Books About Leadership

Looking to round out a syllabus for a government or business class? Need inspiration and advice on how to lead with integrity, empathy, and bravery? Read on to discover analyses and discussion topics on titles focusing on leadership, self-help, and management.

The Obstacle is the Way

by Ryan Holiday

Publication year 2014

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Courage

Tags Self-Improvement, Leadership, Business & Economics, World History, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy

The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials Into Triumph (2014) is a self-help book by American author Ryan Holiday. Holiday identifies three aspects of confronting obstacles: “Perception,” “Action,” and “Will.” Weaving Stoic philosophy with historical and contemporary anecdotes, Holiday argues that people can turn obstacles into opportunities by changing their perceptions of their problems. Holiday points to role models such as former American president and general Dwight D. Eisenhower, American aviator... Read The Obstacle is the Way Summary

The Power of Habit

by Charles Duhigg

Publication year 2012

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Science & Technology, Power & Greed, Teamwork

Tags Psychology, Inspirational, Self-Improvement, Leadership, Science & Nature, Business & Economics, Sociology, Psychology

Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business investigates the science behind habit formation in the human brain. Drawing on corporate case studies and pioneering scientific experiments, Duhigg analyzes how individuals, organizations, and societies can use the knowledge of habit formation to change their behaviors. Published in 2012 by Random House, the nonfiction book has reached a broad public readership and landed on the New York Times... Read The Power of Habit Summary

The Prince

by Niccolò Machiavelli

Publication year 1532

Genre Essay / Speech, Nonfiction

Themes Politics & Government, Nation, Power & Greed

Tags European History, Politics & Government, Philosophy, Social Class, Italian Literature, Renaissance, Education, Education, World History, Philosophy

The Prince is a 16th-century political treatise of the Renaissance period written by Italian diplomat and philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli. The work, which was likely distributed for years prior to its official publication in 1532, is one of the most influential works of political philosophy in human history. Machiavelli wrote The Prince as a guide for new and future rulers, instructing them on how to seize and hold onto power, frequently citing specific examples from history... Read The Prince Summary

The Road to Character

by David Brooks

Publication year 2015

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Tags Self-Improvement, Business & Economics, World History, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Biography

David Brooks’ The Road to Character, published in 2015, is a philosophical treatise and self-help book hybrid. Brooks believes that in an ego-obsessed, achievement-focused society, our focus is constantly on self-promotion and desire-fulfillment rather than on spiritual enrichment, strength of character, and moral compass. Brooks contrasts the outward-facing, more shallowly motivated self with the inward-facing, more introspectively driven self. After a significant amount of time spent reflecting on his own life experiences as a high-achieving... Read The Road to Character Summary

The Spy and the Traitor

by Ben Macintyre

Publication year 2018

Genre Biography, Nonfiction

Themes Perseverance, Politics & Government, Loyalty & Betrayal, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Family, Teamwork, Good & Evil, Justice, Safety & Danger, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Nation

Tags European History, Politics & Government, Military & War, World History, Russian Literature, Horror & Suspense, Biography

... Read The Spy and the Traitor Summary

The Tipping Point

by Malcolm Gladwell

Publication year 2000

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Economics, Community, Science & Technology, Future

Tags Business & Economics, Sociology, Psychology, Self-Improvement, Leadership, Science & Nature, Psychology

Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point (2000) is an interdisciplinary work of popular sociology and psychology that explores the concept of the tipping point, a moment of sudden change that occurs in social epidemics. Gladwell explores how social epidemics work and offers many case studies and illustrative research to bolster his novel arguments about how epidemics “tip.” The book began as an article for The New Yorker. This guide refers to the first edition of the... Read The Tipping Point Summary

The Titan's Curse

by Rick Riordan

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Hate & Anger, Appearance & Reality

Tags Fantasy, Action & Adventure, Mythology, Ancient Greece, Relationships, Arts & Culture, Military & War, American Literature, Children`s Literature

The Titan’s Curse (2007) is the third installment in Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, following The Lightning Thief (2005) and The Sea of Monsters (2006) and preceding The Battle of the Labyrinth (2008) and The Last Olympian (2009). The series centers around the adventures of Percy Jackson, a boy who is the son of the Greek god of the sea Poseidon and a mortal woman named Sally Jackson. Percy learns that he... Read The Titan's Curse Summary

Think Again

by Adam Grant

Publication year 2021

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Science & Technology, Conflict, Community

Tags Business & Economics, Education, Education, Science & Nature, Psychology, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Self-Improvement

... Read Think Again Summary

Thinking, Fast and Slow

by Daniel Kahneman

Publication year 2011

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Economics, Politics & Government

Tags Psychology, Science & Nature, Self-Improvement, Leadership, Business & Economics, Psychology, Philosophy, Philosophy

Thinking, Fast and Slow (2011), written by Nobel Laureate Daniel Kahneman, examines how people exercise judgment and make decisions. It draws from Kahneman’s long career—particularly his collaboration with fellow psychologist Amos Tversky beginning in 1969—identifying the mechanisms, biases, and perspectives that constitute human decision-making. Its 38 chapters provide detailed information affecting disciplines ranging from mathematics to law. The book was named one of the best books of 2011 by The New York Times and The... Read Thinking, Fast and Slow Summary