banner

2025 Native American & Alaska Native Authored Leadership Book List

2025 Leadership Books by Native American and Alaska Natives Book list banner
2025 Leadership Books by Native American and Alaska Natives Book list banner

In honor of Alaska Native & Native American Month, we’ve updated our Native American & Alaska Native Authored Leadership Book List. This list is meant to be a resource, not an official endorsement. The books are not ranked or listed in any particular order.

Check out our other leadership book lists by authors who identify as LGBTQIA+, AANHPI, women, Hispanic/ Latino/ Latinx, Black and those who identify as having disabilities.

  1. #Not Your Princess: Voices of Native American Women — Lisa Charleyboy, Mary Beth Leatherdale (editors)
  2. A History of my Brief Body — Billy-Ray Belcourt
  3. A Mind Spread Out on the Ground — Alicia Elliott
  4. A Yupiaq Worldview: a Pathway to Ecology and Spirit — Angayuqaq Kawagley
  5. Abandon Me: Memoirs — Melissa Febos
  6. American Indian Stories — Zitkala-Sa
  7. An Indian Among Los Indígenas: A Native Travel Memoir — Ursula Pike
  8. As Long As Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice, from Colonization to Standing Rock — Dina Gilio-Whitaker
  9. As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance — Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
  10. Bad Girl and the Man who Followed the Sun — Velma Wallis
  11. Bad Indians: A Tribal Memoir — Deborah Miranda
  12. Bear Island: The War at Sugar Point — Gerald Vizenor
  13. Becoming Kin: An Indigenous Call to Unforgetting the Past and Reimagining Our Future — Patty Krawec
  14. Birding While Indian: A Mixed-Blood Memoir — Thomas C. Gannon
  15. Black and Blue: A Memoir of Racism and Resilience — Veronica Gorrie
  16. Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy man of the Oglala Sioux — Black Elk
  17. Black Indian: A Memoir — Shonda Buchanan
  18. Blonde Indian: an Alaska Native Memoir — Ernestine Hayes
  19. Bone Dance — Wendy Rose
  20. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants — Robin Wall Kimmerer
  21. Carry: A Memoir of Survival on Stolen Land — Toni Jensen
  22. Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir by One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII — Chester Nez
  23. Cold River Spirits: Whispers from a Family’s Forgotten Past — Jan Harper-Haines
  24. Cormorant Hunter’s Wife — Joan Naviyuk Kane
  25. Crazy Brave: A Memoir — Joy Harjo
  26. Critically Sovereign: Indigenous Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies — Joanne Barker
  27. Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto — Vine DeLoria, Jr.
  28. Decolonizing Pathways towards Integrative Healing in Social Work — Kris Clarke and Michael Yellow Bird
  29. Dog Flowers: A Memoir — Danielle Geller
  30. Dwellings: A Spiritual History of the Living World — Linda Hogan
  31. Everything You Know About Indians is Wrong — Paul Chaat Smith
  32. Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask — Anton Treuer
  33. Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People — William Iggiagruk Hensley
  34. Firsting and Lasting: Writing Indians out of Existence in New England — Jean O’Brien
  35. For Indigenous Eyes Only: A Decolonization Handbook — Waziyatawin and Michael Yellow Bird
  36. Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes Through Indigenous Science
  37. Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses — Robin Wall Kimmerer
  38. Gichigami Hearts: Stories and Histories from Misaabekong — Linda LeGarde Grover
  39. Girlhood — Melissa Febos
  40. God is Red: A Native View of Religion — Vine DeLoria, Jr.
  41. Heart Berries — Terese Marie Mailhot
  42. Hungry Listening: Resonant Theory for Indigenous Sound Studies — Dylan Robinson
  43. In My Own Moccasins: A Memoir of Resilience — Helen Knott
  44. Indian Stories: Ahtna Indian Stories from Cantwell, Alaska — Jake Tansy
  45. Indigenous Memory, Urban Reality — Michelle R. Jacobs
  46. Know We Are Here: Voices of Native California Resistance — Terria Smith
  47. Lakota Woman — Mary Brave Bird
  48. Life Among the Piutes: Their Wrongs and Claims — Sarah Winnemucca
  49. Life of Black Hawk, or Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak: Dictated by Himself — Black Hawk
  50. Like a Loaded Weapon — Robert A. Williams Jr.
  51. Making a Difference: My Fight for Native Rights and Social Justice — Ada Deer
  52. Making Love with the Land — Joshua Whitehead
  53. Mark My Words: Native Women Mapping Our Nations — Mishuana Goeman
  54. Men We Reaped: A Memoir — Jesmyn Ward
  55. Mourning Dove — Mourning Dove
  56. Muscogee Daughter: My Sojourn to the Miss America Pageant — Susan Supernaw
  57. Native American DNA — Kim TallBear
  58. Native American Entrepreneurs — Ron P. Sheffield, J. Mark Munoz
  59. Native: Identity, Belonging, and Rediscovering God — Kaitlin B. Curtice
  60. Navajo Courts and Navajo Common Law: A Tradition of Tribal Self-Governance — Raymond D. Austin
  61. New Poets of Native Nations — Heidi Erdrich
  62. Night Flying Woman: An Ojibway Narrative — Ignatia Broker
  63. Nooping: The Cure for White Ladies — Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
  64. Nulato: An Indian Life on the Yukon — Poldine Carlo
  65. Original Fire: Selected and New Poems — Louise Erdrich
  66. Our History Is the Future: Standing Rock Versus the Dakota Access Pipeline, and the Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance — Nick Estes
  67. People of Kauwerak: Legends of the Northern Eskimo — William A. Oquilluk
  68. Peyakow: Reclaiming Cree Dignity — Darrel McLeod
  69. Poet Warrior: A Memoir — Joy Harjo
  70. Pollution is Colonialism — Max Liboiron
  71. Portage Lake: Memories of an Ojibwe Childhood — Maude Kegg
  72. Prison Writings: My Life is My Sun Dance — Leonard Peltier
  73. Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America — Matika Wilbur
  74. Qanruyuteput Iinruugut: Our Teachings Are Medicine — Alice Rearden
  75. Qulirat Qanemcit-Ilu Kinguvarcimalriit: Stories for Future Generations — Paul John
  76. Raising Ourselves: A Gwitch’in Coming of Age Story from the Yukon River — Velma Wallis
  77. Recovering the Sacred: The Power of Naming and Claiming — Winona LaDuke
  78. Red Nation Rising: From Bordertown Violence to Native Liberation — Nick Estes, Melanie K. Yazzi, Jennifer Nez Denetdale, David Correia
  79. Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk — Sasha LaPointe
  80. Red Skin, White Masks: Rejecting the Colonial Politics of Recognition — Glen Sean Coulthard
  81. Remembering Our Intimacies: Mo‘olelo, Aloha ‘Aina, and Ea — Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio
  82. Rock Piles Along the Eddy — Ishmael Hope
  83. Roughly for the North — Carrie Ayagaduk Ojanen
  84. Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can Save the World — Tyson Yunkaporta
  85. Seeing Red: Indigenous Land, American Expansion, and the Political Economy of Plunder in North America — Michael John Witgen
  86. Sister Nations: Native American Women Writers on Community — Heidi Erdrich, Laura Tohe
  87. Speaking of Indigenous Politics: Conversations with Activists, Scholars, and Tribal Leaders — J. Kehaulani Kauanui, Robert Warrior
  88. Spílexm: A Weaving of Recovery, Resilience, and Resurgence — Nicola I. Campbell
  89. Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathon Through North America’s Stolen Land — Noé Alvarez
  90. Standing with Standing Rock: Voices from the #NoDAPL Movement — Nick Estes, Jaskiran Dhillon
  91. Starvation Mode — Elissa Washuta
  92. Storyteller — Leslie Marmon Silko
  93. Tales of Ticasuk: Eskimo Legends & Stories — Ticasuk Emily Ivanoff Brown
  94. The Assassination of Hole in the Day — Anton Treuer
  95. The Bear is My Father: Indigenous Wisdom of a Muscogee Creek Caretaker of Sacred Ways — Bear Heart & Reginah WaterSpirit
  96. The Beginning and End of Rape: Confronting Sexual Violence in Native America — Sarah Deer
  97. The Common Pot — Lisa Brooks
  98. The Four Hills of Life: Ojibwe Wisdom — Thomas Peacock, Marlene Wisuri
  99. The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee — David Treuer
  100. The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America — Thomas King
  101. The Lakota Way: Stories and Lessons for Living — Joseph Marshall III
  102. The Man Made of Words: Essays, Stories, Passages — N. Scott Momaday
  103. The People and the Word: Reading Native Nonfiction — Robert Warrior
  104. The People Shall Continue — Simon Ortiz
  105. The Queerness of Native American Literature — Lisa Tatonetti
  106. The Rediscovery of America — Ned Blackhawk
  107. The Roots of Ticasuk — Ticasuk (Emily Ivanoff Brown)
  108. The Sacred Hoop: Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Traditions — Paula Gunn Allen
  109. The School Days of an Indian Girl, and an Indian Teacher Among Indians — Zitkala-Sa
  110. The Tao of Raven: An Alaska Native Memoir — Ernestine Hayes
  111. The Third Space of Sovereignty — Kevin Bruyneel
  112. The Turquoise Ledge — Leslie Silko
  113. There There — Tommy Orange
  114. Think Indigenous: Native American Spirituality for a Modern World — Doug Good Feather
  115. Thinning Blood: A Memoir of Family, Myth, and Identity — Leah Myers
  116. Thunder Song: Essays — Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe
  117. Tribal Secrets: Recovering American Indian Intellectual Traditions — Robert Warrior
  118. Two Old Women: An Alaska Legend of Betrayal, Courage and Survival — Velma Wallis
  119. Walking the Ojibwe Path — Richard Wagamese
  120. We Have Not Stopped the Trembling Yet: Letters to My Filipino-Athabascan Family — E.J.R. David
  121. When My Brother Was an Aztec — Natalie Diaz
  122. Where White Men Fear to Tread: The Autobiography of Russell Means — Russell Means, Marvin J. Means
  123. Whereas — Layli Long Soldier
  124. Whip Smart — Melissa Febos
  125. Whiskey Tender — Deborah Jackson Taffa
  126. White Magic — Elissa Washuta
  127. Wiping the War Paint off the Lens: Native American Film and Video — Beverly Singer
  128. Written by the Body: Gender Expansiveness and Indigenous Non-Cis Masculinities — Lisa Tatonetti
  129. X-Marks — Scott Richard Lyons
  130. You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me — Sherman Alexie
  131. Yupiit Qanruyutait: Yup’ik Words of Wisdom — Ann Fienup-Riordan
  132. Yuuyaraq: The Way of the Human Being — Harold Napoleon

View all of our leadership book lists here.

2025 Leadership Books by Disabled Authors

We created this list to promote leadership books by disabled authors. This list is meant to be a resource, not an official endorsement. The books are not ranked or listed in any particular order.

Check out our other leadership book lists by authors who identify as LGBTQIA+, AANHPI, Native American, women, and Hispanic/ Latino/ Latinx.

1. A Body, Undone: Living On After Great Pain — Christina Crosby

2. A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome — Ariel Henley

3. Adult ADHD: How to Succeed as a Hunter in a Farmer’s World — Thom Hartmann

4. An Unquiet Mind: A Memoir of Moods and Madness — Kay Redfield Jamison

5. And Now We Are Going to Have a Party: Liner Notes to a Writer’s Early Life — Nicola Griffith

6. Apocalyptic Best Practices: A unique approach to fear and change — Elisebeth VanderWeil

7. ASL Saved My Life…Until it didn’t — Jenni Kleinman Berebitsky

8. Authentic: The Myth of Bringing Your Full Self to Work — Jodi Ann Burey

9. Be Different — John Elder Robison

10. Being Heumann: an unrepentent memoir of a disability rights activist — Judith E. Heumann

11. Black, Blind, In Charge: A Story of Visionary Leadership and Overcoming Adversity — David A Paterson

12. Blind: A Memoir — Belo Cipriani

13. Body, Remember: A memoir — Kenny Fries

14. Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness — Susannah Cahalan

15. Brilliant Imperfection: Grappling With Cure — Eli Clare

16. Calling all Minds: How to Think and Create Like an Inventor — Temple Grandin

17. Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice — Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha

18. Chef Interrupted — Trevis Gleason

19. Claiming Disability: Knowledge and Identity — Simi Linton

20. Count Us In: Growing Up with Down Syndrome — Jason Kingsley (Author), Mitchell Levitz (Author)

21. Crazy, Who Me?: My Journey as a Leader Overcoming Depression — John Panigas

22. Deaf in Japan: Signing and the Politics of Identity — Karen Nakamura

23. Deaf Utopia: A Memoir―and a Love Letter to a Way of Life — Coauthored by Nyle DiMarco

24. Defiant — Michael Scott Monje Jr.

25. Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally — Emily Ladau

26. Disability Incarcerated: Imprisonment and Disability in the United States and Canada — Liat Ben-moshe (editor), Allison C. Carey (Editor), Chris Chapman (Editor), Angela Y. Davis (Foreword)

27. Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century — Alice Wong

28. Disabled Leadership — Dr. Tom A. Wiggins

29. Disarm Your Limits: The flight formula to lift you to success and propel you to the next horizon — Jessica Cox

30. Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disabiity and Making Space — Amanda Leduc

31. Dissonant Disabilities: Women With Chronic Illness Explore Their Lives — Michelle Owen, Diane Driedger (Editor)

32. Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot — John Callahan

33. Elegy for a Disease: A Personal and Cultural History of Polio — Anne Finger

34. Exile and Pride: Disability, Queerness, and Liberation — Eli Clare

35. Extraordinary Bodies: Figuring Physical Disability in American Culture and Literature — Rosemarie Garland-Thomson

36. Fading Scars: My Queer Disability History — Corbett O’Toole

37. Fall Down, Laughing: How Squiggy caught multiple sclerrosis and didn’t tell nobody — David Lander

38. Fearlessly Different: An Autistic Actor’s Journey to Broadway’s Biggest Stage — Mickey Rowe

39. Feminist Queer Crip — Alison Kafer

40. Find Another Dream — Maysoon Zayid

41. Gaby Brimmer: An Autobiography in Three Voices — Gaby Brimmer (Author), Elena Poniatowska

42. Goalkeeper: Memoir of Poet Peter Street — Peter Street, Lorraine Worsley-Carter (Foreword)

43. Golem Girl — Riva Lehrer

44. Haben: The deafblind woman who conquered Harvard Law — Haben Girma

45. Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Mediation — Adrienne Maree Brown

46. House of Prayer No. 2 — Mark Richard

47. How I Became a Human Being: A Disabled Man’s Quest for Independence — Mark O’Brien, Gillian Kendall (Contributor)

48. How I See It: A Personal and Historical View of Disability — H Penny Mishkin

49. How to Live Free in a Dangerous World: A Decolonial Memior — Shayla Lawson

50. I Am Not a Label — Cerrie Burnell

51. I Am Schizophrenic: Poetry from a beautiful brain — Kerenza Ryan

52. I Live a Life Like Yours: A Memoir — Jan Grue

53. I’ll Scream Later — Marlee Matlin

54. If at Birth You Don’t Succeed: My Adventures with Disaster and Destiny — Zach Anner

55. In the Province of Gods — Kenny Fries

56. Just Human: The Quest for Disability Wisdom, Respect, and Inclusion — Arielle Silverman, PhD

57. Laughing at My Nightmare — Shane Burcaw

58. Life in the Mind Interrupted: Essays on Mental Health and Disability in Higher Education — Katie Rose Guest Pryal

59. Limitless: The Power of Hope and Resilience to Overcome Circumstances — Mallory Weggemann

60. Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s — John Elder Robison

61. Loud Hands: Autistic People, Speaking — Julia Bascom

62. Mad at School: Rhetorics of Mental Disability and Academic Life — Margaret Price

63. Madness: A Bipolar Life — Marya Hornbacher

64. Marbles: Mainia, Depession Michelangelo, and Me — Ellen Forney

65. Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up — Selma Blair

66. Mean Little Deaf Queer: A Memoir — Terry Galloway

67. More the Same than Different: What I Wish People Knew About Respecting and Including People with Disabilities — Lorraine Cannistra

68. Moving Violations: Warzones, Wheelchairs, and Declarations of Independence — John Hockenberry

69. My Body is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church — Amy Kenny

70. Not a Poster Child: Living Well with a Disability – A Memoir — Francine Falk-Allen

71. Nothing about us without us: disability oppression and empowerment — James I. Charlton

72. On the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, and the Gifts of Neurodiversity — Daniel Bowman Jr.

73. Planet of the Blind — Stephen Kuusisto

74. Poster Child: A Memoir — Emily Rapp Black

75. Resistance and Hope: Essays by Disabled People — edited by Alice Wong

76. Rolling Warrior: The Incredible, Sometimes Awkward, True Sotry of a Rebel Girl on Wheels Who Helped Spark a Revolution — Judith Heumann

77. Rough Waters: From Surviving to Thriving with a Progressive Muscular Dystrophy — Heather C. Markham

78. Sick: A Memoir — Porochista Khakpour

79. Sitting Pretty: The View from My Oridinary Resilient Disabled Body — Rebekah Taussig

80. Songs of the Gorilla Nation: My Journey Through Autism — Dawn Prince-Hughes

81. Speedbumps: Florring it through Hollywood — Teri Garr

82. Staring: How We Look — Rosemarie Garland-Thomson

83. Still Me — Christopher Reeve

84. Strangers Assume My Girlfriend Is My Nurse — Shane Burcaw

85. Successfull to Burnt Out: Experiences of Women on the Autism Spectrum — Karletta Abianac

86. Switched On: A Memoir of Brain Change and Emotional Awakening — John Elder Robison

87. The ADHD Advantage: What You Thought Was a Diagnosis May Be Your Greatest Strength — Dale Archer, MD

88. The Body Silent: The Different World of the Disabled — Robert Francis Murphy

89. The Difference That Disability Makes — Rod Michalko

90. The Disability Experience: Working Toward Belonging — Hannalora Leavitt

91. The Essential Franklin Delano Roosevelt — Franklin Roosevelt

92. The Fully Recovered Mindset — Maddie Neibanck

93. The Ghost in My Brain: How a Concussion Stole My Life and How the New Science of Brain Plasticity Helped Me Get It Back — Clark Elliott

94. The History of My Shoes and the Evolution of Darwin’s Theory — Kenny Fries

95. The Obsessive Joy of Autism — Julia Bascom

96. The pretty one: on life, pop cultue, disability, and other reasons to fall in love with me — Keah Brown

97. The Story of My Life — Helen Keller

98. The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s — Temple Grandin

99. The White Album — Joan Didion

100. The World I Live In — Helen Keller

101. Thinking in Pictures: My Life with Autism — Temple Grandin

102. To Know As We Are Known: Education as spiritual journey — Parker Palmer

103. Too Late to Die Young: Nearly True Tales from a Life — Harriet McBryde Johnson

104. Typed Words, Loud Voices — Various (Author), Amy Sequenzia (Editor), Elizabeth Grace (Editor)

105. Unleash Different: Achieving Business Success Through Disability — Rich Donovan

106. Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding social mysteries theough autism’s unique perspectives — Temple Grandin

107. Waist-High in the World: A Life Among the Nondisabled — Nancy Mairs

108. Walking Papers: The Accident that Changed My Life, and the Business that Got Me Back on My Feet — Francesco Clark

109. We Are Never Meeting in Real Life — Smantha Irby

110. What Doesn’t Kill You: A Life with Chronic Illness – Lessons from a Body in Revolt — Tessa Miller

111. When the Chant Comes — Kay Ulanday Barrett

112. Why I Burned My Book and Other Essays on Disability — Paul K. Longmore

113. Wishful Drinking — Carrie Fisher

114. Year of the Tiger: An Activists Life — Alice Wong

115. You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me — Sherman Alexie

View all of our leadership book lists here.

133 Leadership Books Written by Hispanic/ Latino/ Latinx Authors (2025)

In honor of Latin American History Month, we updated our list of leadership books with 132 leadership books written by Hispanic/ Latino/ Latinx authors. This list is meant to be a resource, not an official endorsement. The books are not ranked or listed in any particular order.

Check out our other leadership book lists by authors who identify as LGBTQIA+, AANHPI, Native American, women, Black and those who identify as having disabilities.

