best books for educational leaders

Peter DeWitt's

Finding common ground.

A former K-5 public school principal turned author, presenter, and leadership coach, DeWitt provides insights and advice for education leaders. He can be found at www.petermdewitt.com . Read more from this blog .

12 Books You Need on Your Leadership Bookshelf

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Every so often I love when I get into a space of learning where I can sit down, read a book, and take multiple notes because the book inspires me to read, reflect, and write. Sometimes it’s due to writing a new book or blog, so it’s a part of the research that I’m doing. Other times it may be that I want to give a presentation a makeover, and I’m looking for fresh perspectives to cite during a workshop or keynote.

Recently, I have become acquainted with some books that have not been out for long, and reacquainted with a few that I have read several times before. To be honest, I started this list with six books and then it quickly doubled. The books in the list are meant for anyone in a leadership position who is looking to put a focus on learning, build on collective ideas within their school, or are new to leadership and they’re worried or insecure about their decisions.

Why These Books? Books are meant to teach us, inspire us, and sometimes bring us together as a group because they challenge our thinking and we have to find commonalities together. The authors in the list do just that, and I believe if readers want to try something new in their position, they could find fresh ideas in one of these books, even though some of them are several years old.

This is a list of books that I believe would be helpful for any school leader or someone in a leadership position. If you have a book that you believe would be equally as helpful, please feel free to add it to the comment section. I believe we should all be able to share our opinions about books. Especially those books that will help us in our position.

The twelve I’ve been diving into lately are:

Leading Collaborative Learning (Corwin Press) by Lyn Sharratt and Beate Planche . Collaboration is a word we hear so much about in leadership circles, but so often it’s much more complicated than just bringing people together. Systems experts Sharratt and Planche offer a strategic path for leaders and teachers to follow which will help them improve student learning.

Coherence: The Right Drivers in Action for Schools, Districts, and Systems (Corwin Press) by Michael Fullan and Joanne Quinn. Fullan and Quinn have laid a foundational leadership book. So often, leaders get sidetracked by opportunites that may not provide them with the best impact. Fullan and Quinn provide leaders with a road map that will help leaders decide what might be the best course of action for their schools. I have long admired Fullan, and he has been one of my favorite leadership experts since before I was a leader. Although he is the author or co-author of many, many books, he delivers powerful leadership resources for leaders over and over again. Coherence is a book not to be missed.

From Teacher to Leader: Finding Your Way As a First Time Leader Without Losing Your Mind (Dave Burgess Consulting) by Starr Sackstein . I have been a big fan of Starr’s for a while because she has a very raw and unapologetic look at teaching, leading, and learning, and I find that to be refreshing. She has no issue writing about her mistakes and successes, and we can all learn from those. I especially like this book because it’s been many years since I started my leadership position, and Sackstein helped me go back to those beginning days to remember what it was like to be a new leader.

Visible Learning and the Science Of How We Learn (Routledge) by John Hattie and Gregory Yates . I have been working with Hattie for the last five years and I’ve read this book twice already, but I wanted to give it another read due to their focus on surface-, deep-, and transfer-level learning. Regardless of how someone feels about Hattie’s research, this book offers us so much when it comes to how students learn. Each chapter offers research, practice, and challenges our thinking when it comes to how students learn. This is the first book in a long time that I actually answered the questions at the end of each chapter and was inspired to look at the authors’ citations and read some of those as well. Truth be told, it is my favorite book by Hattie.

Conceptual Understanding: Harnessing Natural Curiosity for Learning That Transfers (Corwin Press) by Julie Stern with Natalie Lauriault and Kristin Ferraro . Like Visible Learning and the Science Of How We Learn, this is a book that has inspired me to take copious notes. I sat in the barstool at the island in my kitchen and wrote note after note. The authors have helped refresh my memory around surface, deep, and transfer learning, and inspired new thinking on my part when it comes to both student and adult learners. If you care about student learning, or want to be inspired to think of new ways to offer professional learning to adults, this is the book for you. I know I will be referencing it for many, many years.

What we know about grading: What works, what doesn’t, and what’s next? (ASCD) Edited by Tom Guskey and Susan Brookhart . Guskey has written multiple guest blogs for Finding Common Ground, and to be perfectly honest, he is one of my favorite presenters/researchers to learn from, and I consider myself fortunate to call Tom a friend. He has helped me behind the scenes more times than I can count because of his extensive knowledge and his patience with all of the questions I send to him, and you can find that knowledge in this book around the topic of grading. Guskey and Brookhart have edited a book filled with practical ideas that will help any school leader focus on this never-ending important topic of grading. If leaders are going to call themselves “instructional leaders,” they shouldn’t do it without reading this book.

Hacking Leadership (Times 10 Publications) by Joe Sanfelippo and Tony Sinanis . This is part of a larger series of Hacking books, and it’s written by two people I respect very much. Not only are Sinanis and Sanfelippo practioners but they are two of the most energized guys in educational leadership that I have met. This book is filled with practical suggestions that are proven to give school districts the positive shot in the arm that they need.

Collaborative Professionalism: When Teaching Together Means Learning For All (Corwin Press) by Andy Hargreaves and Michael T. O’ Connor . For full disclosure, I am the series editor for this particular book. What I loved is not only working with Hargreaves and O’Connor on the topic of collaborative professionalism, but what I learned through the editing and final stages of it as well. This book helps guide leaders into the collaborative process by highlighting some great leaders and school teams from around the globe, some of whom I was able to spend time with at a conference in Norway when I facilitated the panel. Hargreaves has long been one of my leadership gurus, but more important than that, he and O’Connor have a no-nonsense way to get to the heart of the issue of collaboration. If leaders really want to build a democratic school that fosters the voices of the community, this is the book for them.

Collective Efficacy: How Educators’ Beliefs Impact Student Learning (Corwin Press) by Jenni Donohoo . Donohoo is a colleague and a friend, but more importantly, she is someone who challenges my thinking more than anyone I know. She has deep knowledge around research and learning, and only has to look at me and say, “But I am wondering ...” and I know I need to be prepared to be challenged. Additionally, Jenni has extensive knowledge around building collective efficacy, and in this book, she offers protocols to help leaders do it effectively. This will help leaders focus on growth with a team, and get to the heart of how to do it through the collective efficacy process.

The Superintendent’s Rule Book: A Guide to District Level Leadership (Routledge) by Patrick Sweeney . Books just for Superintendents seem to be few and far between, and this is a new book by a new author. I reviewed the book before it came out, and Sweeney has a good way to approach difficult subjects by using humor and his extensive knowledge as a superintendent. For full disclosure, Sweeney was my high school X-country coach and one of my first mentors, but that’s not why the book made the list. The book made the list because Sweeney took those impactful mentorship qualities and put them in a book.

Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times (Corwin Press) by Eric Sheninger. Sheninger is my technology guru, and has been for a long time. So often schools buy devices but do not implement them well, and this book focuses on how to do a better job of that. I’m excited because Eric has written a 2nd edition for this book which will come out in the next few months.

Student Centered Leadership (Wiley) by Viviane Robinson . Leaders looking for a practical guide to helping have an impact on student learning will love this book. Robinson is out of the University of Auckland and I been a fan for years. This book has a great mix of practical suggestions based in research.

In the End There are many times I pick up books and put them back down rather quickly. Perhaps it’s due to the topic or the timing of when I pick them up, but I do not always feel engaged when I’m reading. I need something that will pull at me from a moral standpoint or inspire me to think at a deeper level. For me, the best sign that I am reading a book is when I wake up in the morning thinking about it. These twelve books have done that for me lately.

If you are thinking about what book you should read next, consider picking up one of the books from my list. If you have been deeply inspired by a book lately, consider adding the book in the comment section. And not that popular books don’t need to be highlighted, but consider adding a book you read that is not making all of the rounds on social media. Thanks for reading about my list.

Peter DeWitt, Ed.D., is the author of several books including Coach It Further: Using the Art of Coaching to Improve School Leadership (Corwin Press. 2018). Connect with him on Twitter .

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

The opinions expressed in Peter DeWitt’s Finding Common Ground are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications.

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11 Books To Refresh Your Leadership Library

We asked educators in our community to share the books that most profoundly influenced their leadership approach in recent years. Here are their top picks.

From Warren Buffet to Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey, many of the most successful leaders are voracious readers . And yet, among school leaders, reading can get short shrift. “Of all the professional development lessons I’ve learned in the principalship, reading strikes me as one we don’t talk enough about,” writes Kathryn Fishman-Weaver , an author and the executive director of Mizzou Academy. “Are the texts we choose ones that shed light on a wide range of lived experiences, including the cultures and experiences included in our student body?”

We asked our community to weigh in and share which leadership books—recently published titles as well as classics—profoundly influenced their leadership approach in recent years. A few clear crowd favorites emerged, among them Harry and Rosemary Wong’s bestseller, The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher . Several authors—Anthony Muhammad, Brené Brown, Simon Sinek, and Shane Safir—had multiple titles nominated, though we selected just one from each in order to keep the list lean. Finally, several unexpected suggestions showed up in the threads, including The Tao of Pooh , The Wonderful Wizard of Oz , and Treasure Island . 

The following books offer a cornucopia of perspectives and cover topics ranging from grading practice to staff dynamics, school culture and climate, to classroom instruction. Here are eleven books that school administrators say will challenge and strengthen your leadership practice.  

The First Days of School: How to Be An Effective Teacher Harry and Rosemary Wong A teacher-focused how-to manual originally published in the nineties (now in its fifth edition) may seem like an unusual pick for the top of a leadership books list—but it garnered the most votes by far on our social channels. While it’s considered a “must read” for teachers, it’s also a valuable resource for administrators, educators told us. Chapters examine the evidence-based practices of high-functioning classrooms and offer teacher-tested advice for structuring and organizing classrooms, and holding high expectations for all kids. Though some critics argue that the authors’ approach to classroom management may “stifle spontaneity in classrooms and lead teachers to become overly controlling,” many consider The First Days of School an authoritative resource for all educators—especially leaders who regularly observe and evaluate teachers in action. 

Dare to Lead Brené Brown Brown believes leaders face pervasive cultural challenges to organizational success, including a desire to avoid hard conversations, a lack of honest but productive feedback, a fear of taking smart risks or sharing bold ideas, and perfectionism. Her exploration of vulnerability, shame, relationships, and communication echoes some of her other work, and the book’s inspirational and self-improvement focused tone may not be for everyone. Yet leaders looking to create a culture of empowerment may benefit from what Brown offers. Courage and trust are important components of any workplace, and this book offers a lens through which to look at both. 

The Innovator’s Mindset: Empower Learning, Unleash Talent, and Lead a Culture of Creativity George Couros When a student walks into a classroom, full of questions and curiosity, what happens next? Couros—whose career credentials include classroom teacher, technology facilitator, and school and district administrator—explores what it looks like to create a learning environment where students are encouraged to think differently, innovate, and do more than just perform well when tested. With accessible insights on leadership and learning interspersed with discussion questions, we heard from many educators and school leaders who tackled this text together in their PLCs or as part of their personal professional development. One caveat from a reviewer: “If you are looking for a book that provides all of the answers, this is not the one.” But it may be the book that inspires you to start looking in the right direction. 

Connecting Through Conversation: A Playbook for Talking with Students Erika Bare and Tiffany Burns After cataloging conversations that moved the needle with students, authors Bare and Burns—currently serving as an assistant superintendent and principal, respectively—felt they had hard-won insight to contribute on the topic of how to talk to kids in school. The pair channeled their collective 40 years of education experience to develop a student-centered, trauma informed, and culturally responsive framework for communicating with and building durable relationships with students. This book includes a conversation planning guide, sentence stems, and an array of other resources. Connecting Through Conversation, the authors explained in a Q&A , offers insights on how to “use body language, tone, and volume to communicate safety and invite connection,” navigating challenging behaviors, while also ensuring educators prioritize their own physical, emotional, and mental health.

Leaders Eat Last Simon Sinek In the U.S. Marines during mealtime, Sinek explains, it’s common for the highest ranking officers to fix their plates last. This not only ensures everyone on the team is fed, but sends an important message: Leaders look after their people first. But Sinek’s people-first approach is only one component of a larger narrative that includes segments on creating a safe environment within your organization—he refers to this as the “Circle of Safety”—and the surprising impacts of what he calls “selfless chemicals” like serotonin and oxytocin on leadership style. 

Pedagogy of the Oppressed Paulo Freire A lot has changed since 1968 when this book was first published in Portuguese, but it’s still widely considered a seminal text on education. Freire’s own experiences with poverty in Brazil, as well as his work with marginalized communities—many of which could not read—helped forge his views on knowledge, access, education reform, and class. Heavily academic and at times jargon-filled, this can be a dense philosophical read though its central message is simple: Education at its core, Freire writes, is a symbiotic relationship in which neither the role of the student or the teacher is fixed. Teachers themselves have many things to learn alongside their students; students have lots of things that they can teach. Freire’s pioneering analysis of the “banking” system of education urges educators to examine their pedagogy and practices. 

Street Data Shane Safir and Jamila Dugan When checking on the health of a school, administrators often turn to what the authors refer to as satellite data like attendance, graduation rates, and test scores. While this information is important, it doesn’t provide a nuanced enough picture, they argue. For a more equitable and comprehensive approach, the authors examine what they call map data , a sort of “GPS of learning trends and gaps in a school community,” Safir writes in EdWeek . They also look at street data , which provides “real-time, leading indicators on the messy work of school and instructional improvement.” For some schools already deep into their equity journey, this book may not feel particularly new, some reviewers say. What it may introduce, however, are resources and tools to help leaders and school communities understand why data should be utilized differently and how to begin that process. 

Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms Joe Feldman Ensuring accuracy, preventing bias and subjectivity, and presenting a dynamic picture of academic performance can all be factors that make grading a particularly challenging task. What’s more, how can educators help students focus on the learning and not the grade? Feldman examines these points as well as how grading relates to identity, the history of grading, unreliable practices, why traditional grading can demotivate and disempower students, and how to chart a path forward. In spite of the nuance involved in determining what works best for each school community, Feldman’s insights provide a starting point for an examination of school-wide grading practices. 

The Assistant Principal 50: Critical Questions for Meaningful Leadership and Professional Growth Baruti K. Kafele Whether you’re pursuing a career as an assistant principal or aspiring to become a principal, Kafele argues the role of an AP is “one of the most misunderstood and underutilized positions in education.” Kafele aims to help prospective and current APs navigate the ambiguity of each step of their journey, offering reflective questions, insights, and guidance with some personal anecdotes mixed in. Although some readers note the book's emphasis on the role of the administrator as disciplinarian, which may not apply depending on your school's culture and climate, Kafele offers a wealth of ideas that can be adapted to a variety of school ecosystems. 

Transforming School Culture: How to Overcome Staff Division Anthony Muhammad Every school building has its own unique cast of characters. The tensions that may arise between them—potentially becoming a roadblock to progress and change, Muhammad explains—stem from shifting dynamics, relationships, and the beliefs or assumptions of four groups: the Believers, the Fundamentalists, the Tweeners, and the Survivors. Based on a study of 11 elementary, 14 middle, and 9 high schools, Transforming School Culture offers solutions for transforming an ailing school climate into a healthy high-functioning environment for learning. 

Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students Zaretta Lynn Hammond What does it mean to be a culturally responsive educator? Hammond’s take is informed by recent neuroscience research and aims to help schools with diverse classrooms bolster engagement and foster deeper learning in a way that honors students. Designed to prompt self-reflection and action, Hammond’s book aims to leave educators and instructional leaders with a more fleshed out understanding of how to effectively implement brain-based culturally responsive instruction and create a culture of independent learners.   

