Professional Development

Almost 3 million copies sold. The classic that changed how we think about leadership—now fully updated.

What if the problem isn't your team, your boss, or your organization?

What if it's you—and you can't see it?

Leadership and Self-Deception reveals an uncomfortable truth: We systematically blind ourselves to our real motivations, then wonder why our relationships and results suffer. We tell ourselves stories that cast us as the hero and others as the obstacle. And those stories keep us stuck.

Through a compelling narrative, this book exposes the hidden patterns of self-deception that sabotage even our best intentions—in the workplace, at home, and in every relationship that matters. More importantly, it shows you how to break free.

For over two decades, this book has transformed how leaders, teams, and organizations work together.

The fourth edition is completely rewritten with

• fresh stories and a broader, more diverse cast of characters;
• new individual study and group discussion guides; and
• practical tools for applying these insights at the personal, team, and organization-wide level.

The problem you can't see is the one you can't solve. This book will change what you see—and everything that follows.

Awarded the Gold IBPA Book Award in the Psychology category.

Sometimes success isn't enough-discover how to achieve lasting, whole-life fulfillment through a simple five-stage plan that corresponds with the five key parts of ourselves.

We're often told that the key to success in life involves advancing in our careers, so why do feel stuck and unfulfilled when everything seems to be going right?

Adult development expert Maja Djikic explains that in order to discover our purpose and achieve real, lasting change, we need to move beyond narrowly targeted ideas and strategies like changing our mindset or slightly altering one aspect of our behavior. Instead, we need to go deeper and focus on our innate desires.

Djikic says that sustained change can only happen when our whole self moves holistically the same direction and at the same time. She introduces a transformational system called the Wheel of Change-a simple, five-segment plan that corresponds with the five key parts of ourselves: Desires, Actions, Emotions, Thoughts, and Body.

By understanding the mechanisms of these five integral parts, you will be able to escape the paradox of success without happiness and move towards your own path of fulfilling self-development.

Leave the power tie at home. The old rules of influence don't work anymore.

It's time to throw out the old rules of influence and become the leader you've always wanted to be.

A new type of leader is emerging-one with a bold mission who empowers others through transparency and unwavering passion. Modern-day executive presence mandates levels of authenticity and honesty never before seen in the C-suite.

Personal branding and reputation management expert, Lida Citroën guides leaders through this new paradigm of executive presence and influence. Through inspiring examples, compelling stories, and practical exercises, Citroën helps leaders tap into their passion, connect authentically with others, and create space for inclusivity and community.

Greta Thunberg is a powerful example of a new paradigm leader. The Swedish teenager ‘s influence arguably exceeds that of most CEOs or political leaders. The youngest person to be named Time's Person of the Year, she radically upended Swedish politics and world climate policy. Nothing about her conforms to the typical expectations of a leader's executive presence-her power comes from her absolute honesty and genuine passion to make the world a better place.

These leadership lessons work for leaders at every level when everything goes wrong, from the doctor who saved lives after the 9/11 attacks, in war-torn Ukraine, and on the NFL sidelines.

Dr. Thom Mayer doesn’t just talk about leadership: he lives it in the world’s most high-stakes situations. From commanding the 9/11 Pentagon rescue operation to rushing onto NFL fields during medical emergencies to training doctors in war-torn Ukraine, Mayer has learned that leadership isn’t about titles or positions. It’s about action.

In this practical guide, Mayer reveals eleven provocative principles that flip conventional leadership wisdom: “Leadership is worthless . . . but leading is priceless.” “Power is worthless . . . but influence is priceless.” “Success is worthless . . . but failure is priceless.” Through gripping stories from the Pentagon’s smoking corridors, NFL sidelines, and Ukrainian hospitals, he shows how real leaders emerge not from corner offices but from moments of crisis when someone must step up and act.

Whether readers are managing a team, raising a family, or facing a crossroads, Mayer’s hard-won insights will transform how readers think about influence, teamwork, and making decisions under pressure. This isn’t theoretical leadership. Mayer offers battle-tested wisdom from someone who has led when lives hung in the balance.

