Non-Business Books for Business Leaders — Volume 5

For any business to grow, its leaders must first look inward — whole-human growth, and therefore, leadership takes root in the quiet, untended spaces of the Self.

We intuit that leadership is much more than top-down strategies or the grind of metrics; it is the slow and steady transformation of who we are becoming so that those we lead can thrive. It is a reckoning, a cultivation, a kind of tending to our inner garden. The seeds we sow in ourselves—compassion, self-awareness, resilience, empathy, vision—are the ones that will flourish in the places we lead.

But this kind of growth demands we step beyond the boundaries of the familiar business books. It asks us to wander into the untamed fields of art, psychology, mythology, history, and philosophy—places where imagination thrives, where our edges are softened, stretched, and re-formed. These are the landscapes that remind us of the vast, searching humanity behind every spreadsheet and strategy.

Each year, I gather a list of Non-Business Books for Business Leaders—you can find previous lists here, here, and here. These books are not leadership manuals or hacks, not about quarterly goals or quick fixes. They are about seeing the world and your life differently. They are about feeling more deeply, about opening yourself to the quiet wisdom of the world. This year’s collection is no different: a mix of provocation, inspiration, and the kind of truths that linger long after the page is turned.

As you sit with these books, let them work on you—not just on the way you lead, but on the way you live. After all, the most profound lessons in leadership often begin far from the boardroom, in the spaces where you let yourself be broken open, and from there, remade.

The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté

Gabor Maté doesn’t write to reassure you—he writes to wake you up. In The Myth of Normal, he explores the insidious ways stress and trauma infiltrate our lives, shaping our bodies, minds, and yes, even our workplaces. As leaders, we often talk about “healthy culture,” but Maté challenges us to go deeper, to recognize how far modern life has pulled us from genuine wellness. Equal parts diagnosis and prescription, this book is essential reading for anyone trying to lead people in today’s chaotic, high-pressure world. Maté and Dr. Peter Lavine have informed and inspired my training and workshops in Embodied Leadership.

Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari

Yuval Noah Harari has a way of weaving threads between the ancient and the modern, the personal and the systemic. In Nexus, he explores how information—its creation, distribution, and distortion—shapes our lives and decisions. For leaders grappling with AI, misinformation, or the constant hum of modern complexity, Harari’s work is both a sobering and hopeful call to reorient ourselves in the noise.

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

The Creative Act might seem like a surprising choice for a book about leadership—until you think about what leadership really requires: risk taking, noticing, inspiration, creating connections, and creativity. Famed music producer Rubin has spent his career helping creators access their truest, most authentic selves, and in The Creative Act, he shares his philosophy on how to make space for magic to happen. For leaders trying to inspire innovation, this book is a treasure trove of wisdom. It’s not about pushing harder—it’s about nurturing the conditions where creativity thrives.

The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

How often do we walk out of meetings thinking, that could’ve been an email? Priya Parker knows this feeling too well—and she’s here to help us rethink the way we come together at work, at home, in public. In The Art of Gathering, Parker unpacks what it takes to host gatherings that matter, whether it’s a board meeting, a workshop, or a family dinner. Leaders will find her insights transformative: the way you set a tone, create meaning, and design an experience isn’t just an afterthought—it’s the foundation for meaningful connection. 

Learning to Love Midlife by Chip Conley

Midlife often feels like a liminal space, a pause between who we were and who we’re becoming. In Learning to Love Midlife, Chip Conley reframes this stage of life as a season of transformation and possibility. Whether you’re entering your 40s, 50s, or beyond, Conley’s insights remind us that reinvention is always an option—and that some of life’s best chapters are written later. Give a listen to my author-three-way conversation with Chip Conley (see below) and Dan Pink called “Regrets of the Aging.” 

Original Love by Henry Shukman

When was the last time you thought about love in the context of leadership? Probably never—but Henry Shukman makes a compelling case for why you should. Original Love by Henry Shukman is a beautiful exploration of spirituality and self-discovery through the lens of Zen practice. Shukman shares his personal journey, including struggles with trauma, depression, and a sense of disconnection, leading him to Zen meditation and a transformative experience of “kensho” (awakening). The book is both a memoir and a guide, blending his life story with insights into the nature of suffering, mindfulness, and the deep connection that Zen reveals—what he calls “original love.” 

Speaking Peace by Marshall B. Rosenberg

Marshall Rosenberg’s Speaking Peace is a gentle but profound guide to the art of nonviolent communication. Whether you’re navigating conflict at work or seeking deeper connections in your personal life, Rosenberg offers tools that go beyond words—they transform relationships. Leaders who want to foster trust, empathy, and collaboration will find this book both practical and deeply moving.

Reunion by Jerry Colonna

Reading Jerry Colonna feels like sitting across from a mentor who sees you fully and asks the questions you’re afraid to ask yourself. Reunion is about reckoning—with the systems we blame, the roles we play, and the ways we perpetuate the problems we hope to solve. It’s not an easy book, but the meaningful kind of hard leaves you wiser, more grounded, and better equipped to lead. Listen in to my podcast conversation with Jerry Colonna and Tony Margtinetti.

The Power of Regret by Daniel Pink

We’ve all been told to live with “no regrets,” but Dan Pink thinks that’s terrible advice. In The Power of Regret, Pink argues that regret isn’t a flaw in our thinking—it’s a feature. It shows us what we value, where we’ve strayed, and how to make better choices going forward. For leaders, this book offers a fresh perspective on growth: sometimes the most powerful lessons come from the mistakes we wish we hadn’t made. 

The Work of Art by Adam Moss

What does it take to create something extraordinary? In The Work of Art, Adam Moss pulls back the curtain on the messy, magical process of creativity. For leaders, this book is a powerful reminder: building something great—whether it’s a painting, a team, or a company—requires vulnerability, persistence, and the courage to embrace uncertainty.

Each of these books challenges us to think differently about leadership, to see it not as a checklist of skills but as an ongoing process of growth, connection to the Self and others, and continual curiosity. 

Leadership isn’t a destination; it’s a wild, wondrous hike through the uncharted terrains of who you’re becoming. See these books as your trail companions—not maps with precise directions but wise guides who nudge you to look inward, dig deeper, and notice the beauty along the way. 

So, which books are you packing for your life journey? 

Whatever they are, let them stretch you, surprise you, maybe even ruffle your neatly folded perspectives. After all, the best leaders are the ones daring to cultivate curiosity and courage. 

I’d love to hear your stories and what books have spoken most to you that fall into the non-business books for leaders category. Drop me a line here.