Mastering Leadership: Unveiling the Best Books for Success

The academic environment in the US defines leadership as a process of social influence in which a person can enlist the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common and ethical task. Leadership encompasses the ability of an individual, group, or organization to lead, influence, or guide other individuals, teams, or organizations.

A recent scientific study addresses the long-held question – Are leaders born or made? The answer suggests that leadership is 30% genetic and 70% learned or acquired. Hence, the answer can be construed as that while a person is born with natural leadership qualities, he or she can learn and acquire the skills that are needed to be a good leader.

Books to Learn Leadership

Natural leadership qualities can be honed and sharpened by learning the precise skills of leadership. Fortunately, the knowledge is freely available from the many published books. Some of the best books that teach leadership skills are –

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – A Leadership Fable
The Leadership Challenge
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
How to Win Friends & Influence People
Primal Leadership – Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership – Follow Them & People Will Follow You
The Effective Executive – The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done
The Art of War
First, Break All the Rules – What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently
Drive – The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – A Leadership Fable

The author has, through his book, provided an in-depth analysis of the five different dysfunctions of a team – the absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. This analysis explains the reasons behind a team’s inability to function and perform cohesively. This book, through its reasoning, helps leaders avoid the struggles and pitfalls that can break a team and rather help them grow and prosper together.

The Leadership Challenge

This is a great book to read to stay relevant and effective in a modern working environment. The authors put forth their Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership that, if executed well, allow leaders to bridge the chasm between just getting things done and making great things happen. The book teaches leaders how to mobilize others to do extraordinary things within their organizations.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

This book, originally published in 1989 remains as relevant in the current times when challenges have become increasingly difficult. Its holistic, integrated, and principle-centered approach to resolving personal and professional difficulties is what has made this book a number-one national bestseller.

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Almost all book lists will be incomplete without this masterpiece which was published in 1936 and has sold more than 15 million copies worldwide. It helps in achieving maximum potential as a leader through its advice on career advancement, persuasion, communication, and influence that are as relevant today as when they were when the book was published.

Successful Leaders Do These 10 Things Every Day : Habits Of Leaders

The Most Successful Leaders Do These 10 Best Things Every Day, 1.Promote vision..What Makes Leaders Different From Everyone?What Can you Do To Make A Difference

StartupTalkyAvantika Bhardwaj

Primal Leadership – Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence

This book expanded the definition of a great leader beyond being strategic, visionary, and brimming with powerful ideas. Great leaders inspire passion and work through emotions. They affect at a much more primal level. The book describes what great leaders must do to become emotionally intelligent leaders. Primal Leadership established ‘emotional intelligence’ in the business lexicon and remains a must-read for anyone that leads or aspires to lead.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership – Follow Them & People Will Follow You

The book outlines each of the 21 laws as a separate chapter. These laws, when understood and put into practice guide the readers towards setting a direction, aligning the people, inspiring and motivating them to follow a common goal. It aims at creating a leader that people willingly follow. Maxwell is a world-famous leadership expert and the author of several acclaimed books like Leadershift, The 360 Degree Leader, and Leadership Gold.  

The Effective Executive – The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done

He is known as the father of ‘Modern Management’. Peter Drucker wrote this classic in 1967 which remains relevant today as it outlines the five practices that are essential for business management. In his book, he cites that the measure of a truly effective executive is the ability to do the right things at the right time. The book is a brilliant read to learn and understand the fundamentals of what makes a great leader.

The Art of War

Dating back to more than 2000 years ago, this book is an ancient Chinese military treatise that is devoted to warfare tactics and strategies. It was written by the Chinese military strategist Sun Tzu and is composed of 13 chapters. It is one of the most influential East Asian texts and has influenced countless business tactics, legal strategies, military thinking, and many more.  

First, Break All the Rules – What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently

This book has been a management bestseller for a long time. It presents the remarkable findings of Gallup’s in-depth study of more than 80,000 managers. What the data reveals highlights that great managers share one trait in common despite varying backgrounds and styles. Great managers do not hesitate nor fear breaking sacred business rules. This book is a great career lesson for managers and leaders.

Leader or a Boss? Most Effective Way to manage a team

A leader is an individual who motivates and influences people for accomplishment of mutual goals. Lets learn How to manage a team effectively.

StartupTalkySushree Sangeeta Behera

Drive – The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

The traditional carrot-and-stick approach to motivation has been cited as a mistake in the current work environment by author Daniel Pink. The new work world that is described in the book is built on leaders who find creative and innovative ways to tap into the deep-seated desires of their team members. They recognize their team members need to be autonomous in their work and continually improve to find a higher purpose. This is one of the essential skills to be an effective leader.

Conclusion

The list that encompasses great books that teach the art of leadership is never ending with many newer publications joining the list consistently. However, these are some of the classics that have remained valid through time.  

FAQs

Which are the best books to learn leadership?

Some of the best books to learn leadership are-

• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – A Leadership Fable
• The Leadership Challenge
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
• How to Win Friends & Influence People
• Primal Leadership – Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence
• The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership – Follow Them & People Will Follow You
• The Effective Executive – The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done
• The Art of War
• First, Break All the Rules – What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently
• Drive – The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

What is good leadership capable of?

Leadership encompasses the ability of an individual, group, or organization to lead, influence, or guide other individuals, teams, or organizations.