Unpopular Leadership Books I've Read and Loved

Some of the most influential books I’ve read aren’t written by the great leadership authors we know like Adam Grant, James Clear, Simon Sinek, and Brené Brown, etc.

In my most humble of opinions, I believe any book can be a leadership book. There are plenty of fiction stories I’ve read that have sparked creativity and beautifully written narratives about strong female leads that have influenced who I am today.

I’m also willing to bet that any parent, grandparent, or babysitter reading this could think of at least one or two children’s stories with underlying life lessons for adults… Well, maybe not Goodnight Moon. I have yet to find any correlation between saying “goodnight” to inanimate objects and my success as a business owner.

However, while I’ve read a lot of the “popular” books written by well-known thought leaders, I’ve also found wisdom in “unpopular” leadership books that aren’t trending on socials and I want to introduce you to them.

In no particular order…

Humor, Seriously: Why Humor Is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life by Jennifer Aaker & Naomi BagdonasI try my very best not to take myself too seriously. Running a business is serious work, but I have a fun personality and I want my clients to sense that in our interactions. This book breaks down the importance of humor in the workplace and why incorporating levity into your business can be a powerful tool. 

Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman by the creator of Patagonia, Yvon ChouinardLet me tell you one thing I am not and that is outdoorsy. Despite that, I found the origin and philosophies behind Patagonia to be one of the most interesting business stories I’ve ever read. Even if you, like me, don’t care about fly fishing, camping, or scaling a mountain, Yvon writes in depth about Patagonia’s philosophies including Marketing, Product Design, Finances, and Human Resources (including their maternity leave principles!) that are untraditional and inspiring. Bonus: There’s lots of pictures!

The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney CompanyI lied. I think this book is actually more popular than the others, but I had to add it in here. Obviously, most anything Disney touches is going to be brilliant and inspiring. Their business model makes children’s dreams come true and parent’s wallets hurt. That’s when you know you’re doing something right. This book is a leadership memoir in which Bob Iger shares his influences and business principles behind running one of the most iconic companies of all time. I highly recommend it. 

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain – This is not a book you would find in the “leadership” section of a bookstore. As a raging introvert myself, it has taken years for me to get comfortable with marketing my business in any way online. But, I’ve found that one of the best things I can do for myself as a leader is to know myself. Quiet helped me better understand how my introversion is my superpower, not a professional setback. 

(Note: You might not be an introvert yourself, but you could be married to one or raising one. This book is for you, too.)

I could go on and on with this list, but I am going to stop myself here. 

You don’t have to be an avid reader to be successful at what you do. If you don’t like the popular books everyone’s hyping up, you simply don’t have to read them.

Find the books, articles, Substacks, newsletters, or magazine publications that spark creativity, energize your passions, and influence your work. 

If you need more recs in the fiction or nonfiction space, I am your girl.

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