1. Becoming Dr. Q: My Journey from a Migrant Farm Worker to Brain Surgeon by Alfredo Quinones-Hinjosa

2. [Un]framing the “Bad Woman”: Sor Juana, Malinche, Coyolxauhqui, and othe rebels with a cause by Alicia Gaspar de Alba

3. The Likeability Trap: How to Break Free and Succeed As You Are by Alicia Menendez

4. You Don’t Hae to Like Me: Essays on Growing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding Feminism by Alida Nugent

5. Chingona: Owning Your Inner Badass for Healing and Justice by Alma Zaragoza-Petty

6. The 5 Disciplines of Inclusive Leaders: Unleashing the Power of Us All by Andrés Tapia (coauthor)

7. The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self Care by Anna Borges

8. In Defense of Our America: The Fight for Civil LIberties in the Age of Terror by Anthony D. Romero

9. Frida by Barbara Mujica

10. Growing American Roots by Bob Menendez

11. Silencing Gender, Age, Ethnicity and Cultural Biases in Leadership by Camilla A. Montoya, Julieta V. García. et al.

12. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Strategies for Facilitating Conversations on Race by Caprice Hollins and Ilsa Govan

13. Youth, Identity, Power: The Chicano Movement by Carlos Munoz Jr.

14. The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light by Carlos Santana

15. In The Dream House: A Memoir by Carmen Maria Machado

16. Latina Empowerment Through Leadership: Mindful Stories from Inspiring Women by Catherine Munos Garces, Monica Rivera, et al

17. Leaving Little Havana: A memoir of Miami’s Cuban ghetto by Cecilia M. Fernandez

18. More than Ready: Be Strong and Be You… and Other Lessons for Women of Color on the Rise by Cecilia Muñoz

19. An Organizer’s Tale by Cesar Chavez

20. Leadership Lessons of the White House Fellows: Learn How to Inspire Others, Acheive Greatness, and Find Success in Any Organization by Charles P. Garcia

21. Latinization and the Latino Leader: How to Value, Develop, and Advance Latino Professionals by Cristina Benitez & Marlene Gonzalez

22. Dreaming of Home: How We Turn Fear into Pride, Power, and Real Change by Cristina Jiménez

23. The Power Manual: How to Master Complex Power Dynamcis by Cyndi Suarez

24. Burnt out to Lit Up by Daisy Auger-Dominguez

25. Inclusion Revolution: The Essential Guide to Dismantling Racial Inequity in the Workplace by Daisy Auger-Dominguez

26. A Cup of Water Under My Bed: A Memoir by Daisy Hernández

27. Undocumented: A Dominican boy’s odyssey from a homeless shelter to the Ivy League by Dan-el Padilla Peralta

28. El Cinco de Mayo: An American Tradition by David Hayes-Bautista

29. La Nueva California: Latinos from Pioneers to Post-Millenials by David Hayes-Bautista

30. Ready, Set, Manifest: A Handbook for the in-between and leaps in life by Debbie Lacey

31. Dream Big by Deborah Rosado Shaw

32. Latina Leadership Lessons: Fifty Latinas Speak by Delia Garcia (editor)

33. Thriving in the Fight: A Survival Manual for Latinas on the Front Lines of Change by Denise Padin Collazo

34. In the Country We Love: My Family Divided by Diane Guerrero

35. The Story of Latinos and Education in American History by Dr. Abdín Noboa-Ríos

36. The Leadership Shift: The strategic Positioning of Latino Business Leaders by Dr. Nilda Perez

37. Latinos in American Society: Families and Communities in Transition by Dr. Ruth Enid Zambrana

38. Latinx: The New Force in American Politics by Ed Morales

39. American Poison: How Racial Hostility Destroyed Our Promise by Eduardo Porter

40. Dream First: How to Quit Overthinking and Make it Happen by Ellen Marie Bennett

41. Field Mice: Memoirs of a Migrant Child by Emma Gonzalez

42. Almost a Woman by Esmeralda Santiago

43. When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago

44. In My Own Words: A Memoir by Eva Peron

45. Presumed Incompetent: The Intersections of Race and Class for Women in Academia by Gabriella Gutiérrez y Muhs, Yolanda Flores Niemann, Carment G. González

46. Gaby Brimmer: An Autobiography in Three Voices by Gaby Brimmer (Author), Elena Poniatowska

47. The Virtuous Circle: Restore Your Confidence, Bounce Back, and Emerge Stronger by Gaby Natale

48. Borderlands / La Frontera: The New Mestiza by Gloria Anzaldúa

49. Breaking Ground and Barriers: Hispanic Women Developing Effective Leadership by Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, Ph.D.

50. Take Charge of your Brand: Quck and simple techniques to help you own and manage your personal brand for professional and personal success by Guisselle Nuñez

51. The Engine of America: The Secrets to Small Business Success From Entrepreneurs Who Have Made It! by Hector V. Barreto

52. Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader by Hermina Ibarra

53. The Secret Principles of Genius: The Key to Unlocking Your Hidden Genius Potential by I.C. Robledo

54. My Time to Speak: Reclaiming Ancestry and Confronting Race by Ilia Calederon

55. My Invented Country: a Nostalgic Journey Through Chile by Isabel Allende

56. The Soul of a Woman by Isabel Allende

57. Isabel’s Hand-Me-Down Dreams by Isabel Lopez

58. Latinas in Aviation by Jacqueline S. Ruiz

59. Youth to Power: Your Voice and How to Use it by Jamie Margolin

60. The Buena Salud Guide to Understanding Depression and Enjoying Life by Jane Delgado

61. The Latina Guide to Health: Consejos and Caring Answers by Jane Delgado

62. Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora

63. Crux: A cross-border memoir by Jean Guerrero

64. ¡Rise up, Mi Gente! A Roadmap for Latinos to Acheive Success in Corporate America by Jesse A. Mejia

65. And A Voice to Sing With: A Memoir by Joan Baez

66. Powerhouse Principles: The Ultimate Bluepring for REal Estate Success in an Ever-Chaning Market by Jorge Perez

67. Take a Stand: Lessons from Rebels by Jorge Ramos

68. Dear America: Notes of an undocumented citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas

69. From Farmworker to Astronaut by Jose Hernandez

70. Salsa, Soul, and Spirit: Leadership for a multicultural age by Juana Bordas

71. The Power of Latino Leadership: Culture, inclusion, and contribution by Juana Bordas

72. An Unlikely Journy: Waking up from My American Dream by Julián Castro

73. My (Underground) American Dream: My True Story as an Undocumented Immigrant Who Became a Wall Street Executive by Julissa Arce

74. The Undocumented Americans by Karla Conejo Villavicencio

75. The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

76. Justice & Space Matter in a Strong, Unified Latino Community by Kathy Bussert-Web, Maria Eugenia Diaz, Krystal A Yanez

77. Latino and Latina Leaders of the 21st Century: Ordinary Beginnings, Extraordinary Outcomes by Kay (Kayla) S. Garcia

78. Inventing Latinos: A New Story of American Racism by Laura E. Gómez

79. I Got This: To Gold and Beyond by Lauren Hernandez

80. The Far Away Brothers: Two young migrants and the making of an American life by Lauren Markham

81. Being Brown: Sonia Sotomayor and the Latino Question by Lázaro Lima

82. Beyond Inclusion, Beyond Empowerment A Developmental Strategy to Liberate Everyone by Leticia Nieto

83. Wealth Warrior: 8 Steps for Communities of Color to Conquer the Stock Market by Linda Garcia

84. Dream in Color: How the Sánchez Sisters are Making History in Congress by Linda Sánchez

85. Gmorning, Gnight!: Little pep talks for me & you by Lin-Mauel Miranda

86. Journey to the Future: A Roadmap for Success for Youth by Ltc. Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch

87. The Devil’s Highway, A True Story by Luis Alberto Urrea

88. Still Dreaming: My Journey from the Barrio to Capitol Hill by Luis Gutiérrez

89. Always Running: La Vida Loca – gang days in L.A. by Luis J. Rodriguez

90. Healing Journey: Surviving Domestic Violence by Lupe Valdez

91. AOC: The Fearless Rise and Powerful Resonance of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes by Lynda Lopez

92. Children of the Land: A Memoir by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo

93. An American Son: A Memoir by Marco Rubio

94. Living Beyond Borders: Growing Up Mexican in America by Margarita Longoria

95. Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America by María Hinojosa

96. Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real by Mariana Atencio

97. The Latino Advantage in the Workplace by Mariela Dabbah, Arturo Poiré

98. Taking On the System: Rules for Change in a Digital Era by Markos Moulitsas Zuniga

99. From the Texas Cotton Fields to the United States Tax Court, the Life Journey of Juan F. Vasquez by Mary Theresa (Terry) Vasquez, Anthony Head

100. Latino Leaders Speak: Personal Stories of Struggle and Triumph by Mickey Ibarra (editor), Maria Pérez-Brown (Editor)

101. Finding Manana: A Memoir of a Cuban Exodus by Mirta Ojito

102. The Injustice Never Leaves You: Anti-Mexican Violence in Texas by Monica Muñoz Martinez

103. Mean by Myriam Gurba

104. Leapfrog: The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneuers by Nathalie Molina Niño

105. Hermanas: Deepening our identity and growing our influence by Natialia Kohn Rivera

106. Self Made: Becoming Empowered, Self Reliant and Rich in Every Way by Nely Galán

107. Spirit Run: A 6000 Mile Marathon Through America’s Stolen Land by Noe Alvarez

108. Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity by Paola Ramos

109. Tias and Primas, On Knowing and Loving the Women Who Raise Us by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodriguez

110. Latinas Rising Up in HR: Inspirational Stories of Human Resources Professionals Leading, Thriving, and Breaking Barriers by Priscilla Guasso

111. Bird of Paradise: How I became a Latina by Raquel Cepeda

112. The Prince of Los Cocuyos by Richard Blanco

113. Me by Ricky Martin

114. Rita Moreno: A Memoir by Rita Moreno

115. Brown Church: Five centuries of Latina/o Social justice, theology, and identity by Robert Chao Romero

116. Autentico: The definitive guide to Latino career success by Robert Rodriguez

117. Latino Talent: Effective Strategies to Recruit, Retain, and Develop Hispanic Professionals by Robert Rodriguez

118. Get Rooted: Reclaim Your Soul, Serenity, and Sisterhood Throughthe Healing Medicine of the Grandmothers by Robyn Moreno

119. Farmworker’s Daughter: Growing up Mexican American by Rose Castillo Guilbault

120. Homeless by Choice by Roy Juarez Jr.

121. Presevere with Power: What Heaven Starts, Hell Cannot Stop by Samuel Rodriguez

122. A House of My Own: Stories From My Life by Sandra Cisneros

123. Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed: 15 Voices from the Latinx Diaspora by Saraciea J. Fennell (Editor)

124. This Little World: A How-To Guide for Social Innovators by Shelly Kurtz

125. IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOUNTAIN: A MEMOIR OF COURAGE by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado

126. My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor

127. Mexican Enough: My Life Between the Borderlines by Stephanie Elizondo Griest

128. Hispanic Women Seeking Higher Leadership Roles in Business by Syliva C. Motta, PhD

129. Path to the Stars: My Journey from Girl Scout to Rocket Scientist―A Latina Engineer’s Odyssey from the Brownies to NASA by Sylvia Acevedo

130. Uncolonized Latinas: Transforming Our Mindsets and Rising Together by Valerie Aloe

131. ¡Ándale, Prieta!: A Love Letter to My Family by Yasmin Ramirez

132. Through the Dark by Yolanda Nava

View all of our leadership book lists here.

197 Leadership Books Written by LGBTQIA+ Authors

2025 LGBTQIA+ Leadership Books header
2025 LGBTQIA+ Leadership Books header

In honor of Pride Month, we created this list of 197 leadership books written by LGBTQIA+ authors. This list is meant to be a resource, not an official endorsement. The books are not ranked in any particular order.

Check out our other leadership book lists by authors who identify as LGBTQIA+, AANHPI, Native American, women, Black and those who identify as having disabilities.

  1. A Place for Us: A Memoir by Brandon J. Wolf
  2. A Queer History of the United States by Michael Bronski
  3. A Year of Pride and Joy by Simon James Green
  4. All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto by George M. Johnson
  5. All Down Darkness Wide: A Memoir by Sean Hewitt
  6. All In: An Autobiography by Billie Jean King
  7. All Pride, No Ego: A Queer Executive’s Journey to Living and Leading Authentically by Jim Fielding
  8. All The Things She Said: Everything I Know About Modern Lesbian and Bi Culture by Daisy Jones
  9. Allies at Work: Creating a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Inclusive Work Environment by Dr. David M. Hall
  10. Alphabet Soup: The Essential Guide to LGBTQ2+ Inclusion at Work by Michael Bach
  11. An Archive of Hope: Harvey Milk’s Speeches and Writings by Harvey Milk
  12. And A Voice to Sing With: A Memoir by Joan Baez
  13. And Now We Are Going to Have a Party by Nichola Griffith
  14. Another Word for Love by Carvell Wallace
  15. Authentic Leadership: An Engaged Discussion of LGBTQ Work as Culturally Relevant by Lemuel W. Watson and Joshua Moon Johnson (Editors)
  16. Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life by Alan Cumming
  17. Banned from California: Jim Foshee – Persecution, Redemption, Liberation… and the Gay Civil Rights Movement by Robert C. Steele
  18. Beautiful on the Outside: A Memoir by Adam Rippon
  19. Before We Were Trans: A New History of Gender by Dr. Kit Heyam
  20. Beyond The Rainbow: Personal Stories and Practical Strategies to Help your Business & Workplace Connect with the LGBTQ Market by Jenn T Grace
  21. Binge by Tyler Oakley
  22. Black Boy Out of Time by Hari Ziyad
  23. Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton
  24. Body Becoming: A Path to Our Liberation by Robyn Hnderson-Espinoza
  25. Borderlands / La Frontera: The New Mestiza by Gloria Anzaldúa
  26. Boy Erased: A Memoir of Identity, Faith, and Family by Garrard Conley
  27. Breaking Bias: Where Stereotypes and Prejudices Come From–and the Science-Backed Method to Unravel Them by Anu Gupta
  28. Breaking the Rainbow Ceiling: How LGBTQ+ people can thrive and succeed at work by Layla McCay
  29. Breaking Through: Communicating to Open Minds, Move Hearts, and Change the World by Sally Susman
  30. Business, Not Politics: The Making of the Gay Market (Between Men-Between Women: Lesbian and Gay Studies) by Katherine Sender
  31. Coaching Wisdom: Voices of the Gay Coaches Alliance by Gay Coaching Alliance Contributors
  32. Coming Out of the Closet: Exploring LGBT Issues in Strategic Communication with Theory and Research by Natalie Tindall and Richard D. Waters (Editors)
  33. Communicate with Mastery: Speak With Conviction and Write for Impact by JD Schramm
  34. Creating an LGBT+ Inclusive Workplace: The Practical Resource Guide for Business Leaders by Kryss Shane
  35. Deaf Utopia: A Memoir – and a Love Letter to a Way of Life by Nyle DiMarco
  36. Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas
  37. Diary of a Misfit: A Memoir and a Mystery by Casey Parks
  38. Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert
  39. Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by adrienne maree brown
  40. Entrepreneurial You: Monetize Your Expertise, Create Multiple Income Streams, and Thrive by Dorie Clark
  41. Everybody’s Got Something by Robin Roberts & Veronica Chambers
  42. Fairest: A Memoir by Meredith Talusan
  43. Feeling Power: Emotions and Education by Megan Boler
  44. Fit to Serve: Reflections on a Secret Life, Private Struggle, and Public Battle to Become the First Openly Gay U.S. Ambassador by James C. Hormel & Erin Martin
  45. Forever Young: The Story of Troye Sivan by Alana Wulff
  46. Forging Queer Leaders: How the LGBTQIA+ Community Creates Impact from Adversity by Bree Fram & Elizabeth Cavallaro
  47. Frank: A Life in Politics from the Great Society to Same-Sex Marriage by Barney Frank
  48. Freddie Mercury: A Life, In His Own Words by Freddie Mercury
  49. Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
  50. Gay Issues in the Workplace by Brian McNaught
  51. Gender Ambiguity in the Workplace: Transgender and Gender-Diverse Discrimination by Alison Ash Fogarty Ph.D. & Lily Zheng
  52. Gender Magic: Live Shamelessly, Reclaim Your Joy, & Step into Your Most Authentic Self by Rae McDaniel
  53. Gender Outlaw: On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us by Kate Bornstein
  54. Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
  55. Gmorning, Gnight!: Little Pep Talks for Me & You by Lin-Manuel Miranda
  56. Gunn’s Golden Rules: Life’s Little Lessons for Making It Work by Tim Gunn
  57. GuRu by RuPaul
  58. Handbook of LGBT Tourism and Hospitality: A Guide for Business Practice by Jeff Guaracino, Ed Salvato
  59. Heartbeat: Musings on Leather and Leadership by Thomas Smith
  60. Hola Papi: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons by John Paul Brammer
  61. Homo Economics: Capitalism, Community, and Lesbian and Gay Life by Amy Gluckman & Betsy Reed (Editors)
  62. Horse Barbie: A Memoir by Geena Rocero
  63. How to Get Stupid White Men Out of Office: The Anti-Politics, Un-Boring Guide to Power by adrienne maree brown (Editor)
  64. How to Learn to Be Brave by Mariann Edgar Budde
  65. How to Live Free in a Dangerous World: A Decolonial Memoir by Shayla Lawson
  66. How We Fight for Our Lives by Saeed Jones
  67. Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
  68. I Can’t Date Jesus: Love, Sex, Family, Race, and Other Reasons I’ve Put My Faith in Beyoncé by Michael Arceneaux
  69. I Don’t Want to Die Poor: Essays by Michael Arceneaux
  70. I Heard Her Call My Name: A Memoir of Transition by Lucy Sante
  71. I Hope We Choose Love: A Trans Girl’s Notes from the End of the World by Kai Cheng Thom
  72. I’m Afraid of Men by Vivek Shraya
  73. I’m the One That I Want by Margaret Cho
  74. In Defense of Our America: The Fight for Civil Liberties in the Age of Terror by Anthony D. Romero
  75. In My Skin by Brittney Griner
  76. In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens: Womanist Prose by Alice Walker
  77. In the Dream House: A Memoir by Carmen Maria Machado
  78. In the Shadow of the Eagle: A Tribal Representative in Maine by Donna M. Loring
  79. In Transit: Being Non-Binary in a World of Dichotomies by Dianne E. Anderson Inclusion: Diversity, the New Workplace, & The Will To Change by Jennifer Brown
  80. Inclusion: Diversity, the New Workplace, & The Will To Change by Jennifer Brown
  81. Inclusive 360: Proven Solutions for an Equitable Organization by Bernadette Smith
  82. Is It Hot In Here (Or Am I Suffering for All Eternity for the Sins I Committed On Earth)? by Zach Zimmerman
  83. It’s About Damn Time by Arlan Hamilton
  84. Kissing Girls on Shabbat by Dr. Sara Glass
  85. Lavender Road to Success: The Career Guide for the Gay Community by Kirk Snyder
  86. Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing: Essays by Lauren Hough
  87. Lesbian Love Story: A Memoir in Archives by Amelia Possanza
  88. LGBTQ Leadership in Higher Education by Raymond Crossman (Editor)
  89. Liberating Minds: The Stories and Professional Lives of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Librarians and Their Advocates by Norman Kester and Deborah Turner (Editors)
  90. Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls: A Memoir by T Kira Madden
  91. Love and Rage by Lama Rod Owens
  92. Ma and Me by Putsata Reang
  93. Maeve Rising: Coming Out Trans in Corporate America by Maeve Duvally
  94. Marbles: Mania, Depression, Michelangelo, and Me by Ellen Forney
  95. Martina by Martina Navratilova
  96. Me by Ricky Martin
  97. My Greatest Save by Brianna Scurry
  98. My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing & Hope by Karamo Brown
  99. Naturally Tan by Tan France
  100. Never Silent: ACT UP and My Life in Activism by Peter Staley
  101. No Ashes in the Fire: Coming of Age Black & Free in America by Darnell L. Moore
  102. Nothing Personal by James Baldwin
  103. Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction from Social Justice Movements by adrienne maree brown (Editor)
  104. Oh Myyy!: There Goes The Internet by George Takei
  105. On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope by DeRay Mckesson
  106. One Life by Megan Rapinoe and Emma Brockes
  107. Out & Equal at Work: From Closet to Corner Office by Selisse Berry
  108. Out Behind the Desk: Workplace Issues for LGBTQ Librarians by Tracy Marie Nectoux (Editor)
  109. Out in the Field: Reflections of Lesbian and Gay Anthropologists by Ellen Lewin (Editor)
  110. Out of Space: Creating Safe Spaces in Unlikely Places by Julio C. Roman
  111. Out to Lead: Shaping Queer Leadership by Jonathan Dromgoole
  112. Outside the Lines: How Embracing Queerness Will Transform Your Faith by Mihee Kim-Kort
  113. Over the Top by Jonathan Van Ness
  114. Pageboy: A Memoir by Elliot Page
  115. People Change by Vivek Shraya
  116. Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good by adrienne maree brown
  117. Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I’ve Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes by Billie Jean King
  118. Pride Leadership: Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Leader to be the King or Queen of Their Jungle by Steven Yacovelli
  119. Punch Me Up to the Gods: A Memoir by Brian Broome
  120. Queer Eye: Love Yourself, Love Your Life by Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Jonathan Van Ness, Bobby Berk, & Karamo Brown
  121. Queer Flourishing: A Guide to Personal Growth and Greater Aliveness for LGBTQ+ Adults by Dominic Longo
  122. Raf Simons by Sunny Chanday
  123. Rainbow Warrior: My Life in Color by Gilbert Baker
  124. Redefining Realness: My Path To Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More by Janet Mock
  125. Refusing Compulsory Sexuality: A Black Asexual Lens on Our Sex-Obsessed Culture by Sherronda J. Brown
  126. Representation Matters: How Victory Fund, Victory Institute, and LGBT Leaders are Transforming America by Karen Ocamb
  127. Revelations: The Autobiography of Alvin Ailey by Alvin Ailey & A. Peter Bailey
  128. Say the Right Thing: How to Talk About Identity, Diversity, and Justice by Kenji Yoshino, David Glasgow
  129. Secret City: The Hidden History of Gay Washington by James Kirchick
  130. Seriously…I’m Kidding by Ellen Degeneres
  131. Serving in Silence: Vietnam Nurse, Mother of Four, Highest-Ranking Officer to Challenge the Military’s Antigay Policy by Margarethe Cammermeyer
  132. Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Teens: A How-To-Do-it Manual for Librarians by Hillias Martin Jr and James R. Murdock
  133. Shortest Way Home: One Mayor’s Challenge and a Model for America’s Future by Pete Buttigieg
  134. Shut Up, I’m Talking!: Coming Out in Hollywood and Making It to the Middle by Jason Stuart
  135. Sissy: A Coming-of-Gender Story by Jacob Tobia
  136. Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde
  137. Stand Out: How to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following Around It by Dorie Clark
  138. Stonewall: The Definitive Story of the LGBTQ Rights Uprising that Changed America by Martin Duberman
  139. Straight Jacket: Overcoming Society’s Legacy of Gay Shame by Matthew Todd
  140. Straight Talk About Gays in the Workplace: Creating an Inclusive, Productive Environment for Everyone in Your Organization by Liz Winfeld, Susan Spielman
  141. Surpassing Certainty: What My Twenties Taught Me by Janet Mock
  142. Surviving Autocracy by Masha Gessen
  143. Ten Steps to Nanette: A Memoir Situation by Hannah Gadsby
  144. The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom: Practical and Spiritual Steps So You Can Stop Worrying by Suze Orman
  145. The Apartheid of Sex: A Manifesto on the Freedom of Gender by Martine Rothblatt, PhD
  146. The Best Strangers in the World: Stories from a Life Spent Listening by Ari Shapiro
  147. The Book of Pride: LGBTQ Heroes Who Changed the World by Mason Funk
  148. The Chiffon Trenches: A Memoir by André Leon Talley
  149. The Children of Harvey Milk: How LGBTQ Politicians Changed the World by Andrew Reynolds
  150. The Complete Guide to Transgender in the Workplace by Vanessa Sheridan
  151. The Dead Don’t Need Reminding by Julian Randall
  152. The Educator’s Guide to LGBT+ Inclusion: A Practical Resource for K-12 Teachers, Administrators, and School Support Staff by Kryss Shane
  153. The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
  154. The G Quotient: Why Gay Executives are Excelling as Leaders… and What Every Manager Needs to Know by Kirk Snyder
  155. The Glass Closet: Why Coming Out is Good for Business by John Browne
  156. The Gloria Anzaldúa Reader (Latin America Otherwise) by Gloria Anzaldúa
  157. The Holly Woodlawn Story: A Low Life in High Heels by Holly Woodlawn
  158. The Lie: A Memoir of Two Marriages, Catfishing & Coming Out by William Dameron
  159. The Male Gazed: On Hunks, Heartthrobs, and What Pop Culture Taught Me About (Desiring) Men by Manuel Betancourt
  160. The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin by Masha Gessen
  161. The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer
  162. The One You Want to Marry (And Other Identities I’ve Had): A Memoir by Sophie Santos
  163. The Path Forward: Rethinking Federal Marijuana Policy by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, Rep. Jared Polis
  164. The Power of “Out”: LGBT in the Workplace by Sylvia Ann Hewlett, Karen Sumberg
  165. The Queer Advantage: Conversations with LGBTQ+ Leaders on the Power of Identity by Andrew Gelwicks
  166. The Queer Games Avant-Garde: How LGBTQ Game Makers Are Reimagining the Medium of Video Games by Bo Ruberg
  167. The Queering of Corporate America by Carlos A. Ball
  168. The Rainbow Comes and Goes: A Mother and Son on Life, Love, and Loss by Anderson Cooper & Gloria Vanderbilt
  169. The Souls of Queer Folk: How Understanding LGBTQ+ Culture Can Transform Your Leadership Practice by Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown
  170. The Velvet Rage: Overcoming the Pain of Growing Up Gay in a Straight Man’s World by Alan Downs, PhD
  171. They Called Us Enemy: Expanded Edition by George Takei
  172. This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism by Don Lemon
  173. This Time for Me: A Memoir by Alexandra Billings
  174. Thriving in Business: Strategies for the LGBTQ+ Entrepreneur by Elena Joy Thurston (Editor)
  175. Tim Cook: The Genius Who Took Apple to the Next Level by Leander Kahney
  176. Tom Ford by Tom Ford
  177. Trailblazer: Lighting the Path for Transgender Equality in Corporate America by Mary Ann Horton
  178. Trust: America’s Best Chance by Pete Buttigieg
  179. Truth or Dare: Encounters with Power, Authority, and Mystery by Starhawk
  180. Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements by Charlene Carruthers
  181. Untamed by Glennon Doyle
  182. Virtually Human by Martine Rothblatt, PhD
  183. Warrior Princess: A US Navy SEAL’s Journey to Coming Out Transgender by Kristen Beck & Anne Speckhard
  184. We Are Everywhere: Protest, Power, and Pride in the History of Queer Liberation by Matthew Reimer
  185. We Can Be Heroes: A Survivor’s Story by Paul Burston
  186. We Have Always Been Here: A Queer Muslim Memoir by Samra Habib
  187. We Will Not Cancel Us by adrienne maree brown
  188. White Girls by Hilton Als
  189. Who’s Afraid of Gender? by Judith Butler
  190. WOLFPACK: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power, and Change the Game by Abby Wambach
  191. You’re That Bitch: & Other Cute Lessons About Being Unapologetically Yourself by Bretman Rock
  192. Your First Million: Building a Path to Generational Wealth by Arlan Hamilton
  193. Your Queer Career: Workplace Advice from “The Gay Leadership Dude” by Dr. Steven R. Yacovelli
  194. Zami: A New Spelling of My Name: A Biomythography by Audre Lorde
  195. Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel & Blake Masters
  196. Transgender Warriors : Making History from Joan of Arc to Dennis Rodman by Leslie Feinberg
  197. Be a Revolution: How Everyday People Are Fighting Oppression and Changing the World by Ijeoma Oluo

