The best tools for learning
How To Be a Better Leader
Discover the top courses, books, podcasts, and products that will help you level up your leadership. Each tool in this collection is handpicked by our personal growth experts.
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This book is a short read filled with timeless leadership nuggets. Making your bed every day might seem like a silly exercise to some, but to Admiral William H. McRaven, it can be the defining factor in having a successful day.
Curio: hear great journalism
Curio is the best way to listen to audio journalism from leading newspapers and magazines, keeping you connected to the world and yourself. Enjoy short listens, long-form journalism, business insights, philosophy, fashion, world news, and much more.
Highlighted: Book Highlighter
Stop forgetting what you read. Capture, organize and revisit important parts of your books.
BestSelf Edison Idea Deck
The Edison Deck contains 150 prompt cards that inspire you to solve problems, think laterally, and innovate ideas. Easy to use – simply pick a prompt and sit tight until you generate at least 10 ideas. It doesn’t matter if some are rubbish, it’s more important to capture your thoughts because the more you think, the more innovation flows.
Patagonia: Yvon Chouinard
Guy Raz interviews, Yvon Chouinard, who in 1971 started Patagonia to make climbing gear he couldn’t find elsewhere. Over decades of growth, he has implemented a unique philosophy about business, leadership, and profit.
Listen App: Social Podcasts
Listen App is the first community platform where podcast listeners and creators can connect.
Horst Schulze knows how to win. In Excellence Wins, Schulze, in his absolute no-nonsense approach, shares the visionary and disruptive principles that have produced immense global successes over the course of his still-prolific fifty-year career as the former president of Ritz-Carlton hotels.
Empathy and emotional intelligence has never been a more necessary leadership quality. If you consider yourself a leader (or would like to in the future) you’ll want to read this book.
This ability to put together winning deals is something that Daymond John has mastered in his business empire, and also understands extraordinarily well from reviewing 1000’s of pitches and business deals on ABC’s Shark Tank – every single week. This is a 100% free and actionable mini-course where you’ll learn about deal flow, influence, and negotiating.
The Decision Deck is there for those times when you don’t want to rely on instinct or a hunch. Built around a comprehensive framework, these proven tools guide you to thoroughly think through any dilemmas – so you can decide your next steps confidently.
A fashion and media icon, Anna Wintour has been driving our cultural conversation for more than 30 years. The Vogue Editor-in-Chief and Artistic Director of Condé Nast takes off her signature sunglasses and gives you unprecedented access to her world. See how Anna nurtures talent, makes bold decisions, and evolves a brand. Learn how to lead with impact from a visionary creative leader.
Matthew McConaughey – The Joe Rogan Experience (Episode #1552)
Matthew McConaughey discusses his daily rituals, personal values, and overall mindset with Joe Rogan.
Ready to define success on your own terms? Join creative star Emma Gannon to workshop your past, dream your future, and seize today for your first step!
Knowable – Audio Courses
Knowable is a growing library of audio courses led by the world’s most trusted experts. We aim to help you get motivated and accomplish your goals by learning new things through audio.
A memoir of leadership and success: The executive chairman of Disney, Time’s 2019 businessperson of the year, shares the ideas and values he embraced during his fifteen years as CEO while reinventing one of the world’s most beloved companies and inspiring the people who bring the magic to life.
Beth Comstock reminds us that the world will never be slower than it is right now. Technological and business innovations move at a breakneck speed, yet behind every Fortune 500 success lies countless failures. In a culture of ever-increasing optimization and falling back to the “tried and true”, Beth teaches you how to become a changemaker by leading with imagination.
Jocko Willink is a former US Navy Seal and the author of several best-selling books on leadership. In this book, he shares the importance of balancing the many facets of being a leader. It’s full of war stories containing real-life implications that shouldn’t be missed.
A strong online business strategy is vital for every business to grow its revenue and reach. Learn the step-by-step process of launching a profitable online business in this class. Podcast host and business entrepreneur Lewis Howes along with James Wedmore and Derek Halpern, will show you how to turn your passion project into a successful online brand.
Break Your Time-Wasting Habits And Learn To Make The Most Of Your Days with Laura Vanderkam.
John Maxwell is THE authority on leadership and organizational influence. If you lead others, this one needs to be on your night stand.
Sparks – Learn from podcasts
The Sparks podcast app helps you maximize your learning from your listening; take notes and capture all those fleeting insights from your favorite podcasts.
In Master Your People Skills, Vanessa will teach you the communication methods and relationship-building strategies that will transform your interactions. You will learn how to increase your likability, deal with difficult people, be a master conversationalist, and quickly identify personality types.
Leaders Listen with Simon Sinek
Simon Sinek and John Maxwell discuss the importance of listening and empathy when it comes to leading and connecting with people––especially those unlike us.
A memorable speaking engagement can transform a career – learn how to tell stories that stir up emotion and move listeners to the edge of their seats. Join Michael Port and Amy Port for the most engaging public speaking course you’ll ever encounter, Heroic Public Speaking.
