadership skills. In this book, the author sends messages to managers aiming to steer their organizations toward greatness. The author’s emphasis lies in cultivating profound relationships and instilling core values within the organization. By doing so, employees are empowered to unlock their full potential, ultimately paving the way for organizational success.

Enhance your emotional intelligence with one of the most-read leadership skills books and develop your leadership skills. Be the manager you aspire to be!!

Also Read: Top Great Leaders of the World and Their Inspiring Journey

The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership by John C. Maxwell

In “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them And People Will Follow You” John C. Maxwell will guide you through the journey of leadership. Within the pages of this book, you will navigate valuable insights on how to establish a clear direction, foster alignment among team members, and motivate and inspire them. Moreover, it offers guidance on transforming into a leader whom people are genuinely eager to follow. To help you transform your leadership styles, you must go through the 21 effective leadership laws and implement them.

Use the 21 irrefutable laws and become the leader people aspire to be!!

Must check out: 12 Incredible Traits of Jacinda Ardern’s Leadership Style!

Boundaries For Leaders by Dr Henry Cloud

In “Boundaries for Leaders”, Dr Cloud propagates that each individual must have a boundary in every relationship. As per this renowned author, if leaders set a boundary wall with their team, clients, and mentors to succeed in leadership roles. The author is of the view that boundaries serve as the essential guidelines we establish to maintain the health of our professional relationships. In addition, limitations safeguard our well-being from burnout and enhance our overall productivity.

Be limitless in your aspirations but respect others’ boundaries to excel in your career!!

Must Read: Importance of Teamwork and Leadership in an Organisation

Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, Annie McKee

In “Primal Leadership: Realising the Power of Emotional Intelligence” Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee highlight the exploration of brain science. By starting one of the top leadership skills books with brain science, the authors allow you to grasp the tangible link between our emotional reactions and our leadership abilities. As you proceed with the book you will realize that writers walk you through a broad spectrum of leadership philosophies. Moreover, the title reshapes the way you think about leadership. 

So, whether you are a passionate advocate or a skeptical observer of leadership development literature, this book stands out as a rare gem. Order your copy now!!

Also Read: Leadership Training Programs to Boost Your Career

Mastering Leadership by Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams 

Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams have dedicated “Mastering Leadership: An Integrated Framework for Breakthrough Performance and Extraordinary Business Results” to aspiring leaders who have just started their careers. The book offers a comprehensive approach that includes the essence of every previous leadership model. These are presented in a clear and accessible manner. In addition, by engaging narratives and real-life examples, the book keeps the reader fully engaged. 

Whether you are a new, aspiring leader or someone with years of experience, this book is a valuable must-read. 

Check out What it Takes to be a Good Leader.

Positive Leadership by Kim Cameron

Considered one of the top leadership skills books, it encourages leaders to contemplate the advantages of fostering a positive organizational climate. The leaders should aim towards attaining a positive working climate while acknowledging and addressing the inevitable difficulties and challenges that arise. Besides, “Positive Leadership” stands out by substantiating its insights with empirical evidence and offering practical examples. Additionally, the title also focuses on the importance of a single leader’s subjective perspective on effective leadership. Furthermore, the author packs a wealth of valuable information into the compact pages of his bestseller.

Grab your copy and use the author’s perspective on effective leadership to add to your role!!

Also Read: 30+ Leadership Interview Questions

Add these titles to your library and increase your leadership skills:

Leadership Skills Books	Link
The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team by Patrick Lencioni	Buy here
Leadership is an Art by Max DePree	Buy here
The 21 Irrefutable Laws Of Leadership by John C. Maxwell	Buy here
Boundaries For Leaders by Dr Henry Cloud	Buy here
Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, Annie McKee	Buy here
Mastering Leadership by Robert J. Anderson and William A. Adams	Buy here
Positive Leadership by Kim Cameron	Buy here

Also Read: Top 10 Best Books to Improve Communication Skills

Other Must-Read Leadership Skills Books

If you are keen on reading, you can also refer to the following must-read leadership skills books:

• Conversational Intelligence: How Great Leaders Build Trust and Get Extraordinary Results by Judith Glaser
• Man’s Search for Meaning By Viktor E. Frankl 
• Smarter Faster Better: The Secrets of Being Productive in Life and Business By Charles Duhigg 
• Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World By Adam Grant 
• The Slight Edge: Secret to a Successful Life By Jeff Olson
• The Next Generation of Women Leaders: What You Need to Lead but Won’t Learn in Business School By Selena Rezvani
• The New One Minute Manager By Ken Blanchard And Spencer Johnson
• Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action by Simon Sinek 
• The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
• How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie 

Make the books listed above part of your must-read list to elevate you from an ordinary leader to an extraordinary one. 

Related Reads:

MSc in Educational Leadership

About University of Portsmouth MBA in Strategic Leadership

Best Project Management Courses to Pursue

Types of MBA Courses: Full-time, Executive, Part-time

Project Management Courses in UK

FAQs

For more information on professional development, follow the career counselling page of Leverage Edu now!