The 7 Best Mindful Leadership Books

infographic showing several book covers

Working on your mindful leadership skills can be a game-changer, leading to a more aware and effective way of guiding teams. To become a great leader, mindfulness is key. For this reason, in this article, you’ll find some of our favorite successful leadership books. Together we'll embark on a captivating exploration of some exceptional authors that serve as guiding lights in the world of mindful leadership. These reviews aren't just summaries; they're gateways to unlocking leadership excellence and forming teams that redefine success. 

1. Everything Is Fucked: A Book About Hope by Mark Manson

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

cover of the book "everything is f*cked"

Read It If You…

  • Think books based on positive psychology are exhausting and overly simplistic.

  • Take your life-advice on the rocks with a chaser of strong language.  

  • Are interested in a head-on approach to handling life’s shitstorms.

This is a self-help book for people who hate self-help books. Manson’s irreverent, occasionally sarcastic take on happiness comes across as deeply sincere in the words of an everyday dude figuring things out.

Genre: Self-Help

Vibe: Fuck the world! And stay hopeful while doing it.

Simplish Review of Everything Is Fucked: A Book About Hope

Have you ever wondered why, in our hyper-connected world where everything is just a click away, there seems to be more depression and anxiety than ever? Mark Manson's Everything Is F*cked: A Book About Hope explores this perplexing question and offers unconventional insights that challenge conventional ideas about happiness and hope.

If you're seeking answers to these pressing questions and a fresh perspective on navigating the complexities of our times, this book is a must-read.

The language and tone may be off-putting to some readers. Still, the practical wisdom and psychological insights offer valuable insights into navigating today's complex life circumstances.

The author delves into the core themes of hope, meaning, and happiness, offering a fresh perspective on how these concepts affect our daily lives. He acknowledges the undeniable presence of suffering and chaos in the world and encourages readers to confront these harsh realities rather than escape from them. 

Everything is F*cked provides two major takeaways: 

  1. Insight on dealing with difficult emotions, setbacks and failure 

  2. A fresh perspective on the pursuit of happiness

Manson emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between emotions and actions, allowing both to play a role in decision-making. This challenges the conventional idea that emotions should be suppressed in favor of rationality.

Furthermore, Manson offers valuable insights into the pursuit of happiness and the role of hope in our lives. He argues that placing too much emphasis on external sources of happiness and relying on blind optimism can lead to disappointment and despair. Instead, he promotes a more balanced perspective on hope and happiness that recognizes the inevitability of suffering.

While the book is not without its controversies, Manson's belief in the inevitability of suffering cannot be overlooked. As a psychologist, I appreciate Manson's approach to this topic. He advocates embracing suffering rather than evading it and encourages careful consideration of the meaning we ascribe to it.

In essence, this book can help you by encouraging you to cultivate a more balanced approach to managing your emotions and making decisions while offering a refreshing perspective on happiness rooted in realism and resilience.

Manson's writing style, characterized by humor and profanity, may not resonate with everyone. However, it serves as a reflection of his message: we must confront the discomfort and absurdity of existence with a sense of humor and humility. From a psychological perspective, humor can be a powerful coping mechanism in the face of adversity, helping us navigate challenging emotions.

In summary, Everything Is F*cked: A Book About Hope is a thought-provoking read that dares to challenge conventional beliefs about happiness, hope, and meaning. It should be noted that the book contains some controversial statements, particularly concerning politics, religion, and social matters, which may not resonate with everyone. However, the author's insights on happiness and suffering are worth exploring and contemplating.

Quotes from Everything Is Fucked: A Book About Hope by Mark Manson

2. How To Make Good Things Happen by Marian Rojas Estape

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

Read It If You…

  • Seeking a more positive and fresh perspective o n life

  • If you need simple and actionable advice to enhance self-improvement

  • Are looking for a book to ignite hope

    This book is about empowering yourself, taking control, and making your dreams a reality. Effective leadership doesn't sit around; it takes charge and makes positive things happen!

Genre: Self-Help

Vibe: Be happy, and life's positive flow will follow.


Quotes from How To Make Good Things Happen by Marian Rojas Estape

3. The Power Of Habit by Charles Duhig

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

 Read It If You…

  • If you feel stuck trying to get better.

  • If you want to understand how habits work. 

  • If you want to make a big difference in your life in a simple way.

This book is all about how changing one small habit can snowball the rest of our decisions. IIt teaches you how to use your willpower to intentionally adapt and refine your habits.

Genre: Self-help

Vibe: Big things have small beginnings. 

Quotes from The Power Of Habit by Charles Duhig

4. Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

cover of the book "start with why"

Read It If You…

  • If you want to improve your leading skills.

  • Looking at the why, how, and what of your company.

  • Need easy tools to reach authentic success.

This book explains why daring leaders, and organizations succeed. The book is centered around the "golden circle", which comprises three layers: "why," "how," and "what."

Genre: Self-Help 

Vibe: Thought-provoking - Purposeful.

Quotes from Start With Why by Simon Sinek

5. The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

book cover "the gift of imperfection"

Read It If You…

  • If you want to discover tools for becoming a more authentic, vulnerable, and compassionate version of yourself.

  • If you're into embracing imperfections and living a wholehearted life.

  • If you're on a journey of personal growth and genuine connections.

This book is a guide for embracing life's imperfections and living wholeheartedly. It empowers readers to cultivate courage, compassion, and meaningful connections by letting go of the unrealistic pursuit of perfection.

Genre: Self-help

Vibe: Take it easy on yourself

Quotes from Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

6. The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

book cover "the art of gathering"

Read It If You…

  • If you regularly organize meetings, events, dinners, or birthday parties. 

  • If you want to be intentional in planning excellent gatherings 

  • If you want to learn the main rules for a great party 

This book explores the skill of creating gatherings that go beyond the usual, making a meaningful and life-changing encounter. It will inspire you to re-examine the intention and structure of your events, turning each occasion into a memorable one.

Genre: Self-Help

Vibe: Innovative.

Quotes from The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker

7. Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

Social Value

Practicality

Thought Leadership

Cultural Insight

Spirituality

cover of the book "leaders eat last"

  Read It If You…

  • Are looking to gain a fresh leadership perspective and reach authentic success.

  • Want to discover the power of empathy in leadership.

  • Enjoy real-world leadership stories.

This book provides a clear path for individuals to become true leaders. In today's society, leadership is  often associated with power, but Simon Sinek, the author of this book, proves otherwise. Through compelling examples and insights, he demonstrates that real leaders prioritize the needs of their team members over their own. One such example is the military, where leaders are expected to eat last in times of scarcity. This is a powerful symbol of how great leaders put the needs of their team first, and how businesses can benefit from adopting this approach.

Genre: Self-Help

Vibe: Insightful - Empathetic

Quotes from Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek