Welcome to our collection of student-written reviews on some of today’s most popular leadership books! In this section, you'll find thoughtful analyses and critiques of leadership literature, all penned by students in our Leadership Capstone course. Each review dives deep into the concepts and ideas presented by leading authors, offering fresh perspectives and insights from our emerging leaders.
Whether you're looking for your next great read or simply curious about the latest leadership trends, our reviews provide a comprehensive look at what these books have to offer. We invite you to explore our summaries, reflections, and key takeaways—and don’t forget to click on the "Read More" buttons under each post to dive into the full review. Your next leadership inspiration might just be a click away!
Authors: Michael S. Erwin and Willys Devoll
The seven key areas that relationships can help build leadership skills could be things that you are already doing in your daily life without knowing. I live my life through my personal values. These values guide my small and large decisions, and I use them to conduct my actions. One of my core values is leadership, but I have always asked myself, can you be the best leader you can be if you lack the relationships that will teach the critical lessons of leadership? READ MORE
Author: Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
Have you ever been in charge of a super elite team of trained killers with dangerous weapons? Probably not. Have you ever associated your corporate or occupational responsibilities with the responsibilities of someone who is tasked with taking lives to preserve world peace? Probably not. READ MORE
Author: Stacey Abrams
From a small town in Mississippi, Stacey Abrams was one of six children from a low-income household. Despite society's expectations, Abrams was determined to defy stereotypes and not let her circumstances define her life. With hard work and perseverance, Abrams has established herself as a successful figure in business, the nonprofit sector, and politics, despite being casted as an outsider. READ MORE
Authors: Phil Jackson and Hugh Delehanty
Have you ever been extremely confident in your ability or knowledge, and then someone or something made you rethink it all? That’s how I felt about both basketball and leadership after reading legendary NBA coach (and player!) Phil Jackson’s Eleven Rings: The Souls of Success. While I was aware that Jackson had previous success in the storytelling world, I was unaware that the “Zen Master”, as he is referred to, had published a comprehensive narrative. READ MORE
Author: Sarah Lewis
Have you ever held yourself back from the possibilities of success and creativity because of the dark shadow that fear of failure creates? I know I surely have. Reading the words and stories that Sarah Lewis wrote in The Rise not only makes that large shadow dissolve, but also inspires perseverance towards your own version of success. Lewis encapsulates stories of athletes, entrepreneurs, and artists in order to convey the growth of creativity and the impact of failure on overall resilience. READ MORE
Author: Brené Brown
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown isn't just a book; it's a transformative journey into the heart of leadership. In its pages, Brown illuminates the path to fearless, wholehearted leadership, where vulnerability isn't a weakness but the key to creating lasting impact and resilient, thriving teams. Are you ready to dare greatly and lead boldly? READ MORE
By: Jay Shetty
Are you searching for a greater purpose within your life or seeking true happiness and fulfillment? This life-changing book will guide and provide you with new tactical ways and perspectives to help you find deeper meaning and purpose, no matter your situation. I wasn’t too sure what I was getting myself into after picking this book up, but it has allowed me to see life from a much greater viewpoint. Think Like a Monk will challenge the way you think, act, and ultimately live. READ MORE
Author: Jen Sincero
Think about a time when you had to force yourself to get uncomfortable in order to reach your goals. Maybe you have one instance in mind, maybe it’s every day for you, or maybe nothing comes to mind at all. No matter where you are in life, there is room to grow. There is always room for growth. Interested in learning more? You may want to pick up Jen Sincero’s #1 New York Times bestseller. READ MORE
Author: Tarana Burke
Trigger Warning: Sexual violence/assault/rape, pedophilia, and racism.
