HBR's 10 Must Reads
1 primary work • 37 total works
Success in business starts with trust.
Trust is the basis for all that we do as leaders and as organizations. Employees who trust their employers are more productive and creative. Businesses who engender trust maintain better relationships with their customers and reap better results. And public breaches of trust are becoming more perilous—and more costly.
If you read nothing else on trust, read these 10 articles. We've combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the most important ones to help you build, maintain, and repair trust as a company and as a leader.
This book will inspire you to:
- Earn trust with all of your stakeholders
- See your company through the eyes of your customers
- Develop trust through competence, legitimacy, and impact
- Move negotiations forward positively
- Understand the neuroscience of trust
- Rebuild relationships after a breach
HBR's 10 Must Reads paperback series is the definitive collection of books for new and experienced leaders alike. Leaders looking for the inspiration that big ideas provide, both to accelerate their own growth and that of their companies, should look no further. HBR's 10 Must Reads series focuses on the core topics that every ambitious manager needs to know: leadership, strategy, change, managing people, and managing yourself. Harvard Business Review has sorted through hundreds of articles and selected only the most essential reading on each topic. Each title includes timeless advice that will be relevant regardless of an ever‐changing business environment.
Performance management is changing. Adapt your approach along with it.
For decades, performance management has been seen as an annual chore by managers and HR departments alike. But this process is changing, and there are ways to make it more effective at all levels of your organization.
If you read nothing else on performance management in your organization, read these 10 articles. We've combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the most important ones to help you make your process more adaptable, conduct better feedback conversations, and encourage the growth of your employees.
This book will inspire you to:
- Learn where current performance management processes are falling short
- Overcome organizational bias to evaluate performance fairly
- Sculpt employees' jobs to meet their skill sets and interests
- Boost collaboration by aligning goals across functions
- Use people analytics ethically and transparently
- Help your people identify and use their strengths
This collection of articles includes "The Performance Management Revolution," by Peter Cappelli and Anna Tavis; "Reinventing Performance Management," by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall; "Getting 360-Degree Feedback Right," by Maury A. Peiperl; "The Set-Up-to-Fail Syndrome," by Jean-François Manzoni and Jean-Louis Barsoux; "Job Sculpting: The Art of Retaining Your Best People," by Timothy Butler and James Waldroop; "Performance Management Shouldn't Kill Collaboration," by Heidi K. Gardner and Ivan Matviak; "The Happy Tracked Employee," by Ben Waber; "Don't Let Metrics Undermine Your Business," by Michael Harris and Bill Tayler; "Numbers Take Us Only So Far," by Maxine Williams; "Managers Can't Do It All," by Diane Gherson and Lynda Gratton; and "Creating Sustainable Performance," by Gretchen Spreitzer and Christine Porath.
HBR's 10 Must Reads paperback series is the definitive collection of books for new and experienced leaders alike. Leaders looking for the inspiration that big ideas provide, both to accelerate their own growth and that of their companies, should look no further. HBR's 10 Must Reads series focuses on the core topics that every ambitious manager needs to know: leadership, strategy, change, managing people, and managing yourself. Harvard Business Review has sorted through hundreds of articles and selected only the most essential reading on each topic. Each title includes timeless advice that will be relevant regardless of an ever‐changing business environment.
Bring meaning to work and unleash your organization's full potential.
As a leader, you want your people to succeed—to achieve great results for the business. You also want your people to be engaged, innovative, and productive. To meet your goals and motivate your workforce you must define and articulate your organization's purpose. When you clearly communicate why you're in business and the value your employees provide, everyone thrives, including your company.
If you read nothing else on leading with purpose, read these 10 articles by experts in the field. We've combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the best ones to help you define, communicate, and fulfill your organization's purpose—and achieve its goals.
