The Top 10 Books that helped me Grow in 2025

My Top 10 Favorite Reads of 2025

The #1 question I have been asked over the last several decades is,

"What great books have you read lately?"

Those who know me well know that I am an avid reader, averaging one book per week for the past several decades. This has been key to me growing as a person, husband, parent, and leader.

2025 was no different! I spent a great deal of time doing what I love most, reading great books that stretch me as a husband, father, leader, coach, and person. Below are my top 10 favorite reads of the year.

These aren’t just well-written books; they’re books that stuck, the ones I highlighted, underlined, and couldn’t stop thinking about. Whether you're leading a team, leading yourself, or preparing to step into leadership, these books are worth your time.

1. The Laws of Lifetime Growth by Dan Sullivan

Key Theme: Growth happens when you stay useful to others.

Dan Sullivan's book is like a mentor in print. It’s built around 10 “laws” that aren’t just for business; they're for becoming a better person. The premise is simple: lifetime growth is available to all of us, but only if we commit to consistently becoming more valuable.

I found this book incredibly grounding. It reminded me that growth doesn’t come from chasing shiny goals, but from deepening your contribution, mastering your mindset, and being generous with your gifts.

Read this if you feel stuck, or if you’re wondering how to keep growing even in the middle chapters of life.

Read Book Summary here: The Laws of Life Time Growth Book Summary

Grab Your Copy Here: The Laws of Lifetime Growth

2. Self-Talk by Marianne Renner

Key Theme: Your inner dialogue shapes your outer results.

This one surprised me. Renner dives into how the stories we tell ourselves either propel us forward or keep us trapped.

She offers practical ways to rewrite your internal script, and it’s not just motivational fluff; it’s actionable stuff.

What stood out most was how often our leadership ceilings are self-imposed. If you’re coaching others, leading a team, or just tired of second-guessing yourself, this book will help you tune into a more empowering inner voice.

Read Book Summary here: Self-Talk by Marianne Renner Book Summary

Grab Your Copy Here: Self-Talk

3. BE 2.0 by Jim Collins

Key Theme: Great leadership is about becoming, not just doing.

Jim Collins is best known for Good to Great, but BE 2.0 (Beyond Entrepreneurship) is a goldmine. It’s part memoir, part masterclass in leadership and company-building.

What I loved most was how it blends timeless business principles with personal transformation.

If you’ve ever wondered how to grow a mission-driven business that lasts—or how to lead with both purpose and performance—this book delivers. It’s perfect for founders, executives, and anyone playing the long game.

Grab Your Copy Here: BE 2.0

4. The Way of the Shepherd by Kevin Leman & William Pentak

Key Theme: Lead with compassion, strength, and service.

This short but powerful read is written as a fable, but don’t let its simplicity fool you; it’s packed with wisdom. Based on the metaphor of shepherd leadership, it’s all about truly knowing your people, guiding them with care, and correcting with kindness.

I often found myself nodding as I read. It's a leadership philosophy that blends heart and accountability. If you lead a team, or want to, this one will challenge and inspire you.

Read Book Summary here: The Way of the Shepherd by Kevin Leman Book Summary

Grab Your Copy Here: The Way of the Shepherd

5. Greatness by David L. Cook

Key Theme: True greatness is selfless exceptionalism.

This book completely reframed how I think about high performance and leadership. Cook defines greatness as “selfless exceptionalism," pursuing world-class excellence not to glorify yourself, but to serve and elevate others.

It's a mindset that shows up not when things are easy, but when the pressure is high, and the stakes are real.

The heart of the book is the idea that greatness isn't about being the MVP; it's about what you do when it's your moment and whether your actions serve the mission, the team, and the people counting on you.

Cook draws on sports, business, and life to show that greatness isn’t about talent; it’s about focus, passion, and mental toughness under pressure.

This book will challenge you to define your own version of greatness, not just in your goals but in how you show up daily.

Grab Your Copy Here: Greatness

6. The Bravest You by Adam Kirk Smith

Key Theme: Fear is the gatekeeper to your potential.

Smith explores the five types of fear that keep us from becoming who we’re meant to be. This book doesn’t just name your fears—it gives you a map to face them.

It’s raw, encouraging, and deeply practical.

Why read it?

Because the future belongs to the brave. Whether you're launching something new or just tired of playing small, this one will challenge you to step up.

Read Book Summary here: The Bravest You by Adam Kirk Smith Book Summary

Grab Your Copy Here: The Bravest You

7. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Key Theme: Master your mind and emotions by living by four truths.

This is a spiritual leadership classic, and it hit differently in 2025.

The agreements?

1. Be impeccable with your word.

2. Don’t take things personally.

3. Don’t make assumptions.

4. Always do your best.

Simple, yes. Easy? Not at all. But I found myself returning to these principles repeatedly. If you want to lead from a place of inner peace and emotional intelligence, this is your book.

Grab Your Copy Here: The Four Agreements

8. Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish

Key Theme: Mental clarity is a superpower.

Parrish, the mind behind Farnam Street, delivers a playbook for making better decisions. It’s about spotting the “forces” that cloud our thinking—ego, emotion, bias—and building habits that help us see clearly.

This book sharpened my thinking in ways I didn’t expect. Whether you’re a coach, strategist, or simply someone who wants to lead with less noise and more wisdom, this is a must-read.

Read Book Summary here: Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish Book Summary

Grab Your Copy Here: Clear Thinking

9. Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

Key Theme: Talent is overrated—growth mindset is everything.

This one feels like a manifesto for lifelong learners. Grant unpacks why potential often gets overlooked—and how to unlock your own by focusing on effort, feedback, and resilience.

What I loved? It's both research-backed and deeply human. It reframed how I think about talent development—both in myself and others. If you’re a parent, teacher, or leader of people, don’t skip this one.

Grab your copy here: Hidden Potential

10. Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman & Mark Winters

Key Theme: Visionaries need Integrators, and Integrators need Visionaries.

This book is for entrepreneurial leaders, especially those building teams. It introduces the concept of the Visionary/Integrator duo, and why the most successful companies thrive on this yin-yang relationship.

I saw myself in this one. It helped me understand why I work the way I do—and what kind of partner I need to scale ideas into reality.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in your business, this book might be the fuel you need.

Grab your copy here: Rocket Fuel

Wrapping Up

These books shaped the way I think, lead, and live in 2025. I hope one (or more!) finds its way into your hands in 2026. Because when you grow, the people around you grow too.