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12 Great Books on Educational Leadership

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Last Update: May 16, 2024

Leaders in education hold the formidable task of shaping not just academic institutions but the minds and futures of the learners within them. As the educational sphere continues to evolve rapidly, especially with the advent of technology and changing societal needs, the role of a school leader transcends administrative duties, morphing into a multi-dimensional endeavor that demands innovation, empathy, foresight, and adaptability.

In the quest to foster these qualities and broaden the horizons of what effective leadership can achieve, a treasure trove of wisdom lies in the pages of books penned by some forward-thinking and influential minds in the field of education. These books on educational leadership are compasses that guide educators through the complexities of leadership, offering insights, strategies, and real-life examples that illuminate the path to excellence in education.

From exploring the intricacies of transforming school cultures to embracing the digital revolution in education, and from nurturing the growth mindset essential for innovation to understanding the profound impact of leadership on student achievement, these books provide a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted role of educational leaders.

Whether you are at the helm of an educational institution, aspiring to take on a leadership role, or simply passionate about contributing to the evolution of educational paradigms, these books will definitely on educational leadership will definitely offer an enlightening journey, one that enriches your understanding and equips you with the practical tools and visionary outlook necessary to navigate the challenges and opportunities of leading in the ever-changing landscape of education.

Related: Best Websites Offering Free Audiobooks for Kids

Books on Educational Leadership

Here are some of our favourite books on educational leadership:

1- The Principal: Three Keys to Maximizing Impact  , by Michael Fullan

Michael Fullan’s book is a clarion call for principals to redefine their role from being mere managers to becoming agents of profound educational change. Fullan identifies three critical keys for principals aiming to maximize their impact: Leading Learning, Being a District and System Player, and Becoming a Change Agent. He argues against the pitfalls of micromanagement and overemphasis on administrative autonomy, instead advocating for a balanced, systemic approach.

Fullan emphasizes the importance of principals understanding the intricacies of teaching and learning, participating constructively in district and system-level initiatives, and proactively driving change by fostering a culture of continuous improvement. His strategic framework is designed not just for theoretical contemplation but for immediate, actionable implementation, offering principals a roadmap to transform their schools and, by extension, the wider education system.

2- The Innovator’s Mindset , by George Couros 

George Couros’s ‘The Innovator’s Mindset’ is an invigorating exploration into how educators can cultivate an environment that prioritizes and nurtures innovation. Couros challenges traditional educational paradigms, advocating for a cultural shift towards embracing the unknown and encouraging creative risk-taking.

He emphasizes that for students to become innovative thinkers, the educators themselves must embody this mindset, fostering a learning environment where questioning the status quo, problem-solving, and exploring creative avenues are deeply ingrained practices.

Couros discusses practical ways to empower learners and educators, transforming schools into vibrant hubs of curiosity and innovation. The book serves as both an inspiration and a guide for educators and leaders aiming to instill and lead a culture brimming with creativity and forward-thinking.

3- Digital Leadership: Changing Paradigms for Changing Times 1st Edition, by Eric C. Sheninger

In ‘Digital Leadership,’ Eric C. Sheninger addresses the pressing need for a paradigm shift in educational leadership to align with the digital age. Sheninger explores how leaders can leverage digital tools to create a transparent, engaging, and collaborative school culture.

He emphasizes that digital leadership is not about flashy gadgets and technology but about using digital tools strategically to improve communication, enhance student engagement, and foster a more inclusive and effective learning environment.

Sheninger’s approach combines the richness of traditional leadership strategies with the transformative potential of technology, offering leaders a comprehensive framework to lead schools in a time where technology is an integral part of education and society.

4- What Great Principals Do Differently: Eighteen Things That Matter Most , by Todd Whitaker

Todd Whitaker’s ‘What Great Principals Do Differently’ offers a clear and compelling exploration of the practices that distinguish exceptional principals. The book is structured around eighteen fundamental principles that effective principals embody.

Whitaker dives into the essence of what makes a great leader in education, discussing the importance of setting high expectations, creating a positive school culture, making decisions based on best practices and student needs, and handling disciplinary issues effectively.

This book is not just about leadership; it’s a reflection on the profound impact a principal can have on a school’s atmosphere, teachers’ performance, and students’ lives. Whitaker’s practical, experience-based insights serve as an invaluable resource for both aspiring and seasoned school leaders.

5 The Principal 50: Critical Leadership Questions for Inspiring Schoolwide Excellence , by Baruti K. Kafele

Baruti K. Kafele’s ‘The Principal 50’ is a thought-provoking journey into the soul of educational leadership. Kafele presents fifty critical questions that every principal should regularly ponder to introspectively assess their leadership impact and effectiveness. These questions delve into personal leadership identity, vision, school culture, instructional leadership, and moral and ethical dimensions of leading a school.

Kafele’s approach encourages principals to continually reflect on and refine their practice, ensuring that their leadership effectively addresses the multifaceted needs of their school community. This book is a powerful tool for principals committed to inspiring excellence and fostering a successful, nurturing educational environment.

6- Creating Innovators: The Making of Young People Who Will Change the World , by Tony Wagner

In ‘Creating Innovators,’ Tony Wagner, a renowned expert in education, takes readers on a journey to understand what it takes to nurture the innovators of tomorrow. Wagner explores how educators, parents, and employers can collectively contribute to developing young minds that think creatively, work collaboratively, and are adept at solving complex problems.

The book is rich with real-world examples, showcasing how innovative practices in teaching and learning can transform students into proactive, innovative thinkers. Wagner emphasizes the importance of creating a culture that values curiosity, encourages taking calculated risks, and allows for learning from failure. This book is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the critical role that education plays in shaping the future of society by fostering innovation in the younger

7- Lessons of Hope: How to Fix Our Schools , by Joel Klein

Joel Klein’s ‘Lessons of Hope’ is more than a memoir; it’s an impassioned narrative and a strategic guide drawn from his tenure as the chancellor of NYC schools. Klein shares his firsthand experiences, challenges, and victories, offering an unvarnished look at the complexities of reforming one of the largest school systems in the United States.

He discusses innovative strategies, tough decisions, and the critical importance of leadership in driving educational improvement. Klein’s story is a testament to the potential for change in education systems and serves as a compelling blueprint for leaders facing similar challenges in their own contexts.

8- School Leadership That Works: From Research to Results , by Robert J. Marzano  (Author), Timothy Waters (Author), Brian A. McNulty (Author)

This influential book by Marzano, Waters, and McNulty bridges the gap between research and practice, offering a robust, evidence-based analysis of school leadership. The authors delve into the specific leadership practices that have a measurable impact on student achievement, providing a comprehensive framework for effective school leadership. The book is a resource trove of best practices, strategies, and actionable insights, making it an indispensable guide for school leaders aiming to make informed decisions that drive school effectiveness and student success.

9- Leverage Leadership: A Practical Guide to Building Exceptional Schools, by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo

In ‘Leverage Leadership,’ Bambrick-Santoyo presents a hands-on, practical approach to school leadership that is both transformative and replicable. The book outlines seven core principles or “levers” that exceptional leaders use to catalyze school success. These principles encompass data-driven instruction, observation and feedback, curriculum and assessment, and much more. With detailed case studies, step-by-step guides, and a focus on consistent, high-leverage practices, this book is a comprehensive manual for leaders aiming to build and sustain high-performing schools.

10- A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future , by Daniel H. Pink

Daniel H. Pink’s ‘A Whole New Mind’ offers a visionary outlook on the skills and mindsets needed in the contemporary world, where creative and empathetic right-brain qualities are becoming increasingly valuable.

Pink argues that the future belongs to individuals who can combine logical, analytical thinking with the ability to empathize, understand the nuances of human interaction, and create meaningful narratives. The book is a fascinating exploration of how education and leadership can evolve to nurture these essential skills, preparing students and organizations for a future where creativity and innovation are paramount.

11- Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action , by Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek’s ‘Start with Why’ introduces a profound and influential concept known as ‘The Golden Circle.’ Sinek argues that the most impactful leaders and organizations are those that start by asking “why” – understanding and communicating the deeper purpose behind their actions.

This book provides a compelling framework for leading in a way that inspires action, fosters innovation, and builds organizations that are driven by a clear sense of purpose. It’s an essential read for educational leaders who wish to create a culture of motivation and inspiration in their schools and beyond.

12- The Servant Leader: How to Build a Creative Team, Develop Great Morale, and Improve Bottom-Line Performance, by James A. Autry 

James A. Autry’s ‘The Servant Leader’ sheds light on the transformative power of servant leadership, a philosophy where the leader’s primary role is to serve others. Autry discusses how leaders can cultivate trust, foster a spirit of collaboration, and nurture the growth and well-being of their teams.

The book is replete with practical advice on building a positive team culture, developing great morale, and achieving performance goals, all through the lens of servant leadership. It’s a vital resource for educational leaders who believe in leading by example, supporting their staff, and creating an environment where everyone can thrive and contribute to collective success.

Final thoughts

Leaders in education are not just administrators; they are visionaries, catalysts for change, and architects of the future. The insights gleaned from these texts underscore the profound impact that knowledgeable, empathetic, and innovative leadership can have on schools, communities, and the broader educational landscape. From the strategic application of digital resources to the cultivation of a culture that celebrates creativity and innovation, the lessons contained within these books are both timeless and timely.

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Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational technology landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

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Leadership Books That’ll Up Your Game

There’s a book for every skill you need to work on.

Being a school leader means constantly being in improvement mode. It also means having an ever-running loop of new ideas about how to make your school the best it can be for your students, staff, and community. And though there is a seemingly endless supply of valuable advice, time is precious, and you can’t read every leadership book on the market. That’s why we put together this list of thought-provoking school leadership books.

Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!

Start strong.

The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhuo

In a personal, approachable style, Julie Zhuo, a VP of design at Facebook, writes, “Your job, as a manager, is to get better outcomes from a group of people working together.” This is an essential read for anyone just starting out as an administrator.

Lead boldly.

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts by Brené Brown

Brené Brown is the leadership guru that we’ve been waiting for. With her approachable style and her honest storytelling, Brown has the unique ability to inspire with the truth. In Dare to Lead, she lays out four skill sets that are, in her words, “100 percent teachable, observable, and measurable.”

Seek balance. 

The Principal’s Survival Guide: Where Do I Start? How Do I Succeed? When Do I Sleep? by Susan Stone Kessler, April Snodgrass and Andrew Davis

Most school leadership books focus on how to juggle the many aspects of the job from a performance perspective. This one has a refreshing focus on not only meeting the needs of your students and teachers, but doing so in a way that ensures you also take care of yourself. A great for newbies and veterans alike. 

Challenge conventional thinking. 

Relentless: Changing Lives by Disrupting the Educational Norm by Hamish Brewer

Brewer, a National Distinguished Principal®, is on a mission of “total passion and purpose.” His no-holds-barred approach to placing love at the center of the practice will empower children to overcome adversity and create a better future for themselves. 

Fine-tune your vision.

Good to Great : Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t  by Jim Collins

As an administrator, it’s common to lose your way at times. Collins’ classic book can help an administrator get to the heart of what’s important. Best of all, he addresses how to get even your grumpiest faculty member on board.

Be a better coach.

The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More and Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier

This book provides a fascinating framework for helping your colleagues reach their full potential. Rather than doling out advice and suggestions, Stanier’s method is to ask simple yet strategic questions which can have transformational results. The questions that Stainer has designed clearly communicate and prompt the people you are trying to support, even in moments when communication is difficult.

Master the art of giving essential feedback.

Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott

If you are an introvert and a naturally empathetic person, total candor can be a challenge. However, if you have found yourself struggling to deliver important feedback to members of your team, this book has exactly what you need. This former Google manager lays out real solutions for communicating essential feedback with positivity.

Think about your staff in a new way. 

Move Your Bus: An Extraordinary New Approach to Accelerating Success in Work and Life by Ron Clark

For fans of Ron Clark’s hard-nosed, no-nonsense approach to school leadership, Move Your Bus identifies the many types of workers that make up any organization. From drivers and runners to joggers, walkers, and riders, it’s the school leader’s job to recognize where their team members fall and encourage them to keep the “bus” moving by working together.

Manage change more smoothly.

Swimming in the Deep End: Four Foundational Skills for Leading Successful School Initiatives by Jennifer Abrams 

Change is difficult for everyone, especially in education, where it seems like something new is coming down the pike at every turn. Enact strategic change in your school by following Abrams’ four basic principles: think before speaking, preempt resistance, respond to resistance, and manage oneself through change and resistance. 

Run better meetings.

Making Every Meeting Matter by the Harvard Business Review

Who among us can say that every single meeting they’ve run has been an amazing and efficient use of time? How many of us can say we’ve walked away from every meeting inspired and with a clear directive? I can do better, and so can you. Reading this book is the first step toward making meetings productive. Now let’s design better faculty meetings !

Rally your crew.

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek

Thought leader Simon Sinek’s hypothesis in Leaders Eat Last is a simple one: Behind every great team is an awesome leader. Here’s what an awesome leader does: They protect their team, and they help teams manage internal threats that could keep them from performing their best. Your job as leader, Sinek suggests, is to keep your team healthy and whole. If you want to make your team stronger and more nimble, this book should be at the top of your list.

Learn to speak your staff’s language.

The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People by Gary Chapman and Paul White

Have you ever wondered how some colleagues get very excited about donuts in the breakroom, while others complain about them? How can it be that some people love icebreakers , while others roll their eyes? This excellent book will help you meet more needs and differentiate your approach to team building.

Build a stronger team.

The New One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard And Spencer Johnson

An easy read that breaks down three of the most practical tent poles of good leadership—setting goals, praising your team, and redirecting when things go awry. You’ll develop ways to do so quickly, concisely, and of course, effectively!

Discover what motivates your people.

Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink

If you can’t motivate, you can’t lead—and this book is packed with the secrets of motivation. Hint? Rewards and punishment actually don’t bring out the best in others!

Improve your communication.

Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently by John C. Maxwell 

“Connecting is everything when it comes to communication,” counsels John Maxwell. This book, told in an engaging anecdotal style, pins down the principles and practices that will help you connect with your staff as a school leader. 

Pare down your tasks.

Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

The idea is if you can discipline yourself to take on only the tasks that are absolutely essential—your level of productivity will soar, opening up more time and energy in your life to focus on the things that really matter—and really make you happy.

Play to your strengths.

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

The big question asked in this book is: What makes high achievers different? The answers may surprise you, as Gladwell looks at success from an unconventional perspective—including what made the Beatles the greatest rock band.

Boost your confidence.

The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance—What Women Should Know by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman

A 2018 Pew study polled over 4,000 Americans to explore what personal characteristics we value in people. Would you be surprised to know that strength and ambition were more highly valued in men, while compassion and responsibility were more valued in women? The Confidence Code addresses this disconnect head on. With a truthful analysis of how gender dynamics can play out in the workplace, this book is a must-read for women interested in strengthening their self-confidence .

Change how you start your day.

The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8 AM) by Hal Elrod

Change your morning routine, change your life is the message of this best seller. You’ll learn how to wake up each day with more energy, motivation, and focus so you can take your personal and professional life to the next level.

Write your way into leadership.

The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron

Creative thinkers have been following Cameron’s 12-week program for years, crediting it for the ability to finish novels, write songs, or reignite a passion for the arts. So, what can you learn here about leadership? Well, if you’re feeling creatively fulfilled, it becomes contagious to those around you.

Listen to your heart.

The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream by Paulo Coelho

This classic fable about a traveling shepherd boy who meets several spiritual messengers on his quest for treasure may not seem like a leadership guide. But this boy’s encounters are great lessons about listening to your heart and following your dreams—two qualities every great leader adheres to.

Reframe your thinking.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

This book is about reframing your mental outlook to create affluence. But at the core, it’s about changing your mindset to achieve anything you desire. And it’s a nice reminder that positivity is the best motivator in the workplace!

Create a leadership plan.

