20 Leaders Share 20 Books That Will Change Your Life
In this curated list, 20 successful leaders from diverse backgrounds share the books that have profoundly impacted their lives and careers.
These recommendations span various genres and topics, offering valuable insights for personal growth, professional development, and understanding the world around us.
All selections come from the Growth Habits interview series, available as an ebook called Increments.
1. Deep Work by Cal Newport
Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World
Year: 2016
Rating: 4.18/5 on Goodreads, 4.6/5 on Amazon
This book provides invaluable insights on how to cultivate intense focus and produce high-quality work in a world full of distractions.
Recommended by: Paul Jarvis, Tal Gur, Jason Zook,and Nat Eliason
2. Anything You Want by Derek Sivers
40 Lessons for a New Kind of Entrepreneur
Year: 2011
Rating: 4.11/5 on Goodreads, 4.6/5 on Amazon
Sivers offers unconventional wisdom on building a business and living life on your own terms, inspiring readers to pursue their unique paths.
Recommended by: Paul Jarvis, Writer and Designer
3. The Antidote by Oliver Burkeman
Happiness for People Who Can't Stand Positive Thinking
Year: 2012
Rating: 4.04/5 on Goodreads, 4.5/5 on Amazon
This book challenges conventional self-help wisdom, offering a refreshing perspective on finding contentment through embracing uncertainty and negative thinking.
Recommended by: Paul Jarvis, Writer and Designer
4. Getting Things Done by David Allen
The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Year: 2001
Rating: 4.01/5 on Goodreads, 4.5/5 on Amazon
This book revolutionizes how people approach productivity, offering a comprehensive system for organizing tasks and reducing mental clutter.
Recommended by: Brittany Berger, Founder of Work Brighter
5. Bossypants by Tina Fey
Year: 2011
Rating: 3.96/5 on Goodreads, 4.3/5 on Amazon
Fey's memoir offers hilarious and insightful perspectives on success, challenging readers to redefine their views on achievement and self-worth.
Recommended by: Brittany Berger, Founder of Work Brighter
6. Yes Please by Amy Poehler
Year: 2014
Rating: 3.85/5 on Goodreads, 4.2/5 on Amazon
Poehler's book provides valuable insights on professional relationships, particularly among women, encouraging collaboration and mutual support.
Recommended by: Brittany Berger, Founder of Work Brighter
7. Quiet by Susan Cain
The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Year: 2012
Rating: 4.08/5 on Goodreads, 4.5/5 on Amazon
This groundbreaking book helps introverts embrace their nature and harness their unique strengths in a world that often favors extroversion.
Recommended by: Brittany Berger, Founder of Work Brighter
8. The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
The Power of Radical Self-Love
Year: 2018
Rating: 4.23/5 on Goodreads, 4.7/5 on Amazon
Taylor's work encourages readers to view their physical and mental challenges as potential strengths, promoting self-acceptance and empowerment.
Recommended by: Brittany Berger, Founder of Work Brighter
9. Rest by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
Why You Get More Done When You Work Less
Year: 2016
Rating: 3.8/5 on Goodreads, 4.4/5 on Amazon
This book challenges the culture of overwork, demonstrating how strategic rest can enhance productivity and creativity.
Recommended by: Brittany Berger, Founder of Work Brighter
10. The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
Year: 2007
Rating: 3.92/5 on Goodreads, 4.5/5 on Amazon
Ferriss's book offers a revolutionary approach to work-life balance, inspiring readers to redesign their lives for greater freedom and fulfillment.
Recommended by: Joel Runyon, Founder of IMPOSSIBLE
11. A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
What I Learned While Editing My Life
Year: 2009
Rating: 4.13/5 on Goodreads, 4.6/5 on Amazon
Miller's memoir encourages readers to view their lives as stories, inspiring them to create more meaningful and purposeful narratives.
Recommended by: Joel Runyon, Founder of IMPOSSIBLE
12. Zero to One by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters
Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future
Year: 2014
Rating: 4.15/5 on Goodreads, 4.5/5 on Amazon
This book challenges entrepreneurs to create truly innovative businesses, emphasizing the importance of unique ideas in a competitive world.
Recommended by: Multiple Interviewees
13. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
Year: 1946
Rating: 4.37/5 on Goodreads, 4.7/5 on Amazon
Frankl's powerful memoir offers profound insights into finding meaning in life, even in the face of extreme suffering.
Recommended by: Calvin Rosser, Writer and Speaker
14. Essentialism by Greg McKeown
The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Year: 2011
Rating: 4.06/5 on Goodreads, 4.6/5 on Amazon
McKeown's book teaches readers to focus on what truly matters, helping them achieve more by doing less.
Recommended by: Calvin Rosser, Writer and Speaker
15. Principles by Ray Dalio
Year: 2017
Ratings: 4.11/5 on Goodreads, 4.6/5 on Amazon
Dalio shares his unique principles for life and work, offering a framework for decision-making and personal growth.
Recommended by: Demir and Carey Bentley, Founders of Lifehack Bootcamp
16. Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win
Year: 2015
Ratings: 4.26/5 on Goodreads, 4.8/5 on Amazon
This book applies leadership lessons from Navy SEALs to business and life, emphasizing personal responsibility and effective team management.
Recommended by: Demir and Carey Bentley, Founders of Lifehack Bootcamp
17. Thrive by Arianna Huffington
The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder
Year: 2014
Ratings: 3.69/5 on Goodreads, 4.3/5 on Amazon
Huffington challenges traditional notions of success, advocating for a more holistic approach to life and work.
Recommended by: Demir and Carey Bentley, Founders of Lifehack Bootcamp
18. The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph
Year: 2014
Ratings: 4.15/5 on Goodreads, 4.6/5 on Amazon
Holiday introduces readers to stoic philosophy, providing a framework for overcoming challenges and turning obstacles into opportunities.
Recommended by: Jason Zook, Entrepreneur and Author
19. Purple Cow by Seth Godin
Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
Year: 2003
Ratings: 3.78/5 on Goodreads, 4.4/5 on Amazon
Godin's book encourages entrepreneurs and marketers to create remarkable products and services that stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Recommended by: Jason Zook, Entrepreneur and Author
20. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
The Story of Success
Year: 2008
Ratings: 4.19/5 on Goodreads, 4.6/5 on Amazon
Gladwell explores the factors that contribute to high levels of success, challenging conventional wisdom about talent and hard work.
Recommended by: Ryan Robinson, Writer and Content Marketing Consultant
Conclusion
These 20 books, recommended by successful leaders across various fields, offer a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for personal and professional growth.
From productivity and leadership to self-discovery and societal understanding, each book provides unique insights that can potentially change your life.
Reading these books can help you:
- Enhance your productivity and focus
- Develop better leadership skills
- Gain new perspectives on success and happiness
- Understand complex societal issues
- Improve your decision-making abilities
- Foster creativity and innovation
- Build resilience and overcome challenges
Remember, the true value of a book lies not just in reading it, but in applying its lessons to your life.
Choose the books that resonate most with your current goals and challenges, and don't hesitate to revisit them as you grow and face new situations.
Whether you're an entrepreneur, a creative professional, or simply someone looking to improve your life, these books offer valuable lessons and insights that can guide you on your journey.
Happy reading!