5 best books on leadership

Reading is a fundamental life skill. It allows us to share stories, but most importantly, knowledge. You only have one life, and you cannot experience all the situations that others have lived through. So take advantage of it and learn from their mistakes and insights. In books!

Especially young people today read less and less. They prefer to look for information online. The fact is, much of the knowledge stored in books cannot be found online. That’s the first reason why you should pick up a book. And the second? Reading improves communication, emotional intelligence, organizational efficiency, and reduces stress – all qualities of a good leader.

So, what should a busy leader read? Make sure to set aside some time for the following leadership books:

1. Jim Collins: Good to Great

This book is a bestseller which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide and is truly worth reading. It tries to show what distinguishes companies that succeed from average ones. The author describes the specific qualities these companies possess, and you might even be shocked by them.

The information in the book is backed by real research on numerous companies. Collins himself explains that some of the concepts discovered by the study contradict current business culture and may even upset you.

• Pages: 304

• Price: approx. 400 CZK

• Audience: If you want to achieve more than others, you will have to do things differently. This book is for you.

2. Simon Sinek: Leaders Eat Last

This book explores how great leaders create environments where people feel safe, valued, and motivated to contribute. Sinek argues that leadership is not about power or authority, but about putting others first and fostering trust. By prioritizing the well-being of the team, leaders can inspire loyalty, collaboration, and long-term success.

The book combines real-life examples from organizations, research, and stories from military and business leaders to illustrate how leaders can build cultures that work for everyone. It’s practical, insightful, and emphasizes the human side of leadership.

• Pages: 320

• Price: around 420 CZK

• Audience: For those who want to understand how to inspire trust and cooperation in their teams, and lead with empathy rather than authority.

3. Herminia Ibarra: Act like a leader, think like a leader

Authored by Herminia Ibarra, a respected professor at the London Business School, it is one of the more expensive books. If you want to get a sense of whether her ideas will benefit you, you can watch her TED Talk on The Authenticity Paradox.

The author targets those who know they must set aside time for self-development despite being busy with daily tasks. She shows how even small changes at work or in interactions with people can have a significant impact.

The book provides practical advice to help clarify what you need to change in your approach to leadership. It also helps you design a concrete plan to become a better leader and advance your career.

• Pages: 200

• Price: around 600 CZK

• Audience: For those who enthusiastically commit to following their plan to become better leaders.

4. John Maxwell: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership

Maxwell’s 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership compiles wisdom from three decades of experience, with many unconventional ideas. For example, what if a leader increased their value by serving others? If you’re open to seeing things from a new perspective, this is the perfect book. The main message is that leadership must be developed daily, not in a single day.

• Pages: 336

• Price: under 500 CZK (expanded edition currently available)

• Audience: For those unafraid of unconventional ideas. Not only for leaders in companies but also in politics and elsewhere.

5. Jan Mühlfeit: Positive Leader

This well-known book by Czech manager and coach Jan Mühlfeit is also on the list. If you’re looking for experiences from Microsoft, where he worked in leadership, you might be disappointed. The book is highly motivating, although some readers find it written in an overly “American” style. Others compare it to an encyclopedia, as it provides an overview of many self-development topics related to leadership. Expect more general insights than specific applications for Czech companies.

• Pages: 368

• Price: around 300 CZK

• Audience: For those who want to broadly understand leadership concepts.

Tip:

Even the busiest person can make time for a good book if they are reasonable. You can read while commuting, during lunch breaks, or even while exercising with an audiobook. However, make sure you can focus on the content when doing other activities because it’s important to reflect on the ideas presented in leadership books.

Many of the above titles are also available as e-books, so you can download them to a reader, phone, or laptop.