Leadership Books to Gift, Grow, and Guide Your Journey

Looking for the perfect read to inspire your leadership—and maybe the perfect gift? Check out our hand-picked book list, featuring personalized recommendations from Catapult’s own experts! Whether you’re looking to grow yourself or find the perfect gift for a colleague or your team, these selections are designed to motivate, empower, and elevate.

Our top picks to inspire greatness!

Recommended by Marsha Koelmel, President

• Smart Brevity​: The Power of Saying More with Less by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, and Roy Schwartz. Axios co-founders teach readers how to say more with less in virtually any format. They also share communications lessons learned from their decades of experience in media, business and communications.
• Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
  Discover the hidden power of introverts and the unique perspectives they bring to the workplace.

Recommended by Julia Culkin-Jacobia, Practice Leader, Compensation Consulting

• Exposing Pay: Pay Transparency and What It Means for Employees, Employers, and Public Policy by Peter Bamberger. Gain an in-depth understanding of pay transparency and its impact on organizational performance. Julia recommends this essential read for anyone interested in creating equitable compensation systems.

Recommended by John Koelmel, Senior Advisor

• Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
  Twenty-five years after the publication of his groundbreaking first book, Malcolm Gladwell returns with a brand-new volume that reframes the lessons of The Tipping Point in a startling and revealing light.

Recommended by Tasha LeFevre, Vice President of Development

• Get a Grip: An Entrepreneurial Fable – Your Journey to Get Real, Get Simple, and Get Results by Mike Paton, T. David Rutherford, et al. “Get a Grip” is a fable that will ring true for entrepreneurial leaders the world over and guide them to get their companies on track.
• Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be by Rachel Hollis. This empowering and motivational book encourages leaders to embrace their unique strengths and overcome self-doubt—a refreshing read for anyone in a high-stakes role.

Recommended by Krista Temlitz, Director of Project Management and Continuous Improvement & Julia Culkin-Jacobia, Practice Leader, Compensation Consulting

• Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs by John Doerr. Legendary venture capitalist John Doerr reveals how the goal-setting system of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) has helped tech giants from Intel to Google achieve explosive growth—and how it can help any organization thrive.

These thoughtfully curated books offer inspiration and practical strategies for growth, both for you and your colleagues. Whether you’re reading them yourself or giving them as holiday gifts, these titles are sure to make a lasting impact on professional development and team success.

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