27 Books like Leading from the Middle

The 360 Degree Leader

by John C. Maxwell • 2006

Influence doesn't require a title. A playbook for leading from the middle.

4.16

8k+

🧭 Influence Without Authority ⬆️ Managing Up 🧹 Servant Leadership 🌱 Leadership Development 🤝 Peer Collaboration

The 360 Degree Leader 96%

Influence doesn't require a title. A playbook for leading from the middle.

by John C. Maxwell 2006

4.16

8k+ ratings

🧭 Influence Without Authority ⬆️ Managing Up 🧹 Servant Leadership 🌱 Leadership Development 🤝 Peer Collaboration

The First-Time Manager

by Loren B. Belker • 1978

The promotion came with no manual. Real rules for hiring, delegating, and admitting you were wrong.

3.82

3k+

👶 New Managers 👥 People Management 👂 Active Listening 📋 Performance Feedback ⏰ Time Management

The First-Time Manager 96%

The promotion came with no manual. Real rules for hiring, delegating, and admitting you were wrong.

by Loren B. Belker 1978

3.82

3k+ ratings

👶 New Managers 👥 People Management 👂 Active Listening 📋 Performance Feedback ⏰ Time Management

How to Manage People

by Michael Armstrong • 2019

The ten skills managers need, from self-awareness to the feedback conversations most bosses avoid.

3.79

👥 People Management 🧭 Leadership Skills 🧠 Emotional Intelligence 🌱 New Managers 🏗️ Team Building

How to Manage People 96%

The ten skills managers need, from self-awareness to the feedback conversations most bosses avoid.

by Michael Armstrong 2019

3.79

19 ratings

👥 People Management 🧭 Leadership Skills 🧠 Emotional Intelligence 🌱 New Managers 🏗️ Team Building

People Follow You

by Jeb Blount • 2011

You depend on your team more than they depend on you. Lead accordingly.

4.17

232

🧑‍💼 People Management 🙏 Servant Leadership 🤝 Trust Building 👂 Active Listening 🎯 Employee Coaching

People Follow You 96%

You depend on your team more than they depend on you. Lead accordingly.

by Jeb Blount 2011

4.17

232 ratings

🧑‍💼 People Management 🙏 Servant Leadership 🤝 Trust Building 👂 Active Listening 🎯 Employee Coaching

The Art of Being Indispensable at Work

by Bruce Tulgan • 2021

Become the person nobody wants to lose: the art of saying yes only with a plan.

3.62

280

🤝 Workplace Influence 📈 Career Advancement 👐 Servant Leadership 🗣️ Team Communication 🧩 Collaboration

The Art of Being Indispensable at Work Summary

The Art of Being Indispensable at Work 96%

Become the person nobody wants to lose: the art of saying yes only with a plan.

by Bruce Tulgan 2021

3.62

280 ratings

🤝 Workplace Influence 📈 Career Advancement 👐 Servant Leadership 🗣️ Team Communication 🧩 Collaboration

You Can't Know It All

by Wanda T. Wallace • 2019

Getting promoted past your expertise demands a leadership model no technical mastery can teach you.

3.99

135

🔄 Leadership Transitions 🔗 Cross-Functional Teams 🧠 Managing Experts 👩‍💼 Women In Leadership 📈 Executive Development

You Can't Know It All 95%

Getting promoted past your expertise demands a leadership model no technical mastery can teach you.

by Wanda T. Wallace 2019

3.99

135 ratings

🔄 Leadership Transitions 🔗 Cross-Functional Teams 🧠 Managing Experts 👩‍💼 Women In Leadership 📈 Executive Development

Good Boss, Bad Boss

by Robert I. Sutton • 2010

The gap between the boss you think you are and the one your team sees.

3.79

3k+

👥 People Management 🏢 Organizational Behavior 🛡️ Psychological Safety ⚡ Power Dynamics ☣️ Toxic Leadership

Good Boss, Bad Boss 95%

The gap between the boss you think you are and the one your team sees.

by Robert I. Sutton 2010

3.79

3k+ ratings

👥 People Management 🏢 Organizational Behavior 🛡️ Psychological Safety ⚡ Power Dynamics ☣️ Toxic Leadership

The First 90 Days

by Michael D. Watkins • 2003

What got you promoted won't work in the new job. Five situations determine what will.

