Many leadership books have hit the market over the years. These books range from okay to outstanding and some even become famous classics. These texts offer ideas and strategies on how to improve and eventually become a great leader. Let’s take a look at five top leadership books as featured in an article on summary.com.
The art of war is an ancient Chinese military book written over 2,000 years ago by military strategist Sun Tzu. The book has thirteen chapters, each one dedicated to an element of warfare and how it is connected to military tactics and strategy. This book has influenced everything from legal strategy to military thinking and business tacts. In Eastern Asian warfare, it is said to be one of the most influential texts of all time.
This book, written by John Wooden and Steve Jamison, tells the story of the former UCLA Basketball coach’s “Pyramid of Success” and twelve lessons in leadership. The book discusses the emotional, mental, and even physical qualities crucial for building a successful team. The text encourages us to “be at our best when our best is needed” and shares how to develop the confidence, skills, and competitive edge to do so.
3. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
This book, published in 1989 by Stephen R. Covey, became a #1 National Best Seller. It offers many different principle-focused methods for solving professional and even personal issues. Although this is a business book, it has relevant advice for a variety of struggles. This book will remain a classic, especially as today’s world continues to present more challenges.
4. The Leadership Challenge: How To Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations
The Leadership Challenge describes how leaders encourage others to get extraordinary things done in organizations and companies. Written by James Kouzes and Barry Posner, the authors share their “Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership.” When these practices are performed correctly, leaders go from making good things happen to making extraordinary things happen. This book is relevant as ever and has many great tips to remain effective and up-to-date in today’s workplace.
5. Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
Best selling author Simon Sinek explains that people are no longer willing to support a product, movement, service, or idea until they understand the “why” behind it. He uses many real-life stories to portray a picture of what it takes to inspire people and become a great leader. Simon has also written another leadership book called “Leaders Eat Last.”