Leadership resources you need to know (and use)
Leadership is an ongoing journey, and staying equipped with the right tools, frameworks, and insights can make all the difference.
In this article, I’ve curated a list of essential leadership resources, from books to apps and frameworks, that every leader should have in their toolkit. I’ve also shared why I love them and how they can help you become a more effective leader.
Books that shape Leaders
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek - brilliant exploration of the connection between great leadership and creating environments of trust and cooperation. Sinek’s perspective reminds us that leadership isn’t about titles - it’s about fostering a safe space where teams can thrive. It’s a must-read for building people-first leadership skills.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni - this book provides a practical framework for diagnosing and addressing common challenges in team dynamics. Whether you’re leading a/in startup or an established organization, it’s a go-to resource for building cohesive teams.
Radical Candor by Kim Scott - a game-changer for leaders and quite frankly - for anyone and everyone who struggle with giving feedback. This is the Feedback Playbook. A field manual. A quick guide to have & keep with you. Scott’s approach to balancing care and challenge teaches leaders how to foster trust without avoiding difficult conversations.
The Culture Map by Erin Meyer - this book is the holly bible of cross-cultural communication. Whether you need to motivate employees, delight clients, or simply organize a conference call among members of a cross-cultural team, the eight dimensions featured in The Culture Map will help you improve your effectiveness. This book changed my whole career and helped me redefine my communication style. I recommend it with my whole heart to anyone, not just leaders. It’s practical. It works.
Bonus: On Erin Meyer’s website, there are 3 amazing tools that you can use for further helping you master your communication: country mapping, team mapping and your own personal profile.
Relevant: Future-Focused Leadership by Louise Mowbray - a roadmap for leaders navigating an unpredictable, AI-infused world, providing "future-focused lenses" to make sense of complexity.
Start With Why by Simon Sinek - makes the points that great leaders inspire people by focusing on the "why" behind their work rather than using manipulation or intimidation.
Daring Greatly by Brené Brown - Brené Brown reframes vulnerability as a strength, showing how it fuels courage, empathy, and creativity. The book explores how embracing vulnerability transforms leaders and builds cultures of trust and connection.
Good Power: Leading Positive Change in Our Lives, Work, and World - published in 2023 by former IBM CEO Ginni Rometty, this book blends memoir with leadership lessons. Rometty traces her journey from first-time manager to leading IBM through high-stakes decisions, sharing insights on how business can be a force for the greater good and a driver of societal and global change.
Apps to keep you focused and organized
Opal
Created by a former colleague of mine, Opal is my go-to app for removing distractions. This app is a mental health guardian. I get asked all the time, "Benonica, how do you get so much done without getting distracted?" My two secrets: I plan meticulously and time-block on my calendar and I use Opal to block social media, notifications, and distractions on my phone. It’s a game-changer for staying focused and disciplined. This app is amazing. Tap this link or use my referral code "BNR2B" for a 1-month free guest pass!
Calm App
Leadership can be stressful, after all you’re dealing with people’s problems all the time and yours on top of that. Calm helps me stay grounded. Whether it’s a quick meditation, breathing exercise, or a calming background sound while I work, this app is a must-have for maintaining mental clarity and reducing stress. Does wonders for your sleep routine as well (stressful thoughts keeping you awake at night - it helped me a lot).
Blinkist - knowledge on the go as I call it. Perfect for busy leaders who want to absorb the insights of great books quickly. It provides bite-sized summaries of leadership, productivity, and self-development books, helping you stay informed without overwhelming your schedule.
NotebookLM - yes, this is AI. I use it for deep research and creating quick guides and study summaries. Example of a recent use case: it helped me create a page brief of a very heavy 30+ pages future of work study. Combine this with Google Gemini - who then can help you make a visual infographic/site from your summary. You can see how the infographics websites look like in my recent articles below:
Podcasts to inspire and educate
There are many, but too many is also overwhelming. I found these to be inspiring, helpful and very practical in nature. Have a listen and let me know your thoughts. Suggest your own, would love to continue adding to this list.
Dare to Lead with Brené Brown - my favourite
Tools and frameworks to elevate leadership
Agile Leadership Models
The Shu-Ha-Ri principle from Japanese martial arts explains a leader's journey from learning the rules to transcending them, while the Spiral Dynamics model helps leaders adapt their style to the cultural level of their teams.
Purpose-Driven Leadership
Purpose-driven leadership means helping employees find personal meaning in their work and fostering a deeply committed workforce that thrives on shared goals and aspirations.
MindTools
Why I like it: MindTools is an excellent resource hub for leadership development. From decision-making frameworks to communication strategies, it offers tools for nearly every leadership challenge.
Eisenhower Matrix
This time-tested framework helps leaders prioritize tasks by urgency and importance, ensuring time and energy are spent on what truly matters.
OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)
OKRs provide clarity and focus, aligning teams around shared goals. It’s an invaluable framework for keeping everyone on track and driving results.
Communication experts to follow
Shade Zahrai
Shade’s expertise in mindset and communication offers practical strategies for leaders to inspire and influence their teams. Her videos and content are concise, actionable, and motivating - perfect for leaders (and aspiring leaders and anyone else!) seeking quick wins in their communication style.
Jefferson Fisher
His authentic style to approach even the most difficult topics people can talk about is refreshing. Great advice for leadership communication. His new book The Next Conversation is a fantastic must-read for everyone who is seeking to improve their communication skills (and that should be everyone). He’s got podcast too. I’m a huge fan and learnt a lot from reading, watching and listening to his recommendations.
Final Thoughts
Leadership isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey, but with the right resources, you can continue to learn, grow, and refine your approach. Whether you’re diving into a book, listening to a podcast, or using a new tool, each of these resources has the potential to elevate your leadership game.
Now it’s your turn: Which of these resources resonates with you the most? Are there any tools, books, or podcasts you’d add to the list? Let me know in the comments - I’d love to hear what’s working for you.
About me
I’m a leadership development consultant, certified coach, and digital transformation strategist with 18 years of experience leading people, customer operations, L&D and organizational change. I specialize in guiding leaders through complex transformations in the age of AI, with expertise in change management, leadership development, and workplace culture. As the author of Atomic Leadership on Substack, I share actionable insights that empower leaders, teams, and organizations to thrive in fast-changing environments. Follow me on LinkedIn or Connect.