3.85

38k+

🚦 Leadership Transitions 👔 New Managers 🔄 Career Transitions 🤝 Stakeholder Management 🔍 Team Assessment

The First 90 Days 95%

What got you promoted won't work in the new job. Five situations determine what will.

by Michael D. Watkins 2003

3.85

38k+ ratings

🚦 Leadership Transitions 👔 New Managers 🔄 Career Transitions 🤝 Stakeholder Management 🔍 Team Assessment

Good Authority

by Jonathan Raymond • 2016

Lead like a mentor, not a fixer. Five escalating steps to accountability and real growth.

4.05

854

🧱 Leadership Development 🧑‍💼 People Management 💬 Vulnerable Leadership 📋 Accountability At Work 🧠 Coaching Mindset

Good Authority 95%

Lead like a mentor, not a fixer. Five escalating steps to accountability and real growth.

by Jonathan Raymond 2016

4.05

854 ratings

🧱 Leadership Development 🧑‍💼 People Management 💬 Vulnerable Leadership 📋 Accountability At Work 🧠 Coaching Mindset

Stop Pulling the Ship!

by Matthew Overlund • 2020

Stop being the bottleneck. How to delegate ownership, build systems, and scale your leadership.

4.67

🏢 Organizational Leadership 🧲 Influence Without Authority 🌱 Team Empowerment 🤝 Trust Building 🧪 Failure And Learning

Stop Pulling the Ship! 95%

Stop being the bottleneck. How to delegate ownership, build systems, and scale your leadership.

by Matthew Overlund 2020

4.67

3 ratings

🏢 Organizational Leadership 🧲 Influence Without Authority 🌱 Team Empowerment 🤝 Trust Building 🧪 Failure And Learning

Being the Boss

by Linda A. Hill • 2011

Inner work, wide networks, and team habits turn a promotion into real leadership.

3.85

722

🆕 New Managers 📋 Management Fundamentals 👥 Team Culture 🤝 Building Trust At Work 🏛️ Organizational Politics

Being the Boss 95%

Inner work, wide networks, and team habits turn a promotion into real leadership.

by Linda A. Hill 2011

3.85

722 ratings

🆕 New Managers 📋 Management Fundamentals 👥 Team Culture 🤝 Building Trust At Work 🏛️ Organizational Politics

Welcome to Management

by Ryan Hawk • 2020

Your first management role: the skills that earned it aren't the ones that sustain it.

4.00

494

🆕 First-Time Managers 🧭 Self-Leadership 🏛️ Team Culture 👥 Hiring And Firing 🎯 Coaching Skills

Welcome to Management 95%

Your first management role: the skills that earned it aren't the ones that sustain it.

by Ryan Hawk 2020

4.00

494 ratings

🆕 First-Time Managers 🧭 Self-Leadership 🏛️ Team Culture 👥 Hiring And Firing 🎯 Coaching Skills

Rules of Management

by Richard Templar • 2005

Stop managing your team: the single rule that turns a boss into a leader.

3.87

2k+

🧱 Management Fundamentals 👋 New Manager Training 💪 Empowerment ❤️ Workplace Motivation 🤲 Servant Leadership

Rules of Management 95%

Stop managing your team: the single rule that turns a boss into a leader.

by Richard Templar 2005

3.87

2k+ ratings

🧱 Management Fundamentals 👋 New Manager Training 💪 Empowerment ❤️ Workplace Motivation 🤲 Servant Leadership

Difficult Conversations

by Harvard Business Review • 2016

The conversations you avoid define your career. A method for starting them constructively.

3.70

366

💼 Workplace Communication 🔄 Interpersonal Dynamics 🧠 Emotional Intelligence 👂 Active Listening 🤝 Conflict Resolution

Difficult Conversations 95%

The conversations you avoid define your career. A method for starting them constructively.

by Harvard Business Review 2016

3.70

366 ratings

💼 Workplace Communication 🔄 Interpersonal Dynamics 🧠 Emotional Intelligence 👂 Active Listening 🤝 Conflict Resolution

The Self-Aware Leader

by John C. Maxwell • 2021

Your best people leave for a reason strategy, pay, and culture cannot explain. Look inward.

