When it comes to being the best in business, sometimes business communication books are the key to getting a leg up in the workplace. Want to hone a new skill, learn how to read people, or deep-dive into a particular business mindset? Then this blog featuring plenty of captivating books on communication and leadership is a great place to start. And I promise — there will be a title in here for everyone.
How effective communication leads to business growth (and the best books to help you achieve it!)
Before we dive into the best books on leadership and communication, let’s take a moment to explore why effective communication is the cornerstone of business growth. Whether it comes to leading a startup or steering an established enterprise, the ability to communicate effectively can be the difference between stagnation and rapid success.
At its core, communication isn’t just about exchanging information — it’s about building trust, aligning teams with a common vision, and inspiring action. Companies that master communication experience smoother collaboration, higher employee engagement, and better decision-making. When everyone in a business is clearly aligned behind the “why” and they understand the values of their company and the direction of its communication, then business goals become far easier to achieve.
From articulating value propositions to managing internal changes, words can shape an organization’s future. And what better way to learn the right words to use to sharpen communication skills than to turn to trusted authors and authority figures in the comms world?
Top 25 business communication books for learning new skills
Ready to dive into the top twenty business communication books out there? The below picks have been hand-selected with an emphasis on what learnable aspects drive modern business success. These books cover everything from mastering one-on-one dialogue to delivering compelling strategic narratives that inspire both employees and customers.
1. How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Author Overview: Dale Carnegie was an American writer and lecturer who developed courses in self-improvement, salesmanship, corporate training, public speaking, and interpersonal skills. He is considered one of the pioneers of the self-help movement.
Summary of the Content: This timeless classic, originally published 88 years ago in October 1936, offers practical advice on how to improve personal and professional relationships. Carnegie provides a roadmap for influencing others, gaining trust, and fostering cooperation.
Key Takeaways:
- Proven methods for winning people over to your way of thinking
- Techniques to handle people in a way that makes them feel valued
- The power of listening and encouraging others to talk about themselves.
Reasons for Recommendation: This is one of the best books on leadership communication because it highlights essential principles for building relationships in both business and personal settings. It’s a foundation for anyone seeking to enhance their interpersonal communication skills in the workplace and beyond.
2. Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss
Author Overview: Chris Voss is a former FBI hostage negotiator and now serves as the CEO of The Black Swan Group, a company that provides negotiation training for businesses.
Summary of the Content: Voss applies his high-stakes negotiation experience to the business world, offering unconventional tactics for negotiating in any situation. He emphasizes emotional intelligence and empathy as crucial tools in achieving the best outcomes.
Key Takeaways:
- Practical examples of negotiation strategies that work in the real world
- How to leverage tactical empathy to get more out of negotiations
- The importance of staying calm and listening in high-pressure situations
Reasons for Recommendation: This is one of the best books on communication in business, especially in negotiations. It’s particularly valuable for leaders and communicators who need to manage complex discussions like change management communications and ensure successful outcomes.
3. Fierce Conversations: Achieving Success at Work and in Life One Conversation at a Time by Susan Scott
Author Overview: Susan Scott is a leadership development expert and the founder of Fierce Inc., a company focused on building effective leadership and communication skills.
Summary of the Content: Scott’s book stresses the power of honest, real conversations in fostering growth and solving issues. She argues that mastering difficult conversations is a critical skill for leaders and team members alike.
Key Takeaways:
- How to resolve conflicts while maintaining respect and dignity for all parties
- Techniques for turning difficult conversations into productive discussions
- Strategies to foster openness and trust through dialogue
Reasons for Recommendation: This is among the best books on communication in the workplace because it focuses on authentic, candid communication as the backbone of effective leadership and team dynamics.
4. Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
Author Overview: Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, and Switzler are experts in communication, leadership, and organizational behavior. They co-founded VitalSmarts, a corporate training company.
Summary of the Content: This book equips readers with tools to navigate conversations where emotions run high and the stakes are significant. It offers a step-by-step guide for mastering crucial conversations that can impact relationships and results.
