Top 8 leadership books of 2025 so far

Whether you’re managing a team or leveling up your own skills, these eight leadership books are among this year’s most essential reads.

The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance

By Zach Mercurio

Filled with practical advice and helpful exercises, The Power of Mattering gives leaders at all levels the skills they need to revitalize their teams—and entire organizations—by showing people that they matter. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Zach Mercurio, in the Next Big Idea App, or view on Amazon.

The Doors You Can Open: A New Way to Network, Build Trust, and Use Your Influence to Create a More Inclusive Workplace

By Rosalind Chow

Carnegie Mellon organizational behavior researcher Rosalind Chow, PhD, introduces the novel concept of sponsorship. While mentorship can change mentees for the better through valuable coaching and encouragement, sponsorship takes it one step further—sponsors can change the social environment around their protégés by actively advocating for, raising the social visibility of, and protecting them. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Rosalind Chow, in the Next Big Idea App, or view on Amazon.

Meaningful Work: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee

By Wes Adams and Tamara Myles

A powerful revelation that finding meaning at work is the true driver of employee well-being, high performance, and even profit, and a practical road map to make it the cornerstone of your leadership approach. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by coauthors Wes Adams and Tamara Myles, in the Next Big Idea App or view on Amazon.

Managing Up: How to Get What You Need From the People in Charge

By Melody Wilding

A career coach’s indispensable guide to navigating power dynamics, building effective relationships with higher-ups, and earning more authority, freedom, and confidence at work. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Melody Wilding, in the Next Big Idea App, or view on Amazon.

You’re the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)

By Sabina Nawaz

Turn the hidden pressures of management into astonishing results and become the boss everyone wants to work for. This must-read guide from elite executive coach Sabina Nawaz reveals the leadership secrets of highly successful managers. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Sabina Nawaz, in the Next Big Idea App, or view on Amazon.

Masters of Uncertainty: The Navy SEAL Way to Turn Stress into Success for You and Your Team

By Rich Diviney

Retired Navy SEAL commander and performance expert Rich Diviney reveals a revolutionary method for training individuals and teams to perform at their best, no matter what. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Rich Diviney, in the Next Big Idea App, or view on Amazon.

No One Is Self-Made: Build Your Village to Flourish in Business and Life

By Lakeysha Hallmon

This inspirational guide dares to dismantle the myth of individualism and reveals how collective support can shatter systemic barriers to success. It’s a bold road map for entrepreneurs and leaders determined to rewrite the rules of business. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Lakeysha Hallmon, in the Next Big Idea App, or view on Amazon.

Why Are We Here?: Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants

By Jennifer Moss

A deeply human account of how our relationship with work has changed and a guide for leaders who want to make things right. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Jennifer Moss, in the Next Big Idea App, or view on Amazon.

This article originally appeared in Next Big Idea Club magazine and is reprinted with permission.