HBR's 10 Must Reads Boxed Set (6 Books)

1. Embrace the fundamental state of leadership for transformative impact

The fundamental state of leadership is the way we lead when we encounter a crisis and finally choose to move forward.

Transformative leadership. The fundamental state of leadership is a heightened mode of operating that leaders can enter deliberately, rather than waiting for a crisis to force them there. This state is characterized by being results-centered, internally directed, other-focused, and externally open. Leaders in this state are more effective, authentic, and inspiring to those around them.

Temporary but impactful. While this state is temporary, each experience in it increases a leader's capacity to return to it and elevates the performance of their team. By consciously choosing to enter this state, leaders can:

• Increase their ability to cope with challenges
• Inspire higher levels of performance in their team
• Drive meaningful change in their organization
• Develop a more adaptive and resilient leadership style

2. Focus on results, not comfort, to drive meaningful change

What result do I want to create?

Results-oriented mindset. Leaders often fall into the trap of being comfort-centered, sticking to familiar routines and avoiding risks. By shifting to a results-centered approach, leaders can:

• Clarify their goals and priorities
• Challenge themselves and their teams to reach higher
• Drive innovation and meaningful change

Embracing discomfort for growth. To achieve significant results, leaders must be willing to:

• Step out of their comfort zones
• Take calculated risks
• Persist in the face of challenges
• Inspire their teams to do the same

3. Act with integrity by aligning actions with core values

Without a sensible vision, a transformation effort can easily dissolve into a list of confusing and incompatible projects that can take the organization in the wrong direction or nowhere at all.

Value-driven leadership. Leaders who act with integrity align their actions with their core values, which:

• Builds trust with their team and stakeholders
• Provides a clear decision-making framework
• Enhances their authenticity and credibility

Consistency in action. To demonstrate integrity, leaders should:

• Clearly articulate their values
• Make decisions that reflect these values
• Hold themselves and others accountable
• Address inconsistencies between stated values and actions promptly

4. Prioritize collective good over personal interests

Executives who communicate well incorporate messages into their hour-by-hour activities.

Selfless leadership. Leaders who prioritize the collective good over personal interests:

• Foster a sense of unity and shared purpose
• Build stronger, more cohesive teams
• Inspire greater commitment and engagement from employees

Strategies for collective focus:

• Regularly communicate organizational goals and their importance
• Recognize and reward team achievements over individual accomplishments
• Make decisions transparently, explaining how they benefit the organization
• Lead by example, demonstrating a willingness to sacrifice personal gain for the greater good

5. Remain open to external feedback and adapt accordingly

Being externally open helps us recognize the need for change.

Adaptive leadership. Leaders who remain open to external feedback and adapt accordingly:

• Stay ahead of industry trends and changes
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement
• Make more informed decisions

Cultivating openness:

• Actively seek feedback from diverse sources
• Create safe spaces for honest communication
• Demonstrate willingness to change based on new information
• Encourage experimentation and learning from failures

6. Cultivate self-awareness through regular self-reflection

To be able to manage yourself, you finally have to ask, What are my values?

Self-aware leadership. Regular self-reflection helps leaders:

• Understand their strengths and weaknesses
• Align their actions with their values
• Identify areas for personal and professional growth
• Make more authentic and effective decisions

Self-reflection practices:

• Set aside time for regular self-assessment
• Ask challenging questions about your leadership style and impact
• Seek feedback from trusted colleagues and mentors
• Keep a leadership journal to track insights and progress

7. Communicate vision and priorities clearly and consistently

Vision always goes beyond the numbers that are typically found in five-year plans.

Clear communication. Leaders who effectively communicate their vision and priorities:

• Align their team around common goals
• Reduce confusion and increase efficiency
• Inspire and motivate their employees

Effective communication strategies:

• Develop a clear, compelling vision statement
• Identify 3-5 key priorities that support the vision
• Regularly reinforce the vision and priorities in meetings and communications
• Use multiple channels to reach all employees
• Solicit feedback to ensure understanding and buy-in

8. Manage time effectively to align with strategic goals

How am I spending my time? Does it match my key priorities?

Strategic time management. Leaders who align their time with strategic goals:

• Focus on high-impact activities
• Set a positive example for their team
• Achieve better results in less time

Time management techniques:

• Regularly audit how you spend your time
• Delegate tasks that don't align with your priorities
• Block out time for strategic thinking and planning
• Use technology to streamline routine tasks
• Learn to say no to low-priority requests

9. Provide timely and constructive feedback to foster growth

Do I give people timely and direct feedback that they can act on?

Growth-oriented feedback. Leaders who provide timely and constructive feedback:

• Accelerate employee development
• Improve team performance
• Build stronger, more trusting relationships

Effective feedback practices:

• Provide feedback in real-time, not just during annual reviews
• Be specific and actionable in your comments
• Balance positive reinforcement with constructive criticism
• Follow up to ensure understanding and implementation
• Create a culture where feedback flows in all directions

10. Develop a robust succession plan for organizational resilience

Have I, at least in my own mind, picked one or more potential successors?

Succession planning. Leaders who prioritize succession planning:

• Ensure organizational continuity
• Develop a pipeline of future leaders
• Increase employee engagement and retention

Key succession planning steps:

• Identify critical roles and potential successors
• Provide developmental opportunities for high-potential employees
• Create mentorship programs to transfer knowledge
• Regularly review and update succession plans
• Communicate openly about career progression opportunities

11. Regularly evaluate and realign your business strategy

Is the design of my company still aligned with the key success factors for the business?

Strategic agility. Leaders who regularly evaluate and realign their business strategy:

• Stay ahead of market changes
• Identify new opportunities for growth
• Maintain competitive advantage

Strategy evaluation practices:

• Conduct regular SWOT analyses
• Monitor key industry trends and disruptors
• Solicit input from employees at all levels
• Use data and analytics to inform decision-making
• Be willing to pivot when necessary

12. Stay true to yourself while leading under pressure

Is my leadership style comfortable? Does it reflect who I truly am?

Authentic leadership. Leaders who stay true to themselves under pressure:

• Build trust and credibility with their team
• Make more consistent and ethical decisions
• Handle stress more effectively

Cultivating authenticity:

• Identify and articulate your core values and beliefs
• Practice self-awareness and emotional intelligence
• Seek feedback on how you handle pressure
• Develop stress management techniques
• Communicate openly about challenges and decision-making processes

Last updated: January 22, 2025