View all of our leadership book lists here.

#27 Curiosity in pharmaceuticals with Dr. Andrew Robertson

Dr. Andrew Robertson smiling on the Curiosity at Work podcast
Dr. Andrew Robertson smiling on the Curiosity at Work podcast

Curiosity at Work: Dr. Andrew Robertson on Fostering Curiosity and Innovation in the Pharmaceutical Industry

In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham talks with Dr. Andrew Robertson, Vice President and Head of Global Regulatory Policy and Innovation at Takeda Pharmaceuticals. With a career spanning science, law, and health policy, Andrew shares how curiosity has driven his success at leading pharmaceutical companies like Merck, Sanofi, and Takeda.

Building a Diverse Global Team at Takeda

At Takeda, Andrew built a diverse, global team from scratch, now spanning eight countries. His team focuses on shaping drug development policy and accelerating innovation. Andrew explains how curiosity plays a central role in driving both short-term problem-solving and long-term transformation in patient access. From regulatory strategies to cloud-based solutions for faster drug approvals, he reveals how curiosity powers progress in the pharmaceutical industry.

Cultivating a Culture of Curiosity in a Complex Industry

One key theme of the conversation is Andrew’s commitment to fostering a culture of curiosity within a highly regulated and complex industry. He empowers his team, which includes scientists, lawyers, and policy experts, to challenge the status quo and ask bold questions. Together, they explore better ways to deliver life-saving therapies. Additionally, Andrew carves out time for “innovative improvements,” encouraging his team to rethink systems like cloud-based regulatory submissions and new biomarkers. His approach integrates practicality with passion, ensuring that policy work directly impacts real-world patient outcomes.

Leadership with Empathy, Innovation, and Strategic Foresight

Andrew’s leadership style is deeply rooted in empathy, innovation, and strategic foresight. Drawing from his experiences as a Gates Cambridge Scholar, a JD/PhD with biochemistry roots, and a father inspired by his children’s curiosity, Andrew’s perspective is shaped by both his professional and personal journey. Whether mentoring future leaders or advocating for regulatory reform, Andrew is driven by one goal: improving patient lives.

This episode offers valuable insights into how curiosity thrives in highly structured environments and how leaders can foster purpose-driven innovation across global teams. Andrew’s story demonstrates how curiosity can be a powerful force for change in the pharmaceutical industry.

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliepham2/
  • Website: https://curiositybased.com/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliephamphd/

Connect with Dr. Andrew Robertson:

  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asrobertson/

#AndrewRobertson #TakedaPharma #CuriosityAtWork #PharmaLeadership #RegulatoryInnovation #DigitalHealth #PatientAccess #DrugDevelopment #HealthPolicy #AIinHealthcare #GlobalHealth #LeadershipInPharma

See all podcasts

2025 AANHPI Authored Leadership Book List

AANHPI Authored Leadership Books Displaying in a digital banner
AANHPI Authored Leadership Books Displaying in a digital banner

In honor of AANHPI Heritage Month, we created this 2025 AANHPI Authored Leadership Book List of books written by AANHPI authors. This list is meant to be a resource, not an official endorsement. The books are not ranked in any particular order.

  1. Conversations that Change Everything: How to Recognize, Prepare For, and Master the Pivotal Moments That Define Your Success by Dr. Zachary Van Rossum and Dr. Tammy Wang
  2. Bridging the Confidence Gap: How Empowered Women Change the World by Sheena Yap Chan
  3. Creating Culture: Empowered Leadership for Systems Change by Jyoti Jani
  4. SAVING FIVE; A Memoir of Hope by Amanda Nguyen
  5. The Big We by Hali Lee
  6. The Manicurist’s Daughter by Susan Lieu
  7. Budding Lotus in the West: Buddhism from an Immigrant’s Feminist Perspective by Nhi Yến Đỗ Trần
  8. How K-Dramas Can Transform Your Life: Powerful Lessons on Belongingness, Healing, and Mental Health by Jeanie Y. Chang, LMFT
  9. If Lin Can: How Jeremy Lin Inspired Asian Americans to Shoot for the Stars by Richard Ho, Phung Nguyen Quang, Huynh Kim Lien
  10. Joyful Living: Find Joy in the Journey by Lien Ngu
  11. Leadership Toolkit for Asians: The definitive Resource Guide for Breaking the Mamboo Ceiling by Jane Hyun
  12. Moving Beyond Boxes: The Journey to Self-Discovery by Dr. Nhu Truong
  13. Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons by Jessica Chen
  14. Starry Field: A Memoir of Lost History by Margaret Juhae Lee
  15. The Soil of Leadership: Cultivating the Conditions for Transformation by Britt Yamamoto
  16. Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully by Elaine Lin Hering
  17. Viewfinder: A Memoir of Seeing and Being Seen by Jon M. Chu
  18. A Living Remedy: A Memoir by Nicole Chung
  19. Falling Back in Love With Being Human: Letters to Lost Souls by Kai Cheng Thom
  20. House Barbie: A Memoir by Geena Rocero
  21. Mott Street: A Chinese American Family’s Story of Exclusion and Homecoming by Ava Chin
  22. My Life: Growing up Asian in America by CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) and SuChin Pak
  23. Seek: How Curiosity Can Transform Your Life and Change the World by Scott Shigeoka
  24. The Karma of Success: Spiritual Strategies to Free Your Inner Genius by Liz Tran
  25. The Tao of Self-Confidence: A Guide to Moving Beyond Trauma and Awakening the Leader Within by Sheena Yap Chan
  26. What if Pigs Can Fly?: A Practical Guide to Follow Your Curiosities to Achieve Impractical Possibilities by Van Lai-DuMone
  27. Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City by Jane Wong
  28. 7 Forms of Respect: A Guide to Transforming Your Communication and Relationships at Work by Julie Pham, PhD
  29. Acitivites of Daily Living by Lisa Chen
  30. Actions Speak Louder: A Step-By-Step Guide to Becoming an Inclusive Workplace by Deanna Singh
  31. Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian In a Mountain Place by Neema Avashia
  32. Asian American Histories of the United States by Catherine Ceniza Choy
  33. Asian Women Trailblazers Who BossUp: Amazing women finding success and never looking back (Women Who BossUp) by Tam Luc, Daphne Kwok, Katie Chin, Sue Ann Hong, Jeanie Chang, Susan Go, Leslie lew, Amy Le, Amy Wayng, Janan, Sarwar, Julie Tran, Cary Kwok, Claudi Chan, Sandy Kusano, Sabrina Li, Mihae Kim Stefani
  34. Behind Deep Blue: Building the Computer that Defeated the World Chess Champion by Feng-Hsiung Hsu
  35. Energize: Make the Most of Every Moment by Simon Alexander Ong
  36. Fatty Fatty Boom Bomm by Rabia Cuadry
  37. FEISTY: Dangerously Amazing Women Using Their Voices & Making An Impact (Brave New Voices) by Dr. Izdihar Jamil
  38. Glue: How Project Leaders Create Cohesive, Engaged, High-Performing Teams by Anh Dao Pham
  39. Go Back to Where You Came From: And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American by Wajahat Ali
  40. In Sensorium: Notes for My People by Tanaïs
  41. Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work by Ruchika Tulshyan
  42. Like Water: A Cultural History of Bruce Lee by Daryl Joji Maeda
  43. Love Your Asian Body: AIDS Activism in Los Angeles by Eric C. Wat
  44. Ma and Me by Putsata Reang
  45. Making a Scene by Constance Wu
  46. Money Makers: The Easist Way to Build A Business WITHOUT Paid Ads Or a Big Following by Dr. Izdihar Jamil
  47. My Money My Way: Taking Back Control of Your Financial Life by Kumiko Love
  48. Novelist as a Vocation by Haruki Murakami
  49. Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (and Why It’s Different Than You Think) by Reshma Saujani
  50. Perfect Enough: How to be happier and more productive by letting go of perfectionism by Judy T. Dang
  51. Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans by Jenny Wang
  52. Rise: A Pop History of Asian American from the Nineties to Now by Jeff Yang, Phil Yu, Philip Wang
  53. Savor: A Chef’s Hunger for More by Fatima Ali
  54. Show Your Worth: 8 intentional Strategies or Women to Emerge as Leaders at Work by Shelmina Babai Abji
  55. Stay True by Hua Hsu
  56. Talk it Up! A Guide to Successful Public Speaking by Mr. David Suk Brown
  57. The Loneliest Americans by Jay Caspian Kang
  58. The Monsoon Diaries: A Memoir by Calvin D. Sun
  59. The Power of Unwavering Focus by dandapani
  60. The Visibility Mindset: How Asian American Leaders Create Opportunities and Push Past Barriers by Bernice M. Chao & Jessalin Lam
  61. Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success by Ruchika T. Malhotra
  62. We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story by Simu Liu
  63. What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo
  64. Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life by Alice Wong
  65. Yes I Can!: 22 Success Secrets From Inspring People Around the World by Dr. Izdihar Jamil
  66. You Cannot Resist Me When My Hair Is in Braids by Frances Kai-Hwa Wang
  67. Ambitious Women Rise by Dr. Izdihar Jamil
  68. Backable: The Surprising Truth Behind What Makes People Take a Chance on You by Suneel Gupta
  69. Beyond Happiness: How Authentic Leaders Prioritize Purpose and People for Growth and Impact by Jenn Lim
  70. Come into My Office: Stories from an HR Leader in Silicon Valley by Mai Ton
  71. Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
  72. Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness by Richard Lui (journalist)
  73. Every Day Is a Gift by Tammy Duckworth
  74. Heart of Fire: An Immigrant Daughter’s Story by Mazie K. Hirono
  75. House of Sticks: A Memoir by Ly Tran
  76. How to Raise a Feminist Son: Motherhood, Masculinity, and the Making of My Family by Sonora Jha
  77. Innovation Starts With I: Increase Your Influence. Ignite Your Impact. by Saleema Vellani
  78. It Is Done: 15 Secrets to Manifest Your Dream Life From Inspiring Entrepreneurs by Dr. Izdihar Jamil
  79. It’s Always Sunny Above the Clouds: Getting the Next Generation Into the Cockpit by Nick Tran
  80. Mixed Plate: Chronicles of an All-American Combo by Jo Koy
  81. My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future by Indra Nooyi
  82. Power Your Purpose: A Leader’s Guide to Creating a Better Life and a Better World by Shian Chuan
  83. Speak, Okinawa: A Memoir by Elizabeth Miki Brina
  84. The Unspoken Rules: Secrets to Starting Your Career Off Right by Gorrick Ng
  85. The Wake Up: Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change by Michelle Mijung Kim
  86. Uplifted: Journeys of Abundance, Community, and Identity by Geena Chen
  87. Wake Up: Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change by Michelle Mijung kim
  88. Women Who Lead: Life, Career, and Business Secrets From Inspiring Women Around the World by Dr. Izdihar Jamil
  89. Yes I Can!: 16 Success Secrets From Inspiring Women Around the World by Dr. Izdihar Jamil
  90. You Can’t Be Serious by Kal Penn
  91. American Dreamer: How I Escaped Communist Vietnam and Built a Successful Life in America by Tim Tran
  92. AugmentAsian: Strategies and Tools for Asian Pacific American Professional & Leadership Success by AsianUpward & Elevate Teams
  93. Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee by Sharon Lee
  94. Decoding the World: A Roadmap for the Questioner by Arvind Gupta and Po Bronson
  95. Eat a Peach: A Memoir by David Chang
  96. Edge: Turning Adversity Into Advantage by Laura Huang
  97. Fault Lines: A Memoir by Meena Alexander
  98. Healing Resistance: A Radically Different Response to Harm by Kazu Haga
  99. Legal Heroes in the Trump Era: Be Inspired. Expand Your Impact. Change the World. by Tahmina Watson
  100. Limitless: Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life by Jim Kwik
  101. Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong
  102. Muslin Women Are Everything: Stereotype-Shattering Stories of Courage, Inspiraton, and Adventure by Seema Yasmin and Fahmida Azim
  103. My Unforgotten Seattle by Ron Chew
  104. Naturally Tan by Tan France
  105. Nisei Radicals: The Feminist Poetics and Transformative Ministry of Mitsuye Yamada and Michael Yasutake by Diane C. Fujino
  106. Postcolonial Leadership, A: Asian Immigrant Christian Leadership and Its Challenges by Hee An Choi
  107. Purpose Mindset: How Microsoft Inspires Employees and Alumni to Change the World by Akhtar Badshah
  108. See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love by Valarie Kaur
  109. Shorter: Work Better, Smarter, and Less—Here’s How by Alex Soojun-Kim Pang
  110. Sigh, Gone: A Misfit’s Memoir of Great Books, Punk Rock, and the Fight to Fit In by Phuc Tran
  111. The Leader’s Guide to Unconsious Bias by Anne Chow
  112. The Magical Language of Others: A Memoir by E.J. Koh
  113. This is Not a T-Shirt: A Brand, a Culture, a Community – a Life in Streetwear by Bobby Hundreds
  114. This Is One Way to Dance: Essays by Sejal Shah
  115. Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone About Winning by By Vanessa Priya Daniel
  116. World of Wonders: in Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aime Nezhukamatathil
  117. Yes I Can!: 5 Minute Guided Goal Setting Journal to Help You Hit Your Goals by Dr. Izdihar Jamil
  118. 13 Key Strategies to Make Money Fast in Business by Dr. Izdihar Jamil
  119. America for Americans: A History of Xenophobia in the United States by Erika Lee
  120. Brave, Not Perfect: How Celevrating Imperfection Helps You Live Your Best, Most Joyful LIfe by Reshma Saujani
  121. Caste Matters by Suraj Yengde
  122. Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong
  123. Good Talk by Mira Jacob
  124. How to Speak Machine: Computational Thinking for the Rest of Us by John Maeda
  125. Inspiring Women of Hawaii by Loretta Chen
  126. Out of the Gobi: My Story of China and America by Weijian Shan
  127. Racial Melancholia, Racial Dissociation: On the Social and Psychic Lives of Asian Americans by David Eng
  128. She Made It Happen: 15 Inspiring Stories from Female Entrepreneurs Around the World by Dr. Izdihar Jamil
  129. The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks At You by Julie Zhuo
  130. The Souls of Yellow Folk: Essays by Wesley Yang
  131. The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris
  132. All You Can Ever Know: A Memoir by Nicole Chung
  133. Authentic Inclusion: Drives Disruptive Innovation by Frances West
  134. Big Little Man: In Search of My Asian Self by Alex Tizon
  135. Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boys’ Club of Silicon Valley by Emily Chang
  136. Empress: The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan by Ruby Lal
  137. Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong by Dawn B. Mabalon, PhD, Gayle Romasanta
  138. Love for Imperfect Things: How to Accept Yourself in a World Striving for Perfectionism by Haemin Sunim
  139. The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters by Priya Parker
  140. The Death of Truth: Notes on Falsehood in the Age of Trump by Michiko Kakutani
  141. The War on Normal People by Andrew Yang
  142. An American Family: A Memoir of Hope and Sacrifice by Khizr Khan
  143. Finding the Edge: My Life on the Ice by Karen Chen
  144. Hit Refresh: The Quest to Rediscover Microsoft’s Soul and Imagine a Better Future for Everyone by Satya Nadella
  145. Not Nice: Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent, & Feeling Guilty… And Start Speaking Up, Saying No, Asking Boldly, And Unapologetically Being Yourself by Dr. Aziz Gazipura
  146. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
  147. Reset: My Fight for Inclusion and Lasting Change by Ellen Pao
  148. Sheer Determination: Swimming Upstream in a Downstream World by Kay Hirai
  149. The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui
  150. The Refugees by Viet Thanh Nguyen
  151. The Things You can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim
  152. Unprecedented: The Masters and Me by Tiger Woods
  153. Where the Past Begins: Memory and Imagination by Amy Tan
  154. You’re More Powerful than You Think: A Citizen’s Guide to Making Change Happen by Eric Liu
  155. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
  156. The Diversity Advantage: Fixing Gender Inequality In The Workplace by Ruchika Tulshyan
  157. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
  158. You Are a Mogul: How to Do the Impossible, Do It Yourself, and Do It Now by Tiffany Pham
  159. Bengali Harlem and the Lost Histories of South Asian America by by Vivek Bald
  160. Enduring Conviction: Fred Korematsu and His Quest for Justice by Lorraine K. Bannai
  161. The Art of the Start 2.0: The Time-Tested, Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything by Guy Kawasaki
  162. The Asian American Achievement Paradox by Jennifer Lee, Min Zhou
  163. The Making of Asian America: A History by Erika Lee
  164. The Sympathizer: A Novel by Viet Thanh Nguyen
  165. Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
  166. Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande
  167. Fierce and Fearless: Patsy Takemoto Mink, First Woman of Color in Congress by Judy Tzu-Chun Wu & Gwendolyn Mink
  168. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For: Now What? 21 Days to Confidence and Clarity by Dr. Sweta Chawla
  169. The Art of Stillness: Adventures in Going Nowhere (TED Books) by Pico Iyer
  170. The Color of Success: Asian Americans and the Origins of the Model Minority by Ellen D. Wu
  171. A Principled Stand: The Story of Hirabayashi v. United States by Gordon K. Hirabayashi
  172. Brotherhood: Dharma, Destiny, and the American Dream by Deepak Chopra & Sanjiv Chopra
  173. Fresh Off the Boat: A Memoir by Eddie Huang
  174. It Takes Moxie by Maureen Francisco
  175. Lions and Tigers and Bears: The Internet Strikes Back (Oh Myyy!) by George Takei
  176. Love, Loss, and What We Ate: A Memoir by Padma Lakshmi
  177. Madame Wu Chien-shiung: The First Lady Of Physics Research by Tsai-chien Chiang
  178. Radical : Fighting to Put Students First by Michelle Rhee
  179. The Cooked Seed: A Memoir by Anchee Min
  180. When Invisible Children Sing by Chi Cheng Huang
  181. Woman On Top: The Art of Smashing Stereotypes and Breaking All the Rules by Loretta Chen
  182. The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century by Grace Lee Boggs
  183. All in by Jerry Yang
  184. I Love a Broad Margin to My Life by Maxine Hong Kingston
  185. Unsung Hero: The Col. Young O. Kim Story by Woo Sung Han
  186. Adventures of the Karaoke King by Harold Taw
  187. Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh
  188. Impressive First Impressions: A Guide to the Most Important 30 Seconds (And 30 Years) of Your Career by Vu H. Pham
  189. Leadership and Crisis by Bobby Jindal
  190. My Forty Years as a Diplomat by Feng-Shan Ho
  191. Somewhere Inside: One Sister’s Captivity in North Korea and the Other’s Fight to Bring Her Home by Laura Ling & Lisa Ling
  192. The Art of Strategy: A Game Theorist’s Guide to Success in Business and Life by Avinash K. Dixit
  193. I Love Yous Are for White People: A Memoir by Lac Su
  194. The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande
  195. Holding Serve: Persevering on and Off the Court by Michael Chang
  196. The Myth of the Model Minority: Asian Americans Facing Racism by Rosalinda Chou and Joe Feagin
  197. Boundaries by Maya Lin
  198. Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Career Strategies for Asians by Jane Hyun
  199. Courage: The Backbone of Leadership by Gus Lee, Diane Elliott-Lee
  200. Growing Up Brown: Memoirs of a Filipino American by Peter M. Jamero
  201. Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim
  202. Dat: Tackling Life and the NFL by Dat Nguyen
  203. When Fish Fly: Lessons for Creating a Vital and Energized Workplace from the World Famous Pike Place Fish Market by John Yokoyama
  204. Invitation to Lead: Guidance for Emerging Asian American Leaders by Paul Tokunaga
  205. I’m the One That I Want by Margaret Cho
  206. Bitter Fruit: The Politics of Korean-Black Conflict in New York City by Claire Jean Kim
  207. The Black Widow’s Guide to Killer Pool: Become the Player to Beat by Jeanette Lee
  208. Creating the Digital Future: The Secrets of Consistent Innovation at Intel by Albert Y.c. Yu
  209. Living for Change by Grace Boggs
  210. With Schwarzkopf: Life Lessons of The Bear by Gus Lee
  211. Red Scar Girl: A Memoir of the Cultural Revolution by Ji-li Jiang
  212. Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki
  213. Still life with Rice by Helie Lee
  214. Reflections of Seattle’s Chinese Americans: The First 100 Years by Ron Chew
  215. The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success: A Practical Guide to the Fulfillment of Your Dreams by Deepak Chopra
  216. The Silent Master: Awakening the Power Within by Tae Yun Kim
  217. Thick Face, Black Heart: The warrior philosophy for conquering the challenges of business and life by Chin-Ning Chu
  218. To The Stars: The Autobiography of George Takei (Star Trek) by George Takei
  219. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth
  220. The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston
  221. Hawaii’s Story by Liliuokalani
  222. The Rise of Chinese American Leaders in U.S. Higher Education: Stories and Roadmaps edited by Honggang Yang, Wenying Xu
  223. Be Your Own Cheerleader: An Asian and South Asian Woman’s Cultural, Psychological, and Spiritual Guide to Self-Promote at Work by Neelu Kaur
  224. Modern Asian Mom: A Memoir by Juliet Dang

