100 Books Like Good Power

This book has been a go-to for years, as I really appreciate Simon’s guidance to ALWAYS clarify the mission and purpose of any organization before digging deeper into the strategies and action plans to advance the mission.

All too often, my bias for action had driven me to jump into the work of creation and delivery. If every single player on the field with me wasn’t 100% bought into the game we were playing, why we were there, and where we wanted to be in the future, we wasted precious time and resources.

Simon Sinek taught me to pause and bring great intention to the enrollment in the mission of any venture. I also appreciate his insights into the stretch zone where people are most effective driving change. We don’t want to be cozy or panicked at work, but stretched in pursuit of meaningful change, and always better together.

This book made me more courageous by reminding me of the importance of showing up as a leader even when I was scared.

Brown blends research with storytelling in a way that is relatable. I learned that vulnerability isn’t a weakness in leadership; it’s a superpower. I’ve always known that it was important to admit to supervisees and teammates when I didn’t have all the answers. But this book clarified the why—being vulnerable deepens trust and facilitates collaboration. This is particularly relevant to topics that involve ethics, as there can be a lot of shame and blame related to ethical dilemmas and professional misconduct.

Dare to Lead is my reminder that the best leaders show up with courage and heart, even when it’s uncomfortable; especially when it’s uncomfortable.

We can spend our time hiding behind the sofa as a volatile and uncertain world emerges around us. I chose Scharmer’s book and vision to ensure my sofa is for sitting, not hiding. For me, Scharmer is a revolutionary for a better world, inviting us to develop and lean into awareness, consciousness, presence, system thinking, and the recognition that all is connected to resolve the crises facing our world.

I like the scale of the shared vision and the practical guidance to shift from short-termism to leading in a way that secures a more positive future for the planet. Among the gems of this book for me are the hope-giving real-world examples of Scharmer’s Theory U in action—no more hiding.

As a believer in the importance of Emotional Intelligence in leadership and life and a fan of Goleman’s work bringing it into the mainstream workplace, this book was a must-read for me. Often, leaders forget their impact on others. I love how this book reminds us of the shadow leaders cast and their responsibility for it.

One of the standouts for me is how we transmit and receive signals that affect our emotional state and that of others, courtesy of the wiring of the emotional centre of our brain. This is a timely reminder to take care.

The book’s blending of science, research, real-life examples, and case studies makes the strongest case for emotionally intelligent leadership, while the inclusion of practical exercises and reflection points provides a great workout.

Gelles’s well-researched exploration of the impact of mindfulness stands out on the strength of its real world case studies and data. The book makes a strong case for mindfulness in business, citing how some of the world’s biggest companies have embraced mindfulness and providing the data and documentation to back up its engaging anecdotes. Gelles shows that mindfulness has real benefits to individuals and to the companies they serve, including the bottom line. The book goes on to debunk common misconceptions on mindfulness and its role in the workplace, again supporting its arguments with hard data and documentation.

This guidebook in the form of a memoir, or memoir in the form of a guidebook, is both highly entertaining and profoundly useful.  Through brutally honest stories from his years leading FINCA, the global microfinance network, Scofield shows how social change happens: one mistake, one insight, and one breakthrough at a time.  By laying them out so clearly and in such a reader-friendly format, he has provided a valuable gift to a new generation of changemakers.

I strongly believe business leaders and brands must engage with all stakeholders (including society and the planet) to thrive – and this is the essence of John Browne’s message in Connect.

Browne, a former CEO of BP, contrasts positive engagement with traditional corporate social responsibility, which he contends is often more about complying with laws and regulations and looking good rather than doing good. 

The first half of the book provides real world examples of how corporate success is dependent on greater engagement with society.

And the second examines Browne’s four tenets of connected leadership – map your world, define your contribution, apply world class management, engage radically – and how companies can exemplify them going forward and profitably place society at the heart of business.

This book was a revelation. It gives positive examples of why we can be optimistic about the future while not shying away from uncomfortable truths about business and consumerism.

Her enthusiasm for a kinder economy and her personal stories and journey are inspiring and provide great lessons about change in society and business.

Patagonia’s founder doesn’t just talk about building a company—he talks about building one with conscience. I admire how he defines success as humble and fiercely independent. This book is a manifesto for aligning profit with purpose and mission with mindfulness. It challenges entrepreneurs to think not just about revenue, but about the legacy they want to leave behind.

I loved this book because it gave me a behind-the-scenes look at a company I admired from afar but didn’t really know. I’d heard about Patagonia’s commitment to sustainability, but reading about how they actually implement their values—through design, materials, and a “repair, not replace” philosophy—was eye-opening. I also connected deeply with Chouinard’s memoir-style reflections. I appreciated his raw honesty, his resistance to conventional business wisdom, and how he stayed true to his principles. Those are all approaches that deeply resonate with me.

I had so many lemonade stands when I was a kid but mine never became a million-dollar business (not even close!)!  If only I’d had Mikaela’s book (and determination) back then... I loved her story of being a kid entrepreneur and her relatable advice for building a purpose-driven, bug-based company. Like the women my book Eat Bugs is based upon, Mikaela got a deal on Shark Tank too.