Key Takeaways:
- How to stay calm and focused during intense discussions
- Tactics for making difficult conversations safe for all participants
- The importance of speaking persuasively, not abrasively
Reasons for Recommendation: A top choice for books on communication in the workplace, this book is ideal for those who want to handle high-pressure conversations without damaging relationships.
5. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
Author Overview: Robert Cialdini is a renowned psychologist and professor who has spent decades researching the science of influence and persuasion.
Summary of the Content: This book reveals the six universal principles of persuasion and how they can be used to influence others ethically. Cialdini provides real-world examples to illustrate the effectiveness of these principles in business and everyday life.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the six principles of influence: reciprocity, commitment, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity
- How to recognize when someone is using these principles to influence you
- How to ethically apply these principles in your own life
Reasons for Recommendation: This is one of the best books on business communication because it dives deep into the psychology of influence, offering practical strategies for persuading others and understanding why people say “yes.”
6. Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
Author Overview: Donald Miller is a bestselling author and CEO of StoryBrand, a company that helps businesses clarify their messaging. His book is a staple for communicators.
Summary of the Content: Miller teaches how to simplify your brand’s message to better connect with customers. His StoryBrand framework focuses on crafting a narrative where the customer is the hero, and the brand acts as a guide.
Key Takeaways:
- How to simplify complex messages to improve communication
- How to create a clear, customer-focused narrative
- The seven universal story points all humans respond to
Reasons for Recommendation: This is an essential read for anyone looking to refine their business messaging and is one of the best books on communication in business, especially in marketing and branding.
7. Influential Internal Communication by Jenni Field
Author Overview: Jenni Field is a communication strategist and founder of Redefining Communications, where she helps organizations transform their internal communication strategies.
Summary of the Content: Field emphasizes the importance of strong internal communication to foster engagement and drive business results. She offers tools and strategies for leaders to improve how their teams communicate internally.
Key Takeaways:
- The role of leadership in shaping internal communication
- Strategies for building an effective internal communication framework
- How to connect communication strategies to business outcomes
Reasons for Recommendation: This book is a must-read for leaders and internal communication professionals, making it one of the best books on communication in the workplace.
8. Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World by General Stanley McChrystal
Author Overview: General Stanley McChrystal is a retired four-star general in the United States Army, recognized for his leadership of the Joint Special Operations Command. He is known for revolutionizing the way military teams operate in fast-moving environments.
Summary of the Content: In Team of Teams, General McChrystal explains how traditional hierarchical structures fail in complex environments and offers a new approach to leadership based on decentralized decision-making. He advocates for empowering small, adaptable teams that can work autonomously while staying connected to a broader network and provides insight to implementing this framework.
Key Takeaways:
- Strategies for leading in complex, rapidly changing environments
- The value of decentralized leadership and decision-making
- How to build trust and communication across teams to foster collaboration
Reasons for Recommendation: This is one of the best books on leadership communication because it emphasizes the importance of flexible, transparent communication structures in modern organizations, making it highly relevant for today’s leaders.
9. Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences by Nancy Duarte
Author Overview: Nancy Duarte is a communication expert and CEO of Duarte Inc., a design firm specializing in creating presentations and visual storytelling for influential brands.
Summary of the Content: In Resonate, Duarte shows how to use visual storytelling techniques to create persuasive presentations. She emphasizes the need to craft a narrative that resonates emotionally with audiences while being clear and compelling.
Key Takeaways:
- Techniques for creating visually engaging slides that support your message
- The importance of structuring presentations with a clear narrative arc
- How to connect with an audience emotionally through storytelling
Reasons for Recommendation: This is one of the best books on communication in the workplace for anyone who needs to deliver impactful presentations. It’s a go-to resource for creating engaging, persuasive narratives in a professional setting.
10. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath & Dan Heath
Author Overview: Chip Heath is a professor at Stanford and Dan Heath is a Senior Fellow at Duke University’s CASE center. Together, they have written several bestsellers on communication and business strategy.
Summary of the Content: This book explores why certain ideas stick in people’s minds while others fade away. The Heath brothers provide a framework for creating messages that are simple, unexpected, concrete, credible, and emotional, with a strong story.
