The Top 7 Leadership Books Every Leader Should Read in 2025

In a world defined by relentless change, rising complexity and shifting expectations, leadership can no longer rely on vision and strategy alone. Today, true leadership demands connection, character and the ability to create lasting impact.

Leaders and professionals at every level are seeking fresh ideas to tackle today’s toughest challenges — how to build organizations that endure, inspire people with purpose and adapt their behavior to lead effectively in any environment. So, what are the top leadership books to read in 2025?

1. “Connecting Like A PRO – Unleash Your Superpower” by Paul Bramson

Paul Bramson’s “Connecting Like A PRO – Unleash Your Superpower” is a powerful guide to mastering authentic human connection, the critical leadership edge in today’s fast-moving, AI and tech-driven world. Drawing on decades of coaching global leaders and elite teams, Bramson reveals the hidden motivators behind human behavior and shows readers how to identify their own in order to better understand others and communicate with greater impact.

The book moves beyond traditional personality tests and theories, introducing Bramson’s proprietary Underlying Motivators® framework, which uncovers why people act the way they do. It also delivers practical tools and real-world scenarios for building trust quickly, adapting to any room and communicating with clarity under pressure. Bramson’s engaging, direct style reshapes how leaders influence, inspire and build lasting relationships.

“Connecting Like A PRO – Unleash Your Superpower” is not just another leadership book. It is the transformative playbook for professionals who want to elevate trust, impact and performance in 2025 and beyond. It shows you how to turn everyday interactions, at work and in life, into powerful moments that drive results, spark influence and create lasting change especially when the moment matters most.

2. “Another Way: Building Companies That Last …and Last …and Last” by Dave Whorton with Bo Burlingham

In “Another Way,” venture capitalist turned entrepreneur Dave Whorton recounts leaving Silicon Valley’s high-speed, “get-big-fast” culture to discover a more sustainable approach to building companies. Partnering with veteran business writer Bo Burlingham, Whorton presents the Evergreen model, anchored in the 7Ps Principles — Purpose, Perseverance, People First, Private Ownership, Profit, Paced Growth and Pragmatic Innovation.

Through compelling storytelling and real-world examples, the book bridges the gap between short-term venture-backed strategies and enduring, people-focused enterprises. It challenges leaders and investors to rethink traditional growth-at-all-costs assumptions and offers an inspiring alternative for those who want to create organizations designed to thrive for generations.

This 2025 release blends personal journey, practical guidance and values-driven principles, making it an essential resource for leaders seeking long-term impact and responsible entrepreneurship.

3. “The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance” by Zach Mercurio

Zach Mercurio’s “The Power of Mattering” tackles a growing workplace crisis — employees feeling unseen, undervalued and disconnected. Drawing on cutting-edge research and extensive experience with diverse organizations, Mercurio demonstrates that being noticed, affirmed and needed is essential for engagement, retention and well-being.

He introduces a straightforward framework to make daily interactions meaningful — noticing people’s contributions, affirming their unique strengths and showing them they are relied upon. Through practical exercises, real-world stories and actionable advice, the book empowers leaders to build cultures where individuals feel significant and motivated.

Through addressing this “epidemic of insignificance,” Mercurio offers an urgently needed blueprint for leaders in 2025 to transform workplace culture, drive performance and create environments where people and organizations thrive together.

4. “You’re the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)” by Sabina Nawaz

“You’re the Boss” by Sabina Nawaz is an essential 2025 leadership guide that addresses the hidden pressures and blind spots that can derail even high-performing managers. Drawing on her decades of experience as a Microsoft executive and elite coach to Fortune 500 leaders, Nawaz reveals how pressure can distort decision-making and power can distance leaders from their teams.

The book provides an evidence-based framework for managing authority wisely, maintaining integrity under stress and inspiring excellence without losing authenticity. Packed with field-tested tools, case studies and actionable strategies, Nawaz helps leaders at any stage — whether newly promoted or seasoned executives — navigate challenges with clarity and confidence.

By turning pressure into a catalyst for growth, “You’re the Boss” empowers managers to achieve exceptional results while fostering trust, empowerment and sustainable team success.

5. “On Character: Choices That Define a Life” by General Stanley McChrystal

In “On Character,” retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal delivers a deeply personal and thought-provoking exploration of what truly defines a leader. Drawing on decades of military service, hard-won victories and failures, McChrystal argues that character — not accolades, titles or charisma — is the ultimate measure of a life.

He presents character as the product of steadfast convictions and the discipline to act on them, even under pressure. Through candid reflections, battlefield lessons and practical insights, McChrystal challenges readers to align daily choices with their values, reward integrity within their organizations and foster cultures grounded in trust.

In a time when leadership credibility is often tested, this book offers a compelling framework for living and leading with authenticity, accountability and purpose, making it indispensable for leaders in 2025.

6. “Reinventing the Leader: How to Change Yourself to Change Your Company” by Gui Loureiro and Carlos E. Marin

“Reinventing the Leader” offers a rare dual perspective from Gui Loureiro, the regional CEO behind Walmex’s unprecedented transformation, and his executive coach, Carlos Marin. In guiding Walmart’s largest international division through a high-stakes reinvention, Loureiro discovered that meaningful organizational change begins with personal transformation.

The book blends candid storytelling with actionable lessons on aligning leadership style with purpose, taking calculated risks and creating a culture that connects business impact to customer needs. Through their transparent account, Loureiro and Marin reveal the power of vulnerability, trust and deep listening in navigating change.

Their framework for self-discovery and reinvention provides leaders in 2025 with a blueprint for inspiring teams, driving innovation, and leading with humanity in an era defined by rapid disruption and shifting expectations.

7. “The Doors You Can Open: A New Way to Network, Build Trust and Use Your Influence to Create a More Inclusive Workplace” by Rosalind Chow

“The Doors You Can Open” by Rosalind Chow redefines how leaders should build relationships and foster inclusion in today’s workplaces. Drawing on decades of original research and her expertise in organizational behavior, Chow introduces sponsorship as a transformative alternative to traditional networking and mentorship.

While mentorship focuses on a mentee’s behavior, sponsorship reshapes how others perceive and value a protégé — actively opening doors to advancement and opportunity. Through compelling examples, including Kim Ng’s historic rise in Major League Baseball, Chow demonstrates how sponsorship strengthens trust, drives equity and benefits to both sponsor and protégé. She offers practical guidance for leaders to leverage their influence intentionally and equitably, creating lasting impact beyond transactional connections.

In 2025’s shifting business landscape, “The Doors You Can Open” is essential for building inclusive, opportunity-rich cultures.

Leading With Insight, Endurance and Heart

By the end of 2025, leaders who invest time in these books will gain sharper insight, stronger connections with their teams and strategies for lasting impact. These titles represent the top leadership books to read in 2025 — essential resources for any business owner or professional committed to leading with purpose, character and resilience.