Are you looking for the best leadership communication books?
Knowing how to communicate in a professional yet inspiring way is a skill that every leader should strive for. Whether you deal with your employees or customers, this ability will help you build trust and credibility. Moreover, it will help you reach your goals faster and more efficiently.
In this article, let’s explore the 20 best books on leadership communication. From timeless classics to new releases, this list will provide you with a range of books that suit your needs.
The 20 Best Leadership Communication Books
Here is a list of the best leadership communication books you should read. These books are available on Amazon. So, if you want to get them, the respective links are given below each description. Okay?
So, let’s go!
(Note: I earn a small commission when you make a purchase using these links at no extra cost to you.)
#1. Leadership Communication
By: Deborah Barrett
Who’s it for: Corporate Leaders or anyone pursuing a transformational leadership style
Written by Deborah Barrett, this is an essential book for corporate leaders or anyone pursuing a transformational leadership style. It focuses on the idea of communication as a process and how to effectively leverage it for success in the corporate world. This book will help you build good relationships, and make a lasting impact in your business.
#2. Leadership: A Communication Perspective, Seventh Edition
By: Michael Z. Hackman and Craig E. Johnson
Who’s it for: Both current and aspiring leaders
This book covers topics such as communication theory, self-awareness, and interpersonal relationships. Here Hackman and Johnson provide a comprehensive overview of communication-centered leadership to help you better understand the complexities of effective leadership. With self-assessments and practical advice, this book is a great resource for any leader or aspiring professional.
#3. Mastering Communication at Work: How to Lead, Manage, and Influence
By: Ethan F. Becker and Jon Wortmann
Who’s it for: Anyone in a leadership position
This book provides practical advice on how to effectively communicate at work. It covers topics such as active listening, giving feedback, motivating employees, and resolving conflicts. With its straightforward approach and clear examples, this book helps anyone looking to improve their communication skills in the workplace.
#4. The Secret Language of Leadership
By: Stephen Denning
Who’s it for: Leaders, managers, and aspiring professionals in the business world
The Secret Language of Leadership delves into the core aspects of effective conversations between leaders and their followers. By introducing a concept called narrative intelligence, Denning explains how storytelling can be used to create connections and build trust between leaders and their teams. This book provides a unique perspective on leadership communication that you won’t find in other books.
#5. The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication: Apply Them and Make the Most of Your Message
By: John C. Maxwell
Who’s it for: Business leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs
Covering topics such as persuasion, influence, motivation, and credibility-building, this book will help you develop an effective communication style. Here the author, who is one of the best communicators in the world, shares his insight about how to connect with your audience and create an impact. With its easy-to-follow format, this book offers invaluable advice that will help you communicate better.
#6. Leading with Questions: How Leaders Discover Powerful Answers by Knowing How and What to Ask
By: Michael J. Marquardt and Bob Tiede
Who’s it for: Executives, managers, and other corporate leaders
Leading with Questions focuses on the power of effective questioning for both long-term and short-term success. Here the authors show how you can use questions to increase creativity, generate better solutions, and facilitate meaningful conversations. Through various examples, you’ll learn how to ask the right questions at the right time.
#7. Leadership: How Legendary Leaders Speak: 451 Proven Communication Strategies of the World’s Top Leaders (Speak for Success)
By: Peter Andrei
Who’s it for: Leaders of any industry or position
This book offers 451 strategies to help leaders master the art of speaking. It covers topics such as public speaking, storytelling, and motivating others to help you build strong relationships with your team or customers. With its comprehensive overview of communication tactics used by some of the world’s most successful leaders, this book will definitely help you become an effective communicator.
#8. The Three Chairs: How Great Leaders Drive Communication, Performance, and Engagement
By: Karyn Gordon
Who’s it for: Leaders of all levels
The Three Chairs is a must-have for anyone looking to become an effective leader. It provides you with the tools and strategies needed to communicate, engage, and perform. With this book, you’ll learn how to foster a healthy culture, unlock the potential of everyone on your team, and create an atmosphere of collaboration.
#9. Business Communication: Developing Leaders for a Networked World
By: Peter Cardon
Who’s it for: Leaders of all levels
This is an essential read if you want to stay ahead of the curve in today’s business world. Written by Peter Cardon, this book provides readers with an in-depth look into creating and maintaining successful communication in the workplace. With business case studies and examples, each chapter helps you develop the skills needed to lead any team.
