Apr 25, 2025

9 books that leaders, bosses, and people in power must read

etimes.in

Books for leaders and bosses

Leaders, managers, bosses, and the people in power are the drivers of an organisation. They lead teams, guide people, maintain the brand, and so much more. But what really makes a good leader? Here are 9 books that define some of their qualities.

etimes.in

‘Start with Why’ by Simon Sinek

If you are a leader or a manager who wishes to inspire people around you and make them realise your vision, ‘Start with Why’ is perfect. It explains how successful leaders and organisations begin with a clear ‘why’, which explains the purpose behind their actions.

Penguin-UK

‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team’ by Patrick Lencioni

For leaders, seeing dysfunctions within the team is common. But problems arise when they cant solve it. And ‘The Five Dysfunctions of a Team’ looks at 5 common issues that cause teams to fail, be it the absence of trust, or lack of commitment.

Wiley-India-Pvt-Ltd

‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen R. Covey

From a leader to a worker, anyone and everyone should read ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen R. Covey. It talks about habits of successful people, like being proactive, being a team player, understanding everyone, etc.

Free-Press

‘Dare to Lead’ by Brené Brown

Another amazing book on the list is ‘Dare to Lead’. Brown says that leaders who are honest, open, and emotionally intelligent are strong players and inspirations for their teams.

Random-House-Inc

‘Drive’ by Daniel H. Pink

As a leader, if you are trying to figure out what really drives people, ‘Drive’ is the book to read. Good for anyone who works with people, ‘Drive’ tells the right ways to boost productivity in people and some principles that help in the same.

Riverhead-Books

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‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins

Another great book, ‘Good to Great’ is about scaling heights, and the right ways to do so. Collins, the author, studied the top-performing companies and found patterns that helped them make the leap.

RHUK

‘Leaders Eat Last’ by Simon Sinek

Another book by Sinek on the list, ‘Leaders Eat Last’ is about how leaders and bosses can create a culture of trust and loyalty. The book defines how good leaders put the needs of their team before their own, and make people realise their true potential.

Portfolio

‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ by Dale Carnegie

If you are just trying to be a good human overall, to strike a chord with your team, this classic should be your go-to. From making the people feel heard, to building professional relationships, this book teaches it all.

Simon-Schuster

‘The One Minute Manager’ by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson

Another amazing book, this one taught people that you do not need time-consuming theories or actions to manage the team. Instead, the book has the concept of - one-minute goals, one-minute praises, and one-minute corrections.

Harpercollins

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