You can check out our other leadership book lists by authors who identify as Black,Hispanic/Latino/Latinx, AANHPI, Native American, women, and those who identify as having disabilities.

#26 Curiosity in nonprofit retail with Ed Ewing

A thumbnail for the Curiosity at Work podcast episode "Curiosity in nonprofit retail" with Ed Ewing. It features Julie Pham as the host. The podcast is presented by "Curiosity Based."

In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham explores curiosity in nonprofit retail with Ed Ewing, Executive Director of Bike Works, a Seattle-based nonprofit that empowers youth and builds community through bicycles. With over 30 years of leadership experience, Ed shares his passion for social justice, racial equity, and cycling. These values drive the mission at Bike Works, where all revenue from selling refurbished bikes is reinvested into the community.

Building Access for Underserved Communities

Ed’s visionary leadership focuses on creating access for underserved communities, particularly in Seattle’s South End. By using bicycles as a tool for connection, Bike Works fosters a sense of empowerment and belonging. This episode explores how curiosity plays a central role in guiding Bike Works through challenges.

For instance, when youth programs were shuttered during the pandemic, Ed and his team quickly adapted. They launched the BikeMobile, a mobile shop delivering low-cost and free bike services to neighborhoods in need. This initiative highlights the importance of being open to change and listening to the community’s needs.

Leading with Curiosity

Ed believes that curiosity is key to effective leadership. He encourages his team to ask questions, listen deeply, and challenge assumptions. His mantra, “Be curious and don’t take it personally,” has been vital in navigating uncertainty with clarity and compassion. This mindset fosters a workplace culture where growth and feedback are welcomed.

A Model for Social Justice in Nonprofits

Under Ed’s leadership, Bike Works has become a model for integrating social justice into nonprofit operations. The organization has made strides in expanding wellness time, ensuring pay equity, and supporting staff-led innovation. Ed’s leadership demonstrates how nonprofits can thrive while staying true to their core mission of equity and justice.

Whether mentoring staff, redefining nonprofit success, or sparking joy through cycling, Ed Ewing embodies leadership driven by curiosity and heart. This episode is a reminder that great leadership isn’t about having all the answers. Instead, it’s about asking better questions and leading with empathy.

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

Connect with Ed Ewing:

#EdEwing #BikeWorks #CuriosityAtWork #NonprofitLeadership #SocialJustice #RacialEquity #CommunityEmpowerment #YouthDevelopment #LeadershipWithPurpose #SeattleNonprofits #BikesForChange #YouthPrograms #CommunityBuilding #BikeRepairServices #CuriosityInLeadership”

See all podcasts

#25 Curiosity in sustainable cosmetics with Melodie Reynolds

Melodie Reynolds image on a banner for Curiosity at Work podcast

Subscribe Now!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyPodbeanAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Curiosity at Work: Melodie Reynolds on Revolutionizing the Beauty Industry with Sustainability and Curiosity

In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Melodie Reynolds, founder and CEO of Elate Beauty, a company transforming the beauty industry with sustainability, ethical sourcing, and conscious capitalism. Melodie shares how curiosity in sustainable cosmetics led her to challenge traditional beauty packaging and develop high-performing, low-waste products.

Revolutionizing the Beauty Industry with Eco-Conscious Cosmetics

With over 25 years of experience in the beauty industry, Melodie recognized a critical gap in the market for eco-conscious, cruelty-free cosmetics. This realization inspired her to launch Elate Beauty, a brand that prioritizes sustainability and ethical sourcing. Melodie discusses how curiosity has driven her to create innovative, sustainable solutions that challenge industry norms. From formulating lipstick in her basement to scaling Elate into an international beauty brand, curiosity has been the key to her success.

Embracing Change in Operations and Team Dynamics

Melodie reflects on the challenges of transitioning from managing in-house production to outsourcing key operations. This shift allowed Elate to focus more on innovation and sustainability. She also discusses the impact of moving to a fully remote team, which transformed collaboration and creativity within the company. By fostering an open, fear-free environment, Melodie encourages her employees to ask bold questions, challenge the status quo, and explore new ideas. This culture of curiosity continues to push boundaries and drive innovation at Elate.

Curiosity Beyond Beauty: Lifelong Learning and Leadership

Melodie believes curiosity fuels both creativity and leadership, helping individuals embrace change and pursue lifelong learning. She shares her personal passion for reading, having read over 70 books a year, and her involvement in a ukulele band. Her love for continuous learning extends beyond her business, influencing how she leads Elate and approaches new challenges.

Melodie’s story offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, sustainability advocates, and anyone looking to challenge the status quo with curiosity and purpose. Tune in to learn how embracing curiosity can drive both personal and professional growth.

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

Connect with Melodie Reynolds:

#MelodieReynolds #ElateBeauty #CuriosityAtWork #SustainableBeauty #CleanBeauty #ConsciousCapitalism #Leadership #Innovation #WomenInBusiness #Bcorp #EcoFriendlyPackaging #FearlessLeadership

See all podcasts

#24 Curiosity in health and social services with Michael Byun

Video thumbnail: A thumbnail for the Curiosity at Work podcast episode "Curiosity in health & social services" with Michael Byun. It features Julie Pham as the host. The podcast is presented by "Curiosity Based."

Subscribe Now!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyPodbeanAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Curiosity at Work: Michael Byun on Leadership, Curiosity, and Social Change in Health and Social Services

In episode 24 of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Michael Byun, Executive Director of Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS), to explore how curiosity influences leadership in health and social services. Michael shares how curiosity drives effective leadership in complex environments and supports social justice, especially for diverse and underserved communities.

Michael Byun’s Leadership in Health and Social Services

With over 25 years of experience in health disparities, social justice, and immigrant and refugee issues, Michael currently leads over 320 employees at ACRS, Washington’s largest agency serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. His work centers on supporting diverse populations and multilingual teams while balancing urgent service needs with long-term policy goals.

Curiosity in Leadership: Embracing Complexity and Adaptability

Curiosity plays a critical role in Michael’s leadership approach. It helps him stay open-minded and adaptable, especially when quick decisions and emotional sensitivity are necessary. Michael explains how curiosity fosters reflection, enabling leaders to remain flexible and make better decisions in complex situations.

Supporting Staff Well-Being Through a Hybrid Work Model

To support staff well-being, ACRS has adopted a hybrid work model that addresses the emotional demands placed on their team. Michael describes how curiosity helps create an environment where employees feel safe to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and contribute new ideas. These conversations lead to stronger collaboration and innovation, improving outcomes for both staff and the community.

Intentional Leadership in High-Pressure Environments

In high-pressure environments, Michael emphasizes the importance of intentional leadership. Pausing before making decisions or listening deeply can result in better outcomes. By practicing curiosity and mindfulness, leaders can make thoughtful choices that positively impact their teams and the communities they serve.

Real-World Impact: Curiosity in Action

Throughout the conversation, Michael shares real-world examples of how curiosity has led to positive change. For example, curiosity helped ACRS address community safety concerns, advocate for more equitable services, and push for systemic changes through thoughtful policy engagement.

A Valuable Perspective on Social Change

As a former Obama appointee to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Michael brings a rare and valuable perspective on leadership and social change. His insights demonstrate how curiosity drives grassroots work and fuels broader social change, helping leaders push for more inclusive policies and equitable services.

Valuable Leadership Lessons for Empathy and Purpose

This episode offers meaningful lessons for anyone leading with empathy and purpose. Whether you work in healthcare, nonprofits, or advocacy, curiosity is a powerful and essential tool for making a lasting impact. Michael’s story highlights the transformative power of curiosity in driving social change and creating inclusive, supportive environments.

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

Connect with Michael Byun:

#MichaelByun #ACRS #CuriosityAtWork #Leadership #SocialJustice #CommunityAdvocacy #NonprofitLeadership #PublicPolicy #MentalHealth #DiversityAndInclusion #WorkforceDevelopment #HybridWork

See all podcasts

500+ 2025 Leadership Books Written By Women

2025 leadership books written by women

In honor of Women’s History Month, we created this list of 500+ 2025 leadership books written by women, and by people who identify as women. This list is meant to be a resource, not an official endorsement. The books are not ranked in any particular order.

