Leadership is constantly evolving, staying updated with the latest and most impactful books is essential for professionals who want to lead with clarity, compassion, and competence. This March, we’ve curated five top leadership books of 2025 that are making waves across industries. Whether you’re managing your first team or leading at the executive level, these books offer timely insights and practical strategies that can redefine the way you lead.
1. You’re the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need) by Sabina Nawaz
Sabina Nawaz, a globally recognized executive coach, has crafted a compelling guide for aspiring and seasoned managers alike. “You’re the Boss” delves into the often-overlooked challenges of middle management, including how to manage up, down, and across the organization while staying aligned with your own values.
The book is structured into three core sections: Self-Leadership, Leading Others, and Leading Within Systems. Each section includes reflective exercises, real-life case studies, and bite-sized action steps that empower readers to lead with intention. One standout element is Nawaz’s emphasis on “authentic accountability,” where managers hold themselves and others accountable in a way that fosters trust rather than fear.
This book is particularly beneficial for new managers who are still finding their leadership style. Nawaz encourages leaders to avoid the trap of mimicking others and instead develop a style that blends personal authenticity with strategic clarity.
Related article for new managers: Leadership Tips for New Managers: Your First 90 Days
2. The Art of Adaptive Leadership by Sarah Bennett
Sarah Bennett’s “The Art of Adaptive Leadership” couldn’t be more relevant in today’s environment of technological disruption and organizational complexity. Drawing from her experience as a leadership strategist in high-stakes sectors like healthcare and fintech, Bennett provides a roadmap for leaders who must navigate constant change.
This book explores the concept of “adaptive capacity” – the ability of a leader to adjust quickly without losing sight of the bigger vision. Using models like the Cynefin Framework and the Change Curve, Bennett helps leaders distinguish between technical and adaptive challenges, providing nuanced approaches for both.
Her writing is both intellectual and highly practical. She includes diagnostic tools to help leaders recognize when they’re stuck in outdated paradigms and how to shift thinking. Case studies from organizations that successfully navigated crisis periods add depth to her recommendations.
Recommended read after this book: Leadership Tips for New Managers: Your First 90 Days
OR continue your learning here: Mastering Change Management: A Practical Guide for Leaders
3. Leading with Empathy: A Guide to Compassionate Leadership by Alex Robinson
Empathy has transitioned from being a soft skill to a critical leadership trait, and Alex Robinson captures this shift masterfully. In “Leading with Empathy,” Robinson provides a science-backed, heart-centered guide for building inclusive and high-performing teams.
The book begins with the neuroscience of empathy, explaining how mirror neurons and emotional contagion impact team dynamics. From there, it introduces “The Empathy Ecosystem,” a model comprising five key behaviors: Listening Deeply, Validating Emotions, Encouraging Vulnerability, Practicing Patience, and Co-Creating Solutions.
Robinson doesn’t shy away from the challenges of empathetic leadership, including compassion fatigue and boundary setting. The book also addresses the intersection of empathy and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), offering guidance on how to be an ally through active listening and culturally aware communication.
Explore further:
- Mastering Change Management: A Practical Guide for Leaders
- How to Build Emotional Intelligence as a Leader
- The EQ Edge: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership for 2025
Change is constant—learn how to embrace it and lead others through it.
4. The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More by Jefferson Fisher
This book is a game-changer for leaders who want to enhance their communication skills, especially during high-stakes or emotionally charged discussions. Jefferson Fisher, a former trial attorney turned communication coach, uses his courtroom experience to teach the art of calm and persuasive conversations.
“The Next Conversation” emphasizes principles like curiosity over criticism, reflective listening, and the strategic use of silence. Fisher introduces a framework called “SALT” (Stop, Ask, Listen, Translate) that helps leaders de-escalate tension and build mutual understanding.
What sets this book apart is its accessibility. Every chapter includes dialogue snippets and communication scripts that readers can immediately apply in real-world situations. This makes it ideal for team leaders, project managers, and executives dealing with interpersonal conflicts or stakeholder negotiations.
Continue with this resource: How to Build Emotional Intelligence as a Leader
Plus, explore The EQ Edge: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership for 2025.
5. Radical Listening: The Art of True Connection by Christian van Nieuwerburgh and Robert Biswas-Diener
A collaboration between a coaching expert and a positive psychologist, this book is a treasure trove for leaders who want to deepen their relationships and drive collaboration through intentional listening.
“Radical Listening” redefines listening as a proactive leadership skill that drives engagement, reduces turnover, and strengthens culture. The authors present a step-by-step methodology that includes active reflection, meta-cognitive awareness, and emotional resonance.
Chapters are interspersed with journaling prompts, team-based listening activities, and stories from leaders who transformed toxic workplaces by simply listening better. The concept of “Listening Leadership” introduced in the book argues that trust begins not with telling people what to do, but with hearing what they need.
Perfect for remote and hybrid leaders seeking to build culture across distance.
Pair it with: 5 Tips for Giving Constructive Feedback Now
Or check out How to Build Trust: 5 Practical Steps for New Leaders.
Final Thoughts
These top five leadership books of March 2025 capture the core competencies modern leaders must embody: adaptability, emotional intelligence, communication, and authenticity. They speak to the ever-evolving nature of leadership in a world driven by AI, cultural shifts, and workforce transformation.
Continue your journey with these popular reads:
- Top 6 Strategies for Leadership Development in 2025
- AI-Powered Leadership: Making Smarter Decisions in the Digital Age
- 5 Ways Vulnerability Elevates Leadership
For ongoing insights, tools, and guides, explore our Leadership Development Hub: https://leadershipfoundry360.com/leadership-development/
Like this article?
Share it, bookmark it, and check back next month for April’s Top 5 Leadership Book Picks!
Pingback: Overcome Comfort: Why Leaders Must Break Free in 2025 - Leadership Foundry