18 Best HR Books for Leaders to Inspire, Engage & Transform Workplace Culture
Explore the 18 best HR books for leaders that offer powerful insights, real-world examples, and strategies to elevate employee engagement and leadership impact.
In recent years, the role of HR has undergone a remarkable transformation. No longer confined to conference rooms or back-office functions, HR professionals have emerged as strategic leaders shaping the future of organizations.
In such transformative times, staying informed and inspired is essential. The best HR books offer not just insights, but actionable strategies and frameworks to navigate change, drive engagement, and lead with empathy and innovation.
Whether you're an experienced HR leader or aspiring to become one, this list of 18 must-read books will help you grow, reflect, and lead with confidence.
As the saying goes, “Whenever you read a good book, somewhere in the world, a door opens to allow in more light.” Let these books be your door to new perspectives and possibilities.
Top 18 Must-Read Books for HR Leaders
As an HR leader, if you want to keep up with the latest trends and stay relevant in the ever-changing landscape. Here are ten riveting books for HR leaders.
1. On Fire at Work: How Great Companies Ignite Passion in Their People Without Burning Them Out by Eric Ches
In this book, the author compiles over 25 exclusive interviews with over 25 company founders and CEOs. The book serves the objective of being a guide for any organization that wants to build a workforce that is not just engaged but is on fire.
The book doesn’t just talk on the surface about employee engagement but goes to granular levels on how to keep the fires of passion burning once the honeymoon period of employees is over.
Why this books?
The book lays a roadmap for building an engaging work culture that keeps the employee engaged. It also gives you ways to attract the best talent in the industry and retain them. Chester’s book is a must-read for all HR leaders who want to inspire their employees and get the best out of them.
Apart from being an award-winning author and speaker, Eric Chester is a certified speaking professional and has been included in the international professional speaker’ shall of fame. An honor shared by less than 5% of speakers across the globe which increases the credibility of this book.
2. How Google Works by Eric Schmidt & Jonathan Rosenberg (With Alan Eagle, foreword by Larry Page)
How Google works isn’t a culture book; instead, it is a business book written by two Google executives-Eric Schmidt and Jonathan Rosenberg. Both the authors give a sneak peek into how creative people and one of the best work environments catapulted Google to become an Internet monopoly.
Why this books?
His book begins with ano. An urgent request of a board member for a detailed business plan is denied. As you go through more pages, the book reveals itself in the form of a highly engaging story that offers tactics and best practices to start and build a successful organization. The book throughout focuses on one particular characteristic, and that is-
Hire as many talented engineers as possible and give them freedom.
The whole book stresses how the company never compromised on the people they hire, how the employees would be treated, and the freedom that needs to be given for every employee to spread their wings and do their best work.
3. Turn the Ship Around by David Marquet
Turn the Ship is the story about how former U.S. Navy commander David Marquet transformed the USS Santa Fe from one of the worst-performing nuclear submarines in its fleet to one of the best the Navy has ever seen. It is one of the best illustrations about how building a culture of individual responsibility can drive immense success within an organization.
Why this books?
On a submarine, the captain has all the powers. In the book, he talks about the decentralization of power wherein there is a shift of psychological ownership from the authority to information centers- The crew. Instead of giving plain instructions, they were replaced with conversations filled with intent with a clear objective of breeding an environment that makes leaders of every rank think and act independently.
When freedom is given to think in a high stakes environment, the sailors felt empowered and rose to the occasion. Which in turn lead to great performances helping them win awards and recognition for the USS Santa Fe.
4. Everybody Matters by Bob Chapman and Raj Sisodia
Every individual deserves an opportunity and support for everything they are destined to be. Bob Chapman, CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, implemented a “Continuous Improvement”, People-Centric” leadership mentality within the organization during one of the worst periods of the global economy- the 2008 recession.
Inculcating such an attitude gave birth to a culture that measures the worth of each individual,giving them an environment that lets them discover, develop, and share their expertise, getting appreciated in the process.
Why this books?
This book is excellent in the current context as Barry-Wehmiller Companies lead their employees through enlightening cultural change while going through a recession. They refused to layoff anyone and chose a different path. The path is unique in a way that they instilled a feeling of sacrifice amongst their employees. They instilled everyone with the sense that all will suffer a bit to avoid major suffering on a few.
Everybody Matters is an excellent read in current times as it tells an inspiring story about the human spirit and how it looks within an organization when stakeholders are seen as family and not just employees.
5. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegi
This book is an all-time classic written by one of the greatest entrepreneurs Dale Carnegie on how to win friends and influence people. It may not be directly related to the HR niche, but it is a great read for almost everyone who wants to improve and get success in life.
Why this books?
As an HR leader, you will find the frameworks given in this book useful as you have to deal with alot of people all through your career. It teaches you how to get better as asocial person.
Every leader needs to master the art of influencing people. This book teaches you exactly that. How to maximize the potential of employees, close more business deals, navigate small talk, negotiate better, and getting the better half of a deal.
6. Data-Driven HR: How to Use Analytics and Metrics to Drive Performance by Bernard Marr
This book covers the ways data can be a pivotal factor in making an organization successful in current times. It explains in detail how an organization can use data to drive performance, optimize processes, and make decision-making more precise.
The author of this book, Bernard Marr, is a keynote speaker, and a strategic advisor to several companies and governments. He is among the top five business influencers on the globe as per LinkedIn. As per him, things are changing rapidly, and the world is evolving to become more intelligent with every passing day.
Why this books?
Everything can be measured, from day-to-day activities to significant business operations. That means, today, HR has access to more data increasing their potential to get deeper insights.
This book teaches the reader to leverage these insights to hire smarter people and manage them. It is an excellent read for every HR leader looking for innovation using data and technology.
7. Destination Work by Harry Paul and Ross Reck
It is simple and easy to read a book weaved together with many stories. The core objective of the whole book is conveyed in a story that revolves around the principles of management. It talks about real problems and stresses on having real conversations, being appreciative and kind to everyone. When you form a genuine connection, it makes a massive impact on the morale of an employee.
Why this books?
Visualize an organization where its a joy to come to the office and give the best outputs.The authors of this book, Harry Paul and Ross Reck, depict how being nice to the people who work with them can easily increase the productivity of employees.
The primary reason why behaving nicely with employees is directly proportional to their productivity is the amount of effort put in a task depends on how they feel.
8. Drive by Daniel H. Pin
This book tackles the primary motivation of employees. What exactly drives an employee to work?
The core of this book lies in why the carrot and stick approach is full of flaws, and it can do more harm to the performance of an employee than good. The perils of such a method include poor performance, minimal creativity, and unethical behavior. Bestselling author and a leading thinker in the business behavior niche, Daniel H.Pink scripts a compelling and thought-provoking book on motivation.
Why this books?
He uses case studies and backs his words with scientific research to put his argument forward. As the book delves more profound, he underlines three elements of true motivation, and they are as follows-
- Autonomy- The desire to direct our own lives
- Mastery- The urge to gain expertise in something
- Purpose- The desire to be a part of a greater good
Being an HR leader, it will help you understand what exactly will drive your employees to work and what will motivate them to become the best version of themselves.
9. Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
It is a cult-classic book on management and is a sure shot read for every HR leader out there. The question in the title is not answered by Dr. Spencer Johnson throughout the book. That is where the brilliance of his narrative lies.
Why this books?
The point he wants to make is, it doesn't matter who moved your cheese. You need to get up and start looking for new cheese. When you are making a change in already existing systems, as an organization, ask yourself a few questions.
- Are you making this change because the customer wants it?
- Is the CEO initiating the change?
- Is this change based on the efforts invested by employees at the grass-root level?
Understanding the factors that lead to change will helps you know how your employees could react to a change management program
10. Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make The Leap… And Others Don’t by James C. Collins
Ending this list with Good to Great, a book that outlines six primary virtues of companies that evolved from being just good to great companies.
James Collins, with his team, selected twenty-eight companies for his research. He analyzed the histories of all twenty-eight companies in the study. After going through a humongous amount of data and thousands of pages of interviews, Collins and his crew discovered the key determinants of greatness -- why some companies make the leap and others don't.
Those virtues Include level 5 leaders, hiring the right people, disciplined thinking, hedgehog concept, the culture of freedom, technological innovation, and the flywheel concept where a combination of small steps determines success.
Why this books?
It showcases how great companies create an impact over time through long-term sustained performance that can be engineered into the DNA of an enterprise from the very beginning.
11. The Culture Code: The secrets of highly successful groups by Daniel Coyle
This is one of the best HR books that dives deep into the dynamics of culture within high-performing teams. Daniel Coyle takes readers on a journey through some of the world’s most effective organizations—like Pixar, the U.S. Navy SEALs, and Google—and uncovers what makes them thrive.
Why this books?
The core idea of The Culture Code lies in three essential skills that generate cohesion and cooperation: building safety, sharing vulnerability, and establishing purpose. These components, when aligned, can help HR leaders transform teams and foster a sense of belonging across departments.
