It’s that time of the month. A month to look at some great books for you to read, process, and grow from.
This month, I wanted to bring you a list that will help you become a more empathetic leader. I hope these books will do just that.
Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash
5 Leadership Books To Read In December 2025
1. Further Along the Road Less Traveled: The Unending Journey Towards Spiritual Growth by M. Scott Peck:
Do you know the issues that challenge all of us? M. Scott Peck examines the issues he believes greatly impact us. Those areas are:
- Spirituality
- Forgiveness
- Relationships
- Growing up
Peck will challenge you to look at things through a different lens. Maybe a less simplistic view than you’ve held for a long time.
His words will help you understand that relationships are simpler than you think, yet so much more complex.
2. Social Intelligence: The New Science of Human Relationships by Daniel Goleman:
Daniel Goleman wrote the great book Emotional Intelligence. He also wrote another, lesser-known book: Social Intelligence.
In it, Goleman helps readers understand how our interactions with those we lead, our spouses, and friends or family deeply impact us. As we also deeply impact others.
Goleman helps you understand the foundations of social interaction. He also helps you understand how to use them to find win-win situations.
Read this great book by buying a copy here.
3. The Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You by Elaine N. Aron:
Do you struggle with anxiousness? Do you get easily overwhelmed? Or do you lead people who do?
In her book, Elaine Aron helps readers understand there’s more to being sensitive than the negative issues that are constantly brought up. You can thrive even in overwhelm.
Her book has been around for a while. Over 25 years! It’s helped thousands of people lead better.
4. Mountains Beyond Mountains: Healing the World: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer by Tracy Kidder:
Tracy Kidder recounts the life of Dr. Paul Farmer. Farmer had a calling. He desired to cure infectious diseases. He also wanted to bring those cures and tools to those who needed them the most.
Kidder shares how Farmer made a difference in the world. He did this by interacting with politics, social systems, and disease.
See how Farmer’s story can impact your leadership.
5. Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big by Bo Burlingham:
So many companies are focused on growth. How quickly can they ramp up sales? How fast can they go from zero to 100? How can they increase their footprint?
But Bo Burlingham studied and found something interesting. There are companies out there who are focused on being great instead of being big.
And they’re winning.
What if you don’t have to be big to win? What if you don’t have to see extreme growth? What if you can be great by doing what is right?
