Tilda Publishing
Career Development
How to Motivate People: Top 10 Books for Leaders and Managers
What turns someone who’s been assigned to manage people into a great manager—and, beyond that, a true leader? It’s one of the most important and difficult questions in any organization. Managing people isn’t just about delegating tasks or hitting targets; it’s about understanding what drives people, inspiring them to do their best, and creating an environment where they thrive.
Bridging the Leadership Gap: Learning, Practicing, and Inspiring
For many, this journey starts with a harsh realization: leading people is harder than it looks. Motivation isn’t one-size-fits-all. You might instinctively try what worked on you, only to find that others don’t respond the same way. Or you might focus so much on results that you lose sight of the people delivering them. This gap—between being in charge and being truly effective—can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re new to the role.
So, how do you bridge that gap? I’d argue it’s a combination of experience and learning. Imagine you want to become a chef for your family, cooking meals that are not just delicious but healthy too. If you only experiment without understanding the fundamentals of nutrition, your meals might taste great but miss the mark on health. On the other hand, if you only study nutrition and never cook, theory won’t teach you how to make a perfect dish. Success lies in doing both—practicing while learning, step by step.
Leadership works the same way. You need experience, yes, but you also need insights from those who’ve walked the path before you. That’s where books come in. They’re like “cookbooks” for leadership, offering frameworks, strategies, and personal stories from some of the greatest managers and leaders in the world.
Below are 10 must-read books on leadership and motivation, carefully chosen based on their Goodreads ratings, reviews, and impact. Each book provides valuable lessons to help you become a leader who not only manages but inspires.
So, how do you bridge that gap? I’d argue it’s a combination of experience and learning. Imagine you want to become a chef for your family, cooking meals that are not just delicious but healthy too. If you only experiment without understanding the fundamentals of nutrition, your meals might taste great but miss the mark on health. On the other hand, if you only study nutrition and never cook, theory won’t teach you how to make a perfect dish. Success lies in doing both—practicing while learning, step by step.
Leadership works the same way. You need experience, yes, but you also need insights from those who’ve walked the path before you. That’s where books come in. They’re like “cookbooks” for leadership, offering frameworks, strategies, and personal stories from some of the greatest managers and leaders in the world.
Below are 10 must-read books on leadership and motivation, carefully chosen based on their Goodreads ratings, reviews, and impact. Each book provides valuable lessons to help you become a leader who not only manages but inspires.
Top 10 Books to Motivate People and Lead Effectively
1. Turn the Ship Around!: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders by L. David Marquet
Rated 4.23 on Goodreads, with 18,874 ratings and 1,449 reviews, this book tells the story of how Captain David Marquet transformed the USS Santa Fe from a poor-performing submarine into one of the Navy’s best. Advocating for a "leader-leader" model, Marquet emphasizes empowering every team member to take ownership. It’s an inspiring guide for building trust, accountability, and morale in any team.
2. Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace
Rated 4.22 on Goodreads, with 96,211 ratings and 5,774 reviews, this book offers invaluable insights from Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull. It explores how to create a workplace culture that fosters creativity and innovation while overcoming hidden barriers that block original thinking. A must-read for leaders who want to unlock their team’s creative potential.
3. The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues by Patrick Lencioni
Rated 4.08 on Goodreads, with 13,662 ratings and 1,149 reviews, this book identifies the three key virtues of an ideal team player: humility, hunger, and people smarts. Through a compelling business fable, Lencioni provides actionable tools for hiring, developing, and identifying team players who embody these traits. A practical guide for leaders aiming to build high-performing, collaborative teams.
4. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Rated 4.11 on Goodreads, with 124,285 ratings and 5,523 reviews, this leadership classic explores five common dysfunctions that hinder team performance: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. Lencioni uses a relatable fable to illustrate how leaders can overcome these obstacles to build stronger, more cohesive teams.
5. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
Rated 3.95 on Goodreads, with 120,891 ratings and 5,597 reviews, this book explores the psychology of motivation and challenges the traditional reliance on rewards like money. Pink presents a new framework, emphasizing the power of intrinsic motivators such as autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Drawing on decades of research, Drive is essential reading for anyone interested in human behavior, personal growth, and effective management.
6. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Rated 4.26 on Goodreads, with 87,748 ratings and 5,728 reviews, this book combines gripping military narratives with practical lessons on leadership. Willink and Babin argue that great leaders take full responsibility for their actions and decisions, emphasizing that there are no bad teams, only bad leaders. A powerful and inspiring guide for improving leadership in any context, from the battlefield to the boardroom.
7. The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle
Rated 4.26 on Goodreads, with 31,546 ratings and 2,360 reviews, this book dives into the inner workings of successful teams and organizations. Coyle identifies three essential skills that foster strong cultures: creating safety, sharing vulnerability, and establishing purpose. Featuring examples from the U.S. Navy SEALs, IDEO, and more, The Culture Code is an insightful guide for leaders aiming to build cohesive, motivated teams.
8. Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek
Rated 4.10 on Goodreads, with 56,530 ratings and 3,780 reviews, this book explores what makes a great leader. Sinek argues that effective leaders prioritize the well-being of their team members, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and long-term success. Drawing from examples in both corporate and military settings, Leaders Eat Last offers actionable advice for building strong, fulfilled, and productive teams.
9. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
Rated 4.12 on Goodreads, with 250,029 ratings and 6,316 reviews, this book is based on a five-year research project that uncovered key factors distinguishing great companies from merely good ones. Collins uses case studies to illustrate how companies can achieve greatness through disciplined leadership, a strong culture, and sustained effort. Good to Great is a foundational text for business leaders and managers looking to drive long-term success.
10. The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork: Embrace Them and Empower Your Team by John C. Maxwell
Rated 4.16 on Goodreads, with 4,302 ratings and 191 reviews, this book distills decades of leadership expertise into 17 actionable principles for building successful teams. Maxwell covers essentials like fostering trust, creating clarity, embracing diversity, and aligning behind a shared vision. With practical advice and inspiring anecdotes, The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork is a valuable resource for leaders across industries.
Rated 4.23 on Goodreads, with 18,874 ratings and 1,449 reviews, this book tells the story of how Captain David Marquet transformed the USS Santa Fe from a poor-performing submarine into one of the Navy’s best. Advocating for a "leader-leader" model, Marquet emphasizes empowering every team member to take ownership. It’s an inspiring guide for building trust, accountability, and morale in any team.
2. Creativity, Inc.: Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True Inspiration by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace
Rated 4.22 on Goodreads, with 96,211 ratings and 5,774 reviews, this book offers invaluable insights from Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull. It explores how to create a workplace culture that fosters creativity and innovation while overcoming hidden barriers that block original thinking. A must-read for leaders who want to unlock their team’s creative potential.
3. The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues by Patrick Lencioni
Rated 4.08 on Goodreads, with 13,662 ratings and 1,149 reviews, this book identifies the three key virtues of an ideal team player: humility, hunger, and people smarts. Through a compelling business fable, Lencioni provides actionable tools for hiring, developing, and identifying team players who embody these traits. A practical guide for leaders aiming to build high-performing, collaborative teams.
4. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Rated 4.11 on Goodreads, with 124,285 ratings and 5,523 reviews, this leadership classic explores five common dysfunctions that hinder team performance: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. Lencioni uses a relatable fable to illustrate how leaders can overcome these obstacles to build stronger, more cohesive teams.
5. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
Rated 3.95 on Goodreads, with 120,891 ratings and 5,597 reviews, this book explores the psychology of motivation and challenges the traditional reliance on rewards like money. Pink presents a new framework, emphasizing the power of intrinsic motivators such as autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Drawing on decades of research, Drive is essential reading for anyone interested in human behavior, personal growth, and effective management.
6. Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Rated 4.26 on Goodreads, with 87,748 ratings and 5,728 reviews, this book combines gripping military narratives with practical lessons on leadership. Willink and Babin argue that great leaders take full responsibility for their actions and decisions, emphasizing that there are no bad teams, only bad leaders. A powerful and inspiring guide for improving leadership in any context, from the battlefield to the boardroom.
7. The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle
Rated 4.26 on Goodreads, with 31,546 ratings and 2,360 reviews, this book dives into the inner workings of successful teams and organizations. Coyle identifies three essential skills that foster strong cultures: creating safety, sharing vulnerability, and establishing purpose. Featuring examples from the U.S. Navy SEALs, IDEO, and more, The Culture Code is an insightful guide for leaders aiming to build cohesive, motivated teams.
8. Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek
Rated 4.10 on Goodreads, with 56,530 ratings and 3,780 reviews, this book explores what makes a great leader. Sinek argues that effective leaders prioritize the well-being of their team members, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and long-term success. Drawing from examples in both corporate and military settings, Leaders Eat Last offers actionable advice for building strong, fulfilled, and productive teams.
9. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
Rated 4.12 on Goodreads, with 250,029 ratings and 6,316 reviews, this book is based on a five-year research project that uncovered key factors distinguishing great companies from merely good ones. Collins uses case studies to illustrate how companies can achieve greatness through disciplined leadership, a strong culture, and sustained effort. Good to Great is a foundational text for business leaders and managers looking to drive long-term success.
10. The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork: Embrace Them and Empower Your Team by John C. Maxwell
Rated 4.16 on Goodreads, with 4,302 ratings and 191 reviews, this book distills decades of leadership expertise into 17 actionable principles for building successful teams. Maxwell covers essentials like fostering trust, creating clarity, embracing diversity, and aligning behind a shared vision. With practical advice and inspiring anecdotes, The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork is a valuable resource for leaders across industries.
Conclusion
Becoming a great manager and leader is a journey, not a destination. Just like learning to cook, it’s about balancing theory and practice—reading, experimenting, failing, and improving. The books listed here are like roadmaps or “cookbooks” for leadership, offering proven insights and strategies to help you inspire and motivate your team.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Don’t feel discouraged by a lack of experience or knowledge—every great leader started where you are now. Move at your own pace, embrace challenges with a smile, and celebrate every step forward. Growth comes not from perfection, but from persistence. With these books as your guides, you’re already on the path to becoming the leader you aspire to be.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Don’t feel discouraged by a lack of experience or knowledge—every great leader started where you are now. Move at your own pace, embrace challenges with a smile, and celebrate every step forward. Growth comes not from perfection, but from persistence. With these books as your guides, you’re already on the path to becoming the leader you aspire to be.