This book is an insightful guide for HR professionals aiming to create and sustain a culture that motivates people to perform at their best.
12. First, Break All the Rules: What the world’s greatest managers do differently by Marcus Buckingham & Curt Coffman
This is a data-backed exploration of what separates exceptional managers from average ones. Drawing from Gallup’s extensive research involving over 80,000 managers, this book turns conventional management wisdom on its head.
Why this books?
One of the best books for HR professionals who want to empower leadership within their organization, it emphasizes individual strengths over blanket rules. Instead of trying to fix weaknesses, the authors argue that focusing on what people do best leads to lasting performance gains.
It’s an excellent read for HR leaders building high-performing teams and aligning talent with business outcomes.
13. Leaders Eat Last: Why some teams pull together and others don’t by Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek, known for his powerful storytelling, explores the deep-rooted psychology of leadership and what creates strong, loyal teams. Through compelling examples from military units, corporations, and nonprofits, Sinek explains how leaders who prioritize the well-being of their people build resilient organizations.
Why this books?
The central idea of the book is the concept of the “Circle of Safety,” which ensures people feel secure, valued, and empowered. When employees feel protected and heard, they become more collaborative and innovative.
This is one of those good HR books that inspires a people-first approach and offers a strong argument for empathetic, values-based leadership.
14. Radical Candor: Be a kick-ass boss without losing your humanity by Kim Scott
Kim Scott’s Radical Candor is a refreshing and actionable playbook for leaders and HR professionals who want to create open, honest, and high-performing work environments.
The book introduces a simple yet powerful framework: Care Personally + Challenge Directly. This balance allows leaders to offer tough feedback while maintaining strong relationships.
Why this books?
Filled with personal anecdotes and workplace examples, this book helps HR leaders coach managers, foster trust, and eliminate toxic work cultures. It’s one of the best books for HR professionals looking to elevate feedback conversations and performance development.
15. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
This business fable by Patrick Lencioni remains a favorite among HR books for its engaging storytelling and practical frameworks.
Why this books?
It reveals five common dysfunctions that derail teams—absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results.
Each dysfunction is illustrated through a fictional yet realistic case study, making the concepts easy to grasp and implement. The book provides diagnostic tools and actionable strategies to build cohesive, high-functioning teams.
It’s an essential read for HR leaders invested in improving collaboration and driving organizational effectiveness from within.
16. HR from the Outside In: Six competencies for the future of human resources by Dave Ulrich, Jon Younger, Wayne Brockbank & Mike Ulrich
This is one of the best HR books that redefines what it means to be an effective HR leader in today’s ever-evolving business landscape.
Why this books?
Backed by decades of global research, it outlines six key competencies that modern HR professionals need—including strategic positioning, credible activism, and capability building.
Dave Ulrich, often referred to as the “father of modern HR,” provides a robust roadmap for aligning HR strategy with business value. The book is both a self-assessment guide and a strategic tool for HR transformation.
If you’re looking for a book that addresses future-readiness in HR, this should be on your shelf.
17. The Making of a Manager: What to do when everyone looks to you by Julie Zhuo
Written by Facebook’s former VP of Product Design, this book offers an honest, practical look at what it means to step into leadership. It’s especially relevant for new managers and HR professionals supporting people through that transition.
Why this books?
Julie Zhuo shares personal stories, relatable challenges, and lessons learned—from giving feedback and leading meetings to developing a leadership style. It's approachable, actionable, and refreshingly authentic.
While it isn’t strictly an HR-focused book, it’s a valuable tool for any HR leader designing leadership development programs or coaching first-time managers.
18. Powerful: Building a culture of freedom and responsibility by Patty McCord
Authored by Netflix’s former Chief Talent Officer, Powerful gives a behind-the-scenes look at the unconventional HR practices that helped shape one of the most admired corporate cultures.
Why this books?
Patty McCord challenges traditional notions of employee engagement, performance management, and retention. She encourages companies to treat people like adults, embrace radical honesty, and build a culture centered on business results.
This is one of the best books for HR leaders ready to question the status quo and create cultures that are agile, empowering, and high-performing.
Suggested resource pairing with Empuls
While these books give HR leaders powerful strategies to inspire, engage, and lead, Empuls by Xoxoday offers the practical platform to put these strategies into action.
For instance:
Conclusion
There are a lot of other books too which are of immense value to HR leaders. We have compiled this list selecting those books which we think would be of great value to you keeping in mind the contemporary situations and what the future would be like for HR. Knowledge is power, seek it in books, and use it wisely.
