Reading Recap: The Leadership Books That Left a Lasting Impact in 2024
The previous year is behind us, and we are off and running into the new one. Before we completely leave last year in the rearview mirror, I wanted to share some highlights of my reading list from last year. I did read a few other books outside this list, one or two fiction books, and a few re-reads that I skimmed through. These are the standouts from last year, all of which I would recommend to anyone who is seeking new ideas, books that make you think, or to expand your horizons in different areas.
Mark Miller emphasizes the importance of consistent habits and practices for achieving success. Drawing on practical advice and inspiring stories, this book provides actionable steps to build daily disciplines that lead to extraordinary outcomes.
I am a big fan of Mark Miller’s work. His books are usually easy to read and digest. Told in parable form, this is a quick read with a simple message around consistency and routines that anyone can apply.
Know What Matters: Lessons from a Lifetime of Transformations by Ron Shaich
The Panera Bread founder shares personal and professional insights on how to navigate change and make decisions that align with your values. This book is a roadmap for leaders seeking clarity and purpose while driving transformation in their organizations and lives.
This was a bit of a surprise for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I heard Ron Shaich on a podcast and wanted to learn a little more. His new book had just come out, so I picked it up. There are a ton of helpful lessons on how he helped to build Panera Bread into the business we know today.
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg
Charles Duhigg delves into the art of effective communication, teaching readers how to foster meaningful connections through storytelling, empathy, and clarity. This book offers tools to enhance collaboration, leadership, and personal relationships.
It was exciting to see a new book from Duhigg. I enjoy his writing approach, and this did not disappoint. This is a book I will come back to again to review and re-learn the ideas he shares about different ways to communicate and connect.
Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport
Cal Newport introduces a new paradigm of productivity that prioritizes meaningful work over sheer output. By adopting a slow and deliberate approach, readers can achieve high-impact results without falling into the traps of overwork and burnout.
Another good productivity book. Newport has an opinion on how the world should work, and simplification is high on his list. This builds on concepts from Deep Work, and A World Without Email. It is definitely worth the read.
Uncommon Greatness: Lessons from Leaders Who Changed the World by Mark Miller
This book highlights the qualities and decisions that distinguish great leaders. Mark Miller shares stories of influential figures to inspire readers to adopt leadership practices that foster lasting impact and meaningful success.
A cornerstone in the study of accountability, this book teaches individuals and organizations how to overcome blame culture and focus on taking responsibility to achieve results. The authors provide tools to create a culture of accountability and drive performance.
This is an oldie but goodie. There is a lot of practical wisdom that comes from understanding above the line and below the line thinking. If you like this one, you’ll love QBQ, The Question Behind the Question. It is also about personal accountability.
Written by the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, this book explores how exceptional hospitality can transform businesses and relationships. Guidara shares stories and strategies for creating remarkable customer experiences by going above and beyond expectations.
This would be my vote for book of the year. It is an outstanding read full of fresh perspectives on how you can approach the concept of customer experiences.
Feel Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You by Ali Abdaal
Ali Abdaal presents a refreshing take on productivity, emphasizing a balance between effectiveness and joy. The book offers techniques to prioritize meaningful tasks, break free from burnout, and create a fulfilling workflow that aligns with personal goals.
Ali got his start on productivity on YouTube while studying to become a doctor. His ideas are very down-to-earth and can be used by anyone. If you want a good view on modern productivity, this is the book for you.
Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant
This book explores how overlooked talents and unconventional traits can drive exceptional success. Adam Grant provides evidence-based insights on how to unlock potential in yourself and others by embracing the untapped strengths that traditional systems often ignore.
Grant’s books are a nice blend between studies and reality. It is a nice follow-up to his other works like Originals, and Think Again.
How Leaders Learn: Master the Habits of the World's Most Successful People by David Novak
In this insightful book, David Novak, co-founder and former CEO of Yum! Brands, explores the habits and mindsets that set exceptional leaders apart. Drawing from his own experiences and interviews with world-renowned leaders, Novak provides practical strategies for developing self-awareness, cultivating relationships, and fostering a culture of continuous learning. The book emphasizes actionable insights to help leaders at all levels unlock their full potential and inspire others to do the same.
This was another surprise for me, as I was unfamiliar with David Novak in any detail prior to reading this book. Actually, what got me started was finding his podcast of a similar name, How Leaders Lead. (More on that below.) This book was full of small nuggets of information that can be used in any industry for any leader. This is another highly recommended title.
Podcast find of the year
As noted above, I came across David Novak and his podcast How Leaders Lead while looking for new leadership-based podcasts. The podcast is published weekly and is generally an hour-long interview with a current CEO or high-level executive about how they lead their company and life. The format is similar each week, which provides a nice foundation for what to expect, but the differences and what can be learned from each CEO each week is remarkable. For something that feels like it could get boring or repetitive, it is not. I have even wondered if I’d be interested in the episode, since I do not always recognize the CEO he is interviewing. However, I have yet to listen to a week when I didn’t find myself fully engrossed in the information being shared and conversation between David and the guest. It is well worth the time investment to get insights from top leaders across the country. He also does a follow-up podcast, Three More Questions, which publishes each Monday and is a quick overview and summary of the previous week’s discussion. It offers additional insights and David’s take on the conversation. I also find this worthwhile to listen to weekly. It runs less than fifteen minutes in most cases.
That is a look back at the highlights of my reading from 2024, plus a bonus on a new podcast that connects to one of the books. My plan for 2025 is to read a similar number of books. I do have a few lined up to begin the year, two of which are from David Novak and are earlier works published over the past several years. I really enjoyed his insights and approach, and I look forward to reading those to start the year. It is too early to tell if there will be any big names with books for 2025, though I did see a new title coming from Dan Heath (co-author of Made to Stick, Decisive, and The Power of Moments). I’ll be excited to read his new work. I will also try to continue to work in a few fiction books this coming year as well. Happy reading in the year ahead.
What were your favorite reads of 2024?
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