True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership by Bill George

True North teaches you how to create your own Personal Leadership Development Plan. It’s centered on knowing your authentic self, defining your values and leadership principles, understanding your motivations, building your support team, and staying grounded by integrating all aspects of your life.

Master your core principles.

The Truth About Leadership by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner

Trust, credibility, and ethics are the core principles discussed in this book. The authors say these are crucial for every good leader who wants to succeed!

See what other leaders have done.

Winners by Alastair Campbell

From Michael Phelps to Barack Obama, this collection features real, raw, and in-depth interviews with some of the most successful people on the planet. They don’t hold back about their drive and how they achieved goals beyond their wildest dreams.

What are your favorite books on leadership? Share with us in our  Principal Life Facebook group . 

Plus, leadership videos you don’t want to miss.

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Are you a supply teacher or teaching assistant looking for some help and advice? If so, you are in the right place. Our blogs offer tips and tricks on everything from classroom management to interview tips and support, along with day in the life case studies from real supply teachers, ECTs and cover supervisors. They also give you an insight into what  working for Smile  is like, the ways which we support local communities and charities  and the training and events that we offer. 

For more good stuff like this, follow us on social media - you can find us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and LinkedIn . Or pick up the phone and give us a call .

The 10 must-read books for every school leader

Lots of school leaders often ask us what books we’d recommend and so we’ve put together this handy list of our 10 top must reads. Below you’ll find books on everything from wellbeing to practical tips and advice on becoming a leader. 

Making the Leap: Moving from Deputy to Head - Jill Berry

Is currently number 1 on Amazon’s best sellers list for school governors. The book offers practical advice to anyone considering a headship. The book leans on Jill’s own experiences in the matter and answers questions such as how can I ensure the early months and years of headship are as successful as possible and how can I establish the most positive and productive relationship with the outgoing head?

It’s a definite must read for any teachers, middle leaders or senior leaders who are considering becoming a headteacher within a school setting. 

A Manifesto for Excellence in Schools - Rob Carpenter

Rob Carpenter is the CEO of the Inspire Partnership and author of the aforementioned book. He took  a school from Special Measures to Outstanding in less than two years and firmly believes that the quality of teaching and leadership holds the key to raising standards in our schools today.

The book contains a balance of practical advice, examples, resources and ideas to help teachers and school leaders alike plan and deliver high quality learning experiences. When asked why he wrote A Manifesto for Excellence Rob said:

“I want people to use A Manifesto for Excellence in Schools as a reference point for what schools can be when we place 'whys' before 'whats' and 'hows'. Above all else, I hope those who read this can feel inspired to stand up to the policy wonks, placing children at the centre of our beliefs and actions. There is a better way….”

Back on Track: Fewer Things, Greater Depth - Mary Myatt

Released just last year, Back on Track is already becoming a firm favourite for school leaders. The book calls upon leaders to reevaluate their focuses and look at whether some of the processes in our schools are really adding value to the core purposes of schools.

Chunked into short sections the book is easy to read and easily digestible. Despite only being released less than a year ago It’s racked up 165 reviews on Amazon with 93% of those being 5-4 star! 

Putting Staff First: A blueprint for revitalising our schools: A blueprint for a revitalised profession - John Tomsett and Jonny Uttley

Wellbeing is high on everyone’s agenda so it’s no surprise that this book made its way onto the list. Authors John Tomsett (headteacher at Huntington School, York) and Jonny Uttley (CEO of The Education Alliance Multi Academy Trust) believe that happy teachers provide the best educational experience for their students. In their book is a blueprint which unapologetically puts staff first.

The Wisdom of Heads: short advice for school leaders - Dr Denry Machin PhD

Combining wisdom and humour with knowledge and experience, you’ll certainly find it tough to put this book down. This book full of insightful anecdotes from a range of headteachers on a variety of topics. One reviewer actually described it as being similar to a “Zoom meeting between the world’s best heads”.

Reading this book will give you an insight into how leaders cope with change and how they survive the stresses of the job and what resources you should buy to make your life easier and those to avoid - all from headteachers who have been there and done it. 

The Headteacher's Handbook: The essential guide to leading a primary school - Rachel Snape

As the title suggests this book is aimed at primary headteachers - both aspiring and existing. Though, we have a slight confession to make - it’s not actually out yet - it gets released in August this year. Early reviews, however, have been positive and describe the book as: “comprehensive guide which covers every aspect of taking on the headteacher role. It is at once practical, honest, insightful and, probably most importantly, incredibly useful.”

If that doesn’t convince you, it may be worthwhile knowing a little more about Rachel who is an experienced headteacher in Cambridge and is a National Leader of Education.  She is also Vice Chair of the DfE's Primary Headteachers' Reference Group, Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, Founding Fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, and Ambassador for HundrED.org. 

Riding the Waves: Finding joy and fulfilment in school leadership - James Hilton

Here, author James Hilton explores how primary and secondary school leaders can find fulfilment in their challenging roles in order to lead their schools successfully. Riding the Waves offers practical strategies, advice, reflective questions and activities for developing the fulfilling aspects of school leadership to carry school leaders through these challenging times.

This is the book for you if you are a school leader looking enhance your mental health, improve your work-life balance, you want to take control and take a break. 

Supporting the Emotional Work of School Leaders - Belinda Harris 

Another book which focuses on wellbeing. This practical book deals with the emotional and moral dimensions of school leadership. If you are seeking to develop your own emotional resilience this book will provide you with a few tools to help you bounce back that much higher when the inevitable challenges of school leadership come your way. Belinda provides a range of person-centred strategies for building communities of professionally committed, relationally competent, collaborative individuals.

It comes highly recommended by headteachers and deputy heads alike with one saying commenting that if schools leaders are to read any book it should be this one! 

Staying A Head: The Stress Management Secrets of Successful School Leaders - Viv Grant

Staying A Head is a book about overcoming the stresses of school leadership. The book is written by Executive Coach and Director of Integrity Coaching, Viv Grant, specialises in working with head teachers and school leaders in urban schools, where both the challenge to succeed and the stress levels are high.

You should read this book if you are a school leader who is looking to develop greater emotional resilience, stop stressing and achieve their vision without sacrificing their own health and personal wellbeing. 

Leaders With Substance: An Antidote to Leadership Genericism in Schools' - Matthew Evans

This book draws on research evidence to explore the specific things that expert leaders know and do, arguing for a notion of school leadership rooted in the realities of leaders' daily experiences. It presents a case for how school leaders can develop their expertise and, in doing so, places domain-specific knowledge at the heart of school improvement efforts.

But do not be fooled, Leaders With Substance is not a handbook. It sets out to change the way we think of leadership and school improvement. It is both a critique, a manifesto, and a call to arms.

If you’d like more help or advice, Smile Leadership is on hand to help. We have over 10 years experience working in a range of educational settings and have supported school leaders all over the UK in finding their dream role.

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The SAGE Handbook of Educational Leadership Advances in Theory, Research, and Practice

• Fenwick W. English - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
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See what’s new to this edition by selecting the Features tab on this page. Should you need additional information or have questions regarding the HEOA information provided for this title, including what is new to this edition, please email [email protected] . Please include your name, contact information, and the name of the title for which you would like more information. For information on the HEOA, please go to http://ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea08/index.html .

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New to this Edition

• This landmark work has been thoroughly updated and revised, with more than 75% new or revised content.
• Ten of the prior edition's chapters have been replaced with ten new chapters in this edition.
• New chapters include topics such as distributed leadership and democratic community, standards for educational leaders, teacher preparation and staffing, and the uses and misuses of tests in accountability schemes known as "the gaposis syndrome."
• The Introduction to the Second edition and each section introduction has been rewritten Includes new chapters from international scholars giving readers a more global perspective

Key Features

• This Handbook combines both applied and scholarly issues that face educational leadership at the level of preparation and practice, offering wide-ranging coverage that appeals to scholars, researchers, and practitioners alike.
• Chapters in the Handbook examine issues long relevant to the field as well as current hot-button topics, and nearly every chapter links the history of educational leadership to current thought and actual operations in the field, helping the reader to fully grasp the implications for development and application.
• Chapter-by-chapter syntheses of prior research and practice are combined with a robust focus on issues likely to face educational leaders in the coming century based on thoughtful analyses of current trends.

Sample Materials & Chapters

1. A History of Public School Leadership

2. Culturally Relevant Leadership for Complex 21st Century School Contexts

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Educational Leadership

Contemporary Theories, Principles, and Practices

• © 2023
• Donnie Adams   ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7777-5187 0

Department of Educational Management, Planning and Policy, Faculty of Education, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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• Includes educational leadership and management theories and models in the 21st century
• Includes international authors with deeply embedded understanding of educational leadership
• Also management in schools’ context, based on engagement with context specific policies, practices and research

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About this book

• Theories of Educational Leadership in the 21st century
• 21st century Leadership Theories in Education
• Theories of Educational leadership
• Organizational management
• Management in the 21st century
• Educational Management in the 21st Century
• Leadership for Learning
• Distributed Instructional Leadership
• Authentic and Moral Leadership
• Inclusive School Leadership
• Turnaround School Leadership
• Academic Leadership
• Technology Leadership
• Contextual Leadership

Table of contents (10 chapters)

Front matter, educational leadership in the twenty-first century.

Donnie Adams

Leadership for Learning in Schools in the Twenty-First Century

• Ashley Yoon Mooi Ng

Distributed Instructional Leadership: The SHARE Model

• Mohammad Noman

Authentic and Moral Leadership Practices in Schools

• Lokman Mohd Tahir, Siti Nisrin Mohd Anis, Mohd Fadzli Ali

Servant Leadership: Operationalising an Oxymoron

• Adrian Jarvis

Inclusive Leadership for Schools: Practices, Challenges, and Future Directions

• Donnie Adams, Shaheera Hussain, King Lok Tan

Contextual Leadership: Characteristics and Practices

• Tengku Faekah Tengku Ariffin, Suhaili Mohd Yusoff

Turnaround Leadership: Building the Sustainability of Schools

• Sock Beei Yeap, Donnie Adams

System Leadership in Educational Context

• Kenny S. L. Cheah

Technology Leadership for Schools in the Twenty-First Century

• Yuting Zhang, Donnie Adams, Kenny S. L. Cheah

Editors and Affiliations

About the editor, bibliographic information.

Book Title : Educational Leadership

Book Subtitle : Contemporary Theories, Principles, and Practices

Editors : Donnie Adams

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-8494-7

Publisher : Springer Singapore

eBook Packages : Education , Education (R0)

Copyright Information : The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023

Hardcover ISBN : 978-981-99-8493-0 Published: 22 December 2023

Softcover ISBN : 978-981-99-8496-1 Due: 22 January 2024

eBook ISBN : 978-981-99-8494-7 Published: 21 December 2023

Edition Number : 1

Number of Pages : XV, 165

Number of Illustrations : 24 b/w illustrations, 4 illustrations in colour

Topics : Administration, Organization and Leadership , Management Education , Education, general , Educational Policy and Politics

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Best Books for Teachers and School Leaders – Updated for Summer 2022

Learning Ladders Blog Best Books for Teachers and School Leaders – Updated for Summer 2022

Education books are a valuable resource that help teachers and leaders improve their knowledge and skills. Not only that, they’re often funny, inspiring and packed full of actionable advice. Educators pour so much time into creating these CPD books for teachers that provide value to so many – but they rarely get the attention they deserve.

As the school holidays kick off in the UK, we wanted to award the best books for teachers and school leaders to read in summer 2022. After longlisting over 100 education books for teachers, our panel of experts narrowed this down to a shortlist of 40 titles. Then, we compiled our top ten picks and our winner – which you can find at the bottom of this post.

Our panel includes teachers, school leaders and EdTech entrepreneurs, such as Matt Koster-Marcon, CEO of Learning Ladders and Chair of EdTech at the British Educational Suppliers Association. To be clear: this list contains no affiliate links, and we earn no revenue from including these titles. We simply wanted to award the best CPD books for teachers to help inform your summer reading list. We’ve broken down the titles into topics, including wellbeing and educational leadership books, so you can jump to the section most relevant to you. Why not bookmark this page, so you have a library of top books for teachers ready to dive into?

Top Wellbeing Books for Teachers

A Little Guide for Teachers: Teacher Wellbeing and Self-Care

“Our book was written partly before but also during the pandemic. It’s a practical book, backed up by evidence, that guides teachers and school leaders in how to look after themselves so they can teach well but also so they can lead fulfilling lives inside and outside of the classroom. 

“But our book isn’t just about self-care and helping teachers cope within a broken system. We purposefully chose to end our book with a focus on agency and the small steps that teachers and leaders can take to not only after themselves but also to change things for the better in the wider education system. It might be small but it packs a punch and we hope it’s a book educators keep coming back to [and help teachers] restore their sense of perspective to help them focus on what really matters.”

Emotion Coaching with Children and Young People in Schools: Promoting Positive Behavior, Wellbeing and Resilience

“Emotion Coaching is an evidence-based, ‘in the moment’ strategy which has been shown to be a valuable ‘tool’ for educators and school leaders to bring about positive change and help reduce stress in schools.  

“The book is timely given the current global COVID-19 crisis and the disruptive impact this has had on children and young people in schools. The book takes the reader on a step-by-step journey to understand how Emotion Coaching supports the work of educators in helping pupils to, for example, understand their emotions, manage their anxiety and anger, and problem solve more effective ways to cope with their feelings so that they follow school rules more effectively and focus on their work.  

“It is filled with real-life illustrations of how staff have been able to de-escalate challenging situations with pupils, reduce incidents and exclusions in school, improve attendance and academic attainment, and enhance the wellbeing of staff and students alike through using Emotion Coaching.”

The Spread the Happiness Approach: Happy Teachers, Happy Classrooms, Better Education

“This book includes detailed case studies, a five-week programme of taster challenges and a section on measuring outcomes and sharing success. The Spread the Happiness approach invites teachers to undertake a 27-day challenge, which encourages problem-solving and challenges them to make their immediate workplace happier. It identifies the strengths of adults and children and sets realistic goals to achieve as an individual, as a team and even as a community.

“This powerful resource will be of great interest to all teachers and school leaders, as well as trainee teachers and students on leadership or early educational courses.”

The Teacher’s Guide to Self‑Care

“While there are undoubtedly larger factors that need to be addressed within education, practicing self-care is critical to building resilience and creating a sustainable career as a teacher. The Teacher’s Guide to Self-Care will help you leave the teacher-martyr complex behind and embrace a lifestyle that includes taking care of yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually while continuing to make a difference in the world. 

“Whether you’re a brand-new teacher preparing for your first year in the classroom or a veteran educator realizing you need to take better care of yourself, The Teacher’s Guide to Self-Care will help you create the self-care routines you need for a sustainable career.”

Love Teaching, Keep Teaching: The essential guide to improving well-being at all levels in schools

“With so many teachers and leaders questioning whether they can continue with the job or resigned to just ‘surviving’, never before has there been a greater need to reignite a passion for teaching and re-think the way we do education.

“Love Teaching Keep Teaching provides the stimulus and tools to help education professionals at all levels to look after themselves, lead with emotional literacy and challenge thinking and norms which undermine the wellbeing and progress of our staff and students. This is not just about avoiding burnout but about loving coming to school again. It’s about, together, transforming school culture so that our schools and classrooms really do what they are supposed to: change lives and change the world.”

Educational Leadership Books

Middle Leadership Mastery: A toolkit for subject and pastoral leaders

“The book also pulls ideas from a wide range of professions, such as call centres and Silicon Valley to provide a toolkit for subject and pastoral leaders to use when dealing with students and parents.

“Middle leadership is also as much to do with supporting your team as it is designing your curriculum. Middle Leadership Mastery has specific sections devoted to the building of successful teams and the supporting of colleagues in times of crisis. Middle leadership is a challenging role and so the book aims to provide tangible advice on how to effectively manage a leader’s own wellbeing and cope with the pressures of high stakes accountability.”

