Leadership Books for the Curious + Evolving Leader
- caseyhanisko
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Here’s a curated list of books for executive leaders who drive results, shape cultures, inspire teams, and rethink how we work and lead. These books are more than strategies and frameworks—they are an invitation to question, to hope, and to lead with both heart and mind.
You may not follow all of the advice in these books but that is not the point, it is to have new ideas and new approaches to leadership and adding tools to your tool box when a new ways of thinking is in order.
Rethinking and Reinventing Leadership:
Think Again by Adam Grant — A powerful guide on how to question what we think we know and embrace the power of rethinking.
When Women Lead by Julia Boorstin — Insights into the strategies, strengths, and innovation of women at the helm.
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown — A bold exploration of how vulnerability is the foundation of courageous leadership.
Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott — A guide to meaningful dialogue and the transformative power of honest conversations.
Encouraging the Heart by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner — A heartfelt look at how authentic recognition and encouragement fuel leadership.
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Building Purpose-Driven and Profitable Organizations:
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz — A revolutionary method to transform your business from a cash-eating monster to a money-making machine.
Exponential Organizations by Salim Ismail — A blueprint for building companies that scale and adapt at lightning speed.
Culture Trumps Everything by Gustavo Razzetti — Why a strong, aligned culture is the foundation of a thriving organization.
Cultivating Emotional Intelligence and Human-Centered Leadership:
Working with Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman — The essential role of self-awareness, empathy, and emotional mastery in leadership.
Drive by Daniel H. Pink — An exploration of what truly motivates us and how to inspire others.
Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen — A guide to giving and receiving feedback with grace and growth in mind.
True Alignment by Edgar Papke — A path to aligning your team’s purpose, values, and goals.
How Good Humans Sell by Catherine Brown — A refreshing take on sales as a human-centered, values-driven process.
When Work is Good by Moe Carrick — Insights into how work can be a positive force in people’s lives.
Holding Hope and Vision for the Future:
The Book of Hope by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams — An inspiring reflection on why hope is essential, even in the face of great challenges.
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkman — A deep dive into time management philosophy and the choices we make on a regular basis. A refreshing take on topic dear to most people’s hearts.
Each of these books opens a door—not just to new strategies, but to new ways of thinking and being. They are companions for the curious leader, the bold entrepreneur, and the visionary executive.
As you move through these pages, I invite you not just to read, but to reflect, to underline, to journal, and to discuss with friends and colleagues. Let these ideas stir something within you—because leadership isn’t just about doing more. It’s about becoming more.
I’ll continue to add more books as I read them to support the ongoing learning journey that is leadership.
Disclosure: Bookshop.org supports local booksellers. Books purchased through the links above will earn 10% commission toward a local bookstore. As I am an affiliate, I also earn a commission on any purchases.
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