  1. [Un]framing the “Bad Woman”: Sor Juana, Malinche, Coyolxauhqui, and othe rebels with a cause by Alicia Gaspar de Alba
  2. #Not Your Princess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy, Mary Beth Leatherdale (editors)
  3. 50 Billion Dollar Boss: African American Women Sharing Stories of Success in Entreprenuership and Leadership by Kathey Porter
  4. A House of My Own: Stories From My Life by Sandra Cisneros
  5. A Mythic Life: Learning to live our greater story by Jean Houston
  6. A Passion for the Possible: A guide to realizing your true potential by Jean Houston
  7. Abandon Me: Memoirs by Melissa Febos
  8. After the Rain: Gentle Reminders for Healing, Courage, and Self-Love by Alexandra Elle
  9. Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism by Bell Hooks
  10. All Bout Love by Bell Hooks
  11. All In: An Autobiography by Billie Jean King
  12. Almost a Woman by Esmeralda Santiago
  13. American Indian Stories by Zitkala-Sa
  14. And A Voice to Sing With: A Memoir by Joan Baez
  15. And Now We Are Going to Have a Party: Liner Notes to a Writer’s Early Life by Nicola Griffith
  16. Annapurna: A woman’s place by Arlene Blum
  17. AOC: The Fearless Rise and Powerful Resonance of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes by Lynda Lopez
  18. Apocalyptic Best Practices: A unique approach to fear and change by Elisebeth VanderWeil
  19. As Long As Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice, from Colonization to Standig Rock by Dina Gilio-Whitaker
  20. As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom Through Radical Resistance by Laeanne Betasamosake Simpson
  21. Ask For It: How women can use the power of negotiation to get what they really want by Linda Babcock & Sara Laschever
  22. ASL Saved My Life…Until it didn’t by Jenni Kleinman Berebitsky
  23. Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brene Brown
  24. Bad Indians: A Tribal Memoir by Deborah Miranda
  25. Balancing Work and Life: The Nia guide for Black Women by Sheryl Huggins, Cherly Mayberry McKissack
  26. Bamboozled: How God Tricked Me inot the Life of My Dreams by Yvonne Orji
  27. Be Water, My Friend: The Teachings of Bruce Lee by Sharon Lee
  28. Becoming by Michelle Obama
  29. Being Heumann: an unrepentent memoir of a disability rights activist by Judith E. Heumann
  30. Believe Bigger: Discover the Path to Your Life Purpose by Marshawn Evans Daniels
  31. Biased: Uncovering the hidden prejudice that shapes what we see, think, and do by Jennifer Eberhardt
  32. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
  33. Bird of Paradise: How I became a Latina by Raquel Cepeda
  34. Black Futures by Kimberly Drew, Jenna Wortham
  35. Black Indian: A memoir by Shonda Buchanan
  36. Black Power Inc.: The New Voices of Success by Cora Daniels
  37. Blood, Bones & Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton
  38. Borderlands / La Frontera: The New Mestiza by Gloria Anzaldúa
  39. Boss Bride: The Powerful Woman’s Playbook for Love and Success by Charreah Jackson
  40. Boundaries by Maya Lin (artist)
  41. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer
  42. Bridges to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing by Erin Jones
  43. Brotopia: Breaking Up the Boy’s Club of Silicon Valley by Emily Chang
  44. Caring: A feminine apporach to ethics and moral education by Nel Noddings
  45. Climb: Taking Every Step with Conviction,Courage, and Calculated Risk to Achieve a Thriving Career and a Successful Life by Michelle Gadsden-Williams, Carolyn M. Brown
  46. Come into My Office: Stories from an HR Leader in Silicon Valley by Mai Ton
  47. Common Fire: Leading lives of commitment in a complex world by Sharon Parks, et. al.
  48. Courage: The Backbone of Leadership by Gus Lee, Diane Elliott-Lee
  49. Crazy Brave: A Memoir by Joy Harjo
  50. Critically Sovereign: Indigenous Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies by Joanne Barker
  51. Crux: A cross-border memoir by Jean Guerrero
  52. Crying in H Mart: A Memoir by Michelle Zauner
  53. Dancing at the Edge of the World: thoughts on words, woment, places by Ursula LeGuin
  54. Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brene Brown
  55. Dear Female Founder: 66 Letters of Advice from Women Entrepreneurs Who Have Made $1 Billion in Revenue by Lu Li
  56. Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice for Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong
  57. Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century by Alice Wong
  58. Disarm Your Limits: The flight formula to lift you to success and propel you to the next horizon by Jessica Cox
  59. Dog Flowers: A Memoir by Danielle Geller
  60. Double Down: Bet on Yourself and Scuceed on Your Own Terms by Antionette M. Clarke, Tricia Clarke-Stone
  61. Dream Big by Deborah Rosado Shaw
  62. Dream in Color: How the Sánchez Sisters are Making History in Congress by Linda Sánchez
  63. Driven by Intention: Own Your Purpose, Gain Power, and Pursue Your Passion as a Woman at Work by Michelle Gadsden-Williams
  64. Drop the Ball: Achieving more by doing less by Tiffany Dufu
  65. Dwellings: A Spiritual History of the Living World by Linda Hogan
  66. Eat, Pray, Love: One woman’s search for everything across Italy, India, and Indonesisa by Elizabeth Gilbert
  67. Edge: Turning Adversity Into Advantage by Laura Huang
  68. Elegy for a Disease: A Personal and Cultural History of Polio by Anne Finger
  69. Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by adrienne maree brown
  70. Empress: The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan by Ruby Lal
  71. Enduring Conviction: Fred Korematsu and His Quest for Justice by Lorraine K. Bannai
  72. Entrepreneurial You: Monetize Your Expertise, Create Multiple Income Streams, and Thrive by Dorie Clark
  73. Everybody’s Got Something by Robin Roberts & Veronica Chambers
  74. Expect to Win: Proven Strategies for Success Froma a Wall Street Vet by Carla A. Harris
  75. Extraordinary Bodies: Figuring Physical Disability in American Culture and Literature by Rosemarie Garland-Thomson
  76. Farmworker’s Daughter: Growing up Mexican American by Rose Castillo Guilbault
  77. Fault Lines: A Memoir by Meena Alexander
  78. Feeling Power: Emotions and education by Megan Boler
  79. Feminist Queer Crip by Alison Kafer
  80. Field Mice: Memoirs of a Migrant Child by Emma Gonzalez
  81. Fierce Conversations: Achieving success at work & in life, one conversation at a time by Susan Scott
  82. Find Another Dream by Maysoon Zayid
  83. Finding Beauty in a Broken World by Terry Tempest Williams
  84. Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity by Paola Ramos
  85. Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis
  86. Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward by Valarie Jarret
  87. Finding Our Way: Leadership for uncertain times by Margaret Wheatley
  88. Finding the Edge: My Life on the Ice by Karen Chen
  89. Frida by Barbara Mujica
  90. FutureProofed: How to Navigate Disruptive Change, Find Calm in Chaos, and Succeed in Work & Life by Natalia Peart
  91. Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses by Robin Wall Kimmerer
  92. Girl Code: Unlocking the Secrets to Success, Sanity, and Happiness for the Female Entrepreneur by Cara Alwill Leyba
  93. God is Red: A Native View of Religion by Vine deLoria, Jr.
  94. Great Asian Americans: Ellison Onizuka by Stephanie Cham
  95. Great Asian Americans: Michelle Kwan by Stephanie Cham
  96. Great Asian Americans: Patsy Mink by Stephanie Cham
  97. Great Asian Americans: Tammy Duckworth by Stephanie Cham
  98. Great Asian Americans: Yo-Yo Ma by Stephanie Cham
  99. Grit: The power of passion and perseverence by Angela Duckworth
  100. Haben: The deafblind woman who conquered Harvard Law by Haben Girma
  101. Hawaii’s Story by Liliuokalani, Queen of Hawaii
  102. Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot
  103. Heart of Fire: An Immigrant Daughter’s Story by Mazie K. Hirono (politician)
  104. Hermanas: Deepening our identity and growing our influence by Natialia Kohn Rivera
  105. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly
  106. Hispanic Women Seeking Higher Leadership Roles in Business by Syliva C. Motta, PhD
  107. Hood Feminist: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
  108. How Remarkable Women Lead: The Breakthrough Model for Work and Life by Joanna Barsh
  109. How to Get Stupid White Men Out of Office: The Anti-Politics, Un-Boring Guide to Power by adrienne maree brown (eds)
  110. How to Raise a Feminist Son: Motherhood, Masculinity, and the Making of My Family by Sonora Jha
  111. Deborah Smith Pegues by Sally Helgesen (& Marshall Goldsmith)
  112. Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
  113. I Am Schizophrenic: Poetry from a beautiful brain by Kerenza Ryan
  114. I Got This: To Gold and Beyond by Lauren Hernandez
  115. I Love a Broad Margin to My Life by Maxine Hong Kingston (author)
  116. I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This: How to Ask for the Money, Snag the Promotion, and Create the Career You Deserve by Kate White
  117. I’m Judging You: The do-better manual by Luvvie Ajayi
  118. I’m the One That I Want by Margaret Cho
  119. In a Different Voice: Psychological theory and women’s development by Carol Gilligan
  120. In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens: Womanist prose by Alice Walker
  121. In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs by Grace Bonney
  122. In the Country We Love: My Family Divided by Diane Guerrero
  123. In The Dream House: A Memoir by Carmen Maria Machado
  124. In the Shadow of the Eagle: A Tribal Representative in Maine by Donna M. Loring
  125. Inclusion Revolution: The Essential Guide to Dismantling Racial Inequity in the Workplace by Daisy Auger-Dominguez
  126. Inclusion: Diversity, the New Workplace, & The Will To Change by Jennifer Brown
  127. Inventing Latinos: A New Story of American Racism by Laura E. Gómez
  128. Isabel’s Hand-Me-Down Dreams by Isabel Lopez
  129. It Takes Moxie by Maureen Francisco
  130. It’s About Damn Time by Arlan Hamilton
  131. It’s About Time: The Art of Choosing the Meaningful Over the Urgent by Valorie Burton
  132. Journey to the Future: A Roadmap for Success for Youth by Ltc. Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch
  133. Just as I am by Cicely Tyson
  134. Know What Makes Them Tick: How to successfully negotiate almost any situation by Shonda Rhimes
  135. Know Your Value: Women, Money, and Genting What You’re Worth by Mika Brzezinski
  136. Lakota Woman by Mary Brave Bird
  137. Latina Empowerment Through Leadership: Mindful Stories from Inspiring Women by Catherine Munos Garces, Monica Rivera, et al
  138. Latinas in Aviation by Jacqueline S. Ruiz
  139. Latinas Rising Up in HR: Inspirational Stories of Human Resources Professionals Leading, Thriving, and Breaking Barriers by Priscilla Guasso
  140. Latinos in American Society: Families and Communities in Transition by Dr. Ruth Enid Zambrana
  141. Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change by Stacey Abrams
  142. Leadershp the Eleanor Roosevelt Way: Timeless strategies from the first lady of courage by Robin Gerber
  143. Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
  144. Leapfrog: The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneuers by Nathalie Molina Niño
  145. Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing: Essays by Lauren Hough
  146. Leaving Little Havana: A memoir of Miami’s Cuban ghetto by Cecilia M. Fernandez
  147. Legal Heroes in the Trump Era: Be Inspired. Expand Your Impact. Change the World. by Tahmina Watson
  148. Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland
  149. Limitless: The Power of Hope and Resilience to Overcome Circumstances by Mallory Weggemann
  150. Little Black Book: A Toolkit for Working Women by Otegha Uwagba
  151. Living for Change by Grace Boggs
  152. Love, Loss, and What We Ate: A Memoir by Padma Lakshmi
  153. Mad at School: Rhetorics of Mental Disability and Academic Life by Margaret Price
  154. Madame Wu Chien-shiung: The First Lady Of Physics Research by Tsai-chien Chiang
  155. Marbles: Mainia, Depession Michelangelo, and Me by Ellen Forney
  156. Martina by Martina Navratilova
  157. Mean by Myriam Gurba
  158. Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit
  159. Men We Reaped: A Memoir by Jesmyn Ward
  160. Mexican Enough: My Life Between the Borderlines by Stephanie Elizondo Griest
  161. Million Dollar Women: The Essential Guide for Female Entreprenuers Who Want to Go Big by Julia Pimsleur
  162. Mindset: The new psychology of success by Carol Dweck
  163. Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning by Cathy Park Hong
  164. Miss Jessie’s: Creating a Successful Business From Scratch — Naturally by Micho Branch
  165. More Myself: A Journey by Alicia Keys
  166. More than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say) by Elaine Welteroth
  167. More Than Pretty: Doing the Sould Work that Uncovers Your True Beauty by Erica Campbell
  168. More than Ready: Be Strong and Be You… and Other Lessons for Women of Color on the Rise by Cecilia Muñoz
  169. Multipliers: How the best leaders make everyone smarter by Liz Wiseman
  170. Muscogee Daughter: My sojourn to the Miss America Pageant by Susan Supernaw
  171. My (Underground) American Dream: My True Story as an Undocumented Immigrant Who Became a Wall Street Executive by Julissa Arce
  172. My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor
  173. My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future by Indra Nooyi (business)
  174. My Life: Queen of the Court by Serena Williams
  175. My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Mary Hartnett, Wendy Williams
  176. My Time to Speak: Reclaiming Ancestry and Confronting Race by Ilia Calederon
  177. Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office: Unonscious Mistakes Women Make that Sabotage Their Careers by Lois P. Frankel, PhD
  178. Night Flying Woman: An Ojibway Narrative by Ignatia Broker
  179. Nisei Radicals: The Feminist Poetics and Transformative Ministry of Mitsuye Yamada and Michael Yasutake by Diane C. Fujino
  180. Nooping: The Cure for White Ladies by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson
  181. Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction from Social Justice Movements by adrienne maree brown (eds)
  182. Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America by María Hinojosa
  183. One Life by Megan Rapinoe and Emma Brockes
  184. Own It: The Power of Women at Work by Sallie Krawcheck
  185. Own Your Phenomenal Self: A Guide on Character, Success, & Leadership by Rita P. Mitchell
  186. Perfectly You: Embracing the Power of Being Real by Mariana Atencio
  187. Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good by adrienne maree brown
  188. Poet Warrior: A Memoir by Joy Harjo
  189. Portage Lake: Memories of an Ojibwe Childhood by Maude Kegg
  190. Postcolonial Leadership, A: Asian Immigrant Christian Leadership and Its Challenges by Hee An Choi
  191. Power Moves: How Women Can Pivot, Reboot, and Build a Career of Purpose by Lauren McGoodwin
  192. Presence: Bringing your boldest self to your biggest challenges by Amy Cuddy
  193. Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I’ve Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes by Billie Jean King
  194. Presumed Incompetent: The Intersections of Race and Class for Women in Academia by Gabriella Gutiérrez y Muhs, Yolanda Flores Niemann, Carment G. González
  195. Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones
  196. Purpose Driven Leadership: Building and fostering effective teams by Brigette Tasha Hyacinth
  197. Radical : Fighting to Put Students First by Michelle Rhee
  198. Radical Candor: Be a kick-ass boss without losing your humanity by Kim Scott
  199. Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love and Liberation by Rev Angel Kyodo Williams
  200. Reality Is Broken: Why games make us better and how they can change the world by Jane McGonigal
  201. Recovering the Sacred: The power of naming and claiming by Winona LaDuke
  202. Redefining Realness: My Path To Womanhood, Identity, Love & So Much More by Janet Mock
  203. Representation Matters: How Victory Fund, Victory Institute, and LGBT Leaders are Transforming America by Karen Ocamb
  204. Reset: My Fight for Inclusion and Lasting Change by Ellen Pao
  205. Right Within: How to Heal From Racial Trauma in the Workplace by Minda Harts
  206. Rising Strong: How the ability to reset transforms the way we live, love, prent, and lead by Brene Brown
  207. Rita Moreno: A Memoir by Rita Moreno
  208. Run to Win: Lessons in Leadership for Women Changing the World by Stephanie Schriock & Christina Reynolds
  209. Salsa, Soul, and Spirit: Leadership for a multicultural age by Juana Bordas
  210. See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love by Valarie Kaur
  211. Self Made: Becoming Empowered, Self Reliant and Rich in Every Way by Nely Galán
  212. Seriously…I’m Kidding by Ellen Degeneres
  213. Serving in Silence by Margarethe Cammermeyer
  214. Silencing Gender, Age, Ethnicity and Cultural Biases in Leadership by Camilla A. Montoya, Julieta V. García. et al.
  215. Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde
  216. Sitting Pretty: The View from My Oridinary Resilient Disabled Body by Rebekah Taussig
  217. Small Doses: Potent Truths for Everyday Use by Amanda Seales
  218. Small Victories: Spotting Improbable Moments of Grace by Anne Lamott
  219. So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
  220. Speedbumps: Flooring it through Hollywood by Teri Garr
  221. Stand Out: How to find your breakthrough idea and build a following around it by Dorie Clark
  222. Staring: How We Look by Rosemarie Garland-Thomson
  223. Still life with Rice by Helie Lee
  224. Strategize to Win: The New Way to Star Out, Step Up, or Start Over in Your Career by Carla Harris
  225. Successful Women Think Differently: 9 Habits to Make You Happier, Healthier & More Resilient by Valorie Burton
  226. Surviving Autocracy by Masha Gessen
  227. Swimming with Sharks in Dark Waters by Athene Brinson
  228. Take Charge of your Brand: Quck and simple techniques to help you own and manage your personal brand for professional and personal success by Guisselle Nuñez
  229. Teaching to Transgress: Education as the practice of freedom by bell hooks
  230. That’s What She Said: What Men Need to Know (And Women Need to Tell Them) About Working Together by Joanne Lipman
  231. The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
  232. The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom: Practical and Spiritual Steps So You Can Stop Worrying by Suze Orman
  233. The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters by Priya Parker
  234. The Black Widow’s Guide to Killer Pool: Become the Player to Beat by Jeanette Lee
  235. The Book of Awesome Black Americans: cientific Pioneers Trailblazing Entrepreneuers, Barrier-Breaking Activists and AFro-Futurists by Monique jones
  236. The Buena Salud Guide to Understanding Depression and Enjoying Life by Jane Delgado
  237. The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance – What Women Should Know by Katty Kay & Claire Shipman
  238. The Cooked Seed: A Memoir by Anchee Min
  239. The Disability Experience: Working Toward Belonging by Hannalora Leavitt
  240. The Diversity Advantage: Fixing Gender Inequality In The Workplace by Ruchika Tulshyan
  241. The Education of an Idealist: A Memoir by Samantha Power
  242. The Far Away Brothers: Two young migrants and the making of an American life by Lauren Markham
  243. The Gloria Anzaldúa Reader (Latin America Otherwise) by Gloria Anzaldua
  244. The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman
  245. The Holly Woodlawn Story: A Low Life in High Heels by Holly Woodlawn
  246. The Holy Intimacy of Strangers by Sarah York
  247. The Injustice Never Leaves You: Anti-Mexican Violence in Texas by Monica Muñoz Martinez
  248. The Latina Guide to Health: Consejos and Caring Answers by Jane Delgado
  249. The Leadership Shift: The strategic Positioning of Latino Business Leaders by Dr. Nilda Perez
  250. The Likeability Trap: How to Break Free and Succeed As You Are by Alicia Menendez
  251. The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women by Elaine Meryl Brown; Marsha Haygood; Angela Burt-Murray
  252. The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks To You by Julie Zhuo
  253. The Man Without a Face: The Unlikely Rise of Vladimir Putin by Masha Gessen
  254. The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table by Minda Harts
  255. The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae
  256. The Next Generation of Women Leaders: What You Need to Lead but Won’t Learn in Business School by Selena Rezvani
  257. The Obsessive Joy of Autism by Julia Bascom
  258. The One Week Budget by Tiffany Aliche
  259. The Power of Latino Leadership: Culture, inclusion, and contribution by Juana Bordas
  260. The pretty one: on life, pop cultue, disability, and other reasons to fall in love with me by Keah Brown
  261. The Race Whisperer: Barack Obama and the political uses of race by Melanye Price
  262. The Road to Someplace Better: From the Segregated South to Harvard Business School and Beyond by Lillian Lincoln Lambert
  263. The Sacred Hoop: Recovering the Feminine in American Indian Traditions by Paula Gunn Allen
  264. The School Days of an Indian Girl, and an Indian Teacher Among Indians by Zitkala-Sa
  265. The Silent Master: Awakening the Power Within by Tae Yun Kim (martial artist)
  266. The Soul of a Woman by Isabel Allende
  267. The Tao of Raven: An Alaska Native Memoir by Ernestine Hayes
  268. The Transformational Consumer: Fuel a lifelong love affair with your customers by helping them get healthier, wealthier, and wiser by Tara-Nicholle Nelson
  269. The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris
  270. The Turquoise Ledge by Leslie Silko
  271. The Undocumented Americans by Karla Conejo Villavicencio
  272. The Virtuous Circle: Restore Your Confidence, Bounce Back, and Emerge Stronger by Gaby Natale
  273. The White Album by Joan Didion
  274. The World I Live In by Helen Keller
  275. Thick Face, Black Heart: The warrior philosophy for conquering the challenges of business and life by Chin-Ning Chu
  276. Thrive: The Thrid Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder by Arianna Huffington
  277. Too Late to Die Young: Nearly True Tales from a Life by Harriet McBryde Johnson
  278. Truth or Dare: Encounters with power, authority, and mystery by Starhawk
  279. Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Decoding social mysteries theough autism’s unique perspectives by Temple Grandin
  280. Upper Hand: The Future of Work for the Rest of Us by Sherrell Dorsey
  281. Waist-High in the World: A Life Among the Nondisabled by Nancy Mairs
  282. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  283. We Will Not Cancel Us by adrienne maree brown
  284. Werk 101: Get Your Life Together Guide by Koereyelle DuBose
  285. What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey
  286. What Will it Take to Make a Woman President? by Marianne Schnall
  287. When I Was Puerto Rican by Esmeralda Santiago
  288. When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron
  289. Where the Past Begins: Memory and Imagination by Amy Tan
  290. Whiteness Visible: The meaning of whiteness in American literature and culture by Valerie Babb
  291. Wiping the War Paint off the Lens: Nativve American Film and Video by Beverly Singer
  292. Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher
  293. WOLFPACK: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power, and Change the Game by Abby Wambach
  294. Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons by Julia Gillard & Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
  295. Women of Color in Tech: A Bluepring for Inspiing and Menotring the Next Generation of Technology Innovators by Susanne Tedrick
  296. Women’s Ways of Knowing (10th Anniversary Edition): The Development of Self, Voice, and Mind by Mary Field Belenky, et. al.
  297. You Are a Mogul: How to Do the Impossible, Do It Yourself, and Do It Now by Tiffany Pham
  298. Your Next Level Life: 7 Rules of Power, Confidence, and Opportunity for Black Women in America by Karen Arrington
  299. Force Majeure: A Futurist’s Guide to Boldly Thriving on Your Terms in the Future of Work by Dr. Terri Horton
  300. Blue Ocean Strategy by Renee Mauborgne
  301. 101 Reasons to Get Out of Bed by Natasha Milne
  302. In-N-Out Burger: A Behind-the-Counter Look at the Fast-Food Chain That Breaks All the Rules by Stacy Perman
  303. Option B by Sheryl Sandberg
  304. The Change Masters by Rosabeth Moss Kanter
  305. Confidence by Rosabeth Moss Kanter
  306. Groundswell by Charlene Li
  307. Open Leadership by Charlene Li
  308. Leadereship and the new Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World by Margaret Wheatley
  309. Nimble, Focused, Feisty: Organizational Cultures that Win in the New Era and How to Create Them by Sara Roberts
  310. Key to Yourself by Dr. Venice Bloodworth
  311. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
  312. Slide-ology by Nancy Duarte
  313. Resonate by Nancy Duarte
  314. The Shift by Lynda Gratton
  315. Hot Sports by Lynda Gratton
  316. The 100 Year Life by Lynda Gratton
  317. The Signals are Talking by Amy Webb
  318. Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O’Neil
  319. The Confidence Game by Maria Konnikova
  320. The Moonshot Effect by Kate Purmal & Lisa Goldman
  321. Branding Pays by Karen Kang
  322. The End of Competative Advantage by Rita Gunther McGrath
  323. Invent It, Sell It, Bank It!: Make Your Million-Dollar Idea into a Reality by Lori Greiner
  324. I’d Rather Be In Charge by Charlotte Beers
  325. Think Like a Negotiator by Eldonna Lewis Fernandez
  326. ROAR: How to Build a Resilient Organization by Sandy Asch
  327. Bridge Builders by Maria Keckler
  328. #Values by Dr. Betty Uribe
  329. Leading by My Ponytail by Karen M. Walker & Judy Ducharme
  330. Business as Unusual by Anita Roddick
  331. Thanks for the Feedback by Sheila Heen & Douglas Stone
  332. The New Social Learning by Marcia Conner
  333. Show Your Work by Jane Bozarth
  334. Darling, You Can’t Do Both by Janet Kestin & Nancy Vonk
  335. How to Wow by Francsis Cole Jones
  336. All the Leader You Can Be by Suzanne Bates
  337. Profit from the Positive by Senia Maymin & Margaret H. Greenberg
  338. Awakening Compassion at Work by Jane Dutton & Monica Worline
  339. Leading so People Will Follow by Erika Andersen
  340. It’s Not Rocket Science: 7 Game Changing Traints for Uncommon Success by Mary Spio
  341. Unfinished Business by Anne-Marie Slaughter
  342. A to Z: Your Navigator to Success by Chin-Ning Chu
  343. Rising to the Challenge, My Leadership Journey by Carly Fiorina
  344. Rookie Smarts by Liz Wiseman
  345. The Theat and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
  346. Engaging Emergence: Turning Upheaval into Opportunity by Peggy Holman
  347. Hiding in the Bathroom: An Introvert’s Roadmap to Getting Out There by Morra Aarons-Mele
  348. Notorious BIG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik
  349. The New IT: How Technology are Enabling Business Strategy in the Digital Age by Jill Dyche
  350. A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf
  351. Female Firebrands: Stories and Techniques to Ignite Change, Take Control, and Succeed in the Workplace by Mikaela Kiner
  352. Blaze Your Own Trail: An Interactive Guide to Navigating Life with Confidence, Solidarity, and Compassion by Rebekah Bastian
  353. Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating of Culture of Belonging at Work by Ruchika Tulshyan
  354. The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women’s Dead End-Work by Linda Babcock, Brenda Peyser, Lise Vesterlund, and Laurie Weingart
  355. Show Your Worth: 8 Intention Strategies for Women to Emerge as Leaders at Work by Shelmina Babai Abji
  356. Humor, Seriously: Why Humor is a Secret Weapon in Business and Life by Jennifer Aaker & Naomi Bagdonas
  357. Somebody’s Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford
  358. 7 Forms of Respect: A Guide to Transforming Your Communication and Relationships at Work by Julie Pham, PhD
  359. Power Your Purpose: A Leader’s Guide to Creating a Better Life and a Better World by Shian Chuan
  360. Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk by Sasha Lapointe
  361. Black and Blue: A Memoir of Racism and Resilience by Veronica Gorrie
  362. Spílexm: A Weaving of Recovery, Resilience, and Resurgence by Nicola I. Campbell
  363. White Magic by Elissa Wshuta
  364. An Indian Among Los Indígenas: A Native Travel Memoir by Ursula Pike
  365. Carry: A Memoir of Survival on Stolen Land by Toni Jensen
  366. A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott
  367. Native American DNA by Kim TallBear
  368. Raising Ourselves: A Gwitch’in Coming of Age Story from the Yukon River by Velma Wallis
  369. Blonde Indian: an Alaska Native Memoir by Ernestine Hayes
  370. Cormorant Hunter’s Wife by Joan Naviyuk Kane
  371. Roughly for the North by Carrie Ayagduk Ojanen
  372. Tales of Ticasuk: Eskimo Legends & Stories by Ticasuk Emily Ivanoff Brown
  373. Our Brave Foremothers: Celebrating 100 Black, Brown, Asian & Indigenous Women Who Changed the Course of History by Rozella Kennedy
  374. Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit by Mary-Francis Winters
  375. Year of Yes: How to Dance it Out, Stand in the Sun, and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes
  376. How Boards Work and How They Can Work Better in a Chaotic World by Dambisa Moyo
  377. Chasing Youth Culture and Getting it Right: How Your Business Can Profit by Tapping Today’s Most Powerful Trendsetters and Tastemakers by Tina Wells
  378. Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms by Shellye Archambeau
  379. The Rise: Creativity, the Gift of Failure, and the Search for Mastery by Sarah Lewis
  380. Black Entrepreneuer Survival Guide: The complete guide to becoming a successful African American entrepreneuer by Dunneille D. Anderson
  381. CEO of My Soul: The Self-Love Journey of a Small Business Owner by Nic Cober Esquire
  382. Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My Nose and Found My Passion by Lisa Price & Hilary Beard
  383. We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power by Rachel Rodgers
  384. 9 Laws of Success: Attracting the Life, Love, Health & Success You Want! by Stormy Wellington
  385. Self-Esteem is the New Black: How to become the confident woman you have always wanted to be! by Monique Mays
  386. Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche
  387. How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendshop, and Community by Mia Birdsong
  388. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
  389. Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper
  390. Mom and Me and Mom by Maya Angelou
  391. The Black Woman Millionaire: A Revolutionary Act that DEFIES Impossible by Dr. Venus Opal Reese
  392. When the Miracle Drops: How Instagram Helped Turn a Quick Fix Into a Million-Dollar Product by Jessica Dupart
  393. The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life’s Direction and Purpose by Oprah Winfrey
  394. Mental Detox: The Power and Guidance to Implement Peace, Joy, Balance, and Financial Abundance in Your Life by Cheyenne Bryant
  395. Quantam Leaps: 10 Steps to Help You Soar by Gloria Mayfield Bangs
  396. Meaty: Essays by Smantha Irby
  397. Where You Are is Not Who You Are by Ursula Burns
  398. Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A guide to reclaiming yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
  399. I’m Not Yelling by Elizabeth Leiba
  400. Responsible Marketing by Lola Bakare
  401. Feeding the Soul by Tabitha Brown
  402. Ready, Set, Manifest: A Handbook for the in-between and leaps in life by Debbie Lacey
  403. In the Shadow of the Mountain: A Memoir of Courage by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado
  404. Through the Dark by Yolanda Nava
  405. Thriving in the Fight: A Survival Manual for Latinas on the Front Lines of Change by Denise Padin Collazo
  406. Justice & Space Matter in a Strong, Unified Latino Community by Kathy Bussert-Web, Maria Eugenia Diaz, Krystal A Yanez
  407. Breaking Ground and Barriers: Hispanic Women Developing Effective Leadership by Gloria Bonilla-Santiago, Ph.D.
  408. Latinization and the Latino Leader: How to Value, Develop, and Advance Latino Professionals by Cristina Benitez & Marlene Gonzalez
  409. Latino and Latina Leaders of the 21st Century: Ordinary Beginnings, Extraordinary Outcomes by Kay (Kayla) S. Garcia
  410. The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self Care by Anna Borges
  411. Act Like a Leader, Think Like a Leader by Hermina Ibarra
  412. You Don’t Hae to Like Me: Essays on Growing Up, Speaking Out, and Finding Feminism by Alida Nugent
  413. Demystifying Disability: What to Know, What to Say, and How to Be an Ally by Emily Ladau
  414. Year of the Tiger: An Activists Life by Alice Wong
  415. What Doesn’t Kill You: A Life with Chronic Illness – Lessons from a Body in Revolt by Tessa Miller
  416. Resistance and Hope: Essays by Disabled People by edited by Alice Wong
  417. A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome by Ariel Henley
  418. Just Human: The Quest for Disability Wisdom, Respect, and Inclusion by Arielle Silverman, PhD
  419. How I See It: A Personal and Historical View of Disability by H Penny Mishkin
  420. Successfull to Burnt Out: Experiences of Women on the Autism Spectrum by Karletta Abianac
  421. More the Same than Different: What I Wish People Knew About Respecting and Including People with Disabilities by Lorraine Cannistra
  422. Not a Poster Child: Living Well with a Disability – A Memoir by Francine Falk-Allen
  423. My Body is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church by Amy Kenny
  424. Glue: How Project Leaders Create Cohesive, Engaged, High-Performing Teams by Anh Dao Pham
  425. Uplifted: Journeys of Abundance, Community, and Identity by Geena Chen
  426. Sheer Determination: Swimming Upstream in a Downstream World by Kay Hirai
  427. Fierce and Fearless: Patsy Takemoto Mink, First Woman of Color in Congress by Judy Tzu-Chun Wu & Gwendolyn Mink
  428. The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century by Grace Lee Boggs
  429. The Death of Truth: Notes on Falsehood in the Age of Trump by Michiko Kakutani
  430. The Woman Warrior: Memoirs of a Girlhood Among Ghosts by Maxine Hong Kingston
  431. America for Americans: A History of Xenophobia in the United States by Erika Lee
  432. Somewhere Inside: One Sister’s Captivity in North Korea and the Other’s Fight to Bring Her Home by Laura Ling & Lisa Ling
  433. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For: Now What? 21 Days to Confidence and Clarity by Dr. Sweta Chawla
  434. The Asian American Achievement Paradox by Jennifer Lee, Min Zhou
  435. Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling: Career Strategies for Asians by Jane Hyun
  436. Perfect Enough: How to be happier and more productive by letting go of perfectionism by Judy T. Dang
  437. The Wake Up: Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change by Michelle Mijung Kim
  438. Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
  439. Innovation Starts With I: Increase Your Influence. Ignite Your Impact. by Saleema Vellani
  440. Sound Is Not Enough: The Art of Captioning for Universal Access by Svetlana Kouznetsova
  441. I’m Speaking: Every Woman’s Guide for Finding Your Voice and Using It Fearlessly by Jessica Doyle-Mekkes
  442. Back to Business: Finding Your Confidence, Embracing Your Skills, and Landing Your Dream Job After a Career Pause by Nancy McSharry Jensen & Sarah Duenwald
  443. Insight by Tasha Eurich
  444. Build your dream team: Leadership based on a passion for people by Candela Iglesis
  445. Conversational Intelligence: How great leaders build trust and get extraordinary results by Judith Glaser
  446. Dare to Inspire by Allison Holzer
  447. Disrupt it Yourself by Simone Ahuja
  448. Disrupters: Success strategies from women who break the mold by Patti Fletcher
  449. Fearless Growth by Amanda Setili
  450. Managing Up by Mary Abbajay
  451. Power Your Tribe by Christine Comaford
  452. Teaming: How organizations learn, innovate and compete in the knowledge economy by Amy Edmondson
  453. The Future Workplace Experience by Jeanne Meister and Karen Mulcahy
  454. The myth of the nice girl by Fran Hauser
  455. Brave Leadership: Unleash your most confident, powerful and authentic self by Kimberly Davis
  456. Emotional agility by Susan David
  457. Fierce Leadership by Susan Scott
  458. Leading gracefully: A women’s guide to confident, authentic and effective leadership by Monique Tallon
  459. The Fearless Organization by Amy C. Edmondson
  460. The Insiders guide to culture change by Siobhan McHale
  461. Thinking in Bets: Making smarter decisions when you don’t have al the facts by Anne Duke
  462. The Good Boss: 9 Ways Every Manager Can Support Women at Work by Kate Eberle Walker
  463. The Gray Rhino by Michele Wucker
  464. The Long Game: How to Be a Long-Term Thinker in a Short-Term World by Dorie Clark
  465. The Art of Change Leadership: Driving Transformation In a Fast-Paced World by Cheryl Cran
  466. What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20: A Crash Course on Making Your Place in the World by Tina Seelig
  467. Quirky: the remarkable story of how traits, foibles and genius of breakthrough innovators who changed the world by Mellisa Schilling
  468. The 9 types of leadership by Beatrice Chestnut
  469. How Innovation Really Works by Ann Knott
  470. How Women Decide by Therese Huston
  471. The Culture Map by Erin Meyer
  472. The Managers Path by Camille Fournier
  473. Jennifer Riel & Roger Marting by Elizabeth Shassere
  474. Build an A team: Play to their strengths and lead them up the learning curve by Whitney Johnson
  475. From Supervisor to Super Leader by Shanda Miller
  476. Leading with grit by Laurie Sudbrink
  477. Know My Name by Chanel Miller
  478. Open Leadership: How Social Technology Can Transform the Way You Lead by Charlene Li
  479. Powerful: Building a culture of freedom & responsibility by Patty McCord
  480. The Art of Authenticity by Karissa Thacker
  481. The Art of Quiet Influence by Jocelyn Davis
  482. The Female Advantage: Women’s Ways of Leadership by Sally Helgesen
  483. The influence effect: A new path to power for women leaders by Kathryn Heath, Jill Flynn and Mary Davis Holt
  484. Women Make Great Leaders by Jill Griffin
  485. Leadership Unchained: Defy Conventional wisdom for breakthrough performance by Sara Canady
  486. Move: How decisive leaders execute strategy despite obstacles, set backs and stalls by Patti Azzarello
  487. The language of emotional intelligence by Jeanne Segal
  488. Rule Makers, Rule Breakers by Michele Gelfand
  489. The Hope Driven Leader by Libby Gill
  490. Bad leadership: What it is how it happens why it matters by Barbara Kellerman
  491. The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Valerie Young
  492. Creating Great Choices by Jennifer Riel & Roger Martin
  493. Counter Mentor Leadership by Kelly Riggs & Robby Riggs
  494. How to Work With and Lead People Not Like You by Kelly McDonald & Teri Schmidt
  495. The Art of Caring Leadership by Heather Younger
  496. The Inspiration Code by Kristi Hedges
  497. The Leader of the Future 2 by Frances Hesselbein & Marshall Goldsmith
  498. Unleashed by Frances Frei & Anne Morriss
  499. I Wish I’d Known This: 6 Career-Accelerating Secrets for Women Leaders by Brenda Wensil & Kathryn Heath
  500. The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness by Lolly Daskal
  501. Who Thought This Was a Good Idea?: And Other Questions You Should Have When You Work in the White House by Alyssa Mastromonaco
  502. The Most Powerful Woman in the Room is You by Lydia Fenet
  503. The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks Like You by Julie Zhuo
  504. She Thinks Like a Boss: Leadership by Jemma Roedel
  505. Lead Like a Woman by Deborah Smith Pegues
  506. When Women Lead by Julie Boorstin
  507. Becoming by Michelle Obama
  508. The Female Vision: Women’s Real Power at Work by Sally Helgesen & Julie Johnson
  509. The Black Woman in Leadership’s Survival Guide by Becca Bakre & Ashley Gray
  510. The Manicurist’s Daughter: A Memoir by Susan Lieu
  511. In Her Own Voice: A Woman’s Rise to CEO: Overcoming Hurdles to Change the Face of Leadership by Jennifer McCollum
  512. Sit Down to Rise Up by Shelly Tygielski
  513. The Boldly Inclusive Leader by Minette Norman
  514. Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully by Elaine Lin Hering
  515. The Creative Way Forward: A Guide for Navigating Change in Work and Life by Jen Martin
  516. Building a Life Worth Living: A Memoir by Marsha M. Linehan
  517. Connie: A Memoir by Connie Chung
  518. The Survival Guide for Gen X Leaders: Building the Bridge from the Great Resignation to the Multigenerational Future We All Want by Amy Morrison
  519. Creating Equity with Gracious Space: Applications in Inclusion and Belonging by Patricia Hughes
  520. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
  521. Be BOLD Today: Unleash Your Potential, Master Your Mindset, and Achieve Success by Leigh Burgess
  522. A Writer’s Diary by Virginia Woolf
  523. Chinese Cinderella:The true story of an unwanted daughter by Adeline Yen Mah
  524. Dust track on a road by Zora Neale Hurston
  525. Blackbird:A childhood lost and found by Jennifer Lauck
  526. Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah
  527. Desert Flower by Cathleen Miller and Waris Dirie
  528. Female Innovators at Work: women on top of tech by Danielle Newnham
  529. Sharing Space: An Astronaut’s Guide to Mission, Wonder, and Making Change by Cady Coleman
  530. It’s Not (All) Your Fault: Self-Help and the Individualization of Oppression by Sharon Podobnik
  531. This Little World: A How-To Guide for Social Innovators by Shelly Kurtz
  532. Joyful Living: Find Joy in the Journey by Lien Ngu
  533. Budding Lotus in the West: Buddhism from an Immigrant’s Feminist Perspective by Nhi Yến Đỗ Trần
  534. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
  535. Thrive: How Learning Can Ignite a New Way Forward by Gina Anderson
  536. Beyond Inclusion, Beyond Empowerment A Developmental Strategy to Liberate Everyone by Leticia Nieto
  537. Get Up And Get On It: A Black Entrepreneur’s Lessons on Creating Legacy and Wealth by Dana Frank
  538. DEI-ing: A Guide to Navigating the Gotdamn Mess They’ve Made of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by Dr. Cheryl Ingram
  539. Purple Harvest: Planting Goals, Growing Truths by Dr. Rashonda Harris
  540. Incidents in the life of a slave girl by Harriot Jacobs
  541. Death of Innocence by Christopher Benson and Mamie Till-Mobley
  542. We are bridges by Cassandra lane
  543. Singing away the hunger by Mpho ‘M’atsepo Nthunya
  544. Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You’d Rather Cancel by Loretta Ross
  545. Men we reaped by Jesmyn Ward
  546. Lovely One: A Memoir by Ketanji Brown Jackson
  547. All that she carried by Tiya Miles
  548. Constructing a nervous system by Margo Jefferson
  549. Zami:A new spelling of my name by Audre Lorde
  550. The source of self-regard by Tony Morrison
  551. The light we carry by Michelle Obama
  552. Barracoon “The story of The last Black Cargo by Zora Neale Hurston
  553. Black Women Taught Us: An Intimate History of Black Feminism by Jenn M. Jackson, PhD
  554. On Thriving: Harnessing Joy Through Life’s Great Labors by Brandi Sellerz-Jackson
  555. Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum by Anotonia Hylton
  556. First Things First: Hip-Hop Ladies Who Changed the Game by Nadirah Simmons
  557. Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote by Dinah Johnson
  558. Praiseong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks by Crystal Wilkinson
  559. I Did a New Thing: 30 Days to Living Free by Tabitha Brown
  560. Nothing is Missing: A Memoir of Living Bodly by Nicole Walters
  561. The Elevation Approach by Tina Wells
  562. Black Titan: A.G. Gaston and the Making of a Black American Millionaire by Carol Jenkins & Elizabeth Gardner Hines
  563. Black, White, and The Grey by Mashama Bailey & John O. Morisano
  564. Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid by Mikaila Ulmer
  565. Wildflower: A Memoir by Aurora James
  566. Please Don’t Sit On My Bed In Your Outside Clothes by Phoebe Robinson
  567. The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom: Build Wealth, Retire Early, and Live the Life of Your Dreams by Paris Woods
  568. Life Coaching for Successful Women: Powerful Questions, Practical Answers by Valorie Burton
  569. Of Greed and Glory: In Pursuit of Freedom for All by Deborah G. Plant
  570. Worthy by Jada Pinkett Smith
  571. Leslie F*cking Jones: A Memoir by Leslie Jones
  572. Eartha & Kitt: A Daughter’s Love Story in Black and White by Kitt Shapiro
  573. I Saw Death Coming: A History of Terror and Survival in the War Against Reconstruction by Kidada E. Williams
  574. Inside Out: The Equity Leader’s Guide to Undoing Institutional Racism by Caprice D. Hollins
  575. The Urgent Life: My Story of Love, Loss, and Survival by Bozoma Saint John
  576. Unbowed by Wangari Maathai
  577. Acting Up: Winning in Business and in Life Using Down-Home Wisdom by Janice Bryant Howroyd
  578. The Extraordinary Power of Leader Humility by Marilyn Gist
  579. I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
  580. The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart by Alicia Garza
  581. A Good Cry, What we Learn from Tears and Laughter by Nikki Giovanni
  582. Speaking Truth to Power by Anita Hill
  583. Good Night Sotries for Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic by Sonja Thomas, Lilly Workneh
  584. Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals by Alexis Pauline Gumbs
  585. Impolite Conversations: On Race, Politics, Sex, Moneu, and Religion by Cora Daniels & John L. Jackson Jr.
  586. You Got This!: Unleash Your Awesomness, Find Your Path, and Change Your World by Maya Penn
  587. Black Girls Rock!: Owning Our Magic, Rocking Our Truth by Beverly Bond
  588. The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