Irresistible Learning: Embedding a culture of research in schools

“The author offers a practical guide on how to engage in meaningful research that will have a deep and lasting impact on you and your organisation. You will be taken on a journey through a Research Cycle that will build your confidence and purpose as a researcher; deepening professional relationships and improving outcomes for all. 

“You will then be introduced to a range of systems that construct a culture of research in your school, building a climate where the voice of every member of staff is deeply valued and has the potential to influence the strategic development of the organisation. If you are interested in research in schools, this book is for you.”

Making the Leap – Moving from Deputy to Head

“I have been overwhelmed by the response. Since the book came out, I have been in steady receipt of messages of appreciation from readers who tell me how much they valued the advice, encouragement and practical guidance the book supplies for those on their journey into and through headship. Readers have told me that the book helped them to strengthen their applications, to be more confident at interview, and to deal with the reality of moving into the head’s role.  

“Strong, well-prepared leaders at all levels are crucial to the success of our schools, and so to the success of young people. I feel privileged to have been able to contribute to this preparation of future generations of heads and principals who work hard to serve pupils and communities.”

Thrive Through the Five: Practical Truths to Powerfully Lead through Challenging Times

“We all have that small percentage of our work (and life) when things are really hard. And we’ve all had years, like this past one, where that percentage of the work that is difficult is so much higher than 5%. 

“The goal of this book is to help us not just survive those moments, days and seasons, but to truly THRIVE! The work educators and leaders get to do is an incredible privilege – but it is not without cost. My hope is that the tips shared in this book will help you live and lead better. Because it is not enough to just survive. We owe it to ourselves and everyone around us to truly thrive.”

General Books for Teachers

The Action Hero Teacher: Classroom Management Made Simple

“But without effective classroom behaviour strategies, you will never be able to reach them no matter how smart you are.

“The Action Hero Teacher book helps teachers become the ‘heroes’ of their classrooms. The AHT book gives educators a grab bag of Classroom Management tools to build relationships, deal with poor behaviour and helps educators become the best versions of themselves to inspire their pupils.

“The AHT book is not another dusty, boring textbook. It’s a practical roadmap written by Karl C Pupé, a former NEETs Coordinator with ten years’ experience, who has worked with London’s most challenging students and managed to turn them around. Karl has worked with prestigious organisations like the National Education Union (NEU), Charted College of Teaching and the University of Essex to help teachers master classroom management.”

The Spelling Book: Transforming the Teaching of Spelling  

“Each edition of The Spelling Book includes daily and weekly spelling activities that are built on the fundamentals of teaching spelling using strong phonic foundations. Each book includes notes for teachers that suggest how to introduce the key concepts their pupils will be meeting, alongside proven methods to increase pupil retention. The book contains activities for the whole academic year. The activities within the books are adaptable and engaging, serving as a way for primary teachers to ‘up-the-ante’ in their spelling provision. 

“The Spelling Books outline a system of teaching spelling that relies on teachers to bring the ‘wonder of words’ to life. They allow enough room for creativity, whilst ensuring that all National Curriculum fundamentals are covered.”

Teaching Yourself to Teach: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fundamental and Practical Information You Need to Succeed as a Teacher Today

“Educators face a ridiculous number of changes, many of which coming from people with little experience in the classroom. I wanted to create resources that provide valuable information from experience, and that aren’t limited to a certain school year. Teachers can pick up this book tomorrow or in six months and the information will still be relevant.”

Put A Wet Paper Towel on It: The Weird and Wonderful World of Primary Schools

Paper cut? Wet paper towel!

Grazed knee? Wet paper towel!

Teacher retention crisis and well-being? Erm… slightly more complicated.

“We all know that teacher and school staff well-being is regularly paid lip service, but not enough is done to improve it. This book is all about raising smiles and will provide far more motivation than a pointless yoga staff meeting. 

“The current education system is broken but not unfixable. Lee Parkinson (ICT with Mr P) and his brother Adam Parkinson (The Other Mr P) are on a mission to entertain and inspire school staff to reignite their love for working in schools and to inform the masses that a career in education should and can still be, the greatest job in the world.”

Uncommon Sense Teaching: Practical Insights in Brain Science to Help Students Learn

“The authors use the very techniques described in the book to help readers understand in-depth concepts of learning in a simple, highly pictorial way, with plenty of fun metaphors to help clarify the concepts.  

“Coverage includes teaching today’s diverse students with their broadly varying working memory capacities; the importance of learning through and teaching to both the declarative (hippocampal) pathway and the procedural (basal ganglia) pathway; and easy-to-understand visuals that reveal how retrieval practice helps strengthen neural connections in long-term memory.  

“Above all, Uncommon Sense Teaching allows teachers to understand not just what to do in the classroom, but why. As teachers themselves know, understanding why can make all the difference.”

Shimamura’s MARGE Model of Learning in Action

“Through summarising the links Arthur Shimamura made between Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, the book ensures staff are aware of how these ideas can be used to improve the long-term learning of students. 

“Through the use of case studies from practising teachers and leaders, clear action ideas and tables “things to consider” when implementing these ideas, Shimamura’s MARGE Model of Learning in Action guides the reader through the process of implementing MARGE in the classroom.”

Sticky Teaching and Learning: How to make your students remember what you teach them: How to make your students remember what you teach them

“Additionally, it has a  practical toolkit of 50 teaching techniques that can be easily adopted into classroom practice. Teachers who read this book will be enthused to try the practical strategies it suggests, and confident of their pedigree because the book is firmly evidence based.”

Visible Learning: Feedback

“The book argues students prefer “where to next” feedback but most teacher feedback is about “where am I going?” and “how am I going”, and including praise with feedback about student work can dilute the feedback effect. 

“We have spent too much time on improving teachers’ feedback, whereas in this book we argue that it is more about students’ reception of feedback. We need to listen more what they hear, understand, and action from feedback and this not only helps teachers improve the nature and impact of their feedback it also invites teachers to teach students how to interpret and use the feedback.  

“Feedback thrives in a climate of openness, of seeing errors as opportunities to learn, and where there are appropriately challenging tasks.”

In Teachers We Trust: The Finnish Way to World-Class Schools

“This book is different from many other books: It goes beyond describing what an ideal high-performing school could be in theory by sharing the key principles and practical ideas about how an entire education system has been transformed to address collaboration, agency and teacher professionalism. 

“It reveals why teachers in Finland hold high status, and shows what school leaders and educators can do to build more trust in teachers as essential experts in the era of disruption and change. This makes In Teachers We Trust an essential reading for all teachers and administrators.”

100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Questioning

“The ideas also seek to bust common myths and misconceptions, such as open questions are always better than closed questions. While each idea can be used in isolation, as a whole the book presents a unique question-centred pedagogy that will encourage children to examine the world around them and become independent and critical thinkers. 

“It has an unusual philosophical depth and rigour for a primary-oriented book, yet it remains practical, easy to read and should be just as useful to secondary school teachers or anyone interested in good questioning.”

The Science of Learning: 99 Studies That Every Teacher Needs to Know

“The Science of Learning seeks to redress that balance. It covers a range of topics and answers questions that are at the heart of teaching. This includes how to best motivate bored students, why do students often forget things we have taught them, and how do we help develop resilience? 

“It also covers hot topics, such as banning mobile phones, the importance of sleep, should we do mixed-ability teaching and what actually is metacognition and cognitive load theory? 

“The book has been read by teachers from all over the world, with it’s impact being felt in classrooms in New Zealand, Australia, America, England, Canada, Norther Ireland and Dubai. This is because it is easy to read, simple to understood and contains strategies that are based on research that teachers can start to use immediately.”

Unpack Your Impact: How Two Primary Educators Ditched Problematic Lessons and Built a Culture-Centred Curriculum

“Educators all over the world have raved about how their lessons have been changed for the better after reading this book. In this book, readers will find themselves thinking about practices and strategies that they have engaged in previously and how they can make them more globally relevant. 

“The authors provide big ideas that are quickly followed up with concrete examples from their own classrooms. You will rethink everything that you do in the classroom after reading this book. Although it is told through the lens of two primary educators, Unpack Your Impact is a must-read for teachers of all grade levels and subjects because of the ease with which the reader can swap out their stories and topics for their own.”

Giving Students a Say: Smarter Assessment Practices to Empower and Engage

“Perhaps for too long we’ve overlooked this third element, and the origins of the word assessment might help us recalibrate. We get ‘assessment’ from the Latin ‘assidere’ which means ‘to sit beside’. Unfortunately, assessment in schools involves the teacher usually sitting across from the student – literally and figuratively. 

“In this timely book, Dueck argues that for much of our collective educational experience, assessment is what we have done to students, not with them. With a balance of ‘real world’ applications, research and tools that teachers could use immediately, Giving Students a Say opens the door for how we can empower and harness student voice, choice, self-assessment and self-reporting in the realm formerly reserved only for teachers – assessment.”

Assessing with Respect: Everyday Practices That Meet Students’ Social and Emotional Needs

“Readers of this book will need to consider their current practices, their own biases and will learn to work in more equitable ways. Student voice and choice are at the center of the practice and there is a big focus on building relationships to set up a culture in the classroom where risk-taking and reflection are key. School leaders need to support their teams with instructional practices that put the needs of students first and the book helps with that.”

Word Aware 1: Teaching Vocabulary Across the Day, Across the Curriculum

“‘Word Aware’ provides schools with tools and resources to implement a whole school approach to develop all children’s vocabulary. It is based upon research, but applies this in a practical, time-efficient manner. Developing vocabulary is not a quick fix, so ‘Word Aware’ provides fun ways to engage children and their families right across the primary age range.

“The ‘Word Aware’ approach is being used in many schools across the UK and internationally. Research studies have shown it is effective and children love it too. School leaders will love it because improved vocabulary results in better learning outcomes and increased attainment.”

The Teacher and the Teenage Brain

“The first chapter in the book is a simple introduction to the brain, entitled “Ten things every teacher needs to know about the teenage brain”. I then go on to cover the topics of cognitive development, risk, the importance of sleep for learning, and the management of stress and anxiety. My discussions with teachers led me to believe that this knowledge changes the way teachers understand their students. Perhaps most importantly, it allows them to see how critical these years are, and that there is capacity for change. My work has been hugely rewarding as I have seen how this knowledge can give teachers new insight and enhance relationships in the classroom.”

Creating the World We Want to Live In

“Throughout the 13 chapters, from childhood to relationships to the environment, the seven authors cite the evidence on wellbeing. They conclude that we need to move from a focus on what is good for me now to what is best for all of us in the longer term. Written to engage and inspire all readers, the science is illustrated with stories of good practice and solutions from around the globe. There are reflections and searching questions in each chapter to stimulate discussion. These provide an excellent resource for KS3-4, or even younger. 

“Our world is in a precarious place and young people are anxious about many things. What we all need is an injection of hope and practical ideas for a post-pandemic re-set. Education is about that future, for both individuals and the society they create.”

Grammarsaurus Key Stage 2: The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Non-Fiction Writing, Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar

“We felt that teachers would benefit from a book which would allow them to easily access high-quality texts which were both age-appropriate and contained the relevant writing, grammar, spelling and punctuation from the National Curriculum and the teacher assessment frameworks. We strongly believe that these skills should be taught in context, rather than in standalone grammar or punctuation lessons.

“We hope this book will support you when deciding what skills to teach and when. We ourselves use our text-specific overviews and model texts when planning: they are invaluable to us, and we hope they will become invaluable to you, too! The overviews will help you to decide when to teach different skills and the model texts will show how these skills can be used in different contexts. Whether you use the model texts to support your own knowledge or share them with your pupils to expose them to high-quality texts, we are sure they will be a great support.”

Teaching in the Game-Based Classroom: Practical Strategies for Grades 6-12

“Teachers and school leaders will learn a variety of strategies for engaging students as they return to classes from the isolation of COVID-19. For example, school leaders and teachers learn how Minecraft can build after-school communities and promote in-class creativity around any subject matter. 

“Other chapters show how students can write their own history-based stories using text adventure software or teach Biology using cutting edge immersive virtual reality in “Learning About Cells from the Inside Out”. Moreover, a triad of chapters will help teachers and support staff with best practices in the Social Emotional Learning domain vital to the post-pandemic school world. 

“You will even discover how to replace or supplement those deadening tests with playful assessments made possible learning games. In summary, readers will learn about the games and the stories behind the games through this engaging and informative book.”

Writing for Pleasure: Theory, Research and Practice

“The book explores what writing for pleasure means, and how it can be realised as a much-needed pedagogy whose aim is to develop children, young people, and their teachers as extraordinary and life-long writers. The approach described is grounded in what global research has long been telling us are the most effective ways of teaching writing and contains a description of what exceptional teachers of writing do that makes the difference.

“The authors describe ways of building communities of committed and successful writers who write with purpose, power, and pleasure, and they underline the importance of the affective needs of young writers, including promoting a sense of confidence, ownership, independence, desire, motivation, and writer-identity. 

“The book defines and discusses 14 research-informed principles which constitute a Writing for Pleasure pedagogy and show how they are applied by teachers in classroom practice. Case studies of outstanding teachers across the globe further illustrate what world-class writing teaching is.”

101 Playground Games: A Collection of Active and Engaging Playtime Games for Children

“During an average primary school day in the UK, children spend up to 20% of their time playing in the school playground. This provides an opportunity for one-fifth of a child’s time at school to be used to support their recovery and rehabilitation from the pandemic and for schools to ensure children regain confidence, rebuild relationships, and remember they are children again.

“101 Playground Games is a comprehensive resource to support primary schools to dramatically improve the quality of day-to-day playtimes and lunchtimes, with a consequent beneficial impact on lunchtime behaviour, engagement, learning, social, emotional, mental and physical health and wellbeing. 

“101 Playground Games offers enriching activities and traditional games to encourage active learning and social development among children at playtime. It is a book that will make playtime a richer experience for all.”

The Joy of Not Knowing: A Philosophy of Education Transforming Teaching, Thinking, Learning and Leadership in Schools

“It is fascinating to be experiencing this impact first-hand. Schools across the country are using the book to transform their culture, strategic thinking, professional development and pedagogy, which is then enabling every child to thrive emotionally, socially and academically. The love of learning that I’m seeing in these classrooms is extraordinary. The book also already forms the basis of many publications, NQT programmes, global educational conferences and courses. It has also become a key text in Initial Teacher Training and it is shaping the thinking of Governmental policymakers in the UK and in Uzbekistan through my work with APPG, FCCT, UNICEF.”

The Essential Blended Learning PD Planner: Where Classroom Practice Meets Distance Learning

“The Essential Blended Learning PD Planner: Where Classroom Practice Meets Distance Learning explores how the distance learning experience will impact the traditional classroom and how we can leverage the best practices developed to enhance learning through a combination of effective class­room instruction and technology. Most importantly, it examines how these changes can impact equity and access for all students and reinforce the pedagogical philosophy and resources needed to finally close the achievement gap.

“With a foreword by Michael Fullan and diagrams guiding the reader through the journey from theory to practice, this critical and timely book serves as a resource for school leaders and teachers to collaboratively design and implement a professional development program that supports all teachers during this transition. Included are interactive templates, tech tips, connections to instructional technology for social justice, and ideas for professional development sessions. Now is the time to take advantage of this momentous shift and forever alter the educational landscape.”

Diversity and Inclusion Books for Schools

10% Braver: Inspiring Women to Lead Education

“Its real impact is inspiring women to believe in themselves. For example, Parm Plummer said: ‘There are few books that can make a difference to people’s lives. For me, a woman of ethnic heritage, seeking to move into leadership but facing setbacks, reading 10% Braver had a huge impact. Up to then, I had full-blown Imposter Syndrome. The book galvanised me to action: I became a network leader for WomenEd to support other women. Now I’m a Global Strategic Leader of WomenEd’.”