Key Takeaways:
- Practical strategies for ensuring your ideas gain traction and stick in people’s minds
- The SUCCES model (Simple, Unexpected, Concrete, Credible, Emotional, Stories) for making ideas memorable
- How to craft messages that are more engaging and impactful
Reasons for Recommendation: Known as one of the best books on communication in business, this read is ideal for anyone in marketing, leadership, or communication roles who seeks to make ideas memorable and impactful.
11. Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds by Carmine Gallo
Author Overview: Carmine Gallo is a communication coach and author who has worked with some of the world’s top leaders and executives, helping them refine their communication and presentation skills.
Summary of the Content: Talk Like TED explores the techniques used by top TED speakers to deliver engaging and memorable presentations. Gallo breaks down these techniques into nine actionable steps, focusing on authenticity, storytelling, and emotional engagement.
Key Takeaways:
- Practical tips for making your talks more engaging and persuasive.
- The importance of passion and storytelling in public speaking.
- How to use visuals and body language to enhance your presentations.
Reasons for Recommendation: This is one of the best books on leadership and communication, offering practical advice for anyone looking to improve their public speaking and presentation skills.
12. The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer
Author Overview: Erin Meyer is a professor at INSEAD, one of the world’s top international business schools. She specializes in cross-cultural management and helps leaders navigate the complexities of global business communication.
Summary of the Content: Meyer’s book explores the differences in communication styles across cultures, providing a guide to navigating these differences in global business settings. She uses case studies to illustrate how cultural gaps can affect communication and offers strategies to bridge these gaps.
Key Takeaways:
- Practical advice for adapting your communication style to different cultural contexts
- A framework for understanding cultural differences in communication, such as direct vs. indirect communication styles
- Insights into how cultures vary in the way they perceive authority, trust, and feedback
Reasons for Recommendation: This is one of the best books on communication in the workplace for anyone involved in international business, offering insight into adapting to different cultural sensitivities.
13. Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
Author Overview: Kim Scott is a former Google and Apple executive who now teaches leadership seminars. She is an expert in developing healthy and productive workplace cultures.
Summary of the Content: Scott’s book focuses on the concept of “Radical Candor,” which involves giving feedback that is both honest and kind. It’s a must-read for leaders looking to improve communication with their teams while fostering a supportive environment.
Key Takeaways:
- How to challenge directly while caring personally
- How to deliver feedback effectively without being hurtful
- The importance of creating an environment where employees feel safe to speak up
Reasons for Recommendation: It’s one of the best books on leadership and communication because it addresses the delicate balance of being both a leader and a compassionate communicator.
14. The Narrative Age by Frank Wolf
Author Overview: Frank Wolf is an expert in corporate storytelling, specializing in helping businesses create strategic narratives to engage audiences and drive transformation.
Summary of the Content: The Narrative Age explores how businesses can leverage the power of storytelling to connect with stakeholders, build brand loyalty, and inspire employees. Wolf emphasizes the importance of crafting a clear and compelling narrative that resonates with both internal and external audiences.
Key Takeaways:
- Practical advice for using storytelling to drive transformation and engagement
- The role of narrative in shaping corporate culture and brand identity
- How to build strategic narratives that align with business goals
Reasons for Recommendation: This book stands out among books about business communication as it provides a unique perspective on using narrative as a strategic tool in communication and leadership.
15. Supercommunicators: How Great Leaders Spread Ideas Through Stories by Charles Duhigg
Author Overview: Charles Duhigg is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author known for his bestselling book The Power of Habit. His work focuses on understanding human behavior and how habits can drive success in both personal and professional life.
Summary of the Content: Supercommunicators explores how great leaders use storytelling to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively. Duhigg emphasizes the power of narrative in engaging audiences and spreading influential ideas.
Key Takeaways:
- How to use storytelling to simplify complex ideas
- Strategies for engaging and inspiring your audience through narrative
- The importance of clear communication in leadership and organizational success
Reasons for Recommendation: This is one of the best leadership books on communication, offering insights into how effective communication through storytelling can drive influence and change.
16. The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White
Author Overview: William Strunk Jr. was a professor of English at Cornell University, and E.B. White was a distinguished writer and editor. Together, they created one of the most enduring style guides for writers.
