5 Must Read Books for Mindful Leaders and Executives [Part 1]
If I had a dollar for every time a client asked me for a book recommendation, I’d be a millionaire! Jokes aside, I’ve lost track of how many times clients have asked me for book recommendations on leadership development, creating new habits, emotional intelligence, coaching and developing their staff, developing a growth mindset, and more.
Whether you are just beginning your leadership journey or looking to take it to the next level, these five books will provide you with the guidance and inspiration you need. Each book selected below aligns deeply with the education, framework, and strategies I utilize in my coaching practice, and has positively impacted the individuals and leaders I have had the privilege to coach.
Ready to find your next leadership development book? Here are the top five books I’ve recommended and reviewed this year.
Atomic Habits, by James Clear
Brief Summary: In "Atomic Habits," James Clear emphasizes the power of making small, incremental changes or getting "1% better" each day, to achieve significant results over time. This approach helps prevent burnout and promotes sustainable growth.
Putting it into Practice: Clear introduces "habit stacking," where new habits are anchored to existing routines, and "identity-based habits," which align actions with the type of person you want to become. The combination of habit stacking and delayed gratification are powerful tools for maintaining accountability, motivation, and long-term success.
📚 Read my full book review of "Atomic Habits" by James Clear here.
Dare to Lead, by Brené Brown
Brief Summary: In "Dare to Lead," Brené Brown encourages leaders to shift from Armored Leadership, grounded in self-protection and fear, to Daring Leadership, which embraces vulnerability and authenticity. This shift encourages leaders to inspire their teams by fostering resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to take risks. Vulnerability is highlighted as a strength, essential for meaningful connections and growth.
Putting it into Practice: Brown's "BRAVING" framework (Boundaries, Reliability, Accountability, Vault, Integrity, Non-judgment, Generosity) provides a practical guide for building trust within teams, promoting a high-trust environment that enhances collaboration, innovation, and overall well-being. Communication tools like “Paint Done” and “TASC” are introduced to help facilitate meaningful and productive conversations.
📚 Read my full review of "Dare to Lead" by Brené Brown here.
Permission to Feel, by Marc Brackett
Brief Summary: In "Permission to Feel," Marc Brackett emphasizes that emotional intelligence is crucial for effective leadership, as it enhances inspiration, reduces frustration and burnout, and increases overall engagement and productivity. Brackett also normalizes a lack of emotional intelligence, stemming from the fact that many of today’s leaders were never taught to label or express emotions, and to cultivate true emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion they must first increase their emotional vocabulary and self-awareness.
Putting it into Practice: Brackett's RULER framework helps individuals and leaders improve emotional intelligence by recognizing, understanding, labeling, expressing, and regulating emotions. Additionally, Brackett’s Mood Meter helps individuals categorize and label their feelings and increase self-awareness.
📚 Read my full review of "Permission to Feel" by Marc Brackett here.
The Coaching Habit, by Michael Bungay Stanier
Brief Summary: In "The Coaching Habit," Michael Bungay Stanier highlights the power of asking questions to empower team members, develop critical thinking, and foster a solution-oriented mindset. Instead of providing immediate solutions or advice, leaders should use strategic questions to unlock their team's potential.
Putting it into Practice: The book introduces a framework of seven powerful questions designed to facilitate impactful conversations, promote clarity, and encourage action and growth. These questions help leaders guide their teams toward self-awareness, creativity, and effective problem-solving.
📚 Read my full review of "The Coaching Habit" by Michael Bungay Stanier here.
May’s Book of the Month: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
Brief Summary: In "Mindset," Carol S. Dweck differentiates between the fixed mindset, which views intelligence and talent as static, and the growth mindset, which sees abilities as developable through dedication and hard work. Leaders with a fixed mindset may avoid risks and view challenges as threats, stifling innovation and growth. In contrast, growth-minded leaders encourage learning, resilience, and continuous improvement, fostering a supportive and collaborative environment.
Putting it into Practice: Dweck outlines steps for developing a growth mindset, including embracing and naming your fixed mindset, identifying triggers, and taking action to approach challenges with a growth perspective. This proactive approach enables leaders to reframe setbacks as opportunities for growth, driving personal and organizational success.
📚 Read my full book review for “Mindset” by Carol Dweck here.
Final Thoughts
As a mindful leader, cultivating the right mindset and habits is essential for personal and professional growth. These five books offer invaluable insights and practical strategies to help you navigate the complexities of leadership with mindfulness and emotional intelligence. By integrating the lessons from these books into your leadership style, you can create a more mindful, effective, and inspiring leadership approach that benefits you and your team.
If you found this article helpful, and are interested in receiving additional resources to help you become a more impactful leader, please consider subscribing to my newsletter, and connecting with me on social media: LinkedIn, Instagram, and Pinterest. And, if you’re ready to put the theories you’ve learned from these books into practice, I invite you to explore working with me!
Note: Links (🔗) to recommended books on Amazon are affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission on your purchase. Please consider supporting your local independent bookstore or borrowing books from your local library.