Celebrating Difference: A whole-school approach to LGBT+ inclusion

“‘Celebrating Difference’ aims to inspire sustainable, compassionate change within individuals, learning communities and education systems. An inspiring initial chapter of painful (but uplifting) lived experience precedes a highly detailed, practical, tried, tested and multi-award-winning strategic process of personal, cultural and organisation change in respect of diversity, equitable inclusion and intersectional change deployable across the equality strands. 

“The text is informed by over twenty years in class-teaching, leadership, governance, strategic school improvement and enriched with unique experience as a global LGBT+ education advocate. 

“Recommended in Parliament, it features change strategies, research, anecdotal evidence, case studies, teaching, learning and curriculum guidance, impact study, challenge and reflection questions and strategic audit strategies supporting staff, leaders and governors to prevent prejudice whilst fostering conscious inclusion. 

“The book nurtures a sense of permission and empowerment, enabling readers to find their authentic voices whilst aspiring to validate, represent and educate all, not merely some, of our wonderfully diverse young people.”

No Outsiders: Everyone Different, Everyone Welcome: Preparing Children for Life in Modern Britain

“We teach children that there are No Outsiders in our school because everyone is welcome. We link our language to the Equality Act 2010 and British Values. No Outsiders is a whole school ethos that provides a framework for delivering a simple but effective curriculum steeped in an understanding of equality where all children feel proud to know they belong.”

50 Wellbeing Lessons for the Diverse Primary Classroom: Teaching Through Inclusive Practice

“Both accessible and fun, the collection of activities cover a wide range of pertinent topics that challenge children to reflect, ask questions, analyse and find solutions through open discussion and collaboration. It provides them with the opportunity to explore their feelings and understand empathy and develop coping strategies in order to promote wellbeing. The content covered in this resource includes key topics such as the impact of discrimination, the Black Lives Matter movement, prejudice, coping with loss, feeling left out, moving school and managing as a young carer.

“This practical guide is ideal for those new to teaching as well as more experienced practitioners. It addresses social and emotional wellbeing through themes that often affect marginalised groups and is crucial reading for anyone looking to embed an inclusive mental wellbeing culture within their school.”

Reading, Writing, and Racism: Disrupting Whiteness in Teacher Education and in the Classroom

“This book provides a framework to identify racist curriculum and argues that White teachers must reframe their understanding about race in order to advance racial justice, and that this must begin in teacher education programs. Drawing on two decades of experience preparing teachers to focus on social justice and antiracism, Picower demonstrates how teachers’ ideology of race, consciously or unconsciously, shapes how they teach race in the classroom. 

“With a focus on institutional strategies, the book supports leaders to understand how racial justice can be built into programs across the teacher education pipeline—from admission to induction. By examining the who, what, why, and how of racial justice teacher education, she provides radical possibilities for transforming how teachers think about, and teach about, race in their classrooms.”

Books for NQTs and New Teachers

How to Survive Your First Year in Teaching

“Often referred to as one of the first practical handbooks for teachers, I wrote the book as a summary of everything that I had learned in my first few years as a teacher, and which I thought would be useful for others new to the profession. I like to feel that I ‘blazed a trail’ for all the practical handbooks that followed with this, my first book, and also my second practical guide Getting the Buggers to Behave.

“As with all my books, the key to its success, and the reason it has stayed in print for so long, is that it is honest, realistic, practical and easy to dip into to find advice. Written in a down-to-earth way that appeals to teachers in real life classrooms, this is not an academic text, nor is it based on years of research. It is simply a collection of best practice, top tips, useful strategies and honest reflections on what it is like being a new teacher. If you want to not only survive, but to succeed as well, this is the book for you.”

Top Tips for New Teachers

“Teaching is incredibly difficult and requires a broad skill set which grows over time.  Nationally, there is not only a recruitment shortage but also a real retention problem with teachers within the profession.  Much of the success of a teacher’s integration into the profession rests on the quality of their mentor within their school. And this is not right.

“Many teachers are left to their own devices and are left to fend for themselves. I was fortunate enough to have a fantastic mentor who guided me through the first few years of teaching within a really supportive school.

“As my career progressed, I trained more and more teachers new to the profession and found myself repeating key points which were often overlooked or ignored in teacher training programmes.  As such, I wrote ‘Top Tips for New Teachers’ with the aim of sharing the best of what I have learned and experienced over time to help new teachers entering our wonderful profession.”

SEND Books for Teachers

SEND Assessment: A Strengths-Based Framework for Learners with SEND (The Essential SENCO Toolkit)

“The 7 C’s Learning Portfolio provides a language of SEN Support and helps teachers to work with learners and their families to identify 3 strengths and 3 areas for development that will inform the SEN Support for that half-term. Each ‘C’ contains 7 learning themes, so Cognition describes working memory, speed of processing, inference, anticipation, reflection, evaluation and analysis. There are a further 7 themes within Communication, Creativity, Control, Compassion, Co-ordination and Curriculum. 

“The book also contains a progress tracker, which can be used to identify a starting point or baseline for each of the 49 learning themes, and to then track progress. Capturing the movement of a learner from Emerging to Evolving to Effective, with the possibility of identifying an enhanced or exceptional skill too.

“The book is a practical resource that provides materials necessary to implement the 7 Cs Learning Portfolio in a functional, intermediate or extensive way.”

EdTech Books for Teachers

My Secret #EdTech Diary: Looking at Educational Technology through a wider lens

“The overriding aim of ‘My Secret #EdTech Diary’ is to demystify EdTech and make it accessible for everyone. Written in a conversational style, the book takes you on a journey through education technology and draws on 30 years of experience and insights from both educator and vendor perspectives, in a way that includes everyone within a school to feel able to join the conversation. 

“The book includes plenty of ideas to help schools shape their digital strategies, develop teachers’ and students’ digital skills, co-produce solutions with EdTech vendors, use EdTech to support improved communication, wellbeing and much more.

“With lots of links for readers to discover valuable resources and check best practice, it’s a great handbook to help everyone within a school understand the pedagogical and practical potential of EdTech in their schools, the opportunities it can bring – and the pitfalls to avoid!”

Books for Early Years (EYFS) Practitioners

Developing a Loving Pedagogy in the Early Years

“However, love is not a word that is often used in the context of education and this book changes this – it celebrates the natural way that many adults who are in loco parentis feel about the children in their care – a deep sense of love.  

“Developing a Loving Pedagogy draws upon my research, other research, theory and literature from academics and includes stories, anecdotes and case studies that I have gathered over a number of years.  

“This book gives educators permission to love the children in their care and also empowers and includes children by helping educators to hold them in mind and speak the same (love) language as their children.”

Top 10 CPD Books for Teachers Summer 2022

After careful consideration, here are our top 10 CPD books for teachers to read this year, including our winner: well done to Bree Picower! 

In a year marked by historic protests around the world, your book is helping to shape the next generation to dismantle racism in schools and beyond.  

10. Unpack Your Impact: How Two Primary Educators Ditched Problematic Lessons and Built a Culture-Centred Curriculum

9. 10% Braver: Inspiring Women to Lead Education

8. The Spread the Happiness Approach: Happy Teachers, Happy Classrooms, Better Education

7. The Science of Learning: 99 Studies That Every Teacher Needs to Know

6. Uncommon Sense Teaching: Practical Insights in Brain Science to Help Students Learn

5. Celebrating Difference: A whole-school approach to LGBT+ inclusion

4. In Teachers We Trust: The Finnish Way to World-Class Schools

3. Visible Learning: Feedback

2. Shimamura’s MARGE Model of Learning in Action

1. Reading, Writing, and Racism: Disrupting Whiteness in Teacher Education and in the Classroom

We hope you enjoyed our list for best books for teachers featured on this list! Learning Ladders improved year-end Primary results by 11% in two years for one school. Want to find out more about how you can accelerate pupil progress?

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By Hannah L. Miller Leaders Staff

Hannah L. Miller

Senior Editor

Hannah L. Miller, MA, is the senior editor for Leaders Media. Since graduating with her Master of Arts in 2015,...

Learn about our editorial policy

Updated Oct 25, 2023

15 of the World’s Best Leadership Books

• The 15 top leadership books every great leader needs on their bookshelf:

Create a Goal for Monthly Leadership Education

Great leaders intentionally make time for continued education. As difficult as it may be to step away from the office, reading a variety of books on leadership is an important key to refueling and refocusing yourself as a leader. For instance, it helps reveal your strengths, weaknesses, and provide the tools needed for innovation and growth.

Ready to reach your full potential as a leader? The following list of leadership books helps build a solid foundation of team-building and problem solving skills.

The 15 top leadership books every great leader needs on their bookshelf :

1. the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership.

Author: John Maxwell 

One-Sentence Description: Maxwell finds the commonal ities of great leaders, while also guiding readers through the 21 universal laws of successful leadership. 

Favorite Quote: “ I believe the bottom line in leadership isn’t how far we advance ourselves but how far we advance others. That is achieved by serving others and adding value to their lives. ”

Why You Should Read It: There’s a reason it’s ranked as one of the best leadership books of all time. Entrepreneurs, executives, and managers find Maxwell’s advice useful because it’s practical and easy to follow. Furthermore, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership helps high performers figure out what they’ve been doing right and play into their strengths. Additionally, the book is beneficial because it offers plenty of ideas on how to fine-tune weaker leadership qualities . 

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2. Good to Great : Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t

Author: Jim Collins

One-Sentence Description: This book follows a five-year study that determines how “good” companies become great, beat their competitors, and achieve long-lasting success. 

Favorite Quote: “ Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline. ”

Why You Should Read It: Good to Great : Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t emphasizes the point that success doesn’t happen overnight. For entrepreneurs and leaders who feel frustrated, tired, and out of steam, this book helps reinvigorate drive and passion . Additionally, it’s comforting to know that many of the difficulties business owners experience as they grow aren’t uncommon. In fact, growing pains are evidence that a company is developing. Overall, the core message is progress is a process.  

3. Start with Why

Author: Simon Sinek

One-Sentence Description: Sinek provides a three-step framework that purpose-driven leaders use to inspire people to take action.  

Favorite Quote: “ People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it. And what you do simply proves what you believe. ”

Why You Should Read It: Start with Why is one of the best leadership books for receiving a foundational understanding of what it means to lead with purpose. Those wanting to refresh and revive their organizations should read this book first. Without a doubt, Start with Why changes the game on how leaders guide their companies. It explains the importance of putting purpose at the center of the business so owners and executives don’t lose focus on fulfilling the company’s mission . An understanding of how to lead with why has the power to truly transform any business for the better.

4. Think and Grow Rich 

Author: Napoleon Hill 

One-Sentence Description: Published in 1937, Think and Grow Rich studies the lives of wealthy individuals such as Henry Ford and Andrew Carnegie, defining 13 habits successful people share. 

Favorite Quote: “ The starting point of all achievement is DESIRE. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat. ”

Why You Should Read It: Consistently ranked as one of the best books on leadership of all time, Think and Grow Rich helps readers understand the unique mindset of high performers. On the whole, Hill spent 25 years researching, analyzing, and understanding what makes people successful. Through 500 interviews, he found and wrote a formula for prosperity. Undoubtedly, the directive strategies are easily applicable, motivational, and provide timeless wisdom to anyone interested in leadership .

5. Wooden on Leadership 

Author: John Wooden

One-Sentence Description: Famed basketball coach John Wooden explains the 15 principles of success and the characteristics great leaders share. 

Favorite Quote: “ The best leaders are lifelong learners; they take measures to create organizations that foster and inspire learning throughout. The most effective leaders are those who realize it’s what you learn after you know it all that counts most. ”

Why You Should Read It: Wooden on Leadership inspires leaders through adages and advice given by one of the most successful coaches in sports history. In summary, Wooden teaches business professionals how to build a great team people love belonging to through his motivational words focused on morals and ethics. Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who wants to build an inspiring, sustainable team culture within their organization.

6. Extreme Ownership

Author: Jocko Willink and Leif Babin 

One-Sentence Description: Written by two Navy SEAL officers, this best-selling book relates their special operations experience to the leadership qualities all business owners, executives, and managers should possess.  

Favorite Quote: “ Implementing Extreme Ownership requires checking your ego and operating with a high degree of humility. Admitting mistakes, taking ownership, and developing a plan to overcome challenges are integral to any successful team. ”

Why You Should Read It: The unique, interesting angle the authors take creates a fresh perspective within the genre. While some professionals might not feel this book would be applicable to their businesses, Extreme Ownership teaches lessons that help leaders understand what it truly means to lead—not manage or direct—others. With unique messaging filled with real-life experience, the book additionally provides instruction on how to successfully develop high-performing teams that can fulfill even the most difficult mission.

7. Dare to Lead

Author: Brené Brown

One-Sentence Description: Dare to Lead focuses on building a strong culture at work through vulnerability, courage, core values, and trust.  

Favorite Quote: “ I define a leader as anyone who takes responsibility for finding the potential in people and processes, and who has the courage to develop that potential. ”

Why You Should Read It: Dare to Lead is one of the best leadership books for building team culture . Brown, an accomplished researcher with a Ph.D. in social work, argues the long-standing belief that vulnerability correlates to “weakness” is false. In fact, she writes an entire book to prove that being vulnerable is both courageous and brave. Specifically, this trait is one of the best leadership qualities found in business owners, executives, and managers. For this reason, Dare to Lead is perfect for anyone interested in creating a constructive, supportive workplace. It teaches people how to connect, be more empathetic, and show up with authenticity.

8. The Effective Executive

Author: Peter F. Drucker

One-Sentence Description: This book focuses on effectiveness as a form of self-discipline—a requirement for all leaders (and a skill anyone can learn).

Favorite Quote: “ Intelligence, imagination, and knowledge are essential resources, but only effectiveness converts them into results. ”

Why You Should Read It: Success is dependent on effectiveness. From exacting change to inspiring employees, this is a quality leaders can’t afford to lack. Nevertheless, many business owners and executives unknowingly or knowingly behave, act, and communicate in ways that don’t positively impact their organizations. For example, ineffective leaders lack emotional intelligence and don’t dedicate themselves to learning how to become stewards of their employees and customers. In essence, The Effective Executive is for people who want to actively learn how to work on eliminating ineffective leadership traits and become drivers of positive impact.

9. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Author: Stephen R. Covey 

One-Sentence Description: Covey believes effective people align their values with universal principles—the seven habits describe a person’s relation to independence, interdependence, and continuous improvement. 

Favorite Quote: “ As you care less about what people think of you, you will care more about what others think of themselves .”

Why You Should Read It: While this leadership book has a simple title, the pages inside reveal Covey’s philosophical nature. For instance, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People asks readers to examine themselves by challenging their beliefs, perception, and world view. This book is important for leaders at all levels because it essentially teaches people how to be better, more connected, empathetic humans.

10. The Art of War

Author: Sun Tzu

One-Sentence Description: The Art of War teaches leaders how to create and implement strategic initiatives.

Favorite Quote: “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”

Why You Should Read It: Out of all the best leadership books mentioned, this 5th century B.C. military treatise is the oldest. There’s a reason it’s continued inspiring generations of strategic thinkers. While it was written for military leaders, the text translates well for business owners and executives who are responsible for developing and executing the company’s vision. In short, it takes readers through 13 chapters, each dedicated to a particular stage in the strategic implementation process.

 11. Awaken the Giant Within

Author: Tony Robbins

One-Sentence Description: World-renowned motivational speaker and coach Tony Robbins helps readers replace their bad habits, retrain their mindset, and increase their happiness so they can step into their greatness. 