Summary of the Content: This concise guide offers practical rules for clear and effective writing. Strunk and White provide timeless advice on grammar, style, and composition, making it a valuable resource for anyone who writes professionally.
Key Takeaways:
- How to avoid common writing mistakes and improve readability
- The importance of clarity, brevity, and precision in writing
- Simple rules for structuring sentences and paragraphs effectively
Reasons for Recommendation: This is an essential reference for anyone in a communication role, making it one of the best books on communication in the workplace for improving writing skills.
17. Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries and Jack Trout
Author Overview: Al Ries and Jack Trout are renowned marketing strategists and are often credited with developing the concept of positioning in marketing. They have decades of experience helping brands carve out a unique space in the marketplace.
Summary of the Content: Positioning focuses on the importance of creating a distinct position in the mind of the consumer. The book outlines strategies for standing out in a crowded market by creating a clear, compelling, and differentiated message.
Key Takeaways:
- How to create a brand position that resonates with consumers
- The importance of simplicity and clarity in messaging
- Strategies for positioning your business to stay top of mind for customers
Reasons for Recommendation: This is one of the best books on business communication because it emphasizes the importance of crafting clear, strategic messaging that resonates with your audience. It’s a must-read for anyone in marketing or communications.
18. How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling by Kate Tellers
Author Overview: Kate Tellers is a senior director at The Moth, a nonprofit dedicated to the art of storytelling. She has extensive experience in helping individuals craft and share their stories compellingly.
Summary of the Content: This book provides a step-by-step guide to creating and delivering powerful stories that captivate and inspire. Tellers breaks down the essential elements of storytelling, offering practical advice for both personal and professional narratives.
Key Takeaways:
- How to craft a memorable story using structure, emotion, and pacing
- Techniques for engaging audiences and making stories resonate
- The power of storytelling in building connections and conveying messages
Reasons for Recommendation: This is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their storytelling skills, making it one of the top business communication books for marketers, leaders, and public speakers.
19. To Sell is Human: The Surprising Truth about Moving Others by Daniel Pink
Author Overview: Daniel Pink is a bestselling author and expert on work, business, and behavior. His books have been translated into 42 languages, and he’s known for his insights into motivation and the modern workplace.
Summary of the Content: In To Sell is Human, Pink argues that we are all in sales, whether we realize it or not. The book breaks down the art and science of selling, emphasizing how persuasive communication is key in both personal and professional contexts.
Key Takeaways:
- The importance of attunement, buoyancy, and clarity in sales communication
- The shift from traditional sales tactics to a more human-centered approach
- Practical tips for persuading and influencing others in everyday situations
Reasons for Recommendation: This book is essential for understanding how communication can influence behavior, making it one of the best books about communication in business. It’s particularly useful for sales and marketing professionals.
20. Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Author Overview: Susan Cain is a former Wall Street attorney and negotiation consultant turned bestselling author. She is a prominent advocate for introverts and has been credited with changing the way we perceive introverted leadership.
Summary of the Content: This book explores the role of introverts in a society that often favors extroversion. Cain argues that introverts can be powerful leaders and communicators, offering insights into how they can leverage their strengths in business.
Key Takeaways:
- Tips for introverts to communicate more effectively in the workplace
- The value introverts bring to leadership and teamwork
- How to create environments that allow both introverts and extroverts to thrive
Reasons for Recommendation: This a crucial book for understanding how different personality types communicate, making it one of the best books on leadership and communication.
21. Friend of a Friend: Understanding the Hidden Networks That Can Transform Your Life and Your Career by David Burkus
Author Overview: David Burkus is a bestselling author, speaker, and associate professor of leadership and innovation. He is known for his research on business networks and organizational culture.
Summary of the Content: In Friend of a Friend, Burkus reveals how hidden social networks can impact your success. He explains how to leverage these networks to build connections, improve communication, and foster collaboration within organizations.
Key Takeaways:
- How to identify and utilize hidden networks to build influence
- The importance of relationships in business communication and leadership
- Strategies for fostering meaningful connections in a professional setting
Reasons for Recommendation: This is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their networking and communication skills, making it one of the top business communication books for leaders and professionals.
