Good books are like a balm to the soul. They help nourish, equip, and grow us. The more we read (and implement), the more we can increase our leadership effectiveness.
If you exclude high-volume readers, most people read only a handful of books in their lifetimes. That’s a travesty.
There’s a wealth of wisdom in books. And I know you’re not one of those people who finished school and no longer read. You’re reading this, after all.
Let’s take a look at 5 books leaders should read in March 2026.
5 Leadership Books To Read In March 2026
1. Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg:
What’s Supercommunicators about? Charles Duhigg explores what creates genuine connection. Mostly revolving around conversations and communications. In the book, Duhigg identifies three types of conversations: practical (“What’s This Really About?”), emotional (“How Do We Feel?”), and social (“Who Are We?”).
You’ll find these core insights within the book:
- The Matching Principle: Effective communication requires recognizing which conversation type is happening and matching it
- Supercommunicators align their brain activity with others through synchronization of mood, energy, and communication style
- Deep questions that explore values and beliefs create vulnerability and connection
- Most miscommunication happens when people are in different conversation types without realizing it
If you want to dive in deeper, don’t hesitate to pick up a copy. You can get it from your local library or Amazon or wherever books are sold.
2. The Making Of A Manager: What To Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhuo:
The idea of being called a manager comes with a lot of negative connotations. Many times, that’s due to poor training, bad past experiences, and more. But what if you could turn around the idea of what it means to be a manager?
Julie Zhuo became a manager at Facebook at 25 with zero training. The Making Of A Manager shares what she learned building an influential design team, addressing the real anxieties of new managers. It’s a great read for those starting out in management or leadership.
What you will walk away with after reading the book: Great management means enabling your team to achieve better outcomes together than individually. Success = team growth + trust + excellent work.
3. Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things by Adam Grant:
What does it take to achieve great things? There are a lot of myths out there about success. One of those is the myth of natural talent. What if that was wrong? What if there was more to achieving than your innate skills?
Adam Grant challenges the myth in Hidden Potential. Your skills, especially character skills, will take you further than your innate ability. Don’t discount:
- Proactivity
- Discipline
- Learning agility
These character skills are what will help you go further than you thought possible.
4. Lead Bigger: The Transformative Power of Inclusion by Anne Chow:
Anne Chow, former CEO of AT&T Business, argues that inclusion isn’t just an HR initiative—it’s a strategic leadership capability that drives innovation, performance, and competitive advantage. This book moves beyond diversity metrics to practical inclusion strategies.
Chow gives us a framework she calls LEAD. LEAD stands for:
L – Listen to Learn
- Active listening beyond waiting to speak
- Curiosity about perspectives different from yours
- Creating space for quieter voices
E – Embrace Discomfort
- Growth happens outside comfort zones
- Productive conflict vs. destructive conflict
- Psychological safety with accountability
A – Act with Authenticity
- Leading with your whole self
- Vulnerability as strength
- Consistency between values and behavior
D – Drive Results
- Inclusion as business strategy, not charity
- Measuring what matters
- Accountability for inclusive outcomes
Let’s start leading with inclusion. If you want to grow in this area, this book is for you.
Your copy is waiting for you here.
5. Wooden on Leadership by John Wooden:
John Wooden was a legendary UCLA basketball coach. He brought the school 10 NCAA championships in 12 years. In Wooden On Leadership, he shares his leadership philosophy. What is that philosophy?
Success comes from building character, emphasizing fundamentals, and focusing on what you can control.
I’ve never been a huge sports fan. However, I have been a Wooden fan because his work transcends the world of sports into the wider world of leadership.
Learn from Wooden by picking up his book today.
