Growthlog by Tomas Laurinavicius
Growthlog
tomaslau.com

20 Leaders Share 20 Books That Will Change Your Life

Explore 20 life-changing books recommended by successful leaders across various fields.

Sep 7, 2024Updated: Sep 21, 2024Alicante, Spain7 min read

“Books are the plane, and the train, and the road. They are the destination, and the journey. They are home.” – Anna Quindlen

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.

Books that will change your life

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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

👉 Buy on Amazon

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:

  1. Enhance your productivity and focus
  2. Develop better leadership skills
  3. Gain new perspectives on success and happiness
  4. Understand complex societal issues
  5. Improve your decision-making abilities
  6. Foster creativity and innovation
  7. 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!