Five Great Books Every New Leader Should Read

Great Reads for New Leaders

October 01, 2024

Welcome to another edition of Leadership Insights Collective! Today, we’re exploring five great books every new leader should read. These leadership classics are packed with practical tools and timeless wisdom that will help you lead with confidence, purpose, and impact. Whether you’re just starting your leadership journey or already managing teams, these books offer essential frameworks and strategies to support your growth. Below, you'll find a brief overview of each book, along with a key takeaway and an actionable tip you can apply right away. Let’s dive in!

1. Good to Great by Jim Collins

This bestseller examines how companies transition from being good to great and why some fail to make the leap. Collins introduces the concept of “Level 5 Leadership,” a perfect blend of personal humility and professional will, which is vital for emerging leaders. His research-backed insights help you focus on building enduring greatness in your organization. Good to Great is a must-read if you're looking to transform your leadership from solid to extraordinary.

Key takeaway: Great leaders prioritize long-term success over personal recognition.

Try This Move: Reflect on your leadership style and find one area where you can shift the focus away from personal success and more toward team or organizational success. For example, in your next meeting, publicly recognize someone else's contribution instead of highlighting your own.

2. Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

In this book, Sinek argues that the best leaders foster a culture of trust, where employees feel safe to take risks and grow. Drawing from military examples, he emphasizes the importance of putting your team first and creating a supportive environment. This approach not only builds loyalty but also unlocks your team’s full potential.

Key takeaway: A leader's role is to serve and protect the people they lead.

Try This Move: Next time your team faces a tough situation, focus on how you can support them. This might mean removing obstacles, providing resources, or simply listening. Ask your team members directly, "How can I better support you right now?"

Pink explores the science of motivation and its application in leadership. He challenges the traditional “carrot-and-stick” approach and highlights the importance of autonomy, mastery, and purpose in driving high performance. As a new leader, understanding what truly motivates your team can transform the way you manage and inspire them.

Key takeaway: True motivation comes from intrinsic rewards, not external incentives.

Try This Move: Ask each member of your team what they find most fulfilling about their work. Use their responses to identify opportunities where you can give them more autonomy or help them pursue mastery in their role.

4. Radical Candor by Kim Scott

Radical Candor teaches leaders how to give feedback that is both caring and direct. Scott’s framework is especially useful for new leaders who struggle to balance being liked with driving performance. She emphasizes that effective leaders challenge directly while showing genuine care for their team members, creating a culture of open communication and accountability.

Key takeaway: You can be both kind and direct when giving feedback.

Try This Move: At your next one-on-one meeting, practice radical candor by sharing one area for improvement, but also highlight how the person is valued in the organization. For example, "You’ve done an excellent job on [X], but to elevate your impact, let's focus on improving [Y]."

5. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

Teamwork is at the heart of great leadership, and this book breaks down the common pitfalls that derail teams. Lencioni uses a fable to illustrate the five dysfunctions that prevent teams from reaching their full potential, including lack of trust and fear of conflict. New leaders will find this book invaluable in diagnosing and resolving team issues.

Key takeaway: Building trust and addressing conflict head-on are critical to team success.

Try This Move: In your next team meeting, have a brief, open discussion about any tensions or conflicts. Frame it as a way to improve team communication. This helps create a culture where conflicts are addressed early and openly, rather than allowing them to fester.

Resources for Further Learning:

If you found these , consider diving deeper into the works of each of the authors. Their books offer valuable perspectives on leadership, management, and personal development. Please note that the following contain links to purchase on Amazon.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking to lead with confidence, these five books will provide you with the foundational tools and strategies to succeed. Remember, leadership isn’t just about managing people—it’s about creating a vision, inspiring your team, and fostering a culture where everyone thrives.

We’d love to hear which book resonated most with you, or if you have any additional recommendations. And if you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more tips, stories, and strategies to help you become the best leader you can be.

Thank you for reading Leadership Insights Collective! We hope this article has inspired you to elevate your leadership to the next level. Stay tuned for more practical tools and wisdom to help you grow and thrive as a leader.

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