12 new leadership books, recommended by Adam Grant

May 21, 2021

This article first appeared on LinkedIn.

Some reading recommendations. Image: Unsplash/Nick Fewings

Adam Grant

Saul P. Steinberg Professor of Management and Psychology, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Bestselling author and organizational psychologist Adam Grant says reading a great book is 'a great investment.'
Below, he's hand 12 recommendations on leadership.

Reading a great book is a great investment: in two hours, you can soak up the lessons that it took the authors at least two years to digest and distill.

Here are some of the exciting new books to kick off the summer:

Have you read?

1. Dedicated by Pete Davis

A brilliant book about one of the defining predicaments of our time: the temptation to keep our options open.

Preview: Pete gave one of my favorite commencement speeches

2. Fear Less by Pippa Grange

A top sports psychologist shares rich insights on facing fear and building resilience from her experience working with elite athletes (and being one).

Preview: Pippa’s conversation with Brené Brown on anxiety, perfectionism, and courage

3. Noise by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony, and Cass Sunstein

Some of the world’s greatest behavioral scientists illuminate a hidden force that clouds our judgment and undermines our decisions.

Preview: my interview with Danny on why he doesn’t trust your intuition

4. The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul

An acclaimed science journalist demystifies how our most important thinking often happens outside our heads.

Preview: Annie’s article on rethinking intelligence

5. The Promises of Giants by John Amaechi

The psychologist and former NBA player offers powerful perspectives on self-awareness, vulnerability, potential, and presence.

Preview: my conversation with John on building inclusive cultures

6. The Heart of Business by Hubert Joly

The inside scoop from the CEO who led the remarkable revitalization of Best Buy with a focus on people and purpose.

Preview: Hubert’s article on shaking things up as a new boss

7. How to Change by Katy Milkman

One of the most prolific scholars of behavior change examines what it takes to close the gap between our actions and our aspirations.

Preview: Katy’s Choiceology podcast

8. Subtract by Leidy Klotz

An architectural engineering and behavioral science researcher pinpoints a gap in our mental math: we’re constantly adding tasks, commitments, and possessions to our lives while neglecting to subtract any.

Preview: Leidy’s interview on why less is more

9. Digital Body Language by Erica Dhawan

A dynamic entrepreneur shows how we can avoid playing games of telephone and communicate more clearly over text, email, and social media.

Preview: Erica’s post on geriatric Millennials (for the record, I identify as a baby Gen Exer—also known as an Oregon Trail Xennial)

10. The Way Out by Peter T. Coleman

The perceptive psychologist who runs a Difficult Conversations Lab reveals how to escape toxic polarization.

Preview: Peter’s article on how crisis can lead to post-shock reconciliation

11. All In by Billie Jean King

The tennis champ and pioneering activist releases her long-awaited memoir.

Preview: watch Battle of the Sexes

12. In the Heights by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Quiara Alegría Hudes, and Jeremy McCarter

I watched an early screener of the film and found it deeply moving, and the book is a window into how truly creative minds think and lead.

Preview: watch the movie trailer

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