Decoding Management: The Best 17 Books On Managing People
Diving into books on managing people can feel like diving into a well of never ending knowledge and suggestion.
I've taken a look at management books, from bestsellers to niche business books. In the process, there are some key things that I look for. Case studies and practical lists have are particularly impactful guides, teaching you how to be an effective leader.
If you aim to hone leadership skills, develop management prowess, or build trust—you're in the right place.
If you're more of a podcast person on other hand, we have covered management podcasts on the site as well.
17 Best Books on Managing People
Having read numerous titles, I've handpicked the best books on managing people tailored to address your leadership challenges.
- Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
- Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
- First, Break All The Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham and Gallup Organization
- Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
- The New One Minute Manager by Kenneth H. Blanchard and Spencer Johnson
- High Output Management by Andrew S. Grove
- The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhuo
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
- Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
- The First-Time Manager by Jim McCormick
- Primal Leadership: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, Richard E. Boyatzis, and Annie McKee
- Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 by John C. Maxwell
- Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle
- Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box by The Arbinger Institute
Overviews Of The 17 Best Books on Managing People
Here’s a quick summary of each book, what you’ll learn, and why you should read it, plus a quote I like from the book. I added the author’s LinkedIn and other places to connect with them online.
1. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown
Summary:
Brené Brown decodes the anatomy of leadership by delving into what leadership truly means. She emphasizes the power of vulnerability and the essence of courage in creating a leader who not only leads but also inspires.
What You'll Learn:
The significance of vulnerability in leadership, techniques to foster brave conversations, and how to inspire with wholehearted leadership.
Why You Should Read It:
To redefine your understanding of leadership and equip yourself with the skills to lead courageously and effectively.
Quote From The Book:
"Leadership is not about titles or the corner office. It’s about the willingness to step up, put yourself out there, and lean into courage."
About The Author:
Brené Brown is a research professor, author, and renowned speaker. Connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on Twitter, or visit her personal website.
2. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Summary:
Dale Carnegie's timeless classic offers profound wisdom on human relations. It teaches readers the essential interpersonal skills to win friends, influence people, and achieve personal and professional success.
What You'll Learn:
Fundamental techniques for handling people, ways to make people like you, and strategies to influence others' opinions and actions.
Why You Should Read It:
For anyone aiming to improve their interpersonal skills, increase their influence, and establish genuine human connections.
Quote From The Book:
"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you."
About The Author:
Dale Carnegie was a pioneer in public speaking and personality development. Explore more about his works on Amazon.
3. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
Summary:
Pink examines the three elements of true motivation—autonomy, mastery, and purpose. He challenges the traditional rewards-based approach and presents a new paradigm that can transform our personal and professional lives.
What You'll Learn:
The outdatedness of the carrot-and-stick approach to motivation, the importance of autonomy, mastery, and purpose, and how to implement a new framework for motivation in modern times.
Why You Should Read It:
To understand the driving factors behind human motivation and discover how to harness them effectively.
Quote From The Book:
"People use rewards expecting to gain the benefit of increasing another person’s motivation and behavior, but in so doing, they often incur the unintentional and hidden cost of undermining that person’s intrinsic motivation toward the activity."
About The Author:
Daniel H. Pink is a bestselling author and renowned expert on work, leadership, and behavior. Engage with his insights on LinkedIn, follow him on Twitter, or delve deeper into his works at his personal website.
4. Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek
Summary:
Simon Sinek delves deep into the heart of effective leadership by focusing on a simple principle: leaders serve their team members. Drawing on real-world examples, Sinek showcases the power of this transformative idea.
What You'll Learn:
The importance of creating an environment of trust and collaboration, the role of leadership in ensuring team success, and how to foster a culture where people feel valued and protected.
Why You Should Read It:
To gain a fresh perspective on leadership and understand the pivotal role of trust and empathy in creating successful teams.
Quote From The Book:
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader."
About The Author:
Simon Sinek is a motivational speaker, leadership expert, and best-selling author. Engage with his insights on LinkedIn, follow him on Twitter, or explore his teachings on his personal website.
5. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
Summary:
Patrick Lencioni presents a compelling fable, followed by a model for overcoming the common hurdles that teams face. He underscores the importance of trust, conflict resolution, commitment, accountability, and collective results.
What You'll Learn:
How to identify the five dysfunctions plaguing a team, strategies for overcoming these challenges, and the art of building cohesive and effective teams.
Why You Should Read It:
To arm yourself with actionable insights on fostering a culture of collaboration and ensuring your team operates at its peak potential.
Quote From The Book:
"Trust is knowing that when a team member does push you, they're doing it because they care about the team."
About The Author:
Patrick Lencioni is a renowned speaker, consultant, and author specializing in team dynamics and organizational health. Engage with his teachings on LinkedIn, and stay updated on Twitter.
6. First, Break All The Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham and Gallup Organization
Summary:
This groundbreaking work, based on extensive Gallup research, shatters many prevalent management myths. It provides a clear roadmap for exceptional management based on the behaviors of top-performing managers.