This book will inspire you to:
- Clearly communicate your company's "why"
- Connect the work to the mission
- Provide direction, even amid uncertainty
- Attract—and retain—the right talent
- Boost engagement with job crafting
- Build a culture of collaboration
- Lean in to your strengths
- Deliver on your goals—and your values
HBR's 10 Must Reads paperback series is the definitive collection of books for new and experienced leaders alike. Leaders looking for the inspiration that big ideas provide, both to accelerate their own growth and that of their companies, should look no further. HBR's 10 Must Reads series focuses on the core topics that every ambitious manager needs to know: leadership, strategy, change, managing people, and managing yourself. Harvard Business Review has sorted through hundreds of articles and selected only the most essential reading on each topic. Each title includes timeless advice that will be relevant regardless of an ever‐changing business environment.
HBR's 10 Must Reads on Leading Winning Teams
by Harvard Business Review, Tom Brady, Frances X. Frei, Marcus Buckingham, and Tsedal Neeley
Elevate your team's performance.
If you read nothing else on leading winning teams, read this book. We've combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the most important ones to help you communicate effectively, build trust, and cultivate a learning culture. From Tom Brady's advice on leading high-performing teams from within to Amy Edmondson's best practices for building psychological safety, this book will inspire you to:
- Create a culture of open communication
- Build unwavering trust, even from afar
- Manage conflict and drive change
- Set and achieve ambitious goals
- Hold each other—and yourself—to high standards
This collection of articles includes "The Secrets of Great Teamwork," by Martine Haas and Mark Mortensen; "Begin with Trust," by Frances X. Frei and Anne Morriss; "Great Teams Are About Personalities, Not Just Skills," by Dave Winsborough and Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic; "Discipline of Teams," by Jon R. Katzenbach and Douglas K. Smith; "New Rules for Teamwork," by Angus Dawson and Katy George; "The Feedback Fallacy," by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall; "How to Preempt Team Conflict," by Ginka Toegel and Jean-Louis Barsoux; "20 Questions to Ask When Your Team's Vibe Is Off," by Liane Davey; "Building the Emotional Intelligence of Groups," by Vanessa Urch Druskat and Steven B. Wolff; "How Are You Protecting Your High Performers from Burnout?," by Matt Plummer; "Use Learning to Engage Your Team," An interview with Whitney Johnson by Sarah Green Carmichael; "Global Teams That Work," by Tsedal Neeley; "Leading the Team You Inherit," by Michael D. Watkins; "Teamwork at the Top," by Gregory LeStage, Sara Nilsson DeHanas, and Pete Gerend; and "Tom Brady on the Art of Leading Teammates," by Tom Brady and Nitin Nohria.
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
Bring out their best.
If you read nothing else on managing people, read this book. We've chosen a new selection of current and classic Harvard Business Review articles that will help you earn your people's trust, build successful teams, and coach employees to help them reach their potential.
This book will inspire you to:
- Balance the competing priorities of managing both up and down
- Identify the most common sources of conflict—and learn how to resolve them
- Fine-tune your management style using emotional intelligence
- Navigate the challenges of dispersed and hybrid teams
- Cultivate high engagement without overwork or burnout
- Find—and keep—the best people
This collection of articles includes: "Leadership That Gets Results," by Daniel Goleman; "The Power of Small Wins," by Teresa M. Amabile and Steven J. Kramer; "The Leader as Coach," by Herminia Ibarra and Anne Scoular; "Superbosses Aren't Afraid to Delegate Their Biggest Decisions," by Sydney Finkelstein; "The Set-Up-to-Fail Syndrome," by Jean-Francois Manzoni and Jean-Louis Barsoux; "The Overcommitted Organization," by Mark Mortensen and Heidi K. Gardner; "Global Teams That Work," by Tsdeal Neeley; "Four Types of Team Conflict—and How to Resolve Them," by Randall S. Peterson, Priti Pradhan Shah, Amanda J. Ferguson, and Stephen L. Jones; "Why Employees Quit," by Ethan Bernstein, Michael B. Horn, and Bob Moesta; "The Feedback Fallacy," by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall; "To Excel, Diverse Teams Need Psychological Safety," by Henrik Bresman and Amy C. Edmondson; "Managers Can't Do It All," by Diane Gherson and Lynda Gratton; "Are You a Good Boss—or a Great One?" by Linda A. Hill and Kent Lineback.
