5 Books Every Leader Should Read & Courses That Make Actionable

The CEO’s Secret Library:

5 Books Every Leader Should Read…And the Courses That Make Them Actionable

We all know the stereotype: a CEO’s office, a neatly stacked shelf of hardcover books, and a carefully curated library of wisdom. But here’s the truth: the books alone don’t make a leader remarkable. What separates extraordinary leaders from the rest is the ability to turn insights into action, ideas into strategy, and inspiration into measurable impact.

At genconnectU, we’ve taken five transformative books that every leader should read and paired them with courses led by experts on the subjects; the authors themselves. The result? A roadmap for leadership that is as practical as it is inspiring.

1. Think Remarkable – Guy Kawasaki

Book: Think Remarkable: 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference
Course: Think Different, Be Remarkable: Nine Ways to Lead and Inspire

Guy Kawasaki is a legend in the world of innovation and leadership. From his years as Apple’s chief evangelist to his role at Canva, Kawasaki has spent decades observing what makes leaders not just good, but remarkable.

In Think Remarkable, he explores nine pathways to creating meaningful impact: from embracing boldness and resilience to harnessing creativity in ways that inspire teams and organizations. But knowing these principles isn’t enough. That’s why his genconnectU course, Think Different, Be Remarkable, translates these ideas into practical tools you can use today.

Why it matters:

Being remarkable isn’t about perfection. It’s about embracing your own potential, learning from bold innovators, and making decisions that drive lasting change. Leaders who take this course learn to:

• Build a polished, authentic presence online and offline
• Shift toward a growth mindset by embracing experimentation
• Use vulnerability as a tool for resilience and influence
• Lead with integrity and vision, inspiring teams along the way

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or aspiring changemaker, Kawasaki’s insights, paired with actionable exercises, help you step into leadership with confidence and clarity.

2. The Happy Human – Gopi Kallayil

Books/Courses: Resilience and Happiness Post Pandemic | AI Basics: For Maximum Productivity | AI for Leadership: Driving Strategy, Innovation, and Business Transformation

In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, leadership isn’t just about strategy and outcomes, it’s about balance. Gopi Kallayil, former Chief Evangelist at Google and renowned thought leader, has dedicated his career to understanding the intersection of technology, happiness, and personal resilience.

Through his books and courses, Gopi teaches leaders how to maintain focus, foster well-being, and integrate emerging technologies like AI into their workflows. In other words, it’s not enough to know what to do, you must also learn how to thrive while doing it.

Why it matters:

From post-pandemic resilience to AI-driven productivity, these courses guide leaders to:

• Build personal and team resilience in high-pressure environments
• Harness AI tools to improve productivity and strategy
• Make decisions that align with both organizational goals and personal well-being

The combination of mindfulness, data-driven decision-making, and actionable strategies makes these courses perfect for leaders who want to navigate complexity without burning out.

3. The Myth of the Nice Girl – Fran Hauser

Book: The Myth of the Nice Girl
Course: Leading with Kindness and Strength

Fran Hauser has spent decades leading top digital media companies and investing in female-founded startups. Her insight is simple, yet powerful: leadership isn’t about being the loudest or the toughest, it’s about being authentic, empathetic, and strong.

In Leading with Kindness and Strength, Fran teaches leaders especially women, how to navigate high-stakes environments with grace and decisiveness. The course isn’t theory-heavy; it’s full of actionable strategies for creating influence while remaining true to yourself.

Why it matters:

Kindness is often underestimated in leadership, but it can be one of your greatest assets. Participants in Fran’s course learn how to:

• Balance empathy with decisiveness
• Forge an authentic leadership style
• Thrive through adversity and turn challenges into opportunities
• Inspire loyalty and motivation in teams

By combining Fran’s real-world experience with hands-on exercises, this course equips leaders to develop a compassionate yet high-impact leadership approach, one that gets results without compromising authenticity.

4. For the Culture – Dr. Marcus Collins

Book: For the Culture
Course: The Power of Culture: Leadership’s Invisible Hand

Culture is the invisible force that shapes behavior, influences decisions, and drives outcomes, yet so many leaders overlook it. Dr. Marcus Collins, a leading expert on culture and leadership, helps leaders understand the complex dynamics of cultural influence.

In his genconnectU course, The Power of Culture: Leadership’s Invisible Hand, Dr. Collins shows how to decode cultural patterns and leverage them to lead more effectively. From understanding team dynamics to connecting with global audiences, this course is all about strategic empathy in action.

Why it matters:

Leaders who understand culture can:

• Connect authentically with diverse teams and audiences
• Navigate societal shifts and market dynamics
• Build engagement and loyalty through shared values
• Lead with influence, even without formal authority

Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging leader, this course equips you to harness culture as a tool for meaningful impact.

5. Dig Your Heels In – Joan Snyder Kuhl

Book: Dig Your Heels In: Navigate Corporate BS and Build the Company You Deserve
Course: Digging Your Heels In to Be a Courageous Leader

Joan Snyder Kuhl’s work is a rallying cry for ambitious leaders, especially women, who want to create meaningful change from within. Her philosophy is simple: leaving a company isn’t the only way to create impact. Sometimes, the most courageous act is to dig in, speak up, and transform your organization from the inside.

Why it matters:

This course empowers leaders to:

• Navigate corporate culture and systemic barriers
• Build influence and credibility while staying true to their vision
• Turn frustration into action, creating real change within teams and organizations

Joan’s approach combines practical strategies, confidence-building, and real-world examples, giving participants the tools to lead courageously and effectively.

Closing Thoughts

Your bookshelf may be full of brilliant ideas, but it’s what you do with those ideas that defines your leadership. These five books are more than just reading material, they’re the foundation for a leadership transformation. And with genconnectU’s expert-led courses, you don’t just learn the theory, you put it into practice.

Leadership isn’t a destination. It’s a journey of learning, experimenting, and evolving. These books and courses together provide both inspiration and actionable tools to help you:

• Lead with purpose, empathy, and resilience
• Build teams that thrive in complex, changing environments
• Influence culture, strategy, and innovation
• Transform yourself and your organization from the inside out

So, the real question is: are you ready to stop reading and start doing?

Explore these courses today, all included in your genconnectU subscription. Turn insight into action, and become the remarkable leader you were meant to be.