The summer holidays present a great opportunity to knock some novels off of your reading list. These are the business books deserving of a spot on your list of ‘must-reads’ this summer!

Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek

After taking the world by storm with his captivating message