Favorite Quote: “ Enjoy making decisions. You must know that in any moment a decision you make can change the course of your life forever . . . If you really want your life to be passionate, you need to live with this attitude of expectancy. ”

Why You Should Read It: Published in 1991, Awaken the Giant Within is full of the passion and charged words people would expect from a young Tony Robbins. As a coach focused on elevating people to their full potential, this is a great read for leaders dissatisfied by mediocracy. Although this book is more targeted toward young entrepreneurs and new business owners, it is a powerful read for those who want to live extraordinary lives as leaders.

  12. The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team

Author: Patrick Lencioni 

One-Sentence Description: Lencioni uses his knack for storytelling to resolve five common dysfunctional behaviors that inhibit even the best teams.  

Favorite Quote: “ Not finance. Not strategy. Not technology. It is teamwork that remains the ultimate competitive advantage, both because it is so powerful and so rare. ”

Why You Should Read It: Leaders must know how to both guide their teams and be a team player. This book stresses the importance of having a cohesive team dynamic. While the book is a fictional fable, it is a story many business owners and executives struggle with. Companies cannot succeed unless their teams work together. For this reason, the book points out dysfunctional behaviors that harm team culture . As a result, leaders can repair and avoid toxicity within their organizations using this insight.

13. How to Win Friends and Influence People 

Author: Dale Carnegie 

One-Sentence Description: Carnegie’s book provides insight on how likability leads to strong relationships, new friends and influence. 

Favorite Quote: “ You can’t win an argument. You can’t because if you lose it, you lose it; and if you win it, you lose it. ”

Why You Should Read It: First published in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People provides timeless lessons on how to win people over without using manipulation and morally unethical tactics. In essence, this book is a great read that proves likability goes a long way in life. The knowledge provided in Carnegie’s work is invaluable to leaders and customer-facing team members, such as sales teams. Additionally, the book teaches you how to advance your interpersonal skills.  

14.   Team of Rivals

Author: Doris Kearns Goodwin

One-Sentence Description: In this Lincoln biography, Kearns shows how the president united his former political competitors to abolish slavery and win the Civil War. 

Favorite Quote: “ In order to ‘win a man to your cause,’ Lincoln explained, you must first reach his heart, ‘the great high road to his reason. ‘”

Why You Should Read It: This leadership book is a masterclass on leadership and an interesting read for anyone who loves history. It shows how important it is to toss your ego aside when working with others. Rather than punishing his rivals, Lincoln welcomed several of these people into his cabinet and created a unified front that was capable of holding the country together. While the book has a rather political motif, it teaches executive leaders the value of bringing teams together toward a collective cause. Personal beliefs of individual group members may vary but there can be healthy competition among them, as long as it doesn’t get in the way of a larger, common objective.

15.   15 Invaluable Laws of Growth

Author: John C. Maxwell

One-Sentence Description: The third book in Maxwell’s “Laws” series provides readers with a new set of principles designed for growth and self-development. 

Favorite Quote: “ Most people who decide to grow personally find their first mentors in the pages of books. ”

Why You Should Read It: The continuous path of self-improvement differentiates a good leader from a great leader. When starting a business or accepting a leadership role, a person is really accepting the responsibility of dedicating their life to learning how to become better for those they’re responsible for guiding. To summarize, Maxwell helps people understand the required growing process and how to apply it to everyday life. 

Improving leadership skills by reading books requires an insatiable desire for applicable knowledge. However, those in leadership positions live busy lives, so it can be difficult to find time for continued education. This is why scheduling time on the calendar for learning and development is an important component of effective time management . Furthermore, doing so also helps keep people accountable for developing their leadership qualities and abilities.

Get started by:

• Selecting five books from this list.
• Determining how much time it will take to finish each book.
• Setting reading completion goals.
• Meeting the established deadline.
• Starting the process again.

Making reading a habit keeps leaders continuously learning. It’s also a great idea to share what you’re learning. For example, after finishing a book, write an encouraging, personal message on the cover page and pass it along to the friend, coworker, or employee it would best serve.

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Greater Good Science Center • Magazine • In Action • In Education

Our Favorite Books for Educators in 2023

For this year’s collection of our favorite education books, we’ve included a little something for everyone—including kids!—and they all center on one theme: hope. Navigating an antiquated educational system in a world that seems to thrive on stress and turmoil can lead to a feeling of helplessness. But we all know that educators are anything but helpless!

Sometimes, though, we need a little shoring up of our sense of agency, and that’s what these books do. If you feel like your imagination has taken a permanent hiatus—you just can’t bring yourself to think of another creative way to teach long division or save the world—look no further. If your students are having a hard time imagining how they can change the world, presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman has written a book just for them. For students and teachers who don’t need help imagining a cleaner, healthier world, but need a little guidance on how to start tackling climate change, social-emotional learning (SEL) expert Tom Roderick offers some ideas. But, if in all this changing and saving the world, you feel like you and your students need to decompress and remember the joy of learning, we’ve got you covered. And, for school leaders who aspire to create the space for all this beautiful transformation to take place (but, really, on certain days, only want to crawl under your desks), there is a book just for you…finally.

We wish you a peaceful end to 2023—and hope you take time to breathe and imagine new possibilities!

The Polyvagal Path to Joyful Learning: Transforming Classrooms One Nervous System at a Time , by Debra Em Wilson

Why is everyone talking about the vagus nerve these days? This wandering bundle of fibers connects the brain and the body, sending safety-and-danger signals to us throughout the day. Because it plays a starring role in our bodies’ involuntary functions (like our heart rate, breath, and digestion), it’s worthy of our curiosity as educators.

Debra Em Wilson’s book, The Polyvagal Path to Joyful Learning , provides a biological framework for understanding, monitoring, and responding to the diverse array of individual nervous systems in your classroom—including your own. Wilson’s practical anecdotes, metaphors, diagrams, and accessible writing make her guide highly readable and relevant. If you strive to be a trauma-sensitive practitioner, and you believe in the power of relationships in the classroom, this book will reaffirm your vision and sense of agency.

Drawing on Stephen Porges’s groundbreaking polyvagal theory and Deb Dana’s theory-practice translation work for clinicians , Wilson represents the primary autonomic nervous system responses as a three-runged ladder: from the immobilizing dorsal vagal response (associated with helpless and hopeless feelings) to the mobilizing sympathetic state (linked to both fear and aggression) to the optimal sense of safety, calm, and eager engagement we experience at the top of the ladder through the ventral vagal response.

Three insights emerged for me while reading about nervous system function and our capacity for learning. First, polyvagal theory emphasizes co-regulation (regulating emotions with others) before self-regulation (or self-management), one of the core social-emotional learning capacities. Wilson highlights healthy, adaptive ways that we can “borrow and lend” our regulated nervous systems through structured academic play, movement, and stillness, for example.

Second, our capacity for resilience isn’t an all-or-nothing game largely dependent on the number of adverse childhood experiences we’ve had. It’s an open-ended, growth process of “befriending and retuning” the nervous system as we recognize our bodily states and draw on our ventral response resources through calming “safety rest stops” and ongoing repair of day-to-day “misses” or “ruptures” with one another.

Finally, this approach expands the notion of the mind-body connection to a dynamic “mind-body-world” exchange where things like tone of voice, a soft gaze, a friendly gesture, and an open posture can make us feel safer, more joyful, more motivated, and engaged in learning and growing together. —Amy L. Eva

Something, Someday , with words by Amanda Gorman and pictures by Christian Robinson

There is much that is hard in this world. An ever-worsening climate crisis , increased poverty and homelessness, violent wars …all problems that feel too big to fix, especially for young children. This beautifully illustrated picture book by presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman reminds children (and all of us, really) that we do have the ability to make a difference . It offers up hope that when we come together, and build upon small acts of kindness , we can find beauty and create change in the world.

This book touches on themes that Greater Good has focused on this year: having the courage to take action when things feel hard or scary; the experience of awe that comes from collective effervescence (the feeling that arises when we work with others toward a common goal); approaching the world with openness, wonder , and curiosity ; and, lastly, the importance of community, connection, and compassion for those around us. —Mariah Flynn

Teach for Climate Justice: A Vision for Transforming Education , by Tom Roderick

After leading the Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility for 36 years with a commitment to furthering research-based programs in SEL, restorative practices, and racial equity, progressive educator and trailblazer Tom Roderick turns his focus to the struggle for climate justice. He argues that the “primary purpose of education at this turning point in history must be to nurture a generation of courageous, intelligent, and wise non-violent fighters for climate justice.”

His vision incorporates the work of outstanding educators who are attuned to their students’ needs and the needs of humanity during this time of environmental crisis, with the wisdom of luminaries such as Martin Luther King Jr., Joanna Macy, Parker J. Palmer, and many others who have led the way toward peace and justice for all.

A central theme of his book is that we must take the cares and concerns of our young people seriously. As climate activist Greta Thunberg has said, her generation is grieving over the threat to their future and is enraged at adults for “standing by while the house burns.” Teach for Climate Justice is a call to action—“an urgent plea for educators everywhere to rise up and demand the time and resources needed to express our caring by addressing our students’ true needs…[and] transform the dominant mind-set that sees our fragile environment as a field for unlimited exploitation into one based on humility and respectful reciprocity.”

What Roderick has learned in his long career advocating for racial equity and social responsibility provides a framework for this transformation. Each chapter describes one of eight dimensions for creating and sustaining environments where students understand the power of civil resistance, the ability to think intelligently about solutions to pressing needs, and the importance of caring for one another along the way. It is both an inspirational manifesto and a clear set of developmentally appropriate teaching strategies, examples of best practices, and links to resources for the classroom and school.

Although concern for the climate crisis may lead to anxiety, fear, and anger, Teach for Climate Justice describes a way forward where love, joy, and hope animate the work and provide inspiration and motivation to manifest a just and sustainable future for all. —Margaret Golden

Learning to Imagine: The Science of Discovering New Possibilities , by Andrew Shtulman

There is a misconception in popular culture that we become less imaginative as we get older, and that our capacity for imagination declines over our lifespan. In Learning to Imagine , cognitive scientist Andrew Shtulman argues the opposite: All that we learn through our lives serves to enhance our capacity to be imaginative. Knowledge actually powers imagination, and, as we live, learn, and reflect, we continue to grow our capacities to imagine throughout our lives.

Shtulman explores how, contrary to popular belief, children are not the most imaginative among us. Through a deep dive of research, the book illustrates how children’s capacities for imagination are actually fostered through education, not in spite of it; in fact, it takes care, learning, and support to nurture children’s imagination.

Replete with research across cognitive development, psychology, and education, the book is an inspiring and empowering nudge to nurture our knowledge banks to open up more possibilities, and affirms the importance of education in all its forms, from traditional pre-K–12 to Montessori, from unschooling to self-directed learning and higher education.

“Let’s stop thinking of imagination as a limited resource, found only in the minds of young children, and start thinking of it as it really is: a nascent capacity shared by all and expandable by all through learning and reflection.” —Lauren Lee

Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders , by Janet Patti and Robin Stern

When I left my position as a burned-out school leader, I embarked on a healing journey, determined to figure out what had happened. So much of what I’ve learned along the way—from my doctoral studies to my work at Greater Good—is encapsulated in Janet Patti and Robin Stern’s Emotional Intelligence for School Leaders . As school leaders, we can have the best of intentions to do right by our students and staff, but navigating the challenges of a flailing educational system and the unmet needs of so many people— without taking any of it personally —requires a skill set not taught in most principal training programs. Patti and Stern have done a great service to the field with this book. Not only do they acknowledge and empathize with the almost impossible job of a school leader (Patti herself tells some harrowing stories from her time as a leader), they also offer solace and hope and actual tools that leaders can start using today. Half the battle, they argue, is convincing policymakers and others that these skills are a vital necessity if schools are to succeed.

“Many believe that the purpose of school is to solely support and develop academic achievement,” they write, “Further, it’s not widely understood that an emotionally intelligent focus in a supportive environment begets high achievement. And the lack of time is always a culprit, especially in view of the ongoing pressure to achieve.” For school leaders who want to improve their emotional intelligence, growing one’s self-awareness is the first step. Patti and Stern urge leaders to do the inner work: School leaders need to develop the “capacity to tune into your feelings, sense inner signals, understand what you are feeling, and recognize how your emotions impact your ability to focus, make decisions, and maintain relationships.” From there, they offer concrete self-management and relationship skills, along with stories from the field and reflection questions for those who aren’t sure where to begin. Overall, this book should be required reading (and using!) for all pre- and in-service school leaders because “the practice of creating joy for yourself and others is uplifting for a school climate and serves as a protective factor for both self and others.” —Vicki Zakrzewski

New Course for Educators

Courage in Education: Facing Challenges with Strength, Determination, and Hope

About the Authors

Amy L. Eva, Ph.D. , is the associate education director at the Greater Good Science Center. As an educational psychologist and teacher educator with over 25 years in classrooms, she currently writes, presents, and leads online courses focused on student and educator well-being, mindfulness, and courage. Her new book, Surviving Teacher Burnout: A Weekly Guide To Build Resilience, Deal with Emotional Exhaustion, and Stay Inspired in the Classroom, features 52 simple, low-lift strategies for enhancing educators’ social and emotional well-being.

Mariah Flynn

Mariah Flynn is the Education Program Coordinator for the Greater Good Science Center.

Margaret Golden

Margaret Golden, Ed.D. , is the education community manager at the Greater Good Science Center. She is the coauthor of Teach Our Children Well: Essential Strategies for the Urban Classroom and editor of Teaching and Learning from the Inside Out: Revitalizing Ourselves and Our Institutions .

Lauren Lee is the education marketing and partnerships manager at the Greater Good Science Center. Passionate about character education and social-emotional learning, she supports the education team in promoting kinder, happier places to live and learn.

Vicki Zakrzewski

Vicki Zakrzewski, Ph.D. , is the education director of the Greater Good Science Center.

You May Also Enjoy

Our Favorite Books for Educators in 2021

Three Ways to Feel More Hopeful as an Educator

How Awe Walks Helped My Students Slow Down

Eight Lessons From My Research on Creativity

How Do We Ensure That Students of Color Feel Respected?

Thought-Provoking Books for Educators in 2022

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Best leadership books: 29 of the most impactful reads

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Best leadership books for personal development

Best leadership books for people managers

Best leadership books for organizational leaders

Whether you’re a new leader or a veteran entrepreneur , a commitment to learning will help you become as effective as you can be — and there’s certainly no shortage of great leadership and management books to help you do just that.

The problem is that if you search "leadership books" on Amazon, you'll see over 50,000 titles. So how do you know where to begin? We’re here to make it simple for you with this list of the best leadership books of all time.

"Self-awareness and self-love matter. Who we are is how we lead" Brené Brown

If you want to become a good leader, it starts with working on yourself . Why? Effective leadership requires you to be able to manage yourself as well as others.

When you have a foundation of psychological strength, emotional intelligence , and self-awareness, it will naturally impact and improve your leadership skills. 

Below are the best leadership and self-help books for anyone who wants to work on their mindset, emotional regulation, and beyond. 

1. The Gifts of Imperfection , by Brené Brown

The Gifts of Imperfection is about practicing self-compassion and self-love. It asks us to embrace our own imperfections as we would anyone else’s and to accept our talents and gifts less as gifts for ourselves, and more as a gift to give to others. Once we know who we are and love who we are, we can engage others at that same level.

2. The Art of Possibility , by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander

The Art of Possibility teaches readers how to think divergently about the possibilities in front of them. The 12 practices for this pursuit can then open new avenues of thought and self-image. As a result, you can become a more insightful, better leader.

3.  The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People , by Stephen R. Covey

“If I really want to improve my situation, I can work on the one thing over which I have control: myself.” ― Stephen Covey

So many of us are outwardly successful, but still find ourselves wrestling with our inner habits. Enter bestselling author Covey’s seven habits to help you become more productive, build stronger relationships, and focus on priorities.

