Books on Leadership: 12 Books by MasterClass Instructors

Leadership is the art or practice of motivating a group to achieve a common goal. Leadership derives from social influence rather than strict hierarchy or seniority. Anyone with the right skills, regardless of their position in a company or organization, can be a leader.

Whether you want to become a better leader for your team or step into your power in all areas of your life, leadership books can provide practical tips and inspiration. Here are some of the best leadership books by MasterClass instructors, including CEOs, coaches, and more:

1. 1. An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything (2015) by Chris Hadfield: One of the great leaders in space exploration, Chris Hadfield shares the philosophies he developed at NASA that made him one of the most accomplished astronauts the world has ever seen. A No. 1 international bestseller, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth gives you tips on how to think like an astronaut by preparing for the worst while enjoying everything along the way. Chris also narrates the audiobook.
2. 2. Beacons of Leadership: Inspiring Lessons of Success in Business and Innovation (2021) by Chris Voss: Entrepreneur Chris Voss brings you all the lessons and tips he’s learned as the CEO of multiple lucrative companies—Including the story of how he almost went bankrupt during the 2008 recession and then rebuilt his wealth from scratch. From the mind of a Forbes Top 50 recognized leader, Beacons of Leadership offers tips on how to take charge of your organization’s success.
3. 3. Black Prophetic Fire (2014) by Cornel West with Christa Buschendorf: In conversation with professor Christa Buschendorf, intellectual and political activist Dr. Cornel West examines the legacies of six Black leaders: Frederick Douglass, W. E. B Du Bois, Martin Luther King Jr., Ella Baker, Malcolm X, and Ida B. Wells. West and Buschendorf discuss the unique leadership skills each of these influential figures brought to bear on history and how their impact continues reverberating in modern society.
   
4. 4. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us (2011) by Daniel H. Pink: After graduating from law school, bestselling author Daniel Pink started working in politics and economic policy. In the New York Times bestseller Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, Daniel repudiates the classic reward-driven approach to motivation and argues the most potent motivator of human behavior is the freedom to make decisions about our own lives.
5. 5. Geno: In Pursuit of Perfection (2006) by Geno Auriemma: In this memoir, one of the most successful coaches in women’s basketball, Geno Auriemma, describes his path of great leadership development. From his childhood to guiding the Connecticut Huskies to victory, his philosophy of accepting reality for what it is and overcoming fear in pursuit of accomplishment makes him an expert in effective leadership.
6. 6. Hard Choices: A Memoir (2014) by Hillary Rodham Clinton: A New York Times No. 1 bestseller, Hard Choices: A Memoir recounts Hillary Rodham Clinton’s time as United States Secretary of State, with a focus on the challenges she encountered during her incumbency. In this book, she offers an experienced guide to the decision-making skills and emotional intelligence required to hold such an office.
7. 7. I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban (2013) by Malala Yousafzai: A heartwrenching bestselling memoir from Nobel Peace Prize–winner Malala Yousafzai, I Am Malala describes Malala’s story, following her as a young girl fighting for the right to education in Pakistan under the Taliban regime to her rise to power as a global activist known worldwide. Her journey illustrates what happens when you dare to lead and captures the energy of new leaders emerging from impossible circumstances.
8. 8. Leadership: In Turbulent Times (2018) by Doris Kearns Goodwin: Pulitzer Prize–winning biographer and historian Doris Kearns Goodwin explores the lives and leadership of four US Presidents: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson. Focused on each of the presidents’ early days and challenges, Leadership: In Turbulent Times is a look at what kept these leaders focused on the path to the presidency.
9. 9. More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say) (2020) by Elaine Welteroth: In this New York Times–bestselling memoir, journalist Elaine Welteroth recounts her journey breaking barriers to become one of the youngest editorial leaders in the magazine world. Her philosophy on being a good leader centers on her belief that if you learn to trust yourself, you can accomplish anything.
10. 10. Own It: The Secret to Life (2021) by Diane von Furstenberg: Penned by fashion designer and global icon Diane von Furstenberg, this guide to trailblazing lists Furstenberg’s wisdom in a unique A-to-Z dictionary format. Whether you browse at your leisure or read linearly, the empowering words found within will inspire you to believe in your power.
11. 11. Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time (2012) by Howard Schultz: Starbucks’ growth from a one-store start-up to a worldwide phenomenon turned our global love of coffee into company culture. Howard Schultz describes how the pursuit of excellence and employee satisfaction created one of the most recognizable brands in the history of business.
12. 12. The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company (2019) by Bob Iger: In this No. 1 New York Times–bestselling memoir and management book, Bob Iger describes how he pulled the Disney Company out of a slump and increased its value fivefold throughout his tenure. He examines the four pillars of leadership that guide his management style (optimism, courage, decisiveness, and fairness) and discusses how implementing those pillars turned Disney into the largest media company in the world.

There’s a different book for almost every type of leader. Consider starting with one of these five international bestsellers:

1. 1. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don’t (2001) by Jim Collins: This influential management bestseller has sold more than four million copies and describes the difference between companies that strive to be good and fail and companies that successfully fought to transition from good to great. Studies of twenty-eight companies in a five-year span make this one of the most well-researched and well-regarded books on leadership and business achievement.
2. 2. How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936) by Dale Carnegie: In arguably the most popular and bestselling self-help book of all time, famed lecturer Dale Carnegie outlines his theories on how to get people on your side personally and professionally. To help you improve your interpersonal, salesmanship, and leadership skills, he outlines the proven techniques to try—such as becoming genuinely interested in others, admitting when you’re wrong, and praising improvement.
3. 3. Start With Why (2009) by Simon Sinek: Famed lecturer and author Simon Sinek explores inspiration versus manipulation as tools you can use to influence others, arguing that the effectiveness of inspiration far outweighs that of manipulation. He describes his theory of the golden circle, or the how, what, and why of communication, with “why” as the most important driver of human behavior.
4. 4. The Art of War (ca. 5th Century B.C.) by Sun Tzu: This 2,500-year-old Chinese text from military strategist Sun Tzu stands the test of time and still guides the minds of many leaders. Although written initially as a military treatise, its influence goes beyond war, providing tips on how to best your business adversaries on the intellectual battlefield.
5. 5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (1989) by Stephen R. Covey: This New York Times bestseller dominates the world of leadership books with more than 40 million copies sold. Stephen Covey describes seven habits that help you improve your life and leadership abilities: Be proactive; begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win/win; seek first to understand, then to be understood; synergize; and sharpen the saw.

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