What You'll Learn:
The characteristics that set apart the world's best managers, strategies to play to employees' strengths, and the importance of measuring and boosting employee engagement.
Why You Should Read It:
To embrace a counter-intuitive approach to management that drives outstanding performance and employee satisfaction.
Quote From The Book:
"Talented employees need great managers. The talented employee may join a company because of its charismatic leaders, its generous benefits, and its world-class training programs, but how long that employee stays and how productive he is while he is there is determined by his relationship with his immediate supervisor."
About The Author:
Marcus Buckingham is a global researcher, thought leader, and best-selling author. Engage with him on LinkedIn, and follow him on Twitter.
7. Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
Summary:
Kim Scott champions a fresh approach to effective leadership, emphasizing a blend of challenge and care, thereby ensuring communication is both direct and empathetic.
What You'll Learn:
Techniques to cultivate candid conversations without forgoing compassion, the pivotal role of feedback in management, and the importance of forging genuine relationships in the workplace.
Why You Should Read It:
To revolutionize the way you lead, communicate, and build relationships within your organization.
Quote From The Book:
"Radical Candor is humble, it's helpful, it's immediate, it's in person — in private if it's criticism and in public if it's praise — and it doesn't personalize."
About The Author:
Kim Scott has been an advisor at Dropbox, Kurbo, Qualtrics, Shyp, Twitter, and several other tech companies. She’s also a leadership coach and a widely recognized expert in her domain. Connect with her on LinkedIn, follow her on Twitter, or explore her insights on her personal website.
8. The New One Minute Manager by Kenneth H. Blanchard and Spencer Johnson
Summary:
Kenneth H. Blanchard and Spencer Johnson provide a modern take on the classic One Minute Manager concept, introducing concise methods for modern leadership.
What You'll Learn:
The foundations of the One Minute techniques, how to efficiently set clear goals, the art of timely praise, and the significance of constructive feedback.
Why You Should Read It:
To equip yourself with time-tested, quick strategies that adapt seamlessly to today's dynamic managerial landscape.
Quote From The Book:
"The best minute I spend is the one I invest in people."
About The Author:
Kenneth H. Blanchard is a prominent leadership expert and author, with several bestselling titles to his credit. Dr. Spencer Johnson was a revered physician and writer, celebrated for his transformational books. Dive deeper into Blanchard's thoughts on his personal website.
9. High Output Management by Andrew S. Grove
Summary:
Andrew S. Grove's seminal work deciphers the essence of management. Through his experiences at Intel, he offers a detailed road map to enhance productivity and foster innovation.
What You'll Learn:
The core tenets of high output management, strategies to optimize team productivity, and the nuances of decision-making and problem-solving in a corporate setting.
Why You Should Read It:
To glean insights from a tech industry titan and elevate your management style to match the demands of the modern corporate world.
Quote From The Book:
"Just as you would not permit a fellow employee to steal a piece of office equipment, you shouldn't let anyone walk away with the time of his fellow managers."
About The Author:
Andrew S. Grove was the former Chairman and CEO of Intel Corporation. A pioneer in the semiconductor industry, Grove was acclaimed for his leadership and his instrumental role in the growth and success of Intel.
10. The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhuo
Summary:
Julie Zhuo presents a candid journey from her early days as a new manager at Facebook to her experiences as a top product design executive. With anecdotes and actionable advice, Zhuo demystifies the art of management.
What You'll Learn:
Key principles for guiding teams to greatness, balancing guidance and autonomy, and practical advice for handling difficult management situations.
Why You Should Read It:
For a refreshing, real-world guide on mastering the transitions and challenges of leadership from one of tech's most respected managers.
Quote From The Book:
"The best managers are people who are incredibly good at learning from others, who adopt a beginner's mindset, and who are naturally curious."
About The Author:
Julie Zhuo is the former VP of Product Design at Facebook and is known for her thoughtful insights into leadership and design. Follow her on Twitter, and explore more on her personal website.
11. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Summary:
Stephen R. Covey's iconic book explores a principle-centered approach to resolving both personal and professional challenges. With timeless wisdom, Covey offers a framework for attaining one's objectives and enriching the quality of life.
What You'll Learn:
The seven habits that drive personal and interpersonal effectiveness, methods to transition from dependence to interdependence, and strategies for continuous growth and improvement.
Why You Should Read It:
To internalize habits that have transformed the lives of millions and to shape a path toward consistent effectiveness.
Quote From The Book:
"Begin with the end in mind."
About The Author:
The late Stephen R. Covey was a globally recognized authority on leadership and personal transformation. His insights continue to influence millions. Learn more from his organization FranklinCovey.
12. Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
Summary:
Simon Sinek introduces a compelling model based on the golden circle. He argues that successful individuals and organizations think, act, and communicate by starting with "why."
What You'll Learn:
The significance of understanding your "why," how to inspire action through purpose, and the art of leading with a vision.
