10 Best Leadership Books Every HR Professional Should Read

“Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek

In "Leaders Eat Last," Simon Sinek emphasizes the importance of building trust and putting your team first. As an HR leader, one of your key roles is to ensure that your team feels supported. This book teaches how a people-first approach builds strong teams, making it one of the top books for HR professionals looking to build better workplace relationships.

“Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown

Brené Brown’s "Dare to Lead" encourages vulnerability in leadership, which is vital for creating genuine connections within your organization. As an HR professional, your role often involves difficult conversations and high-stakes decision-making. This book helps you navigate these challenges with courage, making it a must-read for any list of books for HR professionals.

“The 5 Levels of Leadership” by John C. Maxwell

John C. Maxwell outlines five distinct levels of leadership, from position-based leadership to influence-driven leadership. This framework is particularly helpful for HR professionals looking to enhance their leadership development programs or internal promotion systems. By understanding where you stand on the leadership ladder, this book serves as an invaluable tool in your professional growth.

“Drive” by Daniel H. Pink

"Drive" by Daniel H. Pink explores the science behind motivation, a critical factor in human resources. HR professionals need to know what drives their teams to perform better and remain engaged. This book focuses on intrinsic motivation, offering practical insights that are invaluable in talent management and retention strategies, making it one of the essential books for HR professionals to understand the psychology of leadership.

“Radical Candor” by Kim Scott

In "Radical Candor," Kim Scott encourages leaders to give direct, honest feedback while caring personally for their employees. HR managers often mediate between employees and leadership, and this book provides a framework for delivering tough feedback with empathy, crucial for conflict resolution and performance reviews.

“The First 90 Days” by Michael Watkins

HR professionals involved in onboarding new hires or transitioning into leadership roles themselves will find "The First 90 Days" incredibly useful. Michael Watkins offers strategies to maximize the impact within the first three months of a new role, making it one of the must-read books for HR professionals looking to manage change effectively.

“Leadership and Self-Deception” by The Arbinger Institute

This book focuses on how leaders can improve their relationships by avoiding self-deception. For HR professionals, who often play a key role in conflict resolution and relationship management, "Leadership and Self-Deception" offers practical advice on understanding and overcoming biases, making it another must-read on our list of books for HR professionals.

“Start with Why” by Simon Sinek

Another hit from Simon Sinek, "Start with Why" emphasizes the importance of purpose-driven leadership. HR professionals are often tasked with aligning employee goals with organizational objectives. By reading this book, you’ll gain insights into how great leaders inspire action by focusing on the “why” behind their actions. It’s a great addition to your collection of books for HR professionals.

“The Art of War” by Sun Tzu

While "The Art of War" may seem like an unconventional choice for HR professionals, its strategic insights have been applied to leadership and business for centuries. This ancient text teaches leaders to be strategic, patient, and proactive, skills that are valuable in any HR setting. It’s one of the oldest yet most insightful books for HR professionals to read for leadership development.

“Leadershift” by John C. Maxwell

"Leadershift" by John C. Maxwell discusses the ability to adapt and change in leadership, a critical skill for HR professionals managing rapidly evolving workplaces. This book offers strategies for embracing change and shifting leadership styles, making it a powerful addition to the books for HR professionals who want to remain relevant in the ever-changing world of work.