“I have used his definitions of trust and distrust in every book I’ve written.”
—Brené Brown, bestselling author of Dare to Lead

Nearly 100,000 copies sold. A modern classic on building trust—now updated for today’s workplace.

Trust isn’t a feeling. It’s a skill.

In this fully updated third edition of The Thin Book of Trust, bestselling author Charles Feltman delivers a clear, practical framework for building, restoring, and sustaining trust in organizations—especially in a post-pandemic world where connection, accountability, and reliability matter more than ever.

Short, powerful, and immediately actionable, this book breaks trust down into learnable competencies. You’ll discover

• the four distinct elements that create (or erode) trust;
• how to identify and repair broken trust quickly;
• practical language for high-stakes conversations; and
• tools to strengthen trust across teams, remote workplaces, and leadership levels.

Whether you’re a leader, coach, consultant, HR professional, or individual contributor, your ability to build trust directly impacts performance, culture, retention, and results.

This expanded third edition includes a new study guide and downloadable resources to help individuals and teams apply the framework in real time.

If you want stronger teams, clearer communication, and a culture where people actually deliver on their commitments, this is your playbook.

Become the kind of leader—and colleague—others trust without hesitation.

Confront the psychological blocks that are holding you back-and become a fearless and peerless communicator.

Life becomes less complicated as we grow as communicators. There's often more we can do to improve our interactions than we realize. We don't have to live with regret about what we could have said or how we should have listened. This timely, timeless bravery manual teaches which risks to take and how to engage in ways that don't cost us our personal peace.

Michelle's tips read like a heartfelt conversation with a trusted friend-one who happens to have decades of experience coaching people from all walks of life. When we fall into sneaky, fear-based patterns, we're robbed of the joy of communicating skillfully and confidently. Readers of Communicate with Courage learn how to overcome four hidden challenges:

• Hiding: Avoiding risks we need to take to realize our potential
• Defining: Needing to be right rather than approachable and open
• Rationalizing: Shielding ourselves from honest feedback, conflict, apologizing, asking for help, negotiating, and other scary but potentially rewarding Pro Moves
• Settling: Accepting "good enough" instead of stretching toward better outcomes

Through riveting real-life stories and practical exercises, Gladieux's compassionate
guidance builds self- and other-awareness in a wide variety of settings. This transformative approach has garnered national acclaim, earning the book eleven literary awards, including the following:

• Best Book Nonfiction, Outstanding Education – Independent Author Network
• Nonfiction 1st Place and Best Book Nonfiction – PenCraft Book Awards
• Nonfiction in Leadership/Think Differently Winner – Goody Book Awards
• Bronze Nonfiction Award – Readers' Favorite Awards
• Communications Nonfiction Gold Prize – Global eBook Awards
• Nonfiction Book of the Year, Grand Prize – Independent Author Network

Whether you aim to improve work relationships or experience deeper personal connections, Communicate with Courage offers tools to make interactions easier and more enjoyable.

“Communicate with Courage is life-changing. Gladieux's extraordinary empathy shines through with relatable examples from diverse worlds, from music to business to sports. You'll read this book more than once. It will transform your relationship with yourself and other people.”
-Dr. Jillian Ihsanullah, leadership researcher

This new edition of the bestselling employee development classic includes advice on engagement and retention in today's more flexible employment environment, a new chapter on remote and hybrid work, and a deeper discussion of career development in your organization.

Study after study confirms that career development is the single most powerful tool managers have for driving retention, engagement, productivity, and results. But most managers feel they just don't have time for it. This book offers a better way: frequent, short conversations with employees about themselves, their goals, and the business that can be integrated seamlessly into the normal course of business.

Beverly Kaye and Julie Winkle Giulioni identify three broad types of conversations that will increase employees' awareness of their strengths, weaknesses, and interests; and point out where their organization and their industry are headed. The authors provide new assessments, worksheets, and a discussion guide to help employees and managers pull all of that together to create forward momentum. The accompanying AI Bookbot enhances this experience by offering real-time guidance, conversation prompts, and personalized insights based on the book's proven methodologies.