#10. The Manager’s Communication Toolkit: Tools and Techniques for Leading Difficult Personalities
By: Tina Kuhn
Who’s it for: Managers and anyone looking to establish positive work relationships
The Manager’s Communication Toolkit is a must-read for those looking to put an end to conflicts and frustrations in the workplace. Written by Tina Kuhn, this book provides managers with tips on how to communicate and collaborate more effectively with difficult team members. With different tools and techniques, it helps you learn how to deal with any personality type.
#11. How Highly Effective People Speak: How High Performers Use Psychology to Influence With Ease (Speak for Success)
By: Peter Andrei
Who’s it for: Leaders of all levels
This book is perfect for those looking to supercharge their communication skills. Written by Peter Andrei, it dives deep into the psychology behind communication and provides readers with various tactics on how to become a better communicator. With practical advice and case studies, you’ll learn 194 habits that can help you build relationships, increase your influence, and create lasting connections.
#12. 101 Tough Conversations to Have with Employees: A Manager’s Guide to Addressing Performance, Conduct, and Discipline Challenges
By: Paul Falcone
Who’s it for: Managers seeking to handle difficult conversations with their staff
This book is a great resource for any manager looking to handle difficult conversations with their employees. Written by Paul Falcone, it acts as a step-by-step guidebook on how to address various performance issues in the workplace. With 101 different scenarios, you’ll learn how to handle each conversation tactfully and professionally.
#13. The Effective Communication Method
By: Brian Basterfield
Who’s it for: Anyone who wants to communicate better
This comprehensive guide provides readers with the necessary tools to become better communicators. Here the author focuses on nine key principles of effective communication such as being attentive, showing empathy, and understanding one’s audience. With practical ideas for each principle, you will gain the confidence to deliver effective messages in any situation.
#14. Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently
By: John C. Maxwell
Who’s it for: Leaders who want to build meaningful connections with others
In this book, the author outlines various strategies that successful people use to communicate effectively. With this helpful advice, you can learn how to bridge the gap between communication and connection. Also, you will discover how to cultivate meaningful relationships with others and become a highly effective leader.
#15. Leadership Is Language: The Hidden Power of What You Say–and What You Don’t
By: L. David Marquet
Who’s it for: All leaders
This book helps leaders identify and eliminate ineffective language habits. Here the author teaches you how to think differently when it comes to communication and provides useful tips on how to craft powerful messages. With this book, you will learn how to use language as a tool for positive transformation.
#16. How to Win Friends and Influence People: Updated For the Next Generation of Leaders (Dale Carnegie Books)
By: Dale Carnegie
Who’s it for: Everyone, from executives to aspiring leaders
This classic from Dale Carnegie is ideal for any leader looking to improve their influence. It provides readers with a set of principles that help them become better communicators. The book also shows you how to build trust and use the power of persuasion. With this valuable knowledge, you can use your words to create meaningful connections.
#17. Ask Powerful Questions: Create Conversations That Matter
By: Will Wise
Who’s it for: Business leaders of all levels
In this book, the author equips readers with valuable tools and techniques to enhance their listening skills. By asking thought-provoking questions, individuals can uncover invaluable information that may not have been revealed through ordinary conversations. It’s an essential book for leaders who want to maximize their potential and communication skills.
#18. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High, Third Edition
By: Joseph Grenny and Kerry Patterson
Who’s it for: Leaders who need to learn how to manage conversations in difficult times
This book is an essential read for anyone who wants to learn how to handle high-stakes conversations. It provides readers with powerful tools to ensure that important conversations are successful. With this book, you can learn how to stay in control of heated discussions and maintain productive dialogue.
#19. The Power of Communication: Skills to Build Trust, Inspire Loyalty, and Lead Effectively
By: Helio Fred Garcia
Who’s it for: Corporate leaders and managers
This book helps readers understand the importance of effective communication in motivating employees and inspiring loyalty. It comes with ideas on how to adjust communication styles depending on different situations and challenges. Furthermore, it offers guidance on addressing difficult issues with employees in a respectful manner. If you want to build strong relationships with your teams, this book is a must-read.
#20. Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences
By: Nancy Duarte
Who’s it for: Leaders who want to learn how to give effective presentations
Nancy Duarte’s highly acclaimed book, Resonate, teaches readers how to create and deliver outstanding presentations. Through an easy-to-follow framework, Duarte explains the importance of storytelling in communication and outlines practical tips for creating compelling presentations. With this guide, you can sharpen your presentation skills and become a better communicator!
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Final Words
These are some of the top leadership communication books on the market today. Whether you want to navigate tough conversations or create powerful presentations, they will provide you with the tools and knowledge to become a more effective leader. So, if you’re looking for an edge in your communication, check out some of these books today!