Read, Reflect, Repeat: Our Favorite HR & Leadership Books
At Engaged, we’re a little obsessed with HR—it’s not just our day job, it’s our hobby, our conversation starter, and yes, even our bedtime reading. We asked our team to share their top book picks, and the result is our very own “Engaged Team Approved” reading list. It’s packed with HR and HR-adjacent gems designed to inspire you, challenge your thinking, and maybe even spark a few “aha!” moments along the way.
Those books are:
The First 90 Days – Michael D. Watkins
A practical guide for leaders in transition, this book outlines strategies to succeed in the critical first three months of a new role. It focuses on accelerating learning, building key relationships, aligning with organizational priorities, and avoiding common pitfalls.
The Inspirational Leader – Gifford Thomas
This book emphasizes leadership as service, focusing on motivating and uplifting teams. It highlights the importance of empathy, emotional intelligence, and authentic communication to inspire people to reach their full potential.
Managing in the Gray – Joseph Badaracco
Explores how leaders can make tough decisions when the “right answer” isn’t clear. Using real-world examples, it provides tools for navigating ambiguity with integrity, balancing competing values, and exercising sound judgment.
Work Clean – Dan Charnas
Inspired by the discipline of professional chefs, this book introduces the philosophy of mise-en-place (everything in its place) as a productivity system. It shows how organization, preparation, and mindful routines can boost focus and efficiency in any career.
Radical Candor – Kim Scott
A leadership framework that encourages managers to both “care personally” and “challenge directly.” Scott offers practical advice on giving honest feedback, building strong relationships, and creating a culture of open communication without being harsh or insincere.
The Unaccountability Machine – Dan Davies
A look at how organizations often avoid responsibility through bureaucracy, complexity, and blame-shifting. The book explains how these systems form, why they persist, and what leaders can do to dismantle them and create accountability.
The Leadership Machine – Michael M. Lombardo & Robert W. Eichinger
A competency-based approach to leadership development. The book identifies the key skills leaders need, explains how to assess and build them, and provides a framework for developing talent systematically across organizations.
Good to Great – Jim Collins
Based on extensive research, Collins identifies what sets truly great companies apart from good ones. Key takeaways include the “Level 5 Leader,” the “Hedgehog Concept,” and disciplined people, thought, and action as drivers of sustained success.
The Culture Code – Daniel Coyle
Explores the secrets of highly successful groups and teams. Coyle identifies three key skills for building strong culture: creating psychological safety, sharing vulnerability, and establishing a clear sense of purpose.
The Power of Mattering – Zach Mercurio
Mattering, or that feeling of being noticed, valued, and essential, is the foundation of motivation, wellbeing, and leadership. This book provides research-based insights, practical frameworks, and actionable skills to help individuals and organizations cultivate meaningful, people-centered cultures.
The Fearless Organization – Amy C. Edmondson
This book explains how creating psychological safety, where people feel safe to speak up without fear of blame or judgment, is essential for innovation, learning, and performance, offering evidence, examples, and strategies to build fearless organizations.
Happy reading everyone!
