8 Must-Read Books For Women in Leadership

Dec 29

by Heather Wolfson, CEO & Lead Strategist, Maven Leadership Consulting

Whether you're just starting out in your career or you're a seasoned executive, these leadership books for women offer valuable insights into what it takes to succeed on your terms.

From books on how to manage difficult conversations to studies on the most effective leadership styles, these reads will help you develop the skills you need to be a successful leader.

Here are 8 inspiring titles to add to your reading list.

Playing Big By Tara Mohr

In recognizing and embracing the complex realities of women's lives, Tara Mohr presents a modernized model of leadership. In her book, Playing Big, Tara Mohr provides readers with a step-by-step process for uncovering and owning their ambitions. This book is for women who feel called to do more but don't know where to start.

Through stories and exercises, Mohr helps her readers get in touch with their inner wisdom, confidence, and power. She teaches them how to silence their inner critic, cultivates supportive relationships, and takes risks confidently. The perfect catalyst for any woman who wants to step outside her comfort zone, find her voice and embrace the biggest possibilities of her life.

By the end of the book, readers will have the tools they need to step into their power and lead lives that are truly fulfilling.

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck

Your mindset—how you see yourself—shapes how you respond to people and events, to affect your outcomes.

In Mindset, world-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck, Ph.D., offers a groundbreaking idea: the power of our mindset. Dweck draws on 20 years of research to explain how you can recognize, understand and change a fundamental mindset to impact all aspects of your life. She reveals that the view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life. It can determine whether you become the person you want to be and whether you accomplish the things you value. How does your mindset shape your destiny?

Dweck shows why success depends on how we handle disappointment, obstacles, and even failure. She argues that the best-kept secret of truly successful people is that they recognize that their mindset matters—and they’ve worked hard to change the one they have.

Navigating Polarities by Brian Emerson and Kelly Lewis

Few people today remain indifferent to the sweeping changes reshaping our world. Most of us are either caught up in the chaos of it all or else struggling to find some sense of stability. And while the world around us may seem increasingly polarized, there are actually many areas of common ground.

In this book, Brian Emerson and Kelly Lewis explore the concept of polarities and how they can help us navigate the challenges of our time. Drawing on the latest research in psychology, neuroscience, and business, they show how polarities can provide a framework for understanding and managing the seemingly conflicting forces at work in our lives.

With insights and tools for dealing with everything from personal relationships to global politics, Navigating Polarities is a must-read for anyone looking to make sense of our uncertain world.

Dare To Lead by Brené Brown

In her book, Dare to Lead, Brené Brown offers a new framework for leadership based on her years of research on courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. She shows that the ability to lead with courage is the key to unlocking innovation, driving progress, and building strong and lasting relationships.

The book provides practical advice and guidance on how to become a more courageous leader and explores the areas where leaders often struggle, such as giving and receiving feedback, taking risks, and handling difficult conversations.

With her trademark mix of research, storytelling, and model-building, Brené Brown offers a new way of thinking about leadership that can help us create better workplaces and a more just and compassionate world.

The Fearless Organization by Amy Edmondson

Amy Edmondson's book, The Fearless Organization, offers a new approach to managing organizational change. She argues that the key to success is to create a culture of psychological safety, where employees feel comfortable taking risks and speaking up.

Edmondson provides a framework for implementing this culture change, along with strategies for dealing with resistance. She also shares stories of organizations that have successfully made the transition to a more Fearless culture.

The Fearless Organization is an essential read for anyone looking to lead organizational change. It provides a fresh perspective on how to create a culture of innovation and collaboration.

The Art Of Gathering by Priya Parker

In The Art of Gathering, author Priya Parker argues that the events we call "gatherings" are too often dull, ineffective, and lacking in meaning. We don't have to settle for this, Parker says. With a little forethought and planning, any gathering can be transformed into a lively, engaging, and memorable experience.

The Art of Gathering is divided into three parts. In the first part, Parker lays out the principles of good gathering design. In the second part, she explores the history and psychology of gathering, drawing on insights from fields as diverse as anthropology and neuroscience. In the third part, Parker offers concrete advice on how to plan and execute all sorts of gatherings, from business meetings to birthday parties.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Atomic Habits by James Clear is a New York Times bestselling book that provides readers with a step-by-step guide on how to change their bad habits and form positive ones in order to achieve their goals. In the book, Clear outlines his four laws of behavior change: Cue, Craving, Response, and Reward. He then provides readers with specific strategies on how to implement these laws in their own lives.

While the book has been praised by many, it has also been met with some criticism. Some reviewers have accused Clear of oversimplifying the science of habit formation, while others have accused him of being too focused on individual success and not enough on societal change.

At the end of the day, Atomic Habits is a helpful book that provides readers with actionable advice on how to change their habits and achieve their goals.

Design For Belonging by Susie Wise

In her book Design for Belonging, Susie Wise explores the ways in which we can create spaces that foster connection and belonging. Through a mix of case studies, interviews, and her own observations, Wise shows how design can be used to bring people together and create a sense of community.

Wise begins by looking at the ways in which our homes can be designed to be more inviting and supportive of social interactions. She then turns to public spaces, such as parks and libraries, and shows how their design can impact the level of social interactions that take place there. Finally, Wise looks at how the design of workplaces can either support or hinder the formation of strong social bonds among employees.

These 8 books are must-reads for women in leadership. They provide insight into the challenges women face in the workplace and offer strategies for success. To learn more about how Maven Leadership Consulting can help you reach your leadership goals, book a free consultation today.