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
This Updated and Expanded edition features new, breakthrough articles, additional short-form pieces, and a detailed discussion guide to give you and your team the tools you need for sustained success.
HBR's 10 Must Reads 2026
by Harvard Business Review, Erin Meyer, Bent Flyvbjerg, Vijay Govindarajan, and David De Cremer
A year's worth of management wisdom, all in one place.
We've combed through the ideas, insights, and best practices from the past year of Harvard Business Review to help you get up to speed fast on the relevant concepts driving business today. Discover new ideas and sample the latest thinking from our vast array of management experts. Revisit these topics now to make sure your organization is incorporating the best, most up-to-date practices, or keep this book as a reference so that you can turn to these memorable pieces when you need them the most. The collection includes articles on leadership, innovation, and strategy, as well as articles that will help you manage yourself and others.
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
Change is constant—so become great at it.
If you read nothing else on change management, read this book. We've chosen a new selection of current and classic Harvard Business Review articles that will help you lead initiatives effectively, avoid common mistakes, and capture the full value of your change effort.
This book will inspire you to:
- Communicate the benefits of change clearly
- Win support through compelling storytelling
- Gain buy-in from peers and leaders
- Convince decision-makers to take action
- Overcome attempts to undermine transformation
- Build organizational agility and resilience
This collection of articles includes "Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail," by John P. Kotter; "Transformations That Work," by Michael Mankins and Patrick Litre; "Let Go of What Made Your Company Great," by Vijay Govindarajan; "Persuade Your Company to Change Before It's Too Late," by Pontus M. A. Siren, Scott D. Anthony, and Utsav Bhatt; "Getting Reorgs Right," by Stephen Heidari-Robinson and Suzanne Heywood; "Six Steps for Gaining Employee Buy-In," by Andrea Belk Olson; "Storytelling That Drives Bold Change," by Frances X. Frei and Anne Morriss; "Organize Your Transformation Around Purpose and Benefits," by Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez; "The Network Secrets of Great Change Agents," by Julie Battilana and Tiziana Casciaro; "What Everyone Gets Wrong About Change Management," by N. Anand and Jean-Louis Barsoux; "A Survival Guide for Leaders," by Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky; "The Real Reason People Won’t Change," by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey; and "Your Workforce Is More Adaptable Than You Think," by Joseph Fuller, Judith K. Wallenstein, Manjari Raman, and Alice de Chalendar.
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
This Updated and Expanded edition features new, breakthrough articles, additional short-form pieces, and a detailed discussion guide to give you and your team the tools you need for sustained success.
Take charge of your own success.
If you read nothing else on managing yourself, read this book. We've chosen a new selection of current and classic Harvard Business Review articles that will help you understand your strengths, clarify your personal goals and direction, and build a career you’re proud of.
This book will inspire you to:
- Manage your time, energy, and stress effectively
- Use a growth mindset to expand your network
- Define, develop, and communicate your personal brand
- Build your skills and keep learning
- Navigate conflict with confidence
- Align your professional goals with your personal values
This collection of articles includes: "Managing Oneself," by Peter F. Drucker; "You Don't Find Purpose—You Build It," by John Coleman; "How to Define, Develop, and Communicate Your Personal Brand," by Rachel Montanez; "Building an Ethical Career," by Maryam Kouchaki and Isaac H. Smith; "Learning to Learn," by Erika Andersen; "You Need Many Leadership Voices—Not Just One," by Amy Jen Su; "Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time," by Tony Schwartz and Catherine McCarthy; "Outsmart Your Own Biases," by Jack B. Soll, Katherine L. Milkman, and John W. Payne; "Happiness Traps," by Annie McKee; "The Hidden Toll of Microstress," by Rob Cross and Karen Dillon; "How to Build a Broader Network Within Your Company," Ko Kuwabara, Jiyin Cao, Soomin Sophie Cho, and Paul Ingram; "How to Navigate Conflict with a Coworker," by Amy Gallo; "You're Not Powerless in the Face of Impostor Syndrome," by Keith D. Dorsey; "Feeling Stuck or Stymied?" by Dorie Clark; and "How Will You Measure Your Life?" by Clayton M. Christensen.
