This time of year there are all types of lists. Please note: I’m not saying these are the five best leadership books of 2009. Rather these are five great books for leaders.

They aren’t necessarily “leadership books.” However, they all are books leaders will benefit from and be able to use in a variety of ways. They also are all books I’ve recommended this year.

If you are looking for a good read or a way to spend bookstore gift cards you receive this holiday season, any or all of these would be a great start!

The 100 Best Business Books of all Time

This book tries to do the impossible – select the very best business books of all time, plus it gives you rationale and a summary of the key points.

My Recommendation | Order a Copy

Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken

This book takes on the critical leadership attribute of authenticity head on.

My Recommendation | Order a Copy

Upbeat: Cultivating the Right Attitude to Thrive in Tough Times

The subtitle talks about tough times, but the book is valuable any time. And, it is hard to argue the importance of the right attitude for leaders.

My Recommendation | Order a Copy

Awesomely Simple

Six simple and profoundly important lessons; all told in an elegant way. It’s one of my favorite new books this year.

My Recommendation | Order a Copy

Crush it! Why Now is the Time to Cash in on Your Passion

This book, while written from a entrepreneurial perspective, is important for leaders to high school kids. (But, don’t tell my son; he’s getting it for Christmas.)

My Recommendation | Order a Copy

There are lots of books on my shelf and in my next-to-read stack that might belong on this list; they aren’t here because I haven’t read and/or reviewed them yet. But there is always room for one recommendation each week – and I don’t plan to stop any time soon!

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Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

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  1. Kevin, thank you for recommending my book, I am so very pleased that you found it of value. I agree with your other recommendations — all very good books — “100 Best” is superb — “Crush It” is a lot of fun — I have not read “Be Yourself” yet — will order it today!

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