5 Books to Level-Up Your Leadership

Leadership is difficult. 

If anyone tries to convince you otherwise, be weary of their influence on you.

In this article, I want to offer you 5 books that will level-up your leadership. 

These are books that will:

• Address the inner life of a leader
• Equip you to lead groups of people well
• Inspire you to push through the difficult times that come when you lead

5 Books to Level-Up Your Leadership

Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership

By Ruth Haley-Barton

Why you should read this: 

The spiritual life of a leader is of vital importance. So often, us leaders (especially pastors) pour ourselves out for others and then live without much left in our own tanks. Ruth will help you nourish your soul as you lead.

Leadership: In Turbulent Times

By Doris Kearns Goodwin

Why you should read this:

There are times in our lives when things get tough. Times like the last few years especially. And it is in those times of crisis that it can feel most difficult and most isolating to lead in. What I have found is that sometimes I don’t need more prescriptive insight, I need some stories of how others have led through difficult times themselves. That’s what this book will give you.

The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business

By Patrick Lencioni

Why you should read this:

Some of the worst leadership stories are ones I hear from fellow pastors. Stories of dysfunctional leadership and church cultures that are anything but healthy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The great opportunity before us is to level-up our organizational leadership acumen.

Now, before you pick up your pitchfork and argue with me about “the church isn’t an organization,” let me address that. An organization is a group of people working together toward a common goal. The church, whether you like it or not, is a group of people working toward a common goal. It is an organization. To be sure, it’s more than that. I agree. But here's my point: There are things we can learn from books like this (especially when we filter it through our ecclesiology and take what’s valuable and leave the rest alone).

The Emotionally Healthy Leader

By Peter Scazzero

Why you should read this:

In a similar vein as Ruth Haley-Barton, Peter Scazzero helps leaders take steps toward holistic discipleship and holistic spiritual health. He seeks to get below the surface in the life of leaders and he accomplishes it. As leaders, we are to do what we do from an overflow of our life with God. This book will help you do that in your specific context.

Boundaries for Leaders

By Dr. Henry Cloud

Why you should read this:

Quite simply, this book will help you gain clarity on what it means to be a leader and what it doesn’t mean to be a leader. This should be required reading for any person who seeks to influence a group of people. 

[Free Download] The Intentional Pastor's Roadmap

There's a reason 80-85% of churches are either plateaued or declining. One word: leadership. Or to be even more specific: a lack of leadership.

Too many pastors in too many churches are living Sunday to Sunday. They go an entire year without any distinct focus beyond making sure Sundays happen. 

And their leadership team? They provide minimal leadership help.

But that doesn't have to be your church's story.

In this Roadmap, I'm going to show you the path to lead with clarity and direction.

Click here to get your copy of The Intentional Pastor's Roadmap.

_{This article contains affiliate links as part of the Amazon Associates Program which means if you click through and make a purchase I get a small commission. I only recommend products I love!}