A self-compassion blueprint for leaders who are closed-off, constantly on the verge of burnout, and/or trapped in the myth of perfectionism.

Through this 6-step framework, leaders will learn that self-compassion is for the strong, to separate their title from their person, and how to care for themselves in order to care for others.

So many leadership and compassion books seek to remind leaders to “behave human” and treat those around them with care. But the truth is that leaders are human. They're not playing at being human or calling forth their humanity on demand. Their struggle in marrying leadership and compassion stems from leaders ignoring self-care-the lack of compassion toward their subordinates is just a symptom.

Human First, Leader Second introduces leaders to the practice of self-compassion through a 6-step framework designed to ease even the most hard-headed and hard-assed leaders into thoughtful, and productive, introspection.

• Backward: Biography, Biology, Backstory
• Forward: Purpose, Values, Priorities
• Inward: Intentions, Feelings, Thoughts
• Outward: Intent, Actions, Behaviors
• Leeward: Self-care and Personal Accountability
• Wayward: Regret and Self-forgiveness

Offering strategies for a personalized exploration of self-compassion-and what works best for the individual-this book will help leaders grow awareness to the importance of self-care while debunking the myth that compassion equals weakness. Regardless of our title or influence, we are all humans first, who need compassion.

Start building bridges instead of barriers! This essential guide offers a simple 5-part framework that will help you have honest and enlightening conversations despite deep and fundamental disagreements.

Divisions are on the rise around the world, and 2024 may well be a peak year. We're losing the ability to disagree without dehumanizing. There is a deep need for this practical and accessible guide to having challenging conversations in any situation, from the workplace to the classroom to the dinner table.

It's not about saying the right words at the right time but something vastly deeper. In this book, you'll discover the 5 pillars of respectfully disagreeing:

• Challenge your perspective
• Be the student
• Cultivate your curiosity
• Seek the gray
• Agree to respect

But this is not a weighty tome. Each chapter features a cartoon, and Justin Jones-Fosu tackles this serious subject with a playful and compassionate tone. For example, he writes I have become more and more intentional in my desire to respectfully disagree with others (except those who think putting ketchup on eggs is wrong...there is no hope for respect there).

With a wide range of examples and exercises throughout, this is a timely and reader-friendly handbook to disagreeing with someone's ideology while passionately pursuing their humanity.

People with a clear sense of purpose live up to ten years longer—and this fully revised guide shows you exactly how to find yours.

Now in a fully revised fourth edition with more than 40 percent new content, The Power of Purpose offers a warm, research-grounded framework for naming your reason to rise and living it at every stage of life. Richard Leider, with new coauthor David Shapiro, brings five decades of coaching wisdom together with fresh stories, new tools, and two distinct perspectives—one rooted in traditional spirituality, one more secular—so the book works for a wide range of readers.

Inside this book:

• The Purpose Formula — guided questions to help you name your unique purpose clearly and specifically
• The Purpose Checkup and Signs of Purpose — tools to assess where you are and what's calling you forward
• The Stages of Purpose — a framework for understanding how purpose evolves through career changes, relationships, and major life transitions
• The Purpose Recipe and Purpose Moment — daily practices for weaving purpose into how you work, connect, and contribute
• Becoming a Purposeful Leader — a new chapter on leading from purpose in organizations and communities

Designed for individuals as well as book clubs, seminars, and study groups, this is a trusted companion whether you're starting out, starting over, or simply feeling that quiet pull toward something more meaningful.

“Providing guidance throughout, Dabbs prompts the reader with questions. She believes a better understanding of past experiences and how society has established systemic barriers to entry can help people design their future.”-The Financial Times

In a world overcrowded with labels, don't allow your identity to be defined by other people. Learn how to take back your power, choose to feed the aspects of your identity that serve you, and let go of those that don't.

Everyone feels like an outsider at some point in their life-when we walk into a room and think to ourselves, “I don't belong here.” To avoid these feelings of exclusion, many of us hide our authentic selves and allow others to define our identity.

