The Nine Best Books I Read in 2025

Each year, I share a list of the best books I read in the past year. Here is my list for 2025. Since I’m not much of a fiction reader, most of these books represent the categories of leadership, behavioral science and the next generation. Hope you enjoy.

Tribe Sebastian Junger By far, this was my favorite book in 2025. For some reason, I was enthralled by Sebastian’s take on life and community in a world of rugged individualism. He argues that we have a strong instinct to belong to small groups defined by clear purpose and understanding. This notion of “tribes” has been largely lost in modern society, leading to large numbers of people reporting loneliness and isolation. This award-winning author reveals how to regain our sense of belonging and the sacrifices we must make to get it. Buy Now ➔

Dopamine Nation Anna Lempke This book explains so much human behavior in our world today. Anna Lempke is a Stanford research psychologist who sounds the battle cry for moderation in a day of indulgence and addiction. She clarifies how our brains work to balance pain and pleasure and offers ideas on how to do a “dopamine fast” and gain a sense of control. Our brains naturally balance our happiness by releasing chemicals into our systems, like a sort of teeter-totter. In our day of binging, we can mess up that balance. This book was a game-changer for me. Buy Now ➔

Managing Leadership Anxiety Steve Cuss This book lays out a clear path to internal peace and contentment, using both behavioral science and faith. Steve is a chaplain, and this book is faith-based, yet it includes ideas and practices anyone, regardless of background, can practice. He believes most of our anxiety is a reaction to someone or something, and reactivity is contagious. Our five false needs are: control, perfection, knowing the answer, always being there, and approval. Steve contends we must not let others dictate our mindsets and must learn to trust instead of control. Buy Now ➔

The Let Them Theory Mel Robbins This book is a “cousin” to the one above and will make you rethink your habits and lifestyle. Mel Robbins—New York Times bestselling author and expert on motivation and mindset—teaches us how to stop wasting energy on what we can't control and start focusing on what matters: YOU. If you've felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated with your life, Mel believes the problem isn't you. It is the power you give to other people. Two simple words—Let Them—will free you from the exhausting cycle of trying to manage everyone around you. Buy Now ➔

The Challenger Sale: Taking Control of the Customer Conversation Matt Dixon and Brent Adamson I was surprised by how deeply this book affected me. My friend Travis recommended it and it helped me define my approach to my latest book, The Future Begins with Z. The big idea is about how we sell products or ideas—but it offers much greater value. A “challenger” is one who questions common perceptions or assumptions on a topic and offers a different angle. It makes people rethink how they approach an issue. I use this approach as I help leaders see Generation Z as a solution, not a problem, at work. Buy Now ➔

The Upswing Robert Putnam Putnam is the same sociologist who wrote Bowling Alone in 2000. He explains modern culture as well as anyone I’ve studied—and this book clarifies how our nation swings back and forth from unity to division and how to become civil again. He challenges those who say the U.S. is the most politically polarized it’s ever been. The Civil War period was the most polarized era, and Putnam reveals the stories behind how we came together at the turn of the century and how we can do it again. It’s an academic book but worth the read.  Buy Now ➔

Beyond the Hammer Brian Gottleib Brian suggests five big ideas that today’s leaders must practice. He believes leaders must become skilled at fostering conviction so they can fortify their team and enhance their collective efficiency. Gottlieb suggests that the triumph of a business is heavily dependent on its workforce's conduct, which stems from their psychological or emotional conditions. He says both negative and positive beliefs are easily transferable, which presents an opportunity for leaders to empower and inspire others. Buy Now ➔

Take the Stairs Rory Vaden This book is not a new one, but it contains some timeless truths regarding growth, success and personal achievement. Rory asks a question right up front: when you see a set of stairs right next to an escalator, which do you take to go up? Most take the escalator, but this book is about building the disciplines to develop yourself and your commitment to be more committed, more focused, more sacrificial and more strategic. Few of the ideas in the book felt new to me, but Rory shared them in a fresh way that resonated with me. Buy Now ➔

The New Emotional Intelligence Travis Bradberry The term “emotional intelligence” was coined over sixty years ago and popularized thirty years ago by Daniel Goleman. Leaders often refer to it now as EQ. Today, Travis Bradberry has become a leading voice in understanding and improving EQ. His latest book provides a comprehensive guide on the four elements of emotional intelligence and how to grow in each of them. With the rapid pace of change in our world, and the entrance of AI into our lives, building our EQ is more important than ever. Buy Now ➔

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