5 Leadership Lessons From 5 Best Non-Fiction Books of All Time
Learn from the experience and learnings of top CEOs.
Nobody is a born leader.
A leadership mindset can be developed and practiced if you’re ready to bring a change.
Leadership is all about inspiring others to believe what you believe and work for a greater cause.
If you’re looking for inspiration and tips on how to become a leader people will follow, here are my five best reads on leadership for you.
(Note: The links mentioned in this article are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase these books through these links, it will help me earn a small amount of money — at no extra cost to you. Thanks!)
1. Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Being a great leader is a path full of ups and downs.
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown shows how to build leadership qualities like resilience, values, and trust. The book busts some common myths about corporate culture and gives actionable steps to step up and lead.
Biggest leadership lesson from this book
The most powerful leader is the one who
- doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations,
- is vulnerable when necessary, and
- knows how to acknowledge the potential in people and ideas.
Dare to lead and choose courage over comfort if you want to make it happen.
If you feel shy around people, have low confidence, and fear initiating things, I would recommend this book to you. Dare to Lead helps in developing a leadership mindset and core values to get past challenges.
The biggest lesson I learned from the book is that courage and vulnerability go hand in hand. Being vulnerable sometimes doesn’t make you any less courageous or an inefficient leader. Empathy for others and oneself is the quality that every leader should have.
My favorite quotes from Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
“I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential.”
“The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing, it’s about the courage to show up when you can’t predict or control the outcome.”
Get yourself a copy of the book.
2. Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
Statistics have shown the participation of women in leadership roles is highly lacking. The situation might be improving but the business world is still male-dominated.
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg explains what’s holding back women from stepping up in their leadership game and what we can do to support them. Women are still underrepresented and underpaid in the workplace despite being hardworking.
This book shows women how to take a lead and stand up for themselves. For all other genders, the book contains actionable tips on how to support women and bring about a world of true equality.
Biggest leadership lesson from this book
If you feel hesitant about asking for basic rights such as equal pay, pay raise, or promotion, this book is for you. Lean In can empower and inspire many women trying to make their name. This book taught me the importance of having ambition and working hard to walk toward my goals confidently.
My favorite quotes from Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
“In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.”
“Women need to shift from thinking “I’m not ready to do that” to thinking “I want to do that- and I’ll learn by doing it.”
“I have never met a woman, or man, who stated emphatically, “Yes, I have it all.’” Because no matter what any of us has — and how grateful we are for what we have — no one has it all.”
Get yourself a copy of the book.
3. Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Extreme Ownership is a great book to learn
- accountability,
- how to lead a team, and
- the best way to handle urgent situations.
Jocko Willink and Leif Babin are two former Navy SEALs who proved their leadership qualities on the battlefield and later launched a company to teach leadership principles to businesses. They have crafted a masterpiece in the form of this book, peppering it generously with their real-life experiences. With a great narration and chapters focusing on a specific lesson, Extreme Ownership is a must-read for everyone.
Biggest leadership lesson from this book
Strong leaders never compromise with their values and take ownership of everything their team does, including their mistakes.
Extreme Ownership will teach you how to tackle adverse situations as a leader and remain calm. The book wonderfully discusses every aspect of a good leader such as communication with the team, managing subordinates, giving commands, setting priorities, and more.
My favorite quotes from Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
“Discipline equals freedom.”
“Extreme Ownership. Leaders must own everything in their world. There is no one else to blame.”
Get yourself a copy of the book.
5. The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
Do you know what the world’s leading organizations like Google and Pixar have done to achieve their extraordinary success? It is all about building a strong team that works towards a common goal.
If you want to learn how to communicate and integrate well in a team, The Culture Code is a must-read for you.
Biggest leadership lesson from this book
The biggest strength of a group lies in vulnerability, discussing mistakes, and effective communication to carve a way forward. The leader should set a common goal and a clear roadmap for the team to achieve that goal.
Check this book out if you want to be a team player and manage teams effectively. The Culture Code has discussed in detail team building, strategies for collaboration, and building trust. It’s the most practical book I’ve read about team management. So, give it a read.
My favorite quotes from The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
“Vulnerability doesn’t come after trust — it precedes it. Leaping into the unknown, when done alongside others, causes the solid ground of trust to materialize beneath our feet.”
“We are all paid to solve problems. Make sure to pick fun people to solve problems with.”
Get yourself a copy of the book.
6. The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger
The Ride of a Lifetime shows how a studio supervisor built one of the most popular media companies, known as The Walt Disney Company.
Robert Iger took over the Disney company when the competition was intense and technology was evolving. He showed what brilliant leadership and sheer determination can do to a company. He’s one of the most innovative-minded CEOs who made Disney an international brand, increasing its value by five times since 2005.
The book’s theme is on how to become a great leader by practicing leadership, being resilient, and figuring out what works best for your company.
Biggest leadership lesson from this book
A leader should always be an inspiration for his employees and be firm on his principles.
The first step to building something big is to trust yourself. Connections and networking can lead you to greater success. Your ideas may sound crazy to others but try your best to implement them before doubting yourself.
My favorite quotes from The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger
“Ask the questions you need to ask, admit without apology what you don’t understand, and do the work to learn what you need to learn as quickly as you can.”
“True authority and true leadership come from knowing who you are and not pretending to be anything else.”
Get yourself a copy of the book.
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