10 leadership books business leaders have to read in 2023

CEOs, managers, and others that are in senior positions are responsible for a number of people, no matter the size of the business.

Being a business leader is often said to be best learnt while on the job and a little help in that self-development goes a long way, especially when it comes from the experiences of those that made it to the very top.

Here are 10 leadership books that are sure to leave you motivated to build a hardworking and fruitful team.

1. The First 90 Days – Michael D. Watkins

Transitioning into a leadership role for the first time is one of the biggest challenges that managers face, as even the slightest mistakes and miscalculations can have a huge impact on the business, and their own future. In The First 90 Days, Michael Watkins shares his tips on how to make that transition as smooth as possible, walking through each step, while also identifying the most common risks that managers face.

More details about The First 90 Days can be found here.

2. First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently – Gallup

In this book, American analytics and advisory company Gallup, presents the findings of its in-depth study of different managers to highlight which ones stood out the most. One quality that was common in all of them was their willingness to break conventional rules, with this helping them excel in turning individual employees’ talent into high performance. First, Break All the Rules does not only present crucial lessons for managers at different levels, but it also instructs them on how to best apply them to their own situation.

For more details about First, Break All the Rules click here.

3. Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us About the Business of Life – James Kerr

Bestselling author James Kerr takes a completely different approach to leadership and business in Legacy, as he delves deep into what made New Zealand’s All Blacks rugby team so successful over the years. In the book, he shares the top 15 lessons that one can learn from the team, ranging from how to achieve incredible standards all the way to creating a legacy to be proud of.

More details about Legacy can be found here.

4. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us – Daniel H. Pink

Rewards, such as money, have often been identified as the best means to motivate others. However, Daniel H. Pink remarks that this should not be the case, as too many rely on rewards for motivation. Throughout the book, he stresses the importance of how to give others that mental boost needed to encourage them to produce effective and meaningful results.

Additional details about Drive are found by clicking here.

5. How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie wrote this book back in 1936, yet it still contains a number of very relevant pieces of advice about how one can best maximise their potential as a leader. How to Win Friends and Influence People not only points out six ways leaders can make people like them, but also 12 ways to win people to their way of thinking, and nine means of changing people without evoking resentment.

More information on Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People can be found here.

6. Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action – Simon Sinek

When first showing an interest in becoming a leader, one has to first identify why they want to do something, before establishing what. This is the chief point raised by Simon Sinek in Start With Why, as when a purpose is clearly defined, then they can encourage others to believe in their business and work with employees to understand their vision.

For more information about Start With Why, click here.

7. Leading Change – John P. Kotter

In his book, Leading Change, John P. Kotter emphasises that change is inevitable, and that leaders have to find a way to utilise it to make the most out of their opportunities. To do so, he outlines an eight-step process for people on how to deal with change and lead change in their organisations.

More information on Leading Change can be found here.

8. The Truth About Leadership – James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner

Following an extensive leadership assessment and 30 years of research, James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner opted to write this book to identify what is real and proven when it comes to leadership. With a number of case studies spanning three generations, this book is ideal for those Gen Zs and millennials that are actively transitioning to leadership roles.

Additional details about The Truth About Leadership are found here.

9. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less – Greg McKeown

Life as a business leader can get very stressful and tiring, especially in today’s fast-paced environment. In Essentialism, Greg McKeown identifies key strategies that managers and executives can incorporate in their lives to lead in intense and competitive environments, without feeling a sense of fatigue that wreaks havoc on their personal lives.

More information about Greg McKeown’s book can be found here.

10. Long Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela

A discussion on leadership cannot take place without the mention of Nelson Mandela, who was one of the greatest moral and political leaders that the world has ever seen. This autobiographical work not only discusses issues regarding human rights and racial equality, but it also stresses the particular leadership style that he used throughout the years, especially when it comes not giving up when times are tough.

For more information about Long Walk to Freedom, click here.