4.26

968

🪞 Self-Leadership 👥 People Management 💪 Play To Strengths 🧠 Emotional Intelligence 🌱 Growth Mindset

The Self-Aware Leader 95%

Your best people leave for a reason strategy, pay, and culture cannot explain. Look inward.

by John C. Maxwell 2021

4.26

968 ratings

🪞 Self-Leadership 👥 People Management 💪 Play To Strengths 🧠 Emotional Intelligence 🌱 Growth Mindset

HTML5 for Web Designers

by Jeremy Keith • 2010

Ditch plugins and browser hacks: native audio, video, and responsive images arrive with HTML5.

3.98

3k+

🌐 Html5 💻 Front-End Development 🧱 Html And Css 📱 Responsive Design 🔄 Progressive Enhancement

HTML5 for Web Designers 95%

Ditch plugins and browser hacks: native audio, video, and responsive images arrive with HTML5.

by Jeremy Keith 2010

3.98

3k+ ratings

🌐 Html5 💻 Front-End Development 🧱 Html And Css 📱 Responsive Design 🔄 Progressive Enhancement

Winning Well

by Karin Hurt • 2016

Reject the false choice between hitting targets and being human: a manager's guide to both.

4.14

139

👥 People Management ⚖️ Balanced Leadership 📋 Workplace Accountability 🤝 Delegation Skills 🔒 Trust Building

Winning Well 95%

Reject the false choice between hitting targets and being human: a manager's guide to both.

by Karin Hurt 2016

4.14

139 ratings

👥 People Management ⚖️ Balanced Leadership 📋 Workplace Accountability 🤝 Delegation Skills 🔒 Trust Building

Behind Closed Doors

by Johanna Rothman • 2005

Saying no, coaching honestly, and building real trust: the learnable skills behind every great team.

3.98

1k+

🧑‍💼 People Management 🤝 Team Leadership 🗣️ Coaching Employees 📋 Delegation Skills 🔗 Systems Thinking

Behind Closed Doors 95%

Saying no, coaching honestly, and building real trust: the learnable skills behind every great team.

by Johanna Rothman 2005

3.98

1k+ ratings

🧑‍💼 People Management 🤝 Team Leadership 🗣️ Coaching Employees 📋 Delegation Skills 🔗 Systems Thinking

The Empowered Manager

by Peter Block • 2016

The real reason you feel powerless at work is a hidden bargain you keep making with authority.

3.84

148

🏛️ Organizational Politics 💪 Employee Empowerment 🎛️ Autonomy And Control 🔭 Vision Crafting 🤝 Stakeholder Negotiation

The Empowered Manager 95%

The real reason you feel powerless at work is a hidden bargain you keep making with authority.

by Peter Block 2016

3.84

148 ratings

🏛️ Organizational Politics 💪 Employee Empowerment 🎛️ Autonomy And Control 🔭 Vision Crafting 🤝 Stakeholder Negotiation

Growing Great Employees

by Erika Andersen • 2006

How to hire for fit, coach for growth, delegate for development, and fire with dignity.

4.00

5k+

🪴 Employee Development 👂 Active Listening 🔍 Hiring And Onboarding 🎯 Coaching Employees 💬 Giving Feedback

Growing Great Employees 95%

How to hire for fit, coach for growth, delegate for development, and fire with dignity.

by Erika Andersen 2006

4.00

5k+ ratings

🪴 Employee Development 👂 Active Listening 🔍 Hiring And Onboarding 🎯 Coaching Employees 💬 Giving Feedback

Wait, I'm the Boss?!?

by Peter Economy • 2020

Delegation, discipline, difficult conversations: the crash course every first-time manager needs.

