Leadership isn’t a formula. Truly unlocking your leadership potential requires solid character and personal development—and reading targeted self-improvement books is an excellent way to accomplish this.
Here is a curated list of must-read books that dive into the powerful connection between personal improvement and business success. From subtle influences to blatantly related skills, these books will open your eyes to how important personal character and capabilities are to running a successful business.
1. Maureen Palmer, You Don’t Have To Quit
In her inaugural publication, You Don’t Have to Quit: 20 Science-Backed Strategies to Help Your Loved One Drink Less, radio and television senior producer Maureen Palmer tackles one of the most influential (and destructive) areas of personal business behavior: alcohol consumption. From full-on addiction to “grey area drinking,” there’s no doubt that the business world sometimes glorifies alcohol and pays the price. It costs corporations millions annually to manage employees with untreated substance use disorders.
Palmer interviewed the world’s greatest thought leaders on alcohol addiction, who revealed evidence-based ways to motivate behavior change in those who develop dependence. She discovered through her research that the kinds of things we typically say to heavy drinkers, like, “You have a problem, you need to change, this is serious,” can actually have the opposite effect.
In her book, Palmer shares all the motivation and communication tools proven to sustain behavior change in drinkers. The techniques she outlines can be used for other difficult workplace conversations, helping build the empathy required to help people feel seen and heard.
2. Mitchell Cohen, Rhythms of Change
Mitchell Cohen’s Rhythms of Change: Reflections on the Regent Park Revitalization is a book that follows the revitalization of the much-maligned Regent Park neighborhood in Toronto. It traces the uniquely effective efforts of the city to turn the area from a “no go” to a “go to” zone.
While interesting on its own, the book also offers a valuable peek into the power of transformative and visionary leadership. Author Mitchell Cohen is a social activist, musician, and CEO. He was also a first-hand observer of the transformation, and he provides key takeaways regarding the impact of healthy change and the focus on a resilient and inclusive community. Cohen examines strategic decision-making and provides a roadmap for similar change, not just in urban communities but in the workplace, as well.
3. Nimesh Patel, Extraordinary Doctor
In Extraordinary Doctor: How Emotional Intelligence Drives a Physician’s Success, neurosurgeon Nimesh H. Patel pushes the boundaries of bedside manner and doctoral training. While this is important as a baseline, Patel adds a key additional element to the mixture that leads to positive leadership and effective workplace activity: emotional intelligence.
Through personal experience and input from colleagues, Patel outlines what education, real-world experience, and proper bedside manner can accomplish. From there, he introduces the magic ingredient to truly exceptional experiences and best outcomes: an awareness of the emotional state and condition of each patient.
Emotional intelligence provides an additional degree of empathy and self-awareness. It leads to more effective communication, builds relationships, and earns trust. This is a reality that goes beyond the medical field and is true in any leadership setting—which is why this book is valuable for anyone looking to unlock personal improvement and leadership potential.
4. Michael Weber, Slow Burn Entrepreneur
Like leadership, entrepreneurship isn’t a formulaic activity. You can learn and prepare, but if you want to truly lead as an entrepreneur, you need to leave the nine-to-five mentality behind.
This is what makes Michael Weber’s Slow Burn Entrepreneur: Succeed on Your Own Terms with the RELAX Method impactful on both a personal and professional level. The author provides a string of personal insights and actionable tactics that emphasize key leadership traits, such as self-development and sustainable growth.
Weber’s goal is to equip leaders seeking personal growth with the confidence and tools required to break the rules for maximum profit while also using things like reflection and rest to fuel ongoing creativity. This book is a targeted resource that directly speaks to personal development as a way to unlock greater results as a leader.
5. Maria Flynn, Make Opportunity Happen
Leaders must lead their teams …somewhere. They must be the ones who capture the vision of a group and help them turn that vision into reality. If a leader cannot do that in their personal lives, they’ll struggle to do so on a larger corporate scale.
This is what makes Make Opportunity Happen: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Align Your Own Stars such an impactful read. In the book, author Maria Flynn helps entrepreneurs discover a fresh sense of clarity, conviction, and direction for their personal journeys as well as their roles in the workplace.
Flynn provides personal examples from her time as a coach and entrepreneur. She also offers tools, including practical templates, strategies, and methodologies, to help overcome challenges and drive toward clear goals.
The book is positioned as a resource from a mentor offering a helping hand to those seeking to change their mindsets, maximize their potential, and unlock a fresh level of passion and direction with their leadership at every level. It’s a helpful guide for anyone seeking to personally and professionally improve as a leader.
Cultivating Yourself to Improve Your Business
It doesn’t matter if you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, an accomplished executive, or in any other position of corporate power and economic authority. These five books provide unique guidance to sharpen your mindset, build resilience, refresh your perspective, and help you navigate the challenges of leading others to success.
If you find that your business is struggling, always start with some introspection. Focus on transforming yourself first. This gives you the insights and tools needed to drive meaningful change in your business—and inspire those around you while you’re at it.
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