We hope that you enjoyed exploring our 2025 leadership books written by women and those that identify as women. You can check out our other leadership book lists by authors who identify as Black,Hispanic/Latino/Latinx, AANHPI, Native American, and those who identify as having disabilities.

#23 Curiosity in public libraries with Tom Fay

Video thumbnail: A thumbnail for the Curiosity at Work podcast episode "Curiosity in public libraries" with Tom Fay. It features Julie Pham as the host. The podcast is presented by "Curiosity Based."

Subscribe Now!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyPodbeanAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Curiosity at Work: Tom Fay on Curiosity and Innovation in Public Libraries

In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Tom Fay, Executive Director and Chief Librarian of The Seattle Public Library (SPL). Tom discusses how curiosity drives innovation in public libraries. With over 42 years of experience, he shares his journey from a library page to leading SPL, which includes 27 branches and over 700 employees.

Curiosity Fuels Library Innovation and Community Support

Tom explains how curiosity helps libraries evolve from simple book lenders to community hubs. Today, libraries offer social services, workforce development, and support for small businesses. By embracing curiosity, libraries can better serve their communities. Tom’s leadership at SPL shows how curiosity can shape the future of public libraries.

Overcoming Challenges and Fostering Curiosity in a Large Institution

Running SPL presents challenges, such as crises like a ransomware attack. Tom shares how he creates a culture where employees are encouraged to take risks and adapt to change. He believes curiosity allows the library to remain relevant, continually improving and engaging with the community. A culture of curiosity ensures SPL provides the best possible services for Seattle residents.

Strategic Planning and Partnerships Focused on Learning

Through strategic planning and partnerships, Tom strives to keep SPL a learning-focused organization. He emphasizes how curiosity allows libraries to stay relevant in a fast-changing world. Libraries can better serve their community and offer valuable services by adapting and evolving with curiosity.

Tom’s Leadership Insights and Passion for Learning

Tom shares his passion for photography and outdoor exploration, which fuels his curiosity. He believes libraries should be spaces where curiosity thrives. These institutions offer people the freedom to explore new ideas and expand their knowledge. Tom’s leadership at SPL demonstrates the power of curiosity in building inclusive and innovative organizations.

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

Connect with Tom Fay:

#TomFay #SeattlePublicLibrary #CuriosityAtWork #LibraryLeadership #PublicLibraries #CommunityEngagement #Innovation #LearningOrganization #BannedBooks #PublicService

See all podcasts

#22 Curiosity in public construction management with Jerry Waldron

A thumbnail for the podcast episode "Curiosity in public construction management" with Jerry Waldron. It features Julie Pham as the host. The podcast is presented by "Curiosity Based."

Subscribe Now!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyPodbeanAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Jerry Waldron, Interim Construction Management Director and Drainage & Wastewater Project Management Manager at Seattle Public Utilities (SPU). With a 35-year career spanning both private sector engineering and public infrastructure, Jerry shares insights on leading large-scale capital improvement projects that directly impact the daily lives of Seattle residents.

The Importance of Unseen Work at SPU

Jerry explains that while SPU’s work is often unseen, it plays a crucial role in ensuring essential services like clean water, waste management, and environmental sustainability. His role involves overseeing a diverse team responsible for managing infrastructure projects, collaborating with contractors, and ensuring the city’s aging utilities are maintained for future generations.

Overcoming Challenges in Public Service

However, Jerry also highlights the unique challenges of fostering curiosity in public service, especially within a highly structured and policy-driven environment. He emphasizes that continuous improvement is key. To address this, Jerry encourages his team to question existing processes, all while balancing compliance and efficiency.

SPU’s Skills and Knowledge Transfer (SKT) Program

Moreover, Jerry sheds light on SPU’s Skills and Knowledge Transfer (SKT) program. This program plays a vital role in helping employees develop expertise and navigate the complexities of public works. By fostering collaboration between field workers, engineers, and administrative staff, Jerry ensures that knowledge-sharing and innovation remain central to their operations.

Leadership and Mentorship Beyond SPU

Beyond his work at SPU, Jerry’s passion for leadership and mentorship shines. In particular, he shares how he encourages curiosity in his team by asking critical questions. This approach empowers employees to take initiative and challenges traditional ways of thinking. Drawing inspiration from his love of the Seattle Seahawks, Jerry sees teamwork, strategy, and adaptability as essential to success.

Key Takeaways on Leading with Curiosity

Jerry’s reflections provide valuable lessons for anyone looking to lead with curiosity. By encouraging a culture of continuous learning and curiosity, Jerry demonstrates how leadership can improve workplace collaboration and create lasting impact in any field.

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

Connect with Jerry Waldron:

#JerryWaldron #SeattlePublicUtilities #CuriosityAtWork #ConstructionManagement #Leadership #PublicService #WorkforceTraining #Infrastructure #ContinuousImprovement #Collaboration

See all podcasts

4 Tips to Avoid Sounding Arrogant When Talking About Yourself

Self-promotion is an important skill in any professional setting. Being able to talk about your accomplishments helps others understand your value. However, it’s crucial to do this subtly and skillfully to avoid sounding arrogant or boastful. Here are four common mistakes people make when talking about themselves, and tips on how to avoid them.

1. Don’t Insert Self-Promotion Randomly

It’s completely fine to talk about your accomplishments, but make sure it’s relevant to the conversation. For example, if the conversation is about what everyone did over the weekend, it’s not the right time to mention that you won a Peace Prize three years ago. Randomly inserting self-promotion can make you seem out of touch and overly self-centered. Always ensure that what you share aligns with the context of the conversation.

2. Don’t Be Indirect or Coy

Omitting details or downplaying your accomplishments can backfire. This might seem like modesty, but it can be interpreted as false humility, which can come across as arrogant. For example, if the group is discussing where everyone went to college, and you say you studied in the Boston area without mentioning that you attended Harvard, it could be seen as trying too hard to appear humble. It’s better to be open about your accomplishments to avoid misunderstandings.

3. Don’t Give Unsolicited Advice

When talking about your achievements, focus on sharing what you learned rather than telling others what they should do. For example, saying, “I did this and learned X,” is much more impactful than “I did this and you should do it too.” Offering unsolicited advice can come off as preachy and arrogant. Keep the focus on your own experience and avoid imposing your opinions on others.

4. Don’t Give a Humble Brag

A humble brag is when you try to sound modest, but it ends up sounding like a brag in disguise. For instance, saying, “I wonder why I was chosen to lead this campaign when I have the least experience on the team,” is an indirect way of highlighting your success while pretending to be modest. Instead, simply say, “I was chosen to lead this campaign,” and let the facts speak for themselves.

Conclusion: Master the Art of Subtle Self-Promotion

Talking about yourself requires practice and self-awareness. By navigating these common mistakes, you can promote your accomplishments and avoid sounding arrogant. It’s all about balance—recognizing your achievements while remaining humble and considerate of others. For more tips on professional self-promotion, check out the video on how to promote yourself without bragging.

Watch the Video Explainer

If you found these tips helpful, please like and share this post with others.

Hashtags:

#SelfPromotion #ProfessionalSkills #CareerDevelopment #HumbleBrag #LeadershipTips #WorkplaceCulture #PersonalGrowth #EffectiveCommunication #BusinessSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment

Admitting You’re Wrong at Work

Title card for Admitting You're Wrong at Work

Admitting you’re wrong at work can be challenging, but it’s an essential part of professional accountability. We all make mistakes, and acknowledging them not only shows personal responsibility but also fosters a culture where it’s okay to make errors and learn from them. Here are six tips to help you admit your mistakes gracefully, strengthen trust, and enhance respect within your team.

1. Directly Admit It

When you realize you’ve made a mistake, address it as soon as possible. Simply acknowledge the mistake and take responsibility for it. For example, say, “This happened, and I’m responsible for it.” Being upfront shows that you’re aware of the mistake and ready to own it without deflection.

2. Don’t Blame Others

Avoid placing blame on others, even if the situation was influenced by factors outside your control. Focus solely on your role in the mistake. Blaming others can undermine your credibility and erode trust within your team. Owning your part in the mistake strengthens your accountability.

3. Don’t Over-Explain

While it may be tempting to go into detailed explanations, avoid over-explaining. Providing too much information can come across as defensive and may make it seem like you’re making excuses. Keep your explanation brief and to the point, focusing on the fact that you made an error and what you plan to do about it.

4. Acknowledge the Impact

Acknowledge how your mistake may have impacted others. Be open to hearing their feedback and concerns, and invite them to share any additional effects you might not be aware of. Demonstrating empathy for how others are affected shows that you’re genuinely concerned about the team and willing to make things right.

5. Suggest a Solution

Once you’ve acknowledged the mistake, suggest a possible solution to address it. Then, invite feedback from others to see if your solution is the best one. By involving the team in finding a solution, you not only demonstrate problem-solving skills but also show that you value their input.

6. Use the Mistake as a Learning Opportunity

Talking about your mistake in other settings, such as team meetings, can signal that it’s okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them. Sharing your experience openly with the team helps create a culture of accountability and growth. It shows that making mistakes is a part of the learning process and an opportunity to improve.

Conclusion: Strengthen Team Morale Through Accountability

Admitting you’re wrong at work and handling it with grace not only demonstrates accountability but also strengthens trust within your team. It signals that mistakes are opportunities for growth, and that learning from them is more important than perfection. By following these six tips, you can create a more open, respectful, and resilient work environment.

Watch the Video Explainer

If you found these tips helpful, please like and share this post with others.

