6 Books That Are Changing How Leaders Think in 2026
- Kristi Royse
- Jul 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 8
One of the habits I consistently see among strong leaders is their commitment to
learning.
Great leaders stay curious. They read widely. They expose themselves to ideas that
challenge how they think about leadership, people, and decision making.
Reading is not simply about gathering information. It sharpens judgment, expands
perspective, and strengthens the mindset required to lead well.
Below are six books that continue to influence how leaders think about strategy, culture,
and leadership today. These are books I often recommend to executives who want to
grow not just as managers of work, but as leaders of people.
If you are looking for thoughtful reading this year, these are excellent places to start!
In Strong Ground, Brené Brown explores what it means to lead with courage and
stability in a world that often feels uncertain and fast moving.
Her work encourages leaders to develop an internal foundation rooted in self
awareness, values, and discipline so they can lead with clarity even when
circumstances are unpredictable.
Why it matters for leaders:
Many executives feel pressure to appear certain and decisive at all times. Brown
reminds us that leadership strength often comes from something deeper than certainty.
It comes from staying grounded when the answers are not immediately clear.
This book challenges the traditional way leaders think about growth.
Instead of incremental improvement, Sullivan and Hardy encourage leaders to think
about transformative change. When leaders aim for dramatic growth rather than small
improvements, they often simplify their priorities and focus only on the activities that
truly matter.
Why it matters for leaders:
Many organizations become trapped in incremental thinking. A 10X mindset forces
leaders to rethink strategy, eliminate unnecessary complexity, and focus on what
creates the greatest impact.
Based on extensive research into high performing CEOs, CEO Excellence examines
the behaviors that distinguish the most effective leaders.
The authors highlight six key responsibilities of exceptional CEOs, including setting
direction, aligning the organization, and engaging the board.
Why it matters for leaders:
Leadership at the highest level is rarely about doing more. It is about focusing on the
few responsibilities that matter most and executing them with discipline.
Global teams are now the norm in many organizations, and cultural misunderstandings
are one of the most common sources of leadership friction.
Erin Meyer’s The Culture Map provides a powerful framework for understanding how
people communicate, give feedback, and make decisions across cultures.
Why it matters for leaders:
Leaders today must navigate teams that span countries, perspectives, and
communication styles. Meyer’s work helps leaders recognize that many challenges are
not personality issues but cultural differences.
Marshall Goldsmith delivers one of the most important lessons for successful
professionals.
The skills that helped you get promoted are often not the skills required to succeed at
the next level.
Leaders who continue to grow must be willing to examine habits, behaviors, and
assumptions that may now be limiting their effectiveness.
Why it matters for leaders:
Leadership growth often requires letting go of behaviors that once defined success and
developing a new leadership identity.
Simon Sinek challenges the traditional idea that leadership is about winning.
Instead, he argues that leadership is about playing the “infinite game” by building
organizations that can adapt, endure, and evolve over time.
Why it matters for leaders:
Organizations that focus only on short term results often sacrifice culture and long term
sustainability. Leaders who adopt an infinite mindset make decisions that strengthen
their organization over time.
A Reflection for Leaders
As you consider what to read next, one question may be helpful.
What leadership capability do you most want to strengthen right now?
Strategic thinking
Communication and influence
Building stronger teams
Navigating uncertainty
The right book at the right time can shift how we see our work and how we lead others.
The Work I Do With Leaders
I work with leaders and leadership teams who want to strengthen alignment,
communication, and accountability.
My work typically focuses on two areas:
Executive coaching for senior leaders who want to expand their leadership impact,
strengthen executive presence and navigate complex leadership challenges.
Leadership team facilitation that helps teams build trust, improve communication, and
create stronger accountability through structured conversations and retreats.
These conversations often lead to clearer decisions, stronger collaboration, and more
effective leadership across the organization.
What Leaders Say
“Kristi has a unique ability to ask the questions that shift how leaders think. Our conversations consistently lead to better decisions and stronger leadership across the team.”
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