4. The Untethered Soul , by Michael Singer

The Untethered Soul is one of the most philosophical and spiritual leadership books available. It can help you pursue your inward journey by observing your ego self more objectively and dispassionately. By untethering yourself from the automatic thoughts and emotions that limit your conscious awareness, you can open the door to growth . 

5. Immunity to Change , by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey

This book offers an approach to change that can help you get unstuck from patterns that no longer serve you. By understanding your goals and what behaviors get in the way, you can release them and find the path forward.

6. Lean In , by Sheryl Sandberg

In Lean In , former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg shares practical tips to help women succeed at home and in the workplace . The book is a compelling read backed by hard data and research, inspiring many women to take more risks and boldly pursue their goals.

7. Man’s Search for Meaning , by Victor Frankl

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.” 

This quote from the author, who survived Nazi concentration camps, sums up the essence of this book quite nicely. 

8. GO: Put Your Strengths To Work , by Marcus Buckingham

Buckingham proposes that our strengths are those things that energize us (and make us stronger) and weaknesses are those things that drain our energy. Through that lens, we can look past our learned skills to our authentic talents.

9. The Five Thieves of Happiness , by John Izzo

Izzo’s main premise is that our natural state is happiness, yet there are forces at work to steal it from us. He names the five thieves as control, conceit, coveting, consumption, and comfort. Understanding the thieves lays a path back to happiness, or at least contentedness.

10. The Power of Meaning , by Emily Esfahani Smith

In The Power of Meaning , Smith teaches that ‘meaning’ and ‘purpose’ are not synonymous. Instead, purpose is but one of four pillars of meaning. The other three are belonging, storytelling, and transcendence. Each of us has a unique mix of these pillars that creates meaning in our lives. 

Knowing that allows us to apply ourselves more consciously to increase our sense of meaning, and thus increase engagement in our work. As leaders, we may also try to understand what gives our team members meaning.

11. How to Win Friends and Influence People , by Dale Carnegie

"Success in dealing with people depends on a sympathetic grasp of the other person’s viewpoint." - Dale Carnegie

Every successful leader knows that empathy is crucial to team collaboration. If you can’t connect on a deeper level with your employees, you’ll struggle to get results from them. Carnegie’s book is a roadmap to building that skill.

12. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us , by Daniel H. Pink 

13. Tomorrowmind,  by Gabriella Rosen Kellerman and Martin Seligman

Navigating today's workplace can be challenging. With increasing fluctuations in workplace wellness, economic uncertainty, and work environments, flourishing can seem like an uphill battle. In their future-forward book, Seligman and our very own CPO, Gabriella Kellerman, have analyzed hundreds of thousands of workers in global industries to identify five psychological powers that are critical for workplace thriving in the 21st century. In their book, they offer actionable advice and science-backed insights to help leaders and their teams thrive.

The best leadership books for people managers 

Once you know how to manage yourself and your career , you’re ready to become an effective leader and manager. This is tricky, though, because leading people is about more than practical communication skills. There are many theories on what makes a great leader .

You’ll need to work on leadership traits like accountability and trustworthiness, as well as concrete things like managing poor performance and holding productive meetings . 

To help you learn both, here are the best leadership and business books for anyone in charge of managing a team .

14. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership , by John C. Maxwell

“True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned. It comes only from influence, and that cannot be mandated. It must be earned.” - John C. Maxwell

Maxwell is a widely respected author and speaker with over 30 years of leadership experience. In this foundational book, he shares the core, timeless laws of leadership that you’ll be sure to reference many times over the course of your career. 

15. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win , by Leif Babin and Jocko Willink 

In this bestselling leadership book, U.S. Navy Seal Officers Willink and Babin share lessons learned on the battlefield. Using their experience as leaders of the most highly decorated special forces unit in the Iraq war, they teach readers powerful strategies to succeed in life and at work. 

16. True North , by Bill George

True North is about the art of leading others. According to George, True North is “the internal compass that guides you successfully through life. It represents who you are as a human being at your deepest level. It is your orientation point that helps you stay on track as a leader.” In short, this is a guidebook for authenticity in leadership .

17. Dare to Lead , by Brené Brown 

In this book, prolific author Brené Brown works to answer the question that early-stage startups, Fortune 500 companies, and everyone in between is asking: “How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders, and how do you embed the value of courage in your culture?” The insights gained from her research will be sure to help you become a better, bolder, and more empathetic leader for your team.

18. Primal Leadership , by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee

Primal Leadership is all about the importance of emotionally intelligent leadership. In addition to offering practical advice, the authors address why great leaders need self-awareness and empathy in our increasingly technologically complex and oft-uncertain world. 

19. Beyond the Wall of Resistance , by Rick Maurer

Maurer is a change management advisor who understands that you have to overcome inevitable resistance in order for change to happen. He provides a compelling description of three levels of resistance: “I don’t understand it” (a knowledge gap); “I don’t like it” (an emotional gap); and “I don’t like you” (a trust gap). Then he explores strategies to make successful changes more often.

20. Five Dysfunctions of a Team , by Patrick Lencioni

“Remember, teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability.” -Patrick Lencioni

This book is important for teams looking to overcome the five common “dysfunctions”: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability , and inattention to results. When leaders carry a clear understanding of these five behaviors and how to remedy them, they are more likely to identify and correct them.

21. The 11 Laws of Likability , by Michelle Lederman 

This book explores the 11 laws that contribute to how likable someone is, and the success they will have networking and building relationships. The power in the laws comes from finding the ones most authentic to us and using them to tailor our engagement with others. 

The best books for organizational leaders 

The most senior business leaders in an organization are responsible for defining the company’s mission, values, culture, and strategy. The following books address many of these topics, for organizational leaders and those who want to become them.

22. Conscious Business , by Fred Kofman 

"Consciousness is the main source of organizational greatness." - Fred Kofman

This bestseller describes conscious business as transferring our conscious values as individuals into our work, and even better, into company values . It explores expressing values, understanding boundaries, communicating constructively, effective negotiations, and more.

23. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap , by Jim Collins

"Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice." - Jim Collins

Good to Great is a classic, must-read leadership book. In it, Collins outlines the research-based principles that separate consistent market segment outperformers from other companies with equal opportunity to do the same. 

It also provides insights into what makes a successful leadership team, how to build a culture of discipline, and how technology and analytics can make a difference in an organization's growth – when used correctly.

24. Start with Why, by Simon Sinek

Simon Sinek is an inspirational speaker and author best known for Start with Why . In the book, Sinek outlines his leadership theory , which is called the Golden Circle theory. Basically, he argues companies need to go beyond the practical benefits of what they offer. Instead of focusing on the “what,” they should turn their attention to “why?” This is because as Sinek says, “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”

25. Leaders Eat Last , by Simon Sinek

After the success of Start with Why , Sinek continued his work with the New York Times bestseller Leaders Eat Last. Using true stories from Sinek’s work with the military, big business, and beyond, the book unpacks the idea that the best leaders sacrifice for their teams. Instead of operating solely from self-interest, they foster cooperation, trust, and safety.

26. Dealing with Darwin , by Geoffrey Moore

The core of this book is about understanding what gives organizations market power, and why it is difficult to find the resources to exploit those traits. The “core vs. context” framework of this book is brilliant in its ability to define the true power of your company, how to release resources for pursuing that advantage, and the implications for managing the strengths of your organizational talent pool .

27. How to Be an Anti-Racist , by Ibram Kendi 

When social injustices exist at the levels they do today, simply not being racist isn’t enough — one must be anti-racist. Kendi has a great knack for reducing this charged topic to a set of definitions and dimensions surrounding racism. 

This allows for more rational, and less emotional, discussions about dealing with racist policies and ideas rather than racists. The book contains a blueprint for organizations that want to re-examine their approach to inclusion and unconscious bias .

28. Moneyball , by Michael Lewis

Moneyball is a book about market disruption and competitive strategy. It chronicles the low-budget 2002 Oakland Athletics team and how they disrupted their industry with new approaches that gave them a distinct competitive advantage. That is until the industry changed.

Disruption sounds harsh, and it can be, both to your competitors and to your team who may be stuck in “old ways.” That said, good change management creates an opportunity for added market power.

29. The Hard Thing About Hard Things , by Ben Horowitz

“That’s the hard thing about hard things—there is no formula for dealing with them.” - Ben Horowitz

Ben Horowitz is a successful Silicon Valley founder and investor. His book is one of the best guidebooks out there for entrepreneurs , whether they’re just starting out or raising their final round of funding. Even if you’re not building a company from scratch, Horowitz provides great insights on mindset, business strategy, and old-fashioned hard work. 

Moving forward

Whether it’s audiobooks, e-books, or hard copies, consuming leadership books is one of the best ways to grow your skills and accelerate leadership training . — and your business. The most important thing is to take the time to prioritize learning from the many amazing business leaders who came before you.

Lead with confidence and authenticity

Develop your leadership and strategic management skills with the help of an expert Coach.

Ian Munro is a BetterUp Fellow Coach. Ian's passion in life is facilitating progress for others by synthesizing separate ideas and concepts into new ways of moving forward. As a Coach, he helps others find their authentic vitality and ways to let that lead the way in their life and career. Ian is a happy denizen of Vancouver Island off the west coast of Canada. His career as a leader in various business facets of IT allowed him to build a broad context of what makes businesses tick. He's never had a book speak to his true self as much as Fred Kofman’s Conscious Business (Brené Brown’s Gifts of Imperfection comes close).

Shift 2018: reimagining work and bringing more meaning to the employee experience

Data shows since pandemic team performance hinges on this leader skill, the key mindsets sales leaders need to unlock success: q&a with brad mccracken, global vp of sales at betterup, 5 top companies share their best leadership development practices, how leadership coaching helps leaders get (and keep) an edge, boss versus leader: develop the skills to bring out the best of both, leading people as people, a conversation with cynt marshall, ceo of the dallas mavericks, professional leadership skills to incorporate on your resume, become a better leader by learning how to stop micromanaging, similar articles, 8 destructive myths about millennials in the workplace, 15 of the best leadership podcasts for professional growth, redefining professionalism in the workplace, become a great leader with these 10 tips, 13 imposter syndrome books from psychologists and coaches, how to develop google's top 7 leadership competencies, build the career you want. these 12 books will show you how, 14 self-help books for every challenge, 20 books for personal growth in 2024, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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Educational Leadership

Time for Change: Four Essential Skills for Transformational School and District Leaders

• Educational Leadership Development for Change Management
• By: Anthony Muhammad, Luis F. Cruz
• Narrated by: Peter Coates
• Length: 4 hrs and 10 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 3
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 2
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 2

Time for Change: Four Essential Skills for Transformational School and District Leaders (Educational Leadership Development for Change Management) offers powerful guidance for those seeking to develop and strengthen the educational leadership skills needed for change management. Throughout this authoritative guide, Anthony Muhammad and Luis F. Cruz share concrete tools and strategies that will prepare you to lead your school toward lasting, meaningful change.

• 5 out of 5 stars

Practical Guidance

• By Anonymous User on 05-11-24
• By: Anthony Muhammad , Luis F. Cruz
• Release date: 09-29-23
• Language: English
• 5 out of 5 stars 3 ratings

Time for Change: Four Essential Skills for Transformational School and District Leaders offers powerful guidance for those seeking to develop and strengthen the educational leadership skills needed for change management....

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Regular price: $14.95 or 1 credit

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Dare to Lead

• Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
• By: Brené Brown
• Narrated by: Brené Brown
• Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 29,168
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 24,864
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 24,589

Brené Brown has spent the past two decades studying the emotions and experiences that give meaning to our lives, and the past seven years working with transformative leaders and teams spanning the globe. She found that leaders in organizations ranging from small entrepreneurial startups and family-owned businesses to nonprofits, civic organizations, and Fortune 50 companies all ask the same question: How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders, and how do you embed the value of courage in your culture? This audiobook answers this question.

Brené's Work Has Changed My Life

• By Maximus on 01-12-19
• Release date: 10-09-18
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 29,168 ratings

Brené Brown has spent the past two decades studying the emotions and experiences that give us meaning. She found that leaders all ask the same question: How do you cultivate braver leaders and how do you embed the value of courage in your culture? Dare to Lead answers this....

Regular price: $18.00 or 1 credit

Sale price: $18.00 or 1 credit

Leaders Eat Last

• Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't
• By: Simon Sinek
• Narrated by: Simon Sinek
• Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 4,366
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 3,685
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 3,644

Too many workplaces are driven by cynicism, paranoia, and self-interest. But the best ones foster trust and cooperation because their leaders build what Sinek calls a "Circle of Safety" that separates the security inside the team from the challenges outside. Sinek illustrates his ideas with fascinating true stories that range from the military to big business, from government to investment banking.

• 1 out of 5 stars

Very Disappointed

• By Jackson F. on 10-16-20
• Release date: 02-18-20
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 4,366 ratings

Too many workplaces are driven by cynicism, paranoia, and self-interest. But the best ones foster trust and cooperation because their leaders build what Sinek calls a "Circle of Safety" that separates the security inside the team from the challenges outside....

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: 25th Anniversary

• Follow Them and People Will Follow You
• By: John C. Maxwell
• Narrated by: John C. Maxwell, Henry O. Arnold
• Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 651
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 548
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 545

HarperCollins and John C. Maxwell are celebrating the milestone anniversary of Maxwell’s bestselling The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership , with the publication of a revised and updated 25th anniversary edition. Included are insights from Maxwell on each law and how they have impacted his life as a leader and mentor. There will also be stories from some of today’s most impactful leaders, like IT Cosmetics' Jamie Kern Lima, Maxwell Leadership CEO Mark Cole, and author and marketing expert Jeff Henderson, on how they have applied these laws to their own success journeys.

Very intriguing views.

• By Jason Frampton on 11-11-22
• Narrated by: John C. Maxwell , Henry O. Arnold
• Release date: 05-31-22
• 5 out of 5 stars 651 ratings

HarperCollins and John C. Maxwell are celebrating the milestone anniversary of Maxwell’s New York Times bestselling book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership , with the publication of a revised and updated 25th anniversary edition....

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Leading the Unleadable

• How to Manage Mavericks, Cynics, Divas, and Other Difficult People
• By: Alan Willett
• Narrated by: Tom Parks
• Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins
• Overall 4 out of 5 stars 170
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 142
• Story 4 out of 5 stars 143

Difficult people are the worst part of a manager's job. Whether it comes from direct reports or people above, outbursts, irrational demands, griping, and other disruptions need to be dealt with - and it's your responsibility to do it. Leading the Unleadable turns this dreaded chore into a straight forward process that gently, yet effectively, improves behaviors.

Almost nothing to do with difficult people

• By Amazon Customer on 05-25-18
• Release date: 11-29-16
• 4 out of 5 stars 170 ratings
• Once you realize the potential for change, the book's simple steps, examples, and scripts explain how to right even the most hopeless situations....

Regular price: $20.00 or 1 credit

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Start with Why

• How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action
• Length: 7 hrs and 18 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 26,970
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 22,911
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 22,764

The inspirational best seller that ignited a movement and asked us to find our why. Discover the book that is captivating millions on TikTok and that served as the basis for one of the most popular TED Talks of all time - with more than 56 million views and counting. Over a decade ago, Simon Sinek started a movement that inspired millions to demand purpose at work, to ask what was the why of their organization. Since then, millions have been touched by the power of his ideas, and these ideas remain as relevant and timely as ever.

• 2 out of 5 stars

Useless Dribble

• By Chimdi Azubuike on 03-10-18
• Release date: 09-05-17
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 26,970 ratings

The inspirational best seller that ignited a movement and asked us to find our why. Discover the book that is captivating millions on TikTok and that served as the basis for one of the most popular TED Talks of all time - with more than 56 million views and counting....