Hashtags:

#ProfessionalAccountability #WorkplaceCulture #Teamwork #LeadershipTips #Mistakes #GrowthMindset #WorkplaceWellness #TeamMorale #CareerDevelopment #AccountabilityAtWork

#21 Curiosity in community colleges with Dr. Amy Morrison

Video thumbnail: A thumbnail for the Curiosity at Work podcast episode featuring Dr. Amy Morrison as a guest. Dr. Morrison is pictured smiling. The podcast is presented by Curiosity Based.

Subscribe Now!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyPodbeanAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Curiosity at Work: Dr. Amy Morrison on Leadership and Curiosity in Community Colleges

In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Dr. Amy Morrison, the ninth president of Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech). Dr. Morrison discusses the importance of curiosity in community colleges and how it has guided her leadership journey. As a first-generation college graduate and an advocate for workforce education, she shares her experiences in fostering curiosity at LWTech.

Overcoming Challenges and Expanding Opportunities at LWTech

Under Dr. Morrison’s leadership, LWTech has overcome post-Great Recession challenges and expanded its healthcare and IT programs. As a result, the college was recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the Top 150 community colleges in the nation. She explains how curiosity played a key role in these achievements, helping the college stay adaptive, responsive, and focused on equity and student success.

Building Relationships and Emphasizing Empathy

Dr. Morrison highlights how building strong relationships and fostering empathy have helped create a collaborative work environment at LWTech. Additionally, she emphasizes the value of integrating adjunct faculty into the college community. This approach allows the school to leverage faculty expertise, stay connected to industry trends, and cultivate curiosity in the classroom.

Embracing Cross-Generational Conversations

Another key theme in this conversation is how Dr. Morrison fosters cross-generational conversations. These conversations encourage curiosity, build trust, and strengthen organizational culture. By embracing diverse perspectives, she bridges generational gaps, fostering a more inclusive, collaborative environment at LWTech.

Navigating Change with Curiosity and Continuous Learning

Throughout the episode, Dr. Morrison discusses how curiosity helps her navigate challenges. These include adapting to rapid technological advancements and managing employee well-being during the pandemic. She explains that curiosity, combined with continuous learning and collaboration, empowers her to make thoughtful decisions, even in uncertain times.

Leadership Insights for Educators and Leaders

Dr. Morrison’s insights offer valuable lessons for educators, workforce development professionals, and leaders. Her leadership philosophy, built on curiosity and empathy, demonstrates how to create a learning environment that fosters growth and inclusivity. Whether you work in education, business, or any other field, these principles can drive positive change and success.

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

Connect with Dr. Amy Morrison:

See all podcasts

#20 Curiosity in software engineering with Cynthia Tee

Video thumbnail: A thumbnail for the podcast episode "Curiosity in software engineering" with Cynthia Tee. It features Julie Pham as the host in Episode 20. The podcast is presented by "Curiosity Based."

Subscribe Now!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyPodbeanAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Curiosity at Work: Cynthia Tee on Leadership, Innovation, and Curiosity in Software Engineering

In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Cynthia Tee, Senior Vice President of Engineering at Smartsheet. Cynthia shares her leadership journey in software engineering, spanning over two decades, and how curiosity has played a pivotal role in her career. From engineering roles at Microsoft and Nordstrom to leading Ada Developers Academy as Executive Director, Cynthia’s diverse experience has shaped her approach to leadership and innovation.

Curiosity as a Driver of Innovation and Collaboration at Smartsheet

Now leading a global team of over 530 engineers, Cynthia reflects on how curiosity drives innovation and collaboration within Smartsheet’s remote-first organization. She discusses how Smartsheet’s culture of alignment and openness fosters growth, particularly when integrating diverse perspectives from global acquisitions. Cynthia believes that curiosity is key to adapting and evolving, especially in a fast-paced, rapidly changing industry like software engineering.

Navigating Conflict and Change with Curiosity

Cynthia highlights the challenges and rewards of practicing curiosity, particularly during times of conflict or organizational change. Drawing from her experience in mergers and acquisitions, she emphasizes the importance of building trust and cross-pollinating ideas to create cohesive teams. Cynthia explains how curiosity enables leaders to navigate blind spots, make informed decisions, and balance urgency with thoughtful collaboration.

The Role of Empathy and Adaptability in Leadership

Cynthia’s unique perspective, shaped by her roles in both the tech and nonprofit sectors, underscores the importance of empathy and adaptability in leadership. She shares how being open to diverse ideas and experiences helps create an inclusive and effective team culture. Cynthia advocates for leaders who are curious and adaptable to navigate challenges and opportunities in today’s fast-changing world.

Fostering Curiosity in Software Engineering Teams

As an advocate for continuous learning, Cynthia offers practical advice for fostering curiosity within software engineering teams. From scenario-based recruiting to encouraging reflective practices like learning from mistakes, Cynthia believes curiosity can help engineers grow and innovate. She also recommends the book Think Again by Adam Grant, which inspires readers to challenge assumptions and stay open to new ideas.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, innovation, and building a culture where curiosity thrives. Cynthia’s insights on how curiosity drives success in software engineering and leadership are invaluable for professionals looking to foster growth and innovation in their teams.

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

Connect with Cynthia Tee:

#CynthiaTee #Smartsheet #CuriosityAtWork #EngineeringLeadership #RemoteWork #Innovation #TeamCollaboration #Leadership #ContinuousLearning

See all podcasts

250+ Leadership Books Written by Black Authors (2025)

6 black authored leadership books on display for the 2025 reading list

In honor of Black History Month, we created this list of 250+ leadership books written by black authors. This list is meant to be a resource, not an official endorsement. The books are not ranked or listed in any particular order.

  1. In Search of Our Mothers’ Gardens: Womanist prose by Alice Walker
  2. Purpose Driven Leadership: Building and fostering effective teams by Brigette Tasha Hyacinth
  3. The Transformational Consumer: Fuel a lifelong love affair with your customers by helping them get healthier, wealthier, and wiser by Tara-Nicholle Nelson
  4. Haben: The deafblind woman who conquered Harvard Law by Haben Girma
  5. Unprecedented: The Masters and Me by Tiger Woods (sports) & Lorne Rubenstein
  6. The Truths We Hold: An American Journey by Kamala Harris
  7. The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
  8. Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches by Audre Lorde
  9. Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
  10. Everybody’s Got Something by Robin Roberts & Veronica Chambers
  11. This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism by Don Lemon
  12. On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope by DeRay Mckesson
  13. White Girls by Hilton Als
  14. Nothing Personal by James Baldwin
  15. Revelations: The Autobiography of Alvin Ailey by Alvin Ailey & A. Peter Bailey
  16. Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by adrienne maree brown
  17. We Will Not Cancel Us by adrienne maree brown
  18. Love and Rage by Lama Rod Owens
  19. Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good by adrienne maree brown
  20. Octavia’s Brood: Science Fiction from Social Justice Movements by adrienne maree brown (eds)
  21. How to Get Stupid White Men Out of Office: The Anti-Politics, Un-Boring Guide to Power by adrienne maree brown (eds)
  22. It’s About Damn Time by Arlan Hamilton
  23. Queer Eye: Love Yourself, Love your Life by Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Jonathan Van Ness, Bobby Berk, & Karamo Brown
  24. My Story of Embracing Purpose, Healing & Hope by Karamo Brown
  25. The Mentor Leader by Tony Dungy
  26. The Secrets to Success: When You Want to Succeed as Bad as You Want to Breathe by Eric Thomas
  27. Produced by Faith: Enjoy real success without losing your true self by DeVon Franklin
  28. Super Rich: A guide to having it all by Russell Simmons
  29. It Worked for Me: In life and leadership by Colin Powell
  30. Reach: 40 Black men speak on liveing, leading, and succeeding by Ben Jealous & Trabian Shorters
  31. Black Faces in White Places: 10 game-changing strategies to achieve success and find greatness by Randal Pinkett & Jeffrey Robinson
  32. The Gatekeepers Are Gone: Hustle + Technology = Success by Lamar Tyler
  33. The Mind of a Winner by Steve Canal
  34. Know What Makes Them Tick: How to successfully negotiate almost any situation by Shonda Rhimes
  35. The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As told to Alex Haley by Malcolm X, Alex Haley
  36. What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey
  37. Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly
  38. The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl by Issa Rae
  39. The One Week Budget by Tiffany Aliche
  40. I’m Judging You: The do-better manual by Luvvie Ajayi
  41. We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  42. The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell by W. Kamau Bell
  43. Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
  44. My Bondage and My Freedom by Frederick Douglass
  45. Drop the Ball: Achieving more by doing less by Tiffany Dufu
  46. Biased: Uncovering the hidden prejudice that shapes what we see, think, and do by Jennifer eberhardt
  47. Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America by James Forman, Jr.
  48. Stamped from the Beginning: The definitive history of racist ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi
  49. Lovesong: Becoming a Jew by Julius Lester
  50. Becoming by Michelle Obama
  51. The Race Whisperer: Barack Obama and the political uses of race by Melanye Price
  52. A Promised Land by Barack Obama
  53. Strength to Love by Martin Luther King, Jr.
  54. The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman
  55. My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem
  56. Just as I am by Cicely Tyson
  57. Black and White: The Way I See It by Richard Williams
  58. Successful Women Think Differently: 9 Habits to Make You Happier, Healthier & More Resilient by Valorie Burton
  59. Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho
  60. A Way Out of No Way: A Memoir of Truth, Transformation, and the New American Story by Raphael Warnock
  61. Professional Troublemaker: The Fear Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones
  62. Finding Me: A Memoir by Viola Davis
  63. More than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are (No Matter What They Say) by Elaine Welteroth
  64. My Life: Queen of the Court by Serena Williams
  65. Bamboozled: How God Tricked Me inot the Life of My Dreams by Yvonne Orji
  66. Small Doses: Potent Truths for Everyday Use by Amanda Seales
  67. The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones
  68. After the Rain: Gentle Reminders for Healing, Courage, and Self-Love by Alexandra Elle
  69. The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women by Elaine Meryl Brown; Marsha Haygood; Angela Burt-Murray
  70. Your Next Level Life: 7 Rules of Power, Confidence, and Opportunity for Black Women in America by Karen Arrington
  71. Playing the Game Without a Coach: How Courage, Resilience and Forgiveness Helped One Man Seize the American Dream by Benjamin Raymond
  72. The Wealth Choice: Secret Success of Black Millionaires by Dennis Kimbro
  73. Beating the Odds: Eddie Brown’s Investing and Life Strategies by Eddie Brown
  74. Strategize to Win: The New Way to Star Out, Step Up, or Start Over in Your Career by Carla Harris
  75. Rise and Grind: Outperform, Outwork, and Outhustle Your Way to a More Successful and Rewarding Life by Daymond John & Daniel Paisner
  76. Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland
  77. The Work: Searching for a Life that Matters by Wes Moore
  78. The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
  79. Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change by Stacey Abrams
  80. 50 Billion Dollar Boss: African American Women Sharing Stories of Success in Entreprenuership and Leadership by Kathey Porter
  81. Black Business Secrets: 500 Tips, Strategies, and Resources for the African American Entrepreneuer by Dante Lee
  82. Black Fortunes: The Story of the First Six African Americans Who Escaped Slavery and Became Millionaires by Shomari Wills
  83. Black Girls Rock!: Owning Our Magic, Rocking Our Truth by Beverly Bond
  84. Black Power Inc.: The New Voices of Success by Cora Daniels
  85. Climb: Taking Every Step with Conviction,Courage, and Calculated Risk to Achieve a Thriving Career and a Successful Life by Michelle Gadsden-Williams, Carolyn M. Brown
  86. Boss Bride: The Powerful Woman’s Playbook for Love and Success by Charreah Jackson
  87. Conversations in Black: On Power, Politics, and Leadershi by Ed Gordon
  88. Double Down: Bet on Yourself and Scuceed on Your Own Terms by Antionette M. Clarke, Tricia Clarke-Stone
  89. Expect to Win: Proven Strategies for Success Froma a Wall Street Vet by Carla A. Harris
  90. It’s About Time: The Art of Choosing the Meaningful Over the Urgent by Valorie Burton
  91. Little Black Book: A Toolkit for Working Women by Otegha Uwagba
  92. Miss Jessie’s: Creating a Successful Business From Scratch — Naturally by Micho Branch
  93. Mo’s Bows: A Young Person’s Guide to Start-up Success: Measure, Cut, Stich Your Way to a Great Business by Moziah Bridges, Tramica Morris
  94. More Than Pretty: Doing the Sould Work that Uncovers Your True Beauty by Erica Campbell
  95. The Book of Awesome Black Americans: cientific Pioneers Trailblazing Entrepreneuers, Barrier-Breaking Activists and AFro-Futurists by Monique jones
  96. The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table by Minda Harts
  97. The Merchant Prince of Black Chicago: Anthony Overton and the building of a Financial Empire by Robert E. Weems
  98. Balancing Work and Life: The Nia guide for Black Women by Sherly Huggins, Cherly Mayberry McKissack
  99. The Road to Someplace Better: From the Segregated South to Harvard Business School and Beyond by Lillian Lincoln Lambert
  100. You Got This!: Unleash Your Awesomness, Find Your Path, and Change Your World by Maya Penn
  101. Women of Color in Tech: A Bluepring for Inspiing and Menotring the Next Generation of Technology Innovators by Susanne Tedrick
  102. Finding My Voice: My Journey to the West Wing and the Path Forward by Valarie Jarret
  103. Believe Bigger: Discover the Path to Your Life Purpose by Marshawn Evans Daniels
  104. Swimming with Sharks in Dark Waters by Athene Brinson
  105. FutureProofed: How to Navigate Disruptive Change, Find Calm in Chaos, and Succeed in Work & Life by Natalia Peart
  106. Own Your Phenomenal Self: A Guide on Character, Success, & Leadership by Rita P. Mitchell
  107. Werk 101: Get Your Life Together Guide by Koereyelle DuBose
  108. Illogical: Saying Yes to a Life Without Limits by Emmanuel Acho
  109. Impolite Conversations: On Race, Politics, Sex, Moneu, and Religion by Cora Daniels & John L. Jackson Jr.
  110. Driven by Intention: Own Your Purpose, Gain Power, and Pursue Your Passion as a Woman at Work by Michelle Gadsden-Williams
  111. Right Within: How to Heal From Racial Trauma in the Workplace by Minda Harts
  112. Gracism: The Art of Inclusion by Dr. David A. Anderson
  113. So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo
  114. All Bout Love by Bell Hooks
  115. Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism by Bell Hooks
  116. You’ve Got to Be Hungry: The Greatness Within to Win by Les Brown
  117. The Art of Ronin Leadership by Mike Howard
  118. Hood Feminist: Notes from the Women that a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
  119. Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
  120. Upper Hand: The Future of Work for the Rest of Us by Sherrell Dorsey
  121. Will by Will Smith
  122. More Myself: A Journey by Alicia Keys
  123. Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals by Alexis Pauline Gumbs
  124. These Wilds Beyond our Fences: Letters to My Daughter on Humanity’s Search for Home by Bayo Akomolafe
  125. Black Futures by Kimberly Drew, Jenna Wortham
  126. Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love and Liberation by Rev Angel Kyodo Williams
  127. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
  128. Good Night Sotries for Rebel Girls: 100 Real-Life Tales of Black Girl Magic by Sonja Thomas, Lilly Workneh
  129. How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
  130. Bridges to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing by Erin Jones
  131. The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother by Andre Braugher, James McBride, Lainie Kazan
  132. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell
  133. David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants by Malcolm Gladwell
  134. Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy’s Guide to the Constitution by Ellie Mystal
  135. Fire Shut Up in My Bones by Charles Blow
  136. The Devil You Know: A Black Power Manifesto by Charles Blow
  137. Speaking Truth to Power by Anita Hill
  138. A Good Cry, What we Learn from Tears and Laughter by Nikki Giovanni
  139. Writings on the Wall: searching for a New Equality Beyond Black and White by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  140. Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  141. Standing Above the Crowd by James Donaldson
  142. Up from Nothing: The Untold Story of How We (All) Succeed by John Hope Bryant
  143. The Memo: Five Rules for Your Economic Liberation by John Hope Bryant
  144. Love Leadership: The New Way to Lead in a Fear Based World by John Hope Bryant
  145. The Purpose of Power: How We Come Together When We Fall Apart by Alicia Garza
  146. I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
  147. Somebody’s Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford
  148. The Extraordinary Power of Leader Humility by Marilyn Gist
  149. Talk it Up!: A Guide to Successful Public Speaking by David Suk Brown & Danny Suk Brown
  150. Our Brave Foremothers: Celebrating 100 Black, Brown, Asian & Indigenous Women Who Changed the Course of History by Rozella Kennedy
  151. You Owe You: Ignite Your Power, Your Purpose, and Your Why by Eric Thomas, PhD
  152. Black Fatigue: How Racism Erodes the Mind, Body, and Spirit by Mary-Francis Winters
  153. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
  154. Year of Yes: How to Dance it Out, Stand in the Sun, and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes
  155. Acting Up: Winning in Business and in Life Using Down-Home Wisdom by Janice Bryant Howroyd
  156. How Boards Work and How They Can Work Better in a Chaotic World by Dambisa Moyo
  157. Chasing Youth Culture and Getting it Right: How Your Business Can Profit by Tapping Today’s Most Powerful Trendsetters and Tastemakers by Tina Wells
  158. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcom Gladwell
  159. Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? by Reginald Lewis & Blair S. Walker
  160. Unapologetically Ambitious: Take Risks, Break Barriers, and Create Success on Your Own Terms by Shellye Archambeau
  161. The Rise: Creativity, the Gift of Failure, and the Search for Mastery by Sarah Lewis
  162. Display of Power by Daymond John
  163. Black Entrepreneuer Survival Guide: The complete guide to becoming a successful African American entrepreneuer by Dunneille D. Anderson
  164. Black Wall Street: From Riot to Renaissance in Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District by Hannibal B. Johnson
  165. CEO of My Soul: The Self-Love Journey of a Small Business Owner by Nic Cober Esquire
  166. How to Succeed in Business Without Being White: Straight Talk on Making It in America by Earl G. Graves
  167. Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My Nose and Found My Passion by Lisa Price & Hilary Beard
  168. We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power by Rachel Rodgers
  169. 9 Laws of Success: Attracting the Life, Love, Health & Success You Want! by Stormy Wellington
  170. Self-Esteem is the New Black: How to become the confident woman you have always wanted to be! by Monique Mays
  171. Everyday Millionaires: How Oridnary People Built Extraordinary Wealth – And How You Can Too by Chris Hogan
  172. Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche
  173. How We Show Up: Reclaiming Family, Friendshop, and Community by Mia Birdsong
  174. Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay
  175. Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper
  176. Mom and Me and Mom by Maya Angelou
  177. The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner
  178. Green Power: The Successful Way of A.G. Gaston by A.G. Gaston
  179. The Black Woman Millionaire: A Revolutionary Act that DEFIES Impossible by Dr. Venus Opal Reese
  180. When the Miracle Drops: How Instagram Helped Turn a Quick Fix Into a Million-Dollar Product by Jessica Dupart
  181. Building Atlanta: How I Broke Through Segregation to Launch a Business Empire by Herman J. Russell
  182. The Path Made Clear: Discovering Your Life’s Direction and Purpose by Oprah Winfrey
  183. Mental Detox: The Power and Guidance to Implement Peace, Joy, Balance, and Financial Abundance in Your Life by Cheyenne Bryant
  184. Quantam Leaps: 10 Steps to Help You Soar by Gloria Mayfield Bangs
  185. Air Traffic: A Memoir of Ambition and Manhood in America by Gregory Pardlo
  186. A Lucky Man by Jamel Brinkley
  187. Heavy: An American Memoir by Kiese Laymon
  188. Invisible Man, Got the Whole World Watching: A Young Black Man’s Education Book by Mychal Denzel Smith
  189. Meaty: Essays by Smantha Irby
  190. Unbowed by Wangari Maathai
  191. Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death and Redemption in an American Prison by Shaka Senghor
  192. Where You Are is Not Who You Are by Ursula Burns
  193. The Perfect Day to Boss Up by Rick Ross & Niel Martinez-Belkin
  194. Feeding the Soul by Tabitha Brown
  195. Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A guide to reclaiming yourself by Nedra Glover Tawwab
  196. I’m Not Yelling by Elizabeth Leiba
  197. Responsible Marketing by Lola Bakare
  198. The Urgent Life by Bozoma Saint John
  199. Inside Out: The Equity Leader’s Guide to Undoing Institutional Racism by Caprice D. Hollins
  200. Black AF History: The Un-whitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot
  201. I Saw Death Coming: A History of Terror and Survival in the War Against Reconstruction by Kidada E. Williams
  202. 12 Notes: On Life and Creativity by Quincy Jones
  203. The Beautiful Ones by Prince
  204. Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in A White World by Wil Haygood
  205. The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey & Passions by Quincy Jones
  206. Eartha & Kitt: A Daughter’s Love Story in Black and White by Kitt Shapiro
  207. Leslie F*cking Jones: A Memoir by Leslie Jones
  208. Let Love Rule by Lenny Kravitz
  209. Miles: The Autobiography by Miles Davis
  210. Starting at Zero by Jimi Hendrix
  211. Worthy by Jada Pinkett Smith
  212. The Dead Don’t Need Reminding by Julian Randall
  213. Of Greed and Glory by Deborah G. Plant. Amistad
  214. And Then We Rise: A guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self by Common
  215. American Imam: From Pop Stardom to Prison Abolition by Taymullah Abdur-Rahman
  216. Life Coaching for Successful Women: Powerful Questions, Practical Answers by Valorie Burton
  217. The Black Girl’s Guide to Financial Freedom: Build Wealth, Retire Early, and Live the Life of Your Dreams by Paris Woods
  218. Please Don’t Sit On My Bed In Your Outside Clothes by Phoebe Robinson
  219. Wildflower: A Memoir by Aurora James
  220. Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
  221. Bee Fearless: Dream Like a Kid by Mikaila Ulmer
  222. Black, White, and The Grey by Mashama Bailey & John O. Morisano
  223. Black Titan: A.G. Gaston and the Making of a Black American Millionaire by Carol Jenkins & Elizabeth Gardner Hines
  224. Decoded by Jay-Z
  225. Black Founder: The Hidden Power of Being an Outsider by Stacy Spikes
  226. The Elevation Approach by Tina Wells
  227. Nothing is Missing: A Memoir of Living Bodly by Nicole Walters
  228. I Did a New Thing: 30 Days to Living Free by Tabitha Brown
  229. Get the F* Out Your Won Way: A Guide to Letting Fo of the Sh*t that’s Holding You Back by MJ Harris
  230. Praiseong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks by Crystal Wilkinson
  231. Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote by Dinah Johnson
  232. First Things First: Hip-Hop Ladies Who Changed the Game by Nadirah Simmons
  233. Madness: Race and Insanity in a Jim Crow Asylum by Anotonia Hylton
  234. On Thriving: Harnessing Joy Through Life’s Great Labors by Brandi Sellerz-Jackson
  235. A Seat at the C-Suite Table: Insights from the leadership Journeys of African American Executives by Chuck Wallington, PhD
  236. Black Women Taught Us: An Intimate History of Black Feminism by Jenn M. Jackson, PhD
  237. When Leadership Matters by Robert Britten
  238. How to Live Free in a Dangerous World: A Decolonial Memior by Shayla Lawson
  239. The Souls of Queer Folk: How Understanding LGBTQ+ Culture Can Transform Your Leadership Practice by Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown
  240. Barracoon “The story of The last Black Cargo by Zora Neale Hurston
  241. The light we carry by Michelle Obama
  242. The source of self-regard by Tony Morrison
  243. Zami:A new spelling of my name by Audre Lorde
  244. Constructing a nervous system by Margo Jefferson
  245. All that she carried by Tiya Miles
  246. Lovely One: A Memoir by Ketanji Brown Jackson
  247. Men we reaped by Jesmyn Ward
  248. Singing away the hunger by Mpho ‘M’atsepo Nthunya
  249. We are bridges by Cassandra lane
  250. Death of Innocence by Christopher Benson and Mamie Till-Mobley
  251. Incidents in the life of a slave girl by Harriot Jacobs
  252. Purple Harvest: Planting Goals, Growing Truths by Dr. Rashonda Harris
  253. DEI-ing: A Guide to Navigating the Gotdamn Mess They’ve Made of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion by Dr. Cheryl Ingram
  254. Get Up And Get On It: A Black Entrepreneur’s Lessons on Creating Legacy and Wealth by Dana Frank
  255. Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You’d Rather Cancel by Loretta Ross

Since we work really hard to create these lists, we hope these authors will get the attention they deserve! If you think this list is valuable, please share it and spread the word. Here’s a sample text you can use when sending this booklist out to your network: “Want to read leadership narratives written by Black Americans? Check this out! (https://tinyurl.com/2025-black-authored-books). #diverseleadershipauthors #blackleadershipauthors #blackhistorymonth #expandwhoweread #enrichhowwelead”

You can check out our other leadership book lists by those who identity as women, those who identify as having disabilities, Hispanic/Latino/Latinx, LGBTQ, Native American, and AAPI. We are always adding to these lists, so please send more recommendations our way.