22. The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell
Author Overview: Malcolm Gladwell is a bestselling author, journalist, and public speaker known for his works on sociology and psychology. His books explore the hidden forces that drive human behavior.
Summary of the Content: The Tipping Point examines how small actions can lead to large, widespread changes. Gladwell discusses how ideas, trends, and behaviors can reach a tipping point, leading to significant shifts in business and society.
Key Takeaways:
- The role of connectors, mavens, and salesmen in spreading ideas
- The concept of the “tipping point” and how small changes can create big impacts
- Understanding how ideas spread and influence behavior
Reasons for Recommendation: This is one of the best books about communication in business because it demonstrates how communication and messaging can influence large-scale trends, making it highly relevant for marketing and leadership professionals.
23. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Author Overview: Patrick Lencioni is a business consultant, author, and speaker specializing in organizational health and teamwork. His books have become essential reading for leaders looking to improve team dynamics.
Summary of the Content: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team is a leadership fable that explores common pitfalls in team collaboration and communication. Lencioni outlines five key dysfunctions that prevent teams from working effectively and provides strategies for overcoming them.
Key Takeaways:
- Practical steps for improving collaboration and accountability in the workplace
- The five dysfunctions that undermine teamwork: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results
- How to build trust and foster open communication in teams
Reasons for Recommendation: This is a must-read for leaders looking to improve team communication and collaboration, making it one of the books on communication and leadership.
24. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Author Overview: Stephen R. Covey was an internationally respected leadership expert, speaker, and author. His work focuses on principles of personal and professional development.
Summary of the Content: Covey’s classic book outlines seven habits that lead to effectiveness in both personal and professional life. These habits are based on timeless principles of fairness, integrity, and human dignity.
Key Takeaways:
- How to be proactive and take control of your life and decisions
- The importance of prioritizing tasks and focusing on what truly matters
- Strategies for effective communication, collaboration, and leadership
Reasons for Recommendation: This is one of the most influential books on communication and leadership, providing practical tools for building strong relationships, improving productivity, and leading with purpose.
25. Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant
Author Overview: Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist, bestselling author, and professor at the Wharton School of Business. He is known for his research on leadership, teamwork, and organizational culture.
Summary of the Content: In Give and Take, Grant explores how giving, rather than taking, can lead to long-term success in business and life. He demonstrates how generosity and collaboration can enhance communication, leadership, and team dynamics.
Key Takeaways:
- The three types of people in business: givers, takers, and matchers
- How giving can lead to higher levels of success and influence
- Practical strategies for balancing generosity with assertiveness in the workplace
Reasons for Recommendation: This is another great book on leadership and communication, offering a fresh perspective on how collaboration and generosity can drive both personal and professional success.
25 bonus titles: books about leadership and communication
Have you already read every one of my picks for the best business communication books? Well then — I have compiled a bonus list of books designed to appeal to professionals seeking additional workplace communication books that explore topics including leadership, building a communications strategy, and personal development.
- Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman & Stephen Covey
- Leading from Anywhere by David Burkus
- The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth by Amy Edmondson
- Leading Change by John Kotter
- How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority by Mark Fritz
- Contagious: How to Build Word of Mouth in the Digital Age by Jonah Berger
- What Every BODY Is Saying by Joe Navarro
- Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by Jim Collins and Jerry L. Porras
- The New Rules of Work: The Modern Playbook for Navigating Your Career by Gary Bolles
- It’s Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy by Mike Abrashoff
*This business communications book comes highly recommended by former Yum! Brands CEO Greg Creed. - Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger, and Multiply Your Impact by Liz Wiseman
- Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
- Managing Oneself by Peter Drucker
- Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
- Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
- The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande
- Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Dr. Carol Dweck
- Hit Refresh: The Quest to Rediscover Microsoft’s Soul and Imagine a Better Future for Everyone by Satya Nadella
- The Jolt Effect by Matthew Dixon
- Escape Velocity: Free Your Company’s Future from the Pull of the Past by Geoffrey Moore
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
- The Art of War by Sun Tzu
- Grit by Angela Duckworth
- Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
- Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Enjoy these books about leadership and communication at your leisure! Because remember, learning should also be fun.