With summer quickly approaching many will soon have their sunburned noses buried in a book. One might associate summer reading with a juicy novel or a fluffy celebrity memoir. However, why not spend that precious time simultaneously investing in professional growth?
HR Brew recently asked HR pros to share (professionally relevant) books they recommend reading this summer. The community delivered: We’ve received more than 80 book recommendations. We couldn’t include every title in this article, so we’ve listed those most recommended to us.
Check out the list below. Happy reading!
Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity
by Kim Scott
“A great read for new and seasoned managers alike on driving accountability in a team through a fine balance of caring personally for your employees but being comfortable challenging ideas and performance honestly and directly, even when it’s difficult. I appreciated the real life (and often funny) experiences the author shares from her time with Google and Apple. They help to illustrate real-life examples of how open and honest communication can really transform a workplace, its culture, and your team’s performance.”—Allison Nadeau, VP of talent management and acquisition, iCIMS
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
by Patrick Lencioni
“This is such a valuable read because it gives HR professionals and leaders something tangible and concrete. It moves beyond surface-level ‘team building’ into the real behavioral patterns that can derail a team’s success (or when managed correctly, fuel a team’s success). Rather than simply discussing theory, Lencioni breaks it down into five specific, observable behaviors (lack of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results), which allows HR pros to focus on real, measurable behaviors rather than abstract concepts.”—Robert “RC” Whitehouse, SVP of talent business partnership for EMEA and NA, MiQ Digital
The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups
by Daniel Coyle
“As an HR leader, I really connected with The Culture Code because it dives into what truly makes teams click—not just on paper, but in real life. Daniel authentically breaks down the behaviors and dynamics that create trust, safety, and a sense of belonging, which are the heart of any strong workplace culture and something we value wholly at SurveyMonkey. What I love is that what he writes is not just theory—it’s a treasure trove of real stories and actionable insights that any leader can bring directly into their team or organization.”—Sasa Ferrari, VP of global recruiting, talent development, and employee experience, SurveyMonkey
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
by Brené Brown
“I think any book that has you consider frameworks to step into truly authentic leadership and deepening your own self-awareness is a worthwhile read, and Brené’s approach is so honest and real it pulls you in.”—Janeen Speer, CPO, Benevity
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Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
by James Clear
“In a world of transformation, the micro-habits we encourage can make or break culture—this is a practical playbook for behavior change.”—Tina Bennett, VP of people and culture, Panopto
People Powered by AI: A Playbook for HR Leaders Ready to Shape the New World of Work
By Theresa Fesinstine
“As a 30-year HR pro who doesn’t want to be an old dog that can’t learn new tricks, I’m loving People Powered by AI by Theresa Fesinstine. I loathe theory and crave practical checklists. For leaders who are tired of being told ‘you should learn AI’ and could use a little more direction, you won’t regret taking a break from your beach read to up your AI game.”—Jen Fox, executive coach, Everything DiSC Facilitator"
Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well
by Amy Edmondson
“Amy Edmondson’s Right Kind of Wrong is a brilliant guide to embracing intelligent failure as a catalyst for learning and innovation. Her insights on psychological safety and the nuanced types of failure are essential for any leader aiming to foster a culture of curiosity and growth—which is so critical in today’s fast moving and complex world!”—Simon Brown, global learning and development leader, EY
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
By Daniel Pink
“As a Total Rewards leader, I’m always thinking about what really drives people—and a couple of books have really stuck with me. Drive by Daniel Pink is a favorite; it dives into motivation theory and offers a great perspective for building cultures that reward not just results, but real impact.”—Emily Pfeiffer, director of people operations, Strive Health
Artificial Intelligence for HR: Use AI to Support and Develop a Successful Workforce
by Ben Eubanks
“AI for HR by Ben Eubanks is a clear, practical guide that shows how HR teams can use AI to improve hiring, workforce planning, and overall efficiency—without losing the human touch. It helps HR leaders think strategically, ask the right questions, and position themselves as drivers of business impact in an AI-powered future.”—Amy Cappellanti-Wolf, CPO, Dayforce
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It
by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz
“I recommend Never Split the Difference to every HR leader because its clear, step-by-step tactics make hard talks, i.e., pay raises, conflict mediations, policy changes, less scary and more productive. The book teaches you to really listen, ask smart ‘how’ questions, and mirror what people say so they feel understood. These skills help you defuse tension, reach fair deals faster, and build trust across the company.”—Dave Vu, co-founder and COO, Ribbon