Recommended Reading List
for Engineers
Grow your impact, communication, and influence with the best advice for engineers moving into leadership and beyond.
Updated: 10/12/2025
Leadership
Engineers are often leaders—even before they know it. These books help you guide teams and build trust.
- Top PickThe 5 Levels of Leadership, John C. Maxwell (paid link)
- The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John C. Maxwell (paid link)
- Developing the Leader Within You 2.0, John C. Maxwell (paid link)
- Everyone Communicates, Few Connect, John C. Maxwell (paid link)
- Art of the Leader, William Cohen (paid link)
Overcoming Cowardice
Avoiding tough conversations stifles organizations. Learn how to face conflict for healthy teams.
- Institutional Cowardice, Laura S. Brown
- Recognizing Cowardice (ProWritingAid guide)
Management
Strong management builds strong outcomes. These books guide you in managing processes, people, and yourself.
- Top PickHigh Output Management, Andrew S. Grove (paid link)
- Top PickBuild, Tony Fadell (paid link)
- Good to Great, Jim Collins (paid link)
- The Coaching Habit, Michael Bungay Stanier (paid link)
- The Essential Deming, W. Edwards Deming (paid link)
- The New Economics, W. Edwards Deming (paid link)
- Out of the Crisis, W. Edwards Deming (paid link)
- The Hard Thing About Hard Things, Ben Horowitz (paid link)
Stoicism & Composure
Stay steady under stress. Stoic philosophy gives tools for resilience and thoughtful action.
- Top PickEgo Is the Enemy, Ryan Holiday (paid link)
- The Obstacle Is the Way, Ryan Holiday (paid link)
- Stillness Is the Key, Ryan Holiday (paid link)
- The Daily Stoic, Ryan Holiday (paid link)
- Meditations, Marcus Aurelius (paid link)
- The Art of Living, Epictetus (paid link)
Communication
All management starts with clear conversation. Master the art of tough discussions and honest feedback.
- Difficult Conversations, Douglas Stone & Bruce Patton (paid link)
- Crucial Conversations, Joseph Grenny & Kerry Patterson (paid link)
- Crucial Accountability, Joseph Grenny & Kerry Patterson (paid link)
- Radical Candor, Kim Scott (paid link)
- Dare to Lead, Brené Brown (paid link)
Relationships
Leadership is built on trust and connection. Build relationships for a healthier, happier team.
- Top PickThe Four Horsemen & Antidotes, Gottman Institute
- Top PickHow to Build Deeper Relationships (YouTube), Carole Robin
- Stanford's “Touchy-Feely” Interpersonal Dynamics
- Connect, Carole Robin (paid link)
TED Talks for Engineers
These two Ted Talks cover how important it is the get the whole picture and why having a great career is not so obvious.
- Top PickWhy You Will Fail to Have a Great Career, Larry Smith
- The Danger of a Single Story, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
HBR Management Insights
Management wisdom from Harvard Business Review.
- Top PickSet-up-to-Fail Syndrome, Jean-François Manzoni & Jean-Louis Barsoux
- How Do You Motivate Employees?, Frederick Herzberg
- The Enemies of Trust, Galford & Drapeau
Sales for Engineers
Engineers can be great at sales too.
Personal Resilience
Feeling Overwhelmed? Move forward one step at a time and acknowledge each job well done.
- The 5 Second Rule, Mel Robbins (paid link)
- Tip: "Do one small task a day"—and give yourself credit for each one.
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