info@integrus.org
Great Leaders Are Consistent Readers
December 2, 2024
“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”
Harry S. Truman
Researchers have analyzed dozens of metrics, and time and time again, the results say the same thing: what separates the good leaders from the great leaders is their commitment to reading.
If you want to improve your leadership skills, develop a healthy team, or foster a growth-oriented culture in your organization, start reading leadership books that will help lead yourself, lead a team, or lead an organization.
Why Reading Makes Leaders Great
Reading expands your viewpoint.
In a way, reading books sits you down in front of the author, like a student before the teacher, as they tell you their story and impart their learned knowledge and wisdom.
Reading sharpens your problem-solving skills.
Julius Caesar is quoted as saying, “experience is the best teacher,” but we disagree; someone else’s experience is the best teacher! When we learn from the wins and losses of those who have gone before us, exposing the problems they have already solved (or not), it helps us analyze information more effectively.
Reading fuels creativity and innovation.
Books connect us with people who we might otherwise never have the opportunity to learn from, injecting fresh concepts and ideas into stale and stagnant thought patterns. Reading also equips leaders to adapt to change and embrace new strategies because “learning” sits at the core of reading. Reading triggers something inside us that says, “I’m open to new ideas,” readying ourselves for change.
Our Staff’s Top Picks
The Integrus team has put together a list of our top picks. We’re committed to providing you with insanely practical tools and resources to assist you on your leadership journey, and this list will help you get started on your reading journey to becoming a great leader.
We’ve divided the list into 3 categories. These books will help you:
- lead yourself,
- lead others, and
- lead your organization.
These books would also make great gifts or stocking stuffers. So, if you’re not sure what to get the leaders in your life for Christmas, this list will give you some ideas. Each of the books on this list have helped our team grow into healthy leaders who make up an effective team, so I am confident they will help you, too.
Click the link below to view the 2025 Reading List our website. We’ve creating a page with all of these books linked directly to an online store. Our hope is that this makes it even easier for you to dip your toe in the pool of knowledge that awaits you.
Bonus Resources
End of Year Reflection Guide
2024 is quickly approaching its end, and it's important that we take a few minutes to pause, reflect on how God has been faithful in our lives this year, and give Him thanks. It’s also the perfect time to begin thinking about what you want out of the upcoming year. We’ve put together an End of Year Reflection Guide to help you through this thought process. Click here to download this free tool.
Recent Podcast Appearance
Lyle was a recent guest on the Q4 Impact podcast talking about mentoring and being mentored. As you’re thinking about next year, I encourage you to listen to this podcast, and think about whether or not this is the season for you to mentor someone or find a mentor for yourself, or both! Check out the podcast episode here.
When is the last time you revisited your mission statement?
What Ashton Jeanty Taught Me About Leadership Grit
If telling worked, why do moms say, "I'm not going to tell you again!"?
Build Stronger Relationships on Your Team with the CARE Tool
This is Lauren's Testimony
Great leaders know that words have power. The right phrases can build trust, strengthen teams, and create a culture where people thrive. In this post, we share simple yet impactful things great leaders say—and how they make a difference every day.
This blog by Lyle Wells explores key lessons from a former Executive Pastor on how to lead through chaos.
Lyle Wells shares the power of encouragement, teaching leaders how to speak life into others with intentional words. Learn how to uplift, inspire, and build stronger teams through meaningful affirmation and leadership insights. Discover the impact of encouragement today!
At Integrus Leadership, we are passionate about championing organizations whose leaders demonstrate a commitment to excellence and advancing the Kingdom of God. That's why we're highlighting these incredible teams through our Leaders We Love series. Here are four organizations we are thrilled to feature this month.
My prayer life as a leader has had its ups and downs. There are times when: I've prayed timidly, which is surprising because I am not a timid person. I've prayed feeling unworthy, even though I know in my heart that I am worthy to approach the throne of grace with boldness. Sometimes I wonder, "Who am I to ask for this?" I've prayed burdened, feeling the weight of the world's troubles and wondering if my personal requests are even valid. As we kick off a new year and launch our 30 Days of Prayer, I'm curious what your prayer life is like. Are you praying timidly, unworthily, or burdened? Or, are you praying with power, expectancy, and delight? And the harder question: Are you praying for your leadership, at work, or even in the midst of your work? Lately, I've realized that the most powerful leaders in Scripture were devoted to prayer. Hannah, from 1 Samuel 1 is a prime example. Hannah knew: The anguish of infertility. The pain of a broken heart The shame that comes with a body that does not cooperate with your deepest hopes. The mistreatment of a family member. The impact weak spiritual leadership could have in her country. The isolation of suffering in a society driven by evil. The feelings of worthless in a culture that didn’t value her. The confusion of prayers seemingly going unanswered. And yet, Hannah knew how to bring all her struggles to God in prayer.