Why You Should Read It:
To rediscover the power of purpose in leadership and to inspire unwavering loyalty and innovation.
Quote From The Book:
"People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it."
About The Author:
Simon Sinek is a visionary thinker, author, and inspirational speaker. Engage with his insights on LinkedIn, follow him on Twitter, or visit his personal website.
13. The First-Time Manager by Jim McCormick
Summary:
Jim McCormick provides invaluable insights for those transitioning into managerial roles, equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to confidently steer their teams.
What You'll Learn:
Foundational skills for management, from team motivation to effective delegation, and how to sidestep common first-time manager pitfalls.
Why You Should Read It:
To lay a strong groundwork for your managerial journey, ensuring you're well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
Quote From The Book:
"Management's job is not to be the smartest person in the room but to lead smart people."
About The Author:
Jim McCormick has garnered a wealth of experience in leadership roles and shares his expertise through his writings. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
14. Primal Leadership: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, Richard E. Boyatzis, and Annie McKee
Summary:
This seminal work uncovers the profound influence of Emotional Intelligence (EI) in leadership, presenting a compelling case for its pivotal role in successful leadership.
What You'll Learn:
The foundational elements of emotional intelligence and its application in leadership, and actionable strategies for cultivating and harnessing EI.
Why You Should Read It:
To delve deep into the essence of transformative leadership and to embrace emotional intelligence as a cornerstone of effective leadership.
Quote From The Book:
"But the reality is much more primal: Great leadership works through the emotions."
About The Author:
Daniel Goleman is renowned for popularizing the concept of emotional intelligence. Richard E. Boyatzis and Annie McKee are both distinguished authors and scholars in the field of leadership. Discover more about Goleman's work on his personal website.
15. Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 by John C. Maxwell
Summary:
In this updated classic, John C. Maxwell offers enriched insights and principles to aid individuals in realizing their leadership potential.
What You'll Learn:
Key traits that define transformative leaders, personalized strategies to nurture your leadership style, and methodologies to empower and inspire your team.
Why You Should Read It:
To tap into and refine your inherent leadership capabilities, setting you on a path to become a leader who leaves a lasting impact.
Quote From The Book:
"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way."
About The Author:
John C. Maxwell is a leadership luminary, with multiple best-selling books to his credit. His teachings have inspired millions globally. Engage with his insights on LinkedIn, catch his latest thoughts on Twitter, or delve deeper into his wisdom on his personal website.
16. Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle
Summary:
The book unfurls the genius of Bill Campbell, a beacon of wisdom in Silicon Valley, whose coaching transformed the trajectories of several tech giants. Through detailed accounts and personal anecdotes, the authors bring Campbell's unique leadership approach to life.
What You'll Learn:
The essence of Bill Campbell's leadership philosophy, techniques to foster resilient teams, and the indispensable role of human-centric leadership.
Why You Should Read It:
To assimilate leadership insights from the hidden coach behind many of Silicon Valley's triumphs and to champion a leadership style deeply rooted in relationships and authenticity.
Quote From The Book:
"Leadership is about recognizing that there's a greatness in everyone, and your job is to create an environment where that greatness can emerge."
About The Author:
Eric Schmidt was the former CEO and Chairman of Google. Jonathan Rosenberg served as the Senior Vice President of Google, and Alan Eagle has been a director at Google since 2007. Connect with Eric on Twitter, Alan on LinkedIn, and Jonathan on Twitter.
17. Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box by The Arbinger Institute
Summary:
This enlightening narrative delves deep into the realms of self-deception and its impact on leadership. The book articulates how leaders often unknowingly obstruct their paths, and offers the tools to liberate themselves from these confines.
What You'll Learn:
The intricacies of self-deception in leadership, pathways to unshackle oneself from these self-imposed chains, and the pivotal role of authenticity and connection in leadership.
Why You Should Read It:
To unearth and confront the latent barriers you unknowingly set up in your leadership journey, and to foster a leadership environment of genuine connection and collaboration.
Quote From The Book:
"The more sure I am that I'm right, the more likely I will actually be mistaken."
About The Author:
The Arbinger Institute has carved a niche for itself in the realms of leadership development and organizational transformation. Their transformative methodologies and unique paradigms on leadership continue to inspire leaders worldwide. Engage with their thought leadership on LinkedIn or explore their profound insights on the Arbinger Institute Website.
Mastering Management Is A Journey
I value your insights and experiences. If there are any books on managing people that you believe should have made the list, please share your recommendations. Your input will enrich our collective understanding of leadership and management.
Further resources to help you advance as a manager and leader:
- The Ultimate List: 17 Best Organizational Psychology Books
- 25 Leadership Books For New And Experienced Leaders
- Mastering Management: The 18 Best Books for New Managers
- The 22 Best Leadership Conferences
- 10 Best Leadership Development Programs To Grow Future Leaders
- Strategic Success: Best Business Management Books Unveiled
- Lead with Brevity: The 18 Must-Read Short Leadership Books