You Belong Here offers a new framework that allows each of us to define how we want to be seen, heard, and valued on our own terms so we feel a sense of belonging in any situation. Further, it serves as a launchpad for organizational leaders and culture builders to create safe spaces for individuals to show up as their authentic selves.

Readers will explore our four identities:
• Our Lived Identity is made up of the aspects of our identity we inherit when we are born into the world.
• Our Learned Identity includes the parts of our identity that we've chosen or claimed as we make our way through the world.
• Our Lingering Identity is the identity we default to when we feel like an outsider and fall back into as a survival mechanism.
• Our Loved Identity is where we find our authentic selves and see ourselves through a lens of empowerment.

In the journey to understand our past experiences and how society has established barriers to entry, we can design our own future, rooted in our Loved Identity. We learn to rewrite the stories that aren't serving us and embrace the ones that do. Rather than look for a seat at someone else's table, we find the tools to build our own.

When we fully leverage this and live with authenticity and purpose, we can be seen, heard, and valued in a way that gives us a sense of belonging at home, at work, and in society. Belonging is realized when we understand everyone is an outsider and it's the power to create space for those differences that unite us all.

Discover the science-based secrets to reducing workplace stress, building unwavering resilience, and achieving success through the power of conversation.

Technology, isolation, and increasing demands for productivity are making the workplace a hotbed for stress-it's no surprise employees are abandoning traumatic workplaces in unprecedented numbers.

Ed Beltran,the CEO of a powerhouse leadership communication company, believes the antidote to stressed-out workplaces starts with conversation.

Beltran has developed a science-based model to reduce stress and help people build what he calls fierce resilience. By leveraging the power of conversations, individuals discover:
• their unique stressors
• master skills to neutralize stressors
• build unwavering resilience that elevates their emotional well-being.

This is no ordinary self-help book. The transformative process of fierce resilience goes well beyond developing mere coping skills. It helps people take control of their emotional health, become more resilient, and build organizations with resilience as a core part of their DNA.

Ranked #7 on Forbes.com's Top 10 Customer Experience Books of 2024

True inclusion happens when leaders stop relying on HR practitioners to own full responsibility for DEI initiatives. The small, intentional daily leadership practices in this book are the key to creating truly inclusive organizations.

Diversity and inclusion training and books have flooded the market, but the gap between what is promised and what is delivered is beginning to undermine the progress that has been made.

There are millions of people who strive to make a difference in workplace diversity and inclusion. And with this practical, leader-friendly framework, Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders will equip readers with the actionable tools they've been searching for.

Leaders will learn:
● Why they are the key to inclusion
● Insights for the lifelong journey
● Successful practices they can start today
● And more

With the era of big DEI coming to an end, leaders will make big strides through small daily changes in their processes that lead to creating an inclusive workplace culture. With this toolkit of actions, activities, and tactics leaders will become the foundation of diversity and inclusion in their organization.

Carrots and sticks are costing you your best people. Here's the leadership science that actually works.

Most leaders aren't bad at motivating people—they're just using a model that neuroscience has already disproven. Built on decades of research and field-tested with organizations including Microsoft, NASA, CVS, and Mattel, this book replaces outdated reward-and-punishment thinking with a practical, proven process called “optimal motivation.”

What you'll find inside:

• A clear explanation of why external rewards produce short-term compliance but kill long-term engagement
• The three core psychological needs—autonomy, relatedness, and competence—that drive meaningful and sustainable motivation
• A step-by-step framework leaders can apply immediately in real workplace situations
• Real client examples showing how the process works across industries and team sizes
• Practical language and coaching tools to help your people find genuine purpose in their roles

This book is for managers, HR professionals, and organizational leaders who are tired of chasing engagement scores and want a research-backed alternative that actually sticks. It is not a collection of motivational tactics; it is a fundamental shift in how leaders understand human drive.

If motivation on your team feels forced or fragile, this is where the change starts.

Your DEIJ efforts are stagnating because you continue to center whiteness. Creating a truly anti-racist organization requires learning how to identify and rectify the systemic, and often unconscious, centering of white culture and values in the workplace.

Corporate America continues to struggle with racial equity in a post-George Floyd world. As the United States becomes more diverse and the public consciousness continues to shift, successful racial equity efforts in the workplace are needed now more than ever.

Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace exposes the ways that white culture and expectations are centered in the modern American workplace and the fears within corporate spaces about talking candidly, openly, and honestly about whiteness, white supremacy, and anti-Blackness.

Readers will discover:
• A direct and straightforward analysis about what white-centering is
• An evaluation of the different ways that whiteness is centered in the workplace, such as bereavement and holiday policies and dress codes
• A guide on how to recognize and decenter whiteness within oneself and at work
• Solutions for people to contribute individually and systemically to anti-oppression

Decentering Whiteness in the Workplace provides a crucial guidebook with practical solutions for leaders, DEIJ practitioners, and anyone hoping to truly create an anti-racist workplace.

Discover a more agile, democratic, and effective model of leadership, from legendary business scholar Edgar Schein and Silicon Valley executive Peter Schein.

Legendary organizational scholar Edgar Schein and former Silicon Valley executive Peter Schein say leadership today requires that people transcend their hierarchical roles and relate to each other as human beings-what they call humble leadership. In such relationships new ideas can flow freely, mistakes can come to light immediately, and course corrections can be made in real time rather than “by committee” or by order of the lone heroic CEO.

This second edition includes three new chapters. Chapter 1 zeros-in on the Schein's actionable definition of leadership-relative to management and administration-focused on leading people toward “new and better.” Chapter 2 introduces the concept of “situational humility”-leaders now need to shift between several types of relationships to deal with the accelerating complexity of a supply-constrained, “quiet-quitting,” and “two-days-in-the-office” world. And Chapter 5 explains how to create a culture of humble leadership.

Illustrated with examples from healthcare, government, the military, tech, and more, this is a compact, accessible guide to a leadership paradigm far better suited to a world that demands fast, nimble response to change, and a workplace hungry for mutual respect and trust.

Creating justice-centered organizations is the next frontier in DEI. This book shows how to go beyond compliance to address harm, share power, and create equity.

Traditional DEI work has not succeeded at dismantling systems that perpetuate harm and exclude BIPOC groups. Proponents of DEI have put too much focus on HR solutions, such as increasing representation, and not enough emphasis on changing the deeper organizational systems that perpetuate inequities-in other words, on justice. DEIJ work diverges from traditional metrics-driven DEI work and requires a new approach to effectively dismantle power structures.

This thought-provoking, solutions-oriented book offers strategic advice on how to adopt a justice mindset, anticipate and address resistance, shift power dynamics, and create a psychologically safe organizational culture. Individual chapters provide pragmatic how-to guides to implementing justice-centered practices in recruitment and hiring, data collection and analysis, learning and development, marketing and advertising, procurement, philanthropy, and more.

DEIJ pioneer Mary-Frances Winters and her coauthors address some of the most significant aspects of adding a justice focus to diversity work, showing how to create a workplace culture where equity is not a checklist of performative actions but a lived reality.

Hone your skills and strengthen your practice with this series of twenty-five fresh and provocative questions for reflection that challenge the conventional wisdom in the coaching profession.

Like any established profession, coaching is full of unexamined assumptions. These need to be regularly questioned and tested to keep the profession vital and valuable. Coaches need to engage in the same kind of scrutiny and self-examination that offers such powerful benefits to their clients.

In Positive Provocation, coaching thought leader Robert Biswas-Diener asks a series of twenty-five provocative and sometimes playful questions that take a fresh look at some of coaching's most cherished beliefs. What if coaches had agendas? Why are ethics so boring? What's so great about interrupting? Can we trust eureka moments? What if we used less empathy?

This is not an attack on the coaching profession-Biswas-Diener writes with a light, conversational, and often humorous touch. These are positive provocations, meant to stimulate your curiosity, engage you with the latest research, and invite you to see your practice with new eyes.

Biswas-Diener covers philosophies of coaching, communicating with clients, common coaching concepts, coaching interventions, and a big final provocation: should coaching be informed by science? This book will give you a richer understanding of the coaching process, make you more articulate about your own beliefs, and allow you to feel more engaged with the craft.