2024 Reading List for Leaders: Elevate Your Leadership, Transform Your Life

(posted: July 1st, 2024)

[Any links in this post are provided as a courtesy to the reader. The reviews are my own opinions, all of the books were purchased, and I do not receive any kind of compensation if you click on a link!]

Great leaders are great readers. Whether it's gaining fresh insights, sparking creativity, or honing decision-making skills, the right book can be a game-changer. It's no coincidence that visionaries like Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Warren Buffet dedicate significant time to reading. They understand that books—not just quick articles or trending posts—are a wellspring of knowledge and inspiration.

It's time for all of us to sharpen our leadership skills and broaden our horizons with some of the most impactful reads available. This curated list for 2024 isn't just a collection of titles; it's a roadmap for those committed to personal growth and leadership excellence. Dive in, discover new perspectives, and if any of these books resonate with you, let's talk. I'd love to hear your thoughts and discuss how these insights can elevate your leadership journey.

Leaders: 5 Books to Read Now

1) CEO Excellence: The Six Mindsets that Distinguish the Best Leaders from the Rest', by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, Vikram Malhotra

Want to know what separates the world’s most successful CEOs from the rest? CEO Excellence uncovers the six key mindsets that drive extraordinary leadership. These mindsets aren't just about making the right decisions—they're about redefining success, balancing bold action with careful planning, and inspiring entire organizations to strive for greatness.

One of the most striking insights is how these CEOs focus on "playing big ball"—spending their time on what truly matters, asking the right questions rather than dictating answers, and consistently aligning their organizations with a clear, compelling vision. They understand that leadership is not just about setting direction but also about reshaping the culture, fostering a "learn it all" mentality, and ensuring that their teams are equipped and motivated to deliver on the company's goals.

From redefining success to cultivating a culture of continuous learning, CEO Excellence offers a blueprint for anyone aspiring to reach the highest echelons of leadership. This book emphasizes the importance of balancing the soft and hard aspects of leadership, from managing emotions and culture to driving strategic, bold actions.

This book is a must-read for leaders looking to elevate their impact and lead their organizations to new heights. If you're striving to refine your leadership style or simply want to understand what it takes to be a truly exceptional leader, CEO Excellence is your guide.

2) The Only Leaders Worth Following: Why Some Leaders Succeed, Others Fail, and How the Quality of Our Lives Hangs in the Balance, by Tim Spiker

In this groundbreaking book, Tim Spiker challenges the conventional wisdom of leadership development. He argues that true leadership effectiveness is rooted not in what leaders do, but in who they are. Spiker’s “Who Not What” principle offers a refreshing perspective on becoming a leader who inspires trust, fosters innovation, and creates a positive impact.

To paraphrase the author, "The leaders we follow have the power to make our days hard or easy, fulfilling or pointless, fun or painful. We do it for people we lead, and to have such profound effect on another person’s life on a daily basis makes leadership a privilege and a responsibility."

3) Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection', by Charles Duhigg, is a fascinating exploration of the art of effective communication.

With his signature blend of storytelling and scientific insight, Duhigg reveals the strategies that top communicators use to build relationships, influence others, and achieve their goals.

This book is a must-read for leaders, and leaders-to-be, to improve their communication skills and connect more deeply with others.

Key Themes from the book include:

• The need to understand your audience
• Stories, & crafting a compelling narrative
• Clarity and conciseness
• The power of visuals when presenting to an audience
• Non-verbal communication - the role of body language
• Rehearsal and preparation
• Handling Q&A
• Continuous improvement

4) How to Get the Most Out of Coaching: A Client's Guide for Optimizing the Coaching Experience, by Karen Davis & Alex Mill

This book offers valuable strategies to maximize the benefits of coaching. Some of what it covers include:

• Setting Clear Goals: Understanding what you want to achieve.
• Active Participation: Engaging fully in the process.
• Building Trust: Developing a strong, open relationship with your coach.
• Taking Action: Applying insights and feedback in real-time.
• Continuous Reflection: Regularly assessing your progress and adjusting your approach.

I'm finding that this book is a valuable resource for coaching clients, equipping them with the knowledge, strategies, and tools to optimize their coaching experience. Quite simply, I recommend it to every single client.

5) Olive Kitteridge, by Elizabeth Strout

As leaders, we can learn from reading fiction as well!

Olive Kitteridge, the 2008 novel by Elizabeth Strout, is a masterclass in character development. Strout paints a vivid portrait of a complex and often difficult woman, yet her humanity shines through. The interconnected stories that make up this novel offer a poignant exploration of life, love, loss, and the complexities of human nature.

I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant reading experience.

Growing as a Leader - Leadership Development

This year’s book list, as always, contains many best practices that I use in my work with clients, including coaching work with executives and teams. Building your inner strengths as well as your day-to-day leadership skills is an important element of growing as a leader!

And, if you are hungry for more great reads, drop me a line. I have many more suggestions and I am always thrilled to share.

• Have you read any of the books on this year's list? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments.
• Which one book on this list sounds most interesting to you?
• What title would you add to the list?
• What else is on your reading list?

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