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• Every Student. Every Day. Whatever It Takes.
• By: Jimmy Casas, Salome Thomas-EL
• Narrated by: Jimmy Casas
• Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 443
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 380
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 375

Average schools don't inspire greatness - and greatness is what our world needs if we are going to produce world-changing learners. In Culturize , author and education leader Jimmy Casas shares insights into what it takes to cultivate a community of learners who embody the innately human traits our world desperately needs, such as kindness, honesty, and compassion. His stories reveal how these "soft skills" can be honed while meeting and exceeding academic standards of 21st-century learning.

stick with this one

• By WinthropCunningham on 03-03-19
• By: Jimmy Casas , Salome Thomas-EL
• Release date: 06-30-18
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 443 ratings

Average schools don't inspire greatness - and greatness is what our world needs if we are going to produce world-changing learners. In Culturize , author and education leader Jimmy Casas shares insights into what it takes to cultivate a community of learners....

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The Listening Leader

• Creating the Conditions for Equitable School Transformation
• By: Shane Safir, Michael Fullan - Foreword
• Narrated by: Rachel L. Jacobs
• Length: 10 hrs and 54 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 43
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 33
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 33

The Listening Leader is a practical guide that will inspire school, district, and teacher leaders to make substantive change and increase equitable student outcomes. Rooted in the values of equity, relationships, and listening, this luminous book helps reimagine what is possible in education today. Drawing from more than 20 years of experience in public schools, Shane Safir incorporates hands-on strategies and powerful stories to show us how to leverage one of the most vital tools of leadership: listening.

Practical daily steps

• By Amazon Customer on 04-08-24
• By: Shane Safir , Michael Fullan - Foreword
• Release date: 08-27-19
• 5 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

The Listening Leader is a practical guide that will inspire school, district, and teacher leaders to make substantive change and increase equitable student outcomes.... 

Regular price: $17.19 or 1 credit

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Educational Leadership and School Instructional Improvement

• By: Paul F. Davis
• Narrated by: Virtual Voice
• Length: 1 hr and 33 mins
• Overall 0 out of 5 stars 0
• Performance 0 out of 5 stars 0
• Story 0 out of 5 stars 0

Learn the foundational values, beliefs, and principles that uphold and guide effective educational leaders and their schools. Cultivate and sustain a positive culture within your academic community that effectively articulates your vision and purpose for academic instruction, curriculum, assessment, and achievement. Align and direct staff and teachers to collaborate to accomplish annual objectives. Plan and provide meaningful professional development to improve instructional strategies and increase student achievement. Assist teachers to clarify school and classroom instructional goals, ...

• Release date: 02-24-24
• Not rated yet
• Learn the foundational values, beliefs, and principles that uphold and guide effective educational leaders and their schools. Cultivate and sustain...

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Talk to Me: Find the Right Words to Inspire, Encourage, and Get Things Done

• By: Kim Bearden
• Narrated by: Kim Bearden
• Length: 4 hrs and 15 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 162
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 134
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 133

Talk to me. From Kim Bearden, cofounder of Ron Clark Academy and author of the best-selling book Crash Course: The Life Lessons My Students Taught Me , comes a powerful guide for improving communication and building better relationships. Whether you are a teacher, administrator, parent, or business professional, chances are you struggle at times to find the right words. Talk to Me gives you those words. In this instructional and inspirational handbook, you’ll learn how to choose words that inspire, encourage, and move people to action.

• 4 out of 5 stars

Wonderful, practical principles

• By annygries on 02-20-19
• Release date: 08-31-18
• 5 out of 5 stars 162 ratings

Talk to me. From Kim Bearden, cofounder of Ron Clark Academy and author of the best-selling book Crash Course: The Life Lessons My Students Taught Me , comes a powerful guide for improving communication and building better relationships....

Regular price: $16.44 or 1 credit

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What Great Principals Do Differently

• 18 Things That Matter Most, Second Edition
• By: Todd Whitaker
• Narrated by: Steve Marvel
• Length: 4 hrs and 25 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 223
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 175
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 172

Inspire yourself and others with the second edition of this best-seller. With heartfelt advice, practical wisdom, and examples from the field, Todd Whitaker explains the qualities and practices that distinguish great principals.

Great for new leaders

• By Tyffany Jackson on 07-19-19
• Release date: 01-29-19
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 223 ratings

Inspire yourself and others with the second edition of this best-seller. With heartfelt advice, practical wisdom, and examples from the field, Todd Whitaker explains the qualities and practices that distinguish great principals....

Regular price: $11.17 or 1 credit

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Hacking School Discipline

• 9 Ways to Create a Culture of Empathy and Responsibility Using Restorative Justice (Hack Learning Series)
• By: Nathan Maynard, Brad Weinstein
• Narrated by: Brian Holden
• Length: 4 hrs and 37 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 133
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 110
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 106

Are you or your teachers frustrated with carrots and sticks, detention rooms, and suspension-antiquated school discipline practices that simply do not work with the students entering our classrooms today? Our kids have complex needs, and we must empower and embrace them with restorative practices that not only change behaviors but transform students into productive citizens, accountable for their own actions.

teacher and admin must read!

• By Jahart08 on 11-13-21
• By: Nathan Maynard , Brad Weinstein
• Release date: 05-29-20
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 133 ratings

In a book that should become your new blueprint for school discipline, teachers, presenters, and school leaders, Nathan Maynard and Brad Weinstein demonstrate how to eliminate punishment and build a culture of responsible students and independent learners....

The Principal

• Three Keys to Maximizing Impact
• By: Michael Fullan
• Narrated by: Don Hagen
• Length: 4 hrs and 3 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 151
• Performance 4 out of 5 stars 130
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 124

Over the past two decades, Michael Fullan has written influentially about the change that school and district leaders must bring about as formalized achievement standards and new technology transform how schools are run. What he hasn't done until now is explore and discuss in detail how and why the principal's role itself must change.

very inspiring and concrete for educational leader

• By kristen hardy on 06-27-16
• Release date: 08-26-15
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 151 ratings
• Over the past two decades, Michael Fullan has written influentially about the change that school and district leaders must bring about....

Regular price: $21.48 or 1 credit

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The Art of Coaching

• Effective Strategies for School Transformation
• By: Elena Aguilar
• Narrated by: Emily Ellet
• Length: 10 hrs and 29 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 100
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 80
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 77

This practical resource offers the foundational skills and tools needed by new coaching educators, as well as presenting an overview of the knowledge and theory base behind the practice. Established coaches will find numerous ways to deepen and refine their coaching practice. Principals and others who incorporate coaching strategies into their work will also find a wealth of resources. Aguilar offers a model for transformational coaching which could be implemented as professional development in schools or districts anywhere.

Equity coaching

• By J. Gary Casey on 07-28-23
• Release date: 08-13-19
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 100 ratings

This practical resource offers the foundational skills and tools needed by new coaching educators, as well as presenting an overview of the knowledge and theory base behind the practice....

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Small Teaching

• Everyday Lessons from the Science of Learning
• By: James M. Lang
• Narrated by: Daniel Thomas May
• Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 102
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 81
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 80

Research into how we learn has opened the door for utilizing cognitive theory to facilitate better student learning. But that's easier said than done. Many books about cognitive theory introduce radical but impractical theories, failing to make the connection to the classroom. In Small Teaching , James Lang presents a strategy for improving student learning with a series of modest but powerful changes that make a big difference - many of which can be put into practice in a single class period.

Why is there no accompanying PDF????

• By Esben on 12-04-19
• Release date: 06-11-19
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 102 ratings

Research into how we learn has opened the door for utilizing cognitive theory to facilitate better student learning. But that's easier said than done. Many books about cognitive theory introduce radical but impractical theories, failing to make the connection to the classroom....

The Ten-Minute Inservice

• 40 Quick Training Sessions that Build Teacher Effectiveness
• Narrated by: Edward Bauer, Annette Breaux
• Length: 4 hrs and 21 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 19
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 16
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 16

Written by popular education consultants Todd Whitaker and Annette Breaux, this important book offers 40 teacher-tested, mini-workshops that can improve teaching in every classroom. The book covers a range of topics, from behavior challenges and parent engagement to motivating students and making lessons meaningful.

Great for New Administrators

• By Amber Wineinger on 07-09-23
• Narrated by: Edward Bauer , Annette Breaux
• Release date: 07-09-19
• 5 out of 5 stars 19 ratings

Written by popular education consultants Todd Whitaker and Annette Breaux, this important book offers 40 teacher-tested, mini-workshops that can improve teaching in every classroom. The book covers a range of topics, from behavior challenges and parent engagement to motivating students....

Lead Like a Pirate

• Make School Amazing for Your Students and Staff
• By: Shelley Burgess, Beth Houf
• Narrated by: Shelley Burgess, Beth Houf
• Length: 5 hrs and 11 mins
• Overall 5 out of 5 stars 119
• Performance 5 out of 5 stars 98
• Story 5 out of 5 stars 97

Pirates are on a constant quest for riches, but pirate leaders seek even greater rewards: Amazing schools, engaged students, and empowered educators who know they are making a difference. In Lead Like a Pirate , education leaders Shelley Burgess and Beth Houf map out the character traits necessary to captain a school or district. You'll learn where to find the treasure that's already in your classrooms and schools - and how to bring out the very best in your educators.

• By Tina on 06-21-23
• By: Shelley Burgess , Beth Houf
• Narrated by: Shelley Burgess , Beth Houf
• Release date: 02-14-20
• 5 out of 5 stars 119 ratings

Pirates are on a constant quest for riches, but pirate leaders seek even greater rewards: Amazing schools, engaged students, and empowered educators who know they are making a difference....

Regular price: $19.95 or 1 credit

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Go See the Principal

• True Tales from the School Trenches
• By: Gerry Brooks
• Narrated by: Gerry Brooks, Angela Gonzales
• Length: 5 hrs and 4 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 347
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 304
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 301

Gerry Brooks is an elementary school principal turned YouTube celebrity who entertains K-12 teachers, administrators, and parents across the country. He tells jokes with the kind of mocking humor that gets a laugh yet can be safely shared in school. After all, even great schools have bad days - when lesson plans fall through, disgruntled parents complain, kids throw temper tantrums because they have to use the same spoon for their applesauce and mashed potatoes, and, of course, dealing with... The Horror! The Horror!... dreaded assessments.

• By Mrs. Dorminey on 07-06-19
• Narrated by: Gerry Brooks , Angela Gonzales
• Release date: 04-30-19
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 347 ratings

Gerry Brooks is an elementary school principal turned YouTube celebrity who entertains K-12 teachers, administrators, and parents across the country. He tells jokes with the kind of mocking humor that gets a laugh yet can be safely shared in school....

Regular price: $14.81 or 1 credit

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• Changing Lives by Disrupting the Educational Norm
• By: Hamish Brewer
• Narrated by: Hamish Brewer, Kevin Stillwell, Jennifer Nittoso
• Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 153
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 132
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 129

Hamish Brewer (aka the Tattooed Skateboarding Principal) grew up in a home disrupted by poverty, addiction, and family dysfunction. He understands the feelings of fear, lostness, and desperation that overwhelm too many children today - because that was his life. That experience is what drives him to work relentlessly to empower people living in the toughest areas to envision and create a better future for themselves. Disrupt the norm. That is the challenge Hamish, a Nationally Distinguished Principal, calls educators, students, families, and communities to accept.

STRONG Leadership, "Documentaryish"

• By Brian on 11-16-19
• Narrated by: Hamish Brewer , Kevin Stillwell , Jennifer Nittoso
• Release date: 10-03-19
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 153 ratings

Hamish Brewer (aka the Tattooed Skateboarding Principal) grew up in a home disrupted by poverty, addiction, and family dysfunction. He understands the feelings of fear, lostness, and desperation that overwhelm too many children today - because that was his life....

Hacking Leadership

• 10 Ways Great Leaders Inspire Learning That Teachers, Students, and Parents Love (Hack Learning Series)
• By: Joe Sanfelippo, Tony Sinanis
• Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor
• Length: 4 hrs and 30 mins
• Overall 4.5 out of 5 stars 64
• Performance 4.5 out of 5 stars 53
• Story 4.5 out of 5 stars 50

In Hacking Leadership , award-winning school administrators Joe Sanfelippo and Tony Sinanis demonstrate how to increase learning by leaving the office and engaging directly with all teachers and learners. They identify 10 problems with school leadership and provide dynamic, right-now solutions.

Easy read with simple practical suggestions

• By JA Montanez on 11-25-23
• By: Joe Sanfelippo , Tony Sinanis
• Release date: 05-26-20
• 4.5 out of 5 stars 64 ratings

In Hacking Leadership , award-winning school administrators Joe Sanfelippo and Tony Sinanis demonstrate how to increase learning by leaving the office and engaging directly with all teachers and learners....

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Education Rankings by Country 2024

There is a correlation between a country's educational system quality and its economic status, with developed nations offering higher quality education.

The U.S., despite ranking high in educational system surveys, falls behind in math and science scores compared to many other countries.

Educational system adequacy varies globally, with some countries struggling due to internal conflicts, economic challenges, or underfunded programs.

While education levels vary from country to country, there is a clear correlation between the quality of a country's educational system and its general economic status and overall well-being. In general, developing nations tend to offer their citizens a higher quality of education than the least developed nations do, and fully developed nations offer the best quality of education of all. Education is clearly a vital contributor to any country's overall health.

According to the Global Partnership for Education , education is considered to be a human right and plays a crucial role in human, social, and economic development . Education promotes gender equality, fosters peace, and increases a person's chances of having more and better life and career opportunities.

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." — Nelson Mandela

The annual Best Countries Report , conducted by US News and World Report, BAV Group, and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania , reserves an entire section for education. The report surveys thousands of people across 78 countries, then ranks those countries based upon the survey's responses. The education portion of the survey compiles scores from three equally-weighted attributes: a well-developed public education system, would consider attending university there, and provides top-quality education. As of 2023, the top ten countries based on education rankings are:

Countries with the Best Educational Systems - 2021 Best Countries Report*

Ironically, despite the United States having the best-surveyed education system on the globe, U.S students consistently score lower in math and science than students from many other countries. According to a Business Insider report in 2018, the U.S. ranked 38th in math scores and 24th in science. Discussions about why the United States' education rankings have fallen by international standards over the past three decades frequently point out that government spending on education has failed to keep up with inflation.

It's also worthwhile to note that while the Best Countries study is certainly respectable, other studies use different methodologies or emphasize different criteria, which often leads to different results. For example, the Global Citizens for Human Rights' annual study measures ten levels of education from early childhood enrollment rates to adult literacy. Its final 2020 rankings look a bit different:

Education Rates of Children Around the World

Most findings and ranking regarding education worldwide involve adult literacy rates and levels of education completed. However, some studies look at current students and their abilities in different subjects.

One of the most-reviewed studies regarding education around the world involved 470,000 fifteen-year-old students. Each student was administered tests in math, science, and reading similar to the SAT or ACT exams (standardized tests used for college admissions in the U.S.) These exam scores were later compiled to determine each country's average score for each of the three subjects. Based on this study, China received the highest scores , followed by Korea, Finland , Hong Kong , Singapore , Canada , New Zealand , Japan , Australia and the Netherlands .

On the down side, there are many nations whose educational systems are considered inadequate. This could be due to internal conflict, economic problems, or underfunded programs. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's Education for All Global Monitoring Report ranks the following countries as having the world's worst educational systems:

Countries with the Lowest Adult Literacy Rates

• Education rankings are sourced from both the annual UN News Best Countries report and the nonprofit organization World Top 20

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Which country ranks first in education?

Which country ranks last in education, frequently asked questions.

• Best Countries for Education - 2023 - US News
• Literacy rate, adult total (% of people ages 15 and above) - World Bank
• World Best Education Systems - Global Citizens for Human Rights
• UNESCO - Global Education Monitoring Reports
• World’s 10 Worst Countries for Education - Global Citizen
• International Education Database - World Top 20