Recommended Reading for Leaders

A curated list of books to deepen your leadership, theology, cultural awareness, and professional development.

Leadership Books

1. Live to Be Forgotten – Patrick Fung
A call to humble, servant-hearted leadership that centers the gospel over personal recognition.

2. Boundaries for Leaders – Dr. Henry Cloud
Explores how leaders create emotional and operational environments where people thrive.

3. Necessary Endings – Dr. Henry Cloud
Teaches when and how to let go—for growth, health, and leadership clarity.

4. On Becoming a Leader – Warren Bennis
Classic insights on authenticity, vision, and the inner journey of leadership.

5. HBR’s 10 Must Reads on Managing People
Top Harvard Business Review articles on motivating and developing high-performing teams.

6. Spiritual Leadership – J. Oswald Sanders
A timeless classic on servant leadership, character formation, and the spiritual dimensions of guiding others.

7. Jesus’ Hidden Years…and Yours – Alicia Britt Chole
Explores the value of hidden seasons in shaping deep, enduring leadership.

8. The Five Temptations of a CEO – Patrick Lencioni
Identifies traps that derail leadership and how to avoid them with self-awareness.

9. The Advantage – Patrick Lencioni
Argues that organizational health is the single greatest advantage in leadership today.

10. The Emotionally Healthy Leader – Peter Scazzero
Explores how inner life transformation shapes lasting, Christlike leadership—from decision-making to team culture and boundaries.

11. The Path – Laurie Beth Jones
Guides readers through creating mission statements aligned with purpose and faith.

12. Dare to Lead – Brené Brown
Brings vulnerability, courage, and emotional intelligence into the leadership conversation.

13. The Effective Executive – Peter Drucker
Drucker’s classic on how executives make decisions, manage time, and lead with focus and integrity.

Spiritual Growth Books

1. The Pursuit of God – A.W. Tozer
A classic invitation to seek God with intensity and intimacy.

2. The Practice of the Presence of God – Brother Lawrence
Simple wisdom on walking with God in everyday life.

3. The Believer’s Authority – Kenneth E. Hagin
Teaches about spiritual authority rooted in Christ’s victory.

4. Sit, Walk, Stand – Watchman Nee
A short study on identity and maturity in Christ.

5. Spiritual Leadership – Oswald Sanders
Timeless principles on godly leadership grounded in character and calling.

6. Confessions – Augustine
A spiritual autobiography rich with theological depth and raw honesty.

7. The Four Loves – C.S. Lewis
Explores the nature of love through storge, philia, eros, and agape.

8. Into the Silent Land – Martin Laird
A guide into contemplative prayer and encountering God through silence.

9. Joni: An Unforgettable Story – Joni Eareckson Tada
A powerful testimony of suffering, faith, and perseverance.

10. Knowing God – J.I. Packer
Foundational theology that invites deep relationship with God.

Missiology & Global Church

1. Jesus Among Other Gods – Ravi Zacharias
Compares Christ to other world religions with clarity and compassion.

2. Contagious Disciple Making – David Watson
Explores reproducible discipleship and church-planting movements.

3. The Book That Made Your World – Vishal Mangalwadi
Examines the Bible’s transformative influence on global civilization.

4. Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally – David Hesselgrave
A foundational work on mission strategy and contextualization.

5. Planting Churches Cross-Culturally – David Hesselgrave
A guide to building healthy, indigenous churches in diverse settings.

6. A Public Faith – Miroslav Volf
Explores how Christian faith can shape public life with humility and grace.

7. Culture Making – Andy Crouch
Encourages Christians to engage and shape culture intentionally and redemptively.

Professional Development

1. The Lean Startup – Eric Ries
Introduces agile principles for launching products and learning from failure fast.

2. Innovation and Entrepreneurship – Peter Drucker
A foundational text on creating value through innovation.

3. Good to Great – Jim Collins
Reveals the traits and decisions that make organizations truly exceptional.

4. The Effective Executive – Peter Drucker
Focuses on time management, priorities, and decision-making for leaders.

5. Making of a Leader – J. Robert Clinton
A biblical framework for understanding the stages of leadership development.