One of the best feelings in the world is being so absorbed in a book that you lose all track of time. Unbound is the epitome of this feeling. It began with my interest in feminist literature. I am always on the lookout for novels that will engage me in hard truths and beautiful prose. Unbound goes far beyond a mere chronicle of the birth of the #MeToo movement. It delves into the complex journey of a Black woman navigating the world. READ MORE
Author: John Maxwell
Have you ever wondered what steps you can take to become a leader or wanted to explore plans and guidelines to develop leadership skills? Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 does exactly that. John Maxwell shares practices, insights, and principles to impact your life. READ MORE
Author: Daniel Goleman
Have you ever wondered if you or someone you know are “too in touch” with their emotions? What does that phrase look like for someone balancing work, academics, friends and family? Daniel Goleman takes his audience around the minds of unique individuals who successfully pioneer life’s various obstacles placed in their path. READ MORE
Author: Gifford Thomas
Have you ever wondered how some of the most famous leaders in history like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. inspired millions of people? If yes, have you ever thought if you were also capable of making such an impact in the lives of the people around you? Well, The Inspirational Leader will help you do just that – inspire, motivate, and change the lives of yourself and others. READ MORE
Author: Sally Helgesen
“It’s a man’s world,” but it doesn’t have to be. What if women learned how to use their femininity to not only get ahead in the business world, but to also strengthen their leadership abilities? Sally Helgesen studies this concept first-hand in her book The Female Advantage: Women's Way of Leadership, which explores what sets women leaders apart in the workplace and how these differences make a tremendous impact. READ MORE
Author: James Clear
Bad habits surround us in our day-to-day lives. Scratching open old cuts as they are trying to heal, being on your phone while you should be doing homework, or even getting up and going to the gym, Atomic Habits explores these little details in life to guide you to have a better routine while also learning something new about yourself. After all, it is a self-help book that’s the purpose, right? READ MORE
Author: Douglas Conant
After surviving a near-fatal traffic accident, author Douglas Conant, former CEO of Campbell Soup Company, had an epiphany. He discovered that the best leaders, much like the doctors and nurses who saved his life, shared a common trait: the willingness to listen intently and offer help. READ MORE
Author: Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek’s book, Start With Why, will make you rethink everything you have ever done, said, or watched. It will make you rethink every advertisement you have watched, product you have purchased, and company you have endorsed. Start With Why made me question all that I have supported in life. It is inspirational, motivational, realistic, and groundbreaking. READ MORE
Authors: John S. Hammond, Ralph L. Keeney, and Howard Raiffa
What if I told you a single book could change your perception of decision-making by dissecting each step of the process to gain a successful outcome? Smart Choices: A Practical Guide to Making Better Decisions is your one-stop shop to improve the complex decision-making process. This book caught my eye through three words in the title: Smart, guide, and decisions. READ MORE
Author: Brené Brown
Nobody is perfect, and discovering that you don’t have to be perfect at everything is a lesson I recently learned. I mean, call me a perfectionist, but I saw it more as striving for what I wanted to achieve in life, such as love, success, and keeping my relationships perfect. When I came across Brené Brown’s book, The Gifts of Imperfection, I was needing a guide on how I can deal with the struggles I face and turn them into opportunities to grow into a more complete person. READ MORE
Author: Kristen Hadeed
Have you ever felt like you failed at something? Then you were too afraid to tell someone about it because of the stigma associated with failure? Well, author Kristen Hadeed knows a lot about failing. She started her own house cleaning company in college and did not know the basics of building and running a business. This business venture came with challenges and lessons learned through hardships and disappointments. READ MORE
Author: Dale Carnegie
Do you have someone in your life who can connect with people within seconds of meeting them? When considering how this question pertains to me, I immediately picture a certain friend of mine who is instantaneously loved by everyone. It seems as though no matter who I introduce to this friend, he is always able to make people feel comfortable, and in turn appreciative of his sociability. Being a more recent friend of mine, I grew curious about how he grew to be such a “people-person”, so I simply asked. This led to him accrediting much of his social demeanor to How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. READ MORE
Author: Emily Nagoski and Amella Nagoski
We have been emotional slaves to our own stress for far too long. American society is too caught up in the daily hustle and bustle and constant fight-or-flight response of life, that we take for granted the small joys and things that make us happy. I can’t help but wonder if this constant state of stress we’re in is contributing to the rising rates of heart disease and other somewhat preventable illnesses in this country. What if I told you there was a way to reclaim your life and escape this terrible cycle within yourself? READ MORE
Author: Dan Owolabi
If you struggle with insecurity and you desire to help others, Authentic Leadership was a wonderful guide to understanding yourself and becoming more confident in who you were meant to be. Dan Owolabi takes readers through his story with humility, humor and truthfulness. Owolabi is an example that people are not born leaders, and that taking on the task of being an authentic leader takes a lot of internal and external work. READ MORE