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
This Updated and Expanded edition features new, breakthrough articles, additional short-form pieces, and a detailed discussion guide to give you and your team the tools you need for sustained success.
Set ambitious goals—and achieve them.
If you read nothing else on high performance, read this book. We've chosen a new selection of current and classic Harvard Business Review articles that will help you build on your strengths, assemble a network that supports your development, and achieve extraordinary results.
This book will inspire you to:
- Activate your leadership mindset
- Cultivate habits to crush your goals
- Manage your energy and attention
- Get the feedback you need to continue to grow
- Share your expertise to help others learn
- Use strategic thinking to clarify what truly matters
This collection of articles includes "The Focused Leader," by Daniel Goleman; "Nine Things Successful People Do Differently," by Heidi Grant; "The Right Way to Form New Habits," an interview with James Clear by Alison Beard; "Use a 10-Minute Diary to Stay on Track," by Teresa M. Amabile and Steven J. Kramer; "How to Play to Your Strengths," by Laura Morgan Roberts, Gretchen M. Spreitzer, Jane E. Dutton, Robert E. Quinn, Emily Heaphy, and Brianna Barker Caza; "Get the Actionable Feedback You Need to Get Promoted," by Sabina Nawaz; "Making Yourself Indispensable," by John H. Zenger, Joseph Folkman, and Scott K. Edinger; "The Art of Asking Smarter Questions," by Arnaud Chevallier, Frédéric Dalsace, and Jean-Louis Barsoux; "A Smarter Way to Network," by Rob Cross and Robert J. Thomas; "Beat Generosity Burnout," by Adam Grant and Reb Rebele; "The Talent Curse," by Jennifer Petriglieri and Gianpiero Petriglieri; "Sleep Well, Lead Better," by Christopher M. Barnes; "Leading in the Flow of Work," by Hitendra Wadhwa; "When Your High Standards Derail Your Success," by Anne Sugar and Karen Walker; and "Use Strategic Thinking to Create the Life You Want," by Rainer Strack, Susanne Dyrchs, and Allison Bailey.
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
This Updated and Expanded edition features new, breakthrough articles, additional short-form pieces, and a detailed discussion guide to give you and your team the tools you need for sustained success.
Disruption is now constant. What's your response?
If you read nothing else on innovation, read this book. We've chosen a new selection of current and classic Harvard Business Review articles that will help you avoid disruption, unleash creativity, and develop powerful new offerings.
This book will inspire you to:
- Know your customers' "jobs to be done"
- Build better products using design thinking
- Use AI to push new concepts further
- Keep process and bureaucracy from stifling innovation
- Develop a culture of experimentation
- Scale up transformational innovations
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
This Updated and Expanded edition features new, breakthrough articles, additional short-form pieces, and a detailed discussion guide to give you and your team the tools you need for sustained success.
How to stay ahead in a world transformed by AI.
If you read nothing else on AI, read this book. We've chosen a new selection of current and classic Harvard Business Review articles that will help you make sense of the shifting landscape, anticipate opportunities and threats, and develop a strategy that keeps pace with AI.
This book will inspire you to:
- Capture the potential of gen AI and agentic AI
- Help people and machines work together better
- Manage regulation and risk
- Understand the real value of your organization's data
- Prepare for skills, jobs, and industries to be transformed
- Embed AI at the core of your business
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
This Updated and Expanded edition features new, breakthrough articles, additional short-form pieces, and a detailed discussion guide to give you and your team the tools you need for sustained success.
Create a culture that drives people and performance.
If you read nothing else on building a great culture, read this book. We've chosen a new selection of current and classic Harvard Business Review articles that will help you recognize the strengths and weaknesses of your current culture, understand what it could become, and lead it on the best path forward.
