Great books about leadership, management, software engineering and other complementary topics that I've read and recommend.
John Doerr
John does a great job removing the BS from the OKR methodology and processes and explaining how it can be applied in any organization. It's a great read for engineering managers, from small to big organizations looking to implement OKRs in their teams.
David Epstein
Range speaks to the value of a generalist mindset in complex and messy fields(Like startups), trumping specialization. Provocative, rigorous, and engrossing, Range makes a compelling case for actively cultivating inefficiency. Failing a test is highlighted as the best way to learn, and frequent quitters often end up with the most fulfilling careers. The most impactful inventors are those who cross domains rather than deepening their knowledge in a single area. It’s a real eye-opener for career growth and organizational design.
Tony Fadell
Build is a standout book for creators and innovators. It challenges traditional views on success, advocating for resilience, creativity, and authenticity in our projects. This guide is more than a manual; it's a deep dive into making impactful work that lasts. It's changed how I approach my creations, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to make something truly significant.
Matthew Dicks
Storyworthy will teach you to be a better storyteller, and to make storyteller part of your daily work. It's a great read for engineering managers, product owners or anyone who want to inspire their team through storytelling.
Brené Brown
Daring Greatly is a fantastic read for engineering managers who want to embrace vulnerability as a strength. It’s about leading with courage, being more empathetic, and building a strong, resilient team.
Will Larson
A human-centric guide to solving complex problems in engineering management, from sizing teams to handling technical debt.
Tom DeMarco, Timothy Lister
Peopleware is an oldie, but essential read for engineering managers who want to get the human side of software development right. It’s all about creating a productive environment and understanding that it's the people who make projects succeed. Also it will probably make you realize how your workspace is not optimized for productivity.
Reed Hastings / Erin Meyer
Insight stories from Netflix, with practical tips on building a culture of freedom and responsibility. Driving a high performing culture through many different approaches.
Claire Hughes Johnson
Scaling People is approachable, entertaining, and exceptionally useful, with lots of heart and humor. Claire leverages her years of unparalleled experience to provide a deeply helpful resource to read and revisit again and again.
L. David Marquet
This book is a game-changer for managers who want to step up their leadership game. It's about giving more control to your team and seeing them shine.
Michael Lopp
Managing Humans is a no-BS guide to navigating the weird world of engineering management. It's like having a coffee chat with a mentor who's seen it all.
Donella H. Meadows
Thinking in Systems is great read for anyone looking to decompose problems and better thinking. Learning how to think in systems is now part of change-agent literacy. And this is the best book of its kind
Donald G. Reinertsen
If you're struggling with product development and team workflow, this is your go-to book. It's packed with insights to make your process smoother and less of a headache.
Austin Kleon
This book is all about sharing what you do and how you do it. It's perfect for engineering managers who want to build a transparent and collaborative culture in their team.
Yvon Chouinard
A cool read for managers who want to blend work and play the right way. It’s about creating a workplace where people are free to be themselves and do great work.
Erin Meyer
If you're leading a diverse team, this is your handbook. It’s packed with insights on navigating the complexities of different cultures in a professional setting.
Eugen Herrigel
This book isn’t just about archery; it’s about mastering any skill. A great metaphorical read for engineering managers focusing on skill development and mindfulness.
Julie Zhuo
Perfect for new managers. It’s like a roadmap to finding your way in the chaos of managing people for the first time.
Kim Scott
Radical Candor is all about being a kickass boss without losing your humanity. It's great for engineering managers who want to get the best out of their team without turning into a robot.
Patrick Lencioni
This book is a lifesaver if you're dealing with team issues. It breaks down common problems and gives practical solutions.
Eric Evans
A bit technical but a must-read for engineering managers who want to dive deep into the complexities of software design and development.
Ben Horowitz
No sugar-coating here, just real talk about the tough parts of being a manager. It’s full of stories and advice that are gold for any engineering leader.
Nicole Forsgren, Jez Humble, Gene Kim
If you lead platform teams or you want to speed things up without burning out their team. It’s full of research-backed insights on building high-performing tech organizations.
Daniel H. Pink
Drive dives into what really motivates us at work. It’s a great read if you’re looking to inspire and motivate your engineering team in more meaningful ways.
Cal Newport
Perfect for managers and teams looking to cut through the noise and focus on what matters. This book is all about getting into the zone and doing great work.
Jocko Willink, Leif Babin
This one's about leadership lessons from Navy SEALs. It’s a tough-love kind of book that’s perfect for engineering managers who want to take their leadership skills to the next level.
Brian W. Fitzpatrick, Ben Collins-Sussman
Just like debugging code, this book is about fixing team problems. Great for engineering managers who want practical tips on making their teams work better together.
Andrew S. Grove
A classic read that’s still super relevant. It’s about getting more out of your team without working them to the bone.
Laszlo Bock
This book gives you a peek inside Google’s management style. It’s packed with insights on building a creative and satisfied team.
Matthew Skelton, Manuel Pais
A must-read for engineering managers looking to design effective team structures. It’s about creating teams that can deliver faster and more reliably.
Colin Bryar, Bill Carr
Inspired by Amazon’s approach, this book is about working from the customer back to the product. It's great for managers who want to build customer-centric products and teams.