3.43

114

🆕 New Managers 👥 People Management 🤝 Team Leadership ⚡ Employee Motivation 🏢 Workplace Culture

Wait, I'm the Boss?!? 95%

Delegation, discipline, difficult conversations: the crash course every first-time manager needs.

by Peter Economy 2020

3.43

114 ratings

🆕 New Managers 👥 People Management 🤝 Team Leadership ⚡ Employee Motivation 🏢 Workplace Culture

Art of Asking, The

by Terry J. Fadem • 2008

Answers are everywhere. The skill that separates effective managers is knowing what to ask.

3.61

701

💬 Managerial Communication 🔍 Inquiry Techniques 👂 Active Listening 🗣️ Difficult Conversations ⚡ Workplace Power

Art of Asking, The 95%

Answers are everywhere. The skill that separates effective managers is knowing what to ask.

by Terry J. Fadem 2008

3.61

701 ratings

💬 Managerial Communication 🔍 Inquiry Techniques 👂 Active Listening 🗣️ Difficult Conversations ⚡ Workplace Power

The Three Signs of a Miserable Job

by Patrick Lencioni • 2007

Three hidden causes of workplace misery that salary can't cure; what every manager must do instead.

4.15

7k+

📖 Management Fables 📊 Employee Engagement 🧎 Servant Leadership 🛠️ Meaningful Work 🔥 Employee Motivation

The Three Signs of a Miserable Job Summary

The Three Signs of a Miserable Job 95%

Three hidden causes of workplace misery that salary can't cure; what every manager must do instead.

by Patrick Lencioni 2007

4.15

7k+ ratings

📖 Management Fables 📊 Employee Engagement 🧎 Servant Leadership 🛠️ Meaningful Work 🔥 Employee Motivation

How to Become a Great Boss

by Jeffrey J. Fox • 2002

Stop coaching low performers. The rules for hiring, developing, and keeping your best people.

3.87

423

🧑‍💼 People Management 🌱 Talent Development 📋 Hiring Practices 📤 Delegation 🏢 Workplace Culture

How to Become a Great Boss 95%

Stop coaching low performers. The rules for hiring, developing, and keeping your best people.

by Jeffrey J. Fox 2002

3.87

423 ratings

🧑‍💼 People Management 🌱 Talent Development 📋 Hiring Practices 📤 Delegation 🏢 Workplace Culture

Simply Managing

by Henry Mintzberg • 2013

Management isn't heroic. It's fragmented, oral, and learned in the mess, not the classroom.

3.64

338

🧱 Management Practice 🏢 Organizational Behavior 🥾 Anti-Heroic Leadership 🗺️ Contextual Managing ⚖️ Managing Tensions

Simply Managing 95%

Management isn't heroic. It's fragmented, oral, and learned in the mess, not the classroom.

by Henry Mintzberg 2013

3.64

338 ratings

🧱 Management Practice 🏢 Organizational Behavior 🥾 Anti-Heroic Leadership 🗺️ Contextual Managing ⚖️ Managing Tensions

The Leap to Leader

by Adam Bryant • 2023

The leadership leap toolkit: hard calls, honest feedback, and a personal playbook that earns trust.

4.04

261

📈 Leadership Transitions 🆕 New Managers 🪞 Self-Awareness 💬 Feedback Culture 👥 Team Development

The Leap to Leader 95%

The leadership leap toolkit: hard calls, honest feedback, and a personal playbook that earns trust.

by Adam Bryant 2023

4.04

261 ratings

📈 Leadership Transitions 🆕 New Managers 🪞 Self-Awareness 💬 Feedback Culture 👥 Team Development

Managing for People Who Hate Managing

by Devora Zack • 2012

For those who'd rather do the work than manage the workers: how to lead without pretending.

3.48

221

🧑‍💼 New Managers 🧩 Personality Types 🧠 Myers-Briggs At Work ✨ Authenticity 🪞 Self-Awareness

Managing for People Who Hate Managing Summary

Managing for People Who Hate Managing 95%

For those who'd rather do the work than manage the workers: how to lead without pretending.

by Devora Zack 2012

3.48

221 ratings

🧑‍💼 New Managers 🧩 Personality Types 🧠 Myers-Briggs At Work ✨ Authenticity 🪞 Self-Awareness

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