Perfectionism to Progress: Practical Ways to Let Go at Work

Title card for From Perfectionism to Progress
Title card for From Perfectionism to Progress

Perfectionism can be a significant barrier to progress in the workplace. While it’s often said that “perfection is the enemy of good,” many people, especially leaders, fall into the trap of striving for perfection, which ultimately slows down progress. Overcoming perfectionism is crucial for personal productivity and workplace wellness, as it sets a standard that may lead employees to feel pressured to aim for perfection, too. In this post, you’ll learn four practical ways to let go at work, break free from perfectionism, and focus on progress instead.

1. What Actually Matters?

One of the first steps to letting go of perfectionism is prioritizing what truly matters. For instance, when preparing for a presentation, focus on delivering useful and valuable information that will be easy for people to understand, rather than obsessing over the perfect image or font. By asking yourself what actually matters, you can set more realistic goals and ensure that your efforts are aligned with your audience’s needs, not unattainable perfection.

2. Do I Want to Invite Feedback?

Perfectionism often involves seeking approval rather than feedback. If you’re focused on being perfect, you may avoid getting feedback because it could highlight imperfections. However, it’s important to invite feedback to improve your work. For example, as you prepare a presentation, intentionally leave room for imperfection to allow others to provide constructive feedback. This not only helps improve your work but also fosters a culture of learning and growth within your team.

3. What Else Could I Be Doing with My Time?

Perfectionism is time-consuming and exhausting. Ask yourself: what else could you be doing with your time? For example, preparing a presentation might take 10 hours to reach a B+ level, and another 10 hours to reach A+. Instead of spending those extra hours perfecting small details, consider dedicating that time to other projects that will help the team’s collective work. Focusing on progress over perfection will increase productivity and reduce burnout.

4. What Are the Consequences of Not Being Perfect?

The fear of letting people down or being criticized often drives perfectionism. However, it’s important to recognize that being imperfect isn’t a disaster. In fact, when you show your own imperfections, it makes others feel more comfortable being imperfect, too. This openness promotes a healthier, more collaborative environment where progress is prioritized over unattainable perfection.

Conclusion: Embrace Progress Over Perfection

By asking these four questions—focusing on what truly matters, inviting feedback, considering how you use your time, and evaluating the consequences of imperfection—you can reduce perfectionism and improve productivity. Shifting your focus from perfection to progress will make work more enjoyable and less stressful for both you and your team.

If you found these tips on practical ways to let go at work, break free from perfectionism, and focus on progress instead to be helpful, please like and share this post. You can also read a more detailed version of this on our blog at CuriosityBased.

Watch the Video Explainer

Hashtags:

#Perfectionism #ProductivityTips #WorkplaceWellness #CareerGrowth #PersonalDevelopment #Leadership #TimeManagement #Teamwork #WorkplaceCulture #ProfessionalGrowth

#19 Curiosity in Health Insurance with Shannon Drotning

The image shows a promotional graphic for a podcast episode. The podcast is titled "Curiosity at Work" and is hosted by Julie Pham, PhD. The episode is titled "Curiosity in Health Insurance" and features guest Shannon Drotning. The graphic is presented by Curiosity Based and includes their logo, which is a stylized "cb" in a circle.

Subscribe Now!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyPodbeanAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Curiosity at Work: Shannon Drotning on Curiosity and Innovation in Health Insurance

In episode 19 of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Shannon Drotning, Market President for the West Coast at Providence Health Plan. Shannon shares her inspiring career journey, from starting as a customer service representative to becoming a senior leader in healthcare. She highlights how curiosity and a customer-first mindset have been central to her success in navigating the complexities of Medicare and the insurance industry. Shannon explains how customer-focused curiosity is driving innovation in health insurance.

Leading Innovation in Health Insurance with Customer-Focused Curiosity

With over 1,500 employees, Providence Health Plan has a mission to serve diverse communities. Shannon emphasizes the importance of fostering innovation while staying deeply connected to the people they serve. She explains how curiosity drives her team to continually refine their processes and improve customer service. This customer-first approach is essential for faster problem resolution and greater customer satisfaction.

The Role of Curiosity in Improving Customer Experience

Shannon discusses how Providence Health Plan lives up to its promise to “Know Me, Care for Me, Ease My Way” by actively listening to customer feedback. She draws inspiration from industries like retail, showing how curiosity in understanding customers’ needs can lead to significant improvements. By integrating customer insights and adopting an innovative mindset, Shannon and her team work to create a seamless, customer-centric experience.

Managing a Sales-Driven Team with Empathy and Curiosity

Managing a sales-driven team presents unique challenges, but Shannon highlights how curiosity can foster empathy and understanding. She focuses on hiring individuals who are not only skilled but also deeply committed to helping others navigate healthcare decisions. Shannon shares how fostering a learning culture encourages her team to approach challenges with curiosity, driving meaningful impact in the health insurance space.

Curiosity as a Catalyst for Growth, Collaboration, and Innovation

Through her leadership, Shannon models how curiosity fosters growth, collaboration, and innovation in a fast-paced industry. She believes that creating a culture of learning—where even small changes are valued—can transform workplace culture and lead to continuous improvement. By encouraging her team to see things through the eyes of their customers, Shannon demonstrates how curiosity can drive positive change in healthcare.

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

Connect with Shannon Drotning:

See all podcasts

Five Practical Tips to Prevent Burnout at Work

Title card for 5 Tips on How to Prevent Burnout at Work

Burnout is a real issue that affects productivity, team morale, and the ability to achieve organizational goals. Preventing burnout is essential as people are a company’s most valuable asset. Ensuring that your team isn’t overwhelmed or constantly on the verge of burnout will improve overall well-being and contribute to a healthier, more productive work environment. Here are five practical tips to prevent burnout at work.

1. Reduce False Urgency

False urgency is when employees feel constantly busy, yet they aren’t accomplishing much. They are reacting instead of being proactive. This constant sense of urgency can lead to burnout because it keeps people in a state of stress. To reduce false urgency, take time to set clear expectations and deadlines, and make sure that team members are working toward meaningful goals. Avoid creating an environment where everyone feels the need to rush without a clear direction.

For more information on this, check out a video on how to reduce false urgency at work. https://curiositybased.com/reduce-false-urgency-at-work/

2. Encourage Taking Breaks

Trust your team to manage their workload and encourage them to take breaks during the day. Regular breaks can help break up the monotony of the workday and refresh the mind. Whether it’s taking a lunch break, stepping outside for a walk, or running errands, allowing employees to take breaks can help prevent burnout. It’s important to also model this behavior by taking breaks yourself. Leading by example helps normalize taking time to recharge.

3. Make Time to Reflect, Connect, and Celebrate

Creating a culture of recognition and appreciation is crucial. Employees need to feel valued not only for their work but for their humanity. Regularly connecting with your team and celebrating milestones or achievements fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment. You can implement team-building activities or icebreakers to enhance the work environment and encourage meaningful relationships. Taking time to reflect on successes and challenges will help build a supportive and balanced workplace.

4. Have Companywide Breaks

At CuriosityBased, a companywide break is implemented every quarter where everyone takes time off to rest and recharge. While not all companies may have the resources to provide an entire week, implementing shorter breaks—such as a half-day or a day each month—can have a big impact. Alternatively, providing employees with paid time off on holidays can help them disconnect and rejuvenate, reducing the risk of burnout.

5. Have a Backup Plan

Sometimes, employees feel pressured to do everything themselves, believing they are the only ones who can get the job done. This can lead to burnout when employees feel that the work will fall apart without them. To prevent this, establish a clear backup plan. Let employees know that if they are absent, there’s a temporary solution in place. Whether that means pausing the work or delegating it to someone else, having a plan in place reduces stress and ensures continuity.

Conclusion: Preventing Burnout is Key

Burnout is a real issue, but it is far easier to prevent than to recover from. By applying these five tips—reducing false urgency, encouraging breaks, reflecting and celebrating achievements, scheduling companywide breaks, and having a backup plan—you can help your team avoid burnout and create a healthier work environment.

If you found five practical tips to prevent burnout at work to be helpful, be sure to share them with others and start applying them to your workplace!

Watch the Video Explainer

Hashtags:

#PreventBurnout #WorkplaceWellness #HealthyWorkplace #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceCulture #LeadershipTips #StressManagement #TeamWellbeing #Productivity #BurnoutPrevention

#18 Curiosity in emergency services with Chief Harold Scoggins

curiosity in emergency services

Subscribe Now!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyPodbeanAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

Curiosity at Work: Harold Scroggins on Leadership, Innovation, and Curiosity in Emergency Services

In this episode of Curiosity at Work, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Harold D. Scroggins, Chief of the Seattle Fire Department. Chief Scroggins shares his remarkable 35-year journey of curiosity in emergency services and the evolving role of the fire department. He discusses how curiosity plays a critical role in addressing the challenges faced by the department, from traditional fire-fighting to medical emergencies, hazardous materials management, and water rescues.

The Evolving Role of the Seattle Fire Department

With over 1,200 staff, the Seattle Fire Department exemplifies how curiosity and innovation can drive continuous improvement. Chief Scroggins highlights the importance of balancing legacy and tradition with the need for constant adaptation and training. He explains how the department’s culture of curiosity helps the team stay ahead of challenges while ensuring the highest standards of service.

Curiosity as a Driver of Continuous Learning and Innovation

Chief Scroggins emphasizes the department’s commitment to continuous learning and innovation. From updating operational guidelines to pioneering life-saving programs, such as the use of buprenorphine for overdose response, curiosity drives meaningful advancements. He illustrates how the department fosters a culture of feedback and collaboration, including monthly calls with fire departments nationwide to exchange best practices. Despite managing change in a field steeped in tradition, Chief Scroggins highlights how curiosity helps question assumptions and find better ways to serve the community.

Leading with Curiosity: Fostering Growth and Resilience

Through his leadership, Chief Scroggins demonstrates how curiosity can inspire both individual and organizational growth. He shares how fostering a family-like culture in fire stations and supporting new recruits through rigorous training contributes to the department’s success. Curiosity, he believes, transforms even the most traditional institutions, ensuring continuous improvement and resilience.

How Curiosity Fuels Innovation and Community Impact

This episode offers invaluable insights into how curiosity fuels innovation, resilience, and community impact in the world of emergency services. Chief Scroggins’ leadership approach illustrates how curiosity is not just a trait but a driving force behind effective service, operational excellence, and positive community outcomes.

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

Connect with Chief Harold Scoggins:

See all podcasts

How to Reduce False Urgency at Work

Title card for How to reduce false urgency at work

False urgency occurs when people feel unnecessarily busy due to poor planning and unrealistic expectations. It’s easy to fall into a pattern where it feels like you’re always in a state of emergency, putting out fires instead of proactively preventing them. Here are three effective strategies for how to reduce false urgency at work and prevent burnout.

1. Set Realistic Expectations

The first step to reducing false urgency is setting realistic expectations. When planning a new project or campaign, it’s crucial to gather all the people involved and assess upcoming holidays, vacations, and other priorities. Don’t forget to consider any unknown factors, like new partners or processes, that could require extra buffer time. Setting clear expectations about deadlines is key.

It’s frustrating, when managers set unrealistic deadlines, such as needing something by Monday, although they won’t review the work until Thursday. It’s important to be realistic about when things need to be done. Setting realistic deadlines and response time expectations can prevent the sense of urgency that isn’t really necessary.Clear communication helps prevent misunderstandings and reduces unnecessary stress.

2. Communicate Response Time Expectations

When you don’t set clear expectations about response times, others may think a task is urgent when it isn’t. This can create unnecessary pressure for everyone involved. It’s important to be transparent about when you need something done and explain why it matters. Doing so will help others understand the urgency, or lack thereof, around a request.

3. Limit Off-Hours Communication

A lot of false urgency stems from around-the-clock communication. With technology making it easy to send emails and messages at any time, it’s easy to feel like you have to be “always on.” Dr. Pham suggests using technology to your advantage by limiting off-hours communication. For instance, if you’re working late and send an email at 11:00 p.m., it might create the expectation of a response immediately.

To manage this, use the “schedule send” feature on email.Schedule emails to be sent the following day when the workday starts. This helps set clear boundaries for work communication, ensuring it only takes place during work hours.

By following these three tips — setting realistic expectations, clearly communicating response times, and limiting off-hours communication — you can reduce false urgency at work and prevent burnout at work.

Watch the Video Explainer

If you found these tips helpful, don’t forget to like and share this post! 

How to Plan an Interactive Online Experience: Essential Logistics

Title card for How to Plan an Interactive Online Event

Planning an interactive online experience requires thoughtful preparation and attention to detail. Whether you’re hosting a workshop or creating content, the logistics of an online event can make or break the experience. In this post, you’ll find three essential tips on how to plan an interactive online experience to help ensure smooth event management and make your online event a success.

1. Test the Technology

Technology is always evolving, and what worked last month might not work the same way this month. That’s why testing the technology beforehand is crucial. Make sure your slide deck displays correctly, the sound quality is clear, and the polls are functioning properly. To get a complete picture, launch your presentation from your computer and then call in using your phone. This allows you to experience the event from a user’s perspective and helps you identify any issues that could arise.

2. Schedule a Rehearsal

Rehearsals are essential for any online event. If you’re working with others to facilitate the event, schedule a rehearsal to go through the flow of the event. This allows you to clarify who will speak when, work out transitions, and make last-minute adjustments. If you’re facilitating solo, try rehearsing with coworkers or asking a friend for support. A rehearsal helps you get comfortable with the setup and ensures everything runs smoothly during the event.

3. Set Up Guidelines for Participants

To ensure full participant engagement, provide clear guidelines. This can include instructions embedded in your slides or a follow-along document. If you anticipate that your audience may be unfamiliar with the technology, consider offering a quick demo or adding slides that explain the features they’ll need to use during the event. Having these resources ready makes it easier for participants to follow along and engage in the experience.

Conclusion: Planning a Successful Online Experience

By following these three tips how to plan an interactive online experience —testing technology, scheduling rehearsals, and providing participant guidelines—you’ll be well on your way to creating a smooth and successful online event. These strategies will help you design engaging and interactive online experiences that leave a lasting impact. If you’re interested in diving deeper, consider exploring courses on Mastering Interactive Online Experience Design.  Start learning how to create even more successful online events today.

Watch the Video Explainer

If you found this post helpful, please like it and share it on social media. Happy planning!

Managing Planned Employee Transitions

Title card for Managing Employee Transitions

Employee transitions, especially planned ones, can be challenging for any organization. Whether an employee is leaving for a new opportunity or going through a personal change, preparing for a transition can ensure a smoother process for both the departing employee and the remaining team members. Here are six practical tips to managing planned employee transitions.

1. Start Redistributing Tasks Early

As soon as you know an employee will be transitioning, start redistributing their tasks. Identify what the employee currently does and reassign it to others. This gives your team members time to ask the exiting employee questions about the role, which helps ease the transition. By doing this early, you also allow others to step into new responsibilities and feel empowered during the change.

2. Reduce Non-Essential Work

If the departing employee was involved in many meetings or standing committees, consider relieving them of non-essential work. This will allow them to focus on their primary responsibilities during the final weeks, without the added pressure of commitments they won’t be able to continue after leaving. It also prevents team members from having to attend unnecessary meetings post-departure.

3. Create a Detailed Handover Document

A comprehensive handover document is key to ensuring a smooth transition. Collaborate with the departing employee to capture everything that the new person will need to know. Don’t wait until the last day to create this document. Take the time to revisit it together, making sure it covers all important tasks and procedures.

4. Collaborate on the Transition Plan

Creating a transition plan shouldn’t be a solo task. Dr. Pham recommends drafting the initial plan and then inviting input from remaining team members. This collaborative approach not only empowers employees but also ensures they feel invested in the transition. Their input may lead to valuable ideas and solutions that may not have been considered initially.

5. Conduct an Exit Interview

An exit interview offers a chance for both the departing employee and the manager to exchange constructive feedback. It’s an opportunity for the employee to reflect on their time with the company, and for the manager to learn about what worked well and areas for improvement. Conducting an exit interview can provide insights that help improve future transitions.

6. Host a Goodbye Party

A simple goodbye party—whether in person or virtual—can go a long way in creating closure. A brief 30–45 minute virtual gathering with colleagues can express gratitude and say their farewells. At CuriosityBased, we also create goodbye videos highlighting the contributions of the departing employee, which serves as a keepsake for them and adds a personal touch to the farewell.

Bonus Tips for a Smoother Transition

1. Create a Goodbye Message:

Invite the departing employee to write a letter to their colleagues, clients, and vendors. In the message, they can share what they are proud of accomplishing, what they’ll miss, and what’s next for them. This helps prevent speculation about the departure and honors the employee’s contributions.

2. Overlap Time with the New Employee:

If budget allows and the replacement is known in advance, try to create overlap time between the departing employee and the new hire. This allows for offboarding and onboarding to happen simultaneously, making the transition smoother for everyone involved.

Employee transitions are always stressful, but with these strategies, you can reduce the disruption and ensure a smooth and productive transition for both the team and the departing employee. By preparing early, communicating clearly, and providing closure, you can help everyone involved navigate the change with confidence.

We hope these tips help you manage your next employee transition with ease. If you found this post useful, please like and share it!

Watch the Video Explainer

#17 Curiosity for administrative professionals with Rachel Suman

Rachel Suman smiling for the banner Curiosity at Work podcast

Subscribe Now!

Apple PodcastsSpotifyPodbeanAmazon MusiciHeartRadio

In episode 17 of Curiosity at Work podcast, Dr. Julie Pham interviews Rachel Suman, Chief Experience Officer at the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). Rachel shares her inspiring journey from administrative professional to executive leader, providing valuable insights into the evolving role of administrative professionals across industries. IAAP, with over 7,000 members and a community of more than 80,000 professionals, is dedicated to empowering administrative professionals by offering training, leadership development, and advocacy.

Rachel discusses the diverse and impactful roles administrative professionals play within organizations and how IAAP supports their growth and influence globally. She highlights the importance of curiosity as a fundamental leadership skill within IAAP’s team culture. By embedding curiosity through feedback, self-reflection, and space for growth, Rachel explains how continuous learning is fostered in their organization. She also introduces feedback journals as an effective tool for tracking growth and creating a supportive learning environment.

As a passionate advocate for administrative professionals, Rachel offers practical tips on empowering administrative staff in any organization. From scenario-based interview questions to creating safe spaces for honest feedback, she shares actionable strategies for fostering curiosity, leadership, and growth. This episode emphasizes how curiosity and empathy can transform workplace culture, support administrative teams, and enhance organizational effectiveness.

Connect with Dr. Julie Pham:

Connect with Rachel Suman:

#RachelSuman #IAAP #CuriosityAtWork #AdministrativeProfessionals #Leadership #FeedbackCulture #ContinuousLearning #WorkplaceCulture #CareerGrowth #EmployeeEmpowerment

See all podcasts