This isn’t some “guru” who hasn’t done what he’s teaching you. This is the exact “Side Hustle System” Daniel DiPiazza used to go from being a 20-something steakhouse server starting from scratch… to a Foundr Cover story that’s created profitable 7-figure side-hustles and escaped the rat race.
TickTick: Things & Tasks To Do
Ranked as “the best to-do list app” by Wirecutter (A New York Times Company), loved by MKBHD as his favorite productivity tool, TickTick is trusted by tens of millions of people to organize, manage and collaborate on tasks, both at life and work.
MuchSkills
MuchSkills helps you look into your skills and your team’s in a new way, for a more productive, engaged and happier work life.
Leadership Lessons from Michael Jordan’s “The Last Dance”
John Maxwell shares leadership lessons learned from ESPN’s 10-part documentary on Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls entitled “The Last Dance.”
It’s important to know what you want to accomplish, but if you want it to last, Simon Sinek explains you need to know your why. Published over a decade ago, this book might just be the most important business book written in recent history.
You’ll never know where to start…until you start. This gutsy guidebook will help anyone who’s procrastinating on a goal, career change, or business idea stop the obsessive worrying and leap into action.
How I Built This with Guy Raz
Guy Raz interviews John Mackey, the founder of Whole Foods Market. In this episode, John Mackey shares the origins of Whole Foods and the organic food revolution he initiated.
After retooling every piece of his life, Peter Voogd went from broke to a 6-figure income and a best-selling book under his belt. But you don’t have to learn things the hard way — Peter’s pain can be your gain.
Bunch
BUNCH enables anyone to become a better leader in just 2 minutes a day – absolutely free. Whether you’re a CEO or an intern: you can take the lead and impact everyone around you in a positive way.
In Principles, Ray Dalio gives us a look at what he’s learned over the course of his incredible career. He makes the argument that life, management, economics, and investing can all be systemized into rules and understood like machines. We’re still trying to figure out if Ray Dalio is part robot, but the book is definitely solid. There’s even a free Principles app that’s definitely checking out as well!
Former Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz rose from a childhood in public housing to leading a company that revolutionized the way the world drinks coffee. With no formal business education, he relied on his values while growing a 13-store chain into a global brand with more than 250,000 employees. In his 90-minute video series, Howard shares what he’s learned about business leadership and being an entrepreneur.
Blinkist: 15min Book Insights
Boost your knowledge and discover new perspectives to become a better, smarter you with the Blinkist app. Get the key insights from 3000+ bestselling non-fiction books that cover leadership, history, psychology and more.
Jocko Willink – The Joe Rogan Experience (Episode #1492)
Jocko Willink is a decorated retired Navy SEAL officer and co-founder of Echelon Front, where he is a leadership instructor, speaker, and executive coach. Jocko and Joe Rogan discuss proper leadership and how to learn from failures.
For more than 50 years, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin has studied great American presidents. Now the Pulitzer Prize winner teaches you leadership through the lens of U.S. presidential history. With timeless stories of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, and LBJ, Doris shares practical wisdom and a template for honing leadership skills. Manage a crisis, craft a message, and guide a team like extraordinary leaders of the past.
Millions of people spend their mornings with Robin Roberts, one of today’s most beloved broadcasters. Now the Emmy-winning “Good Morning America” co-anchor is sharing how she creates unforgettable moments through human connection. Learn how to communicate effectively, whether it’s in front of an audience, at work, or with those you love. Start embracing vulnerability, building resilience, and living life with optimism.
How strong is your first impression? In this course, body language expert Vanessa Van Edwards explains how to use non-verbal communication to become the most memorable person in any room.
A powerful project management tool that helps you strategize complex goals and enjoy project success.
With little more than an idea and a drive to find her way, Sara Blakely went from selling fax machines door-to-door to becoming the world’s youngest female self-made billionaire in 2012. Now the inventor, entrepreneur, and founder of Spanx teaches you to open doors and close deals. Learn Sara’s customer-first approach and her tactics for prototyping, branding and building awareness, and bootstrapping your way to success.
Optimism, Contending with Anger, and Finding Peace Through Exercise – Bob Iger (Episode #406)
Bob Iger shares his experiences working with Steve Jobs, his personal values, and his approach to leadership as CEO of Disney.
Packed with 150 ‘uncomfortable’ challenges, the Courage over Comfort Deck inspires you to face your fears by doing new things. Simply pick a card, push yourself to step up, and enjoy the feel-good boost that comes from doing things you didn’t think were possible.
Strategy: Essential Foundations for Management, Consulting and Startup Success is a complete, comprehensive introduction and overview of strategy, taught by Chris Bolman, an entrepreneur, startup advisor and former VP of Marketing at Percolate.
The title may sound a little cheesy but the advice couldn’t be more solid. It was published in 1936 and has since sold over 30 million copies. If you want to make more friends and become a better friend in the process, grab this book.
Are we missing a good one?
If you know of an awesome leadership tool we didn’t include, let us know and we’ll consider adding it to our recommendations.
