Leaders are readers. Pure and simple.
I’ve read hundreds and hundreds of books over the years, and each of them continues to add to the fabric of who I am and how I lead.
I believe that’s true for all of us. Whether you’ve read one book or a thousand, what we take in and ingest as leaders always contributes to our “who we are” and “what we do,” as well as “how” we ultimately lead.
As a starting point, let’s begin with the Bible. The Holy Scriptures are by far the most important and most integral resource to my journey of faith and walk with Jesus. All of us should have the Word of God at No. 1 on our list of most influential books we’ve read, and continue to read.
So with that said, here are the 10 books that have most shaped my life and leadership.
1. Spiritual Leadership by Oswald Sanders. This is an instant classic. Combining faith and leadership in a powerful way.
2. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell. One of the legendary leadership books. So much of my own leadership journey has been shaped by John Maxwell and his writing.
3. What’s So Amazing About Grace by Philip Yancey. I read this book in my early 20s and it truly opened up my mind and heart to God’s grace in a powerful way.
4. Next Generation Leader by Andy Stanley. A tone-setter in leading and equipping the next generation.
5. Axiom by Bill Hybels. The primer on getting the best of Hybels in bite size chunks.
6. Roaring Lambs by Bob Briner. A defining book on following Jesus in the middle of mainstream culture.
7. Good to Great by Jim Collins. Arguably one of the best business books ever written.
8. The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. We all know this one.
9. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. This classic should be on every believer’s nightstand.
10. The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. Man, I love Brennan Manning’s writing. This one is perhaps his best known and best written.
Let’s all commit to continuing to live out the “leaders are readers” code and commission. Hungry leaders continue to get better, and never before have this many books and resources been available to us, in every format and delivery system, to help us navigate the tricky road of influence.
Read well, my friends! What are your top leadership books? Respond in the comments.