This book will inspire you to:
- Communicate your vision for change—and manage resistance
- Develop an emotional culture where employees feel seen and supported
- Counter the root causes of toxic behaviors
- Build trust and psychological safety on your teams
- Use analytics and AI to further your goals
- Ensure sure your culture reinforces your strategy and purpose
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
This Updated and Expanded edition features new, breakthrough articles, additional short-form pieces, and a detailed discussion guide to give you and your team the tools you need for sustained success.
Tackle barriers. Build influence. Lead with impact.
If you read nothing else on women and leadership, read this book. We've chosen a new selection of current and classic Harvard Business Review articles that will help you expand your influence, surmount barriers and bias, and translate your skills and ambitions into new learning opportunities and growth positions.
This book will inspire you to:
- Identify the systems and structures that threaten to hold women back
- Craft a compelling story to tell others—and yourself—about your achievements
- Build a network that gives you access—and allows you to give back
- Navigate power and politics with skill and conviction
- Boost your visibility and be seen—and heard
- Position yourself—and other women—for opportunities and promotion
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
This Updated and Expanded edition features new, breakthrough articles, additional short-form pieces, and a detailed discussion guide to give you and your team the tools you need for sustained success.
Make better decisions, faster.
If you read nothing else on decision-making, read this book. We've chosen a new selection of current and classic Harvard Business Review articles that will help you understand all of your options, ask the right questions, and make bold choices that drive real change.
This book will inspire you to:
- Exercise sound judgment in complex situations
- Conquer a culture of indecision
- Know when to gather more data and when to trust your gut
- Root out bias in your assumptions
- Improve the decision-making ability of your teams
- Stop deliberating and move forward
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
This Updated and Expanded edition features new, breakthrough articles, additional short-form pieces, and a detailed discussion guide to give you and your team the tools you need for sustained success.
Put your customers at the center of your business.
If you read nothing else on marketing, read this book. We've chosen a new selection of current and classic Harvard Business Review articles that will help you identify who your customers are, define the right ways to reach them, and ensure they stay loyal to your company.
This book will inspire you to:
- Understand what customers really want
- Personalize the end-to-end customer journey
- Use AI tools to manage your brand
- Decide whether psychological targeting is right for your company
- Align your sales and marketing teams
- Measure the real value of satisfied customers
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
This Updated and Expanded edition features new, breakthrough articles, additional short-form pieces, and a detailed discussion guide to give you and your team the tools you need for sustained success.
The right communication tactics can motivate your people—and fuel your business.
If you read nothing else on communication, read this book. We've chosen a new selection of current and classic Harvard Business Review articles that will help you speak more authentically, express your ideas with clarity and impact, and gain the buy-in you need.
This book will inspire you to:
- Make your argument come alive
- Ask better questions to get more out of your discussions
- Use visuals persuasively and effectively
- Avoid the pitfalls of poor listening
- Sharpen your business writing
- Handle negative emotions during tough conversations
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
This Updated and Expanded edition features new, breakthrough articles, additional short-form pieces, and a detailed discussion guide to give you and your team the tools you need for sustained success.
Develop the mindset and presence to successfully manage others for the first time.
If you read nothing else for new managers, read this book. We've chosen a new selection of current and classic Harvard Business Review articles that will help you get up to speed quickly, assess your team’s strengths and weaknesses, and lead them to a higher level of performance.
This book will inspire you to:
- Develop your emotional intelligence
- Give feedback that leads to positive results
- Navigate relationships with your direct reports, bosses, and peers
- Build soft skills such as communication and persuasion
- Handle difficult conversations and tense situations
- Cultivate a robust network inside and outside your organization
HBR's 10 Must Reads are definitive collections of classic ideas, practical advice, and essential thinking from the pages of Harvard Business Review. Exploring topics like disruptive innovation, emotional intelligence, and new technology in our ever-evolving world, these books empower any leader to make bold decisions and inspire others.
This Updated and Expanded edition features new, breakthrough articles, additional short-form pieces, and a detailed discussion guide to give you and your team the tools you need for sustained success.