As we enter 2026, leaders deal with hybrid work, digital transformation, and a greater focus on empathy and mental well-being. This dynamic landscape calls for fresh perspectives and practical tools to lead effectively. What better way to gain these insights than by turning to the best books on leadership?
Here’s a curated list of must-read leadership books to guide you through personal and professional growth. Start the year inspired and ready to tackle new challenges.
Our Iceberg is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Circumstances
How can you and your team overcome seemingly major obstacles and do all of that using clever tactics? The book Our Iceberg is Melting by John Kotter is about a penguin colony that is in danger and has to quickly rethink things in order to survive.
In today’s environment, leaders need to navigate unexpected shifts effectively. Therefore, this book provides practical insights and a clear model for change management. It explains to readers how to lead transitions with resilience and support teams through uncertainty.
The Culture Map: Decoding How People Think, Lead, and Get Things Done Across Cultures
In an increasingly globalised world, understanding cultural differences is essential for great leaders. The Culture Map offers insights into the nuances of working with multicultural teams and building inclusive work environments.
By mastering cultural communication, leaders can enhance team collaboration. Additionally, managers learn how to understand diverse perspectives, and navigate international work dynamics with empathy and emotional intelligence.
The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth
Creating a culture where employees feel safe to voice their ideas is vital for fostering innovation. The Fearless Organization explores how psychological safety contributes to team performance and employee well-being. For leaders, this book from Amy C. Edmondson provides a roadmap for building trust, encouraging open dialogue, and supporting a resilient culture where employees feel empowered to take risks and share diverse perspectives.
💡 Quick reading tip: Explore our guide on How Managers Can Create Psychological Safety at Work for practical steps to implement these insights in your team.
Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products
This is an interesting read for leaders in tech. Hooked dives into the psychology behind product engagement, but the book’s lessons extend beyond product development. For leaders, understanding what drives people’s behaviours can help them engage and motivate their teams more effectively. This book offers insights into the importance of emotional intelligence and empathy when connecting with team members, making it a valuable read for those seeking to inspire commitment and maintain a motivated workforce.
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t
In this classic, Jim Collins outlines the principles that enable companies to transition from being good to truly great. The book’s insights into leadership development, resilience, and strategic thinking are highly relevant for today’s leaders. Good to Great explores how leaders can build strong organisational foundations, motivate high performers, and create long-lasting impact through disciplined strategies and emotional intelligence in leadership.
No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention
In No Rules Rules, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings examines how flexibility and trust contribute to team performance. This book challenges traditional management norms and highlights the importance of giving employees autonomy and encouraging them to innovate. Leaders can draw valuable lessons from this approach to foster a culture of creativity, empower team members, and rethink leadership roles in today’s agile business environment.
Wooden on Leadership: How to Create a Winning Organisation
Legendary basketball coach John Wooden shares timeless lessons on leadership in Wooden on Leadership. Wooden’s principles, rooted in consistency, discipline, and empathy, offer valuable takeaways for building resilient teams. This book demonstrates how leaders can use emotional intelligence to connect with their teams, set clear expectations, and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. All of them are key skills for any leadership role.
💡 Quick reading tip: Discover actionable steps for building resilience on personal, team, and organisational levels in our guide on How to Build Resilience at Work.
The Captain Class: The Hidden Force That Creates the World’s Greatest Teams
The Captain Class studies the world’s most successful sports teams to uncover what makes a great leader. It emphasises the importance of grit, resilience, and a strong sense of duty. For leaders in business, this book provides a fresh perspective on team dynamics and explores how high performers contribute to success. Its insights are particularly useful for leaders aiming to foster strong team spirit and resilience in challenging times.
Emotional Intelligence 2.0
This book breaks down emotional intelligence into actionable skills and provides readers with tools to develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management. As emotional intelligence becomes increasingly important in leadership, Emotional Intelligence 2.0 offers practical strategies for leaders to better understand themselves and others, enhancing their ability to influence and inspire their teams effectively.
💡 Quick reading tip: Want to know how empathetic leaders can uplift team morale and productivity? Read our article on emotional intelligence in leadership and empathy at work.
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
Dare to Lead focuses on the courage and vulnerability needed for effective leadership. In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, leaders must balance empathy with accountability. This book provides guidance on navigating difficult conversations and building trust within teams. It’s particularly valuable for leaders who want to lead authentically while maintaining a focus on team well-being and psychological safety.
Ready to enhance leadership and development next year?
We hope this list sparks new ideas and provides fresh inspiration for you and your leadership team. These books address critical areas for HR and managers. Learn about resilience, empathy, emotional intelligence, and team dynamics. These are all essential skills to navigating today’s work environment.
And—what do you think are the best books on leadership? Let us know if we missed anything in our list above.
Whether you’re looking to enhance leadership development, create an inclusive culture, or motivate your team to reach new heights, these titles offer valuable insights to help you lead with purpose and impact in 2026 and beyond.
Did you know?
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Discover how we can support your whole organisation and improve mental well-being at work. Or if you’re interested in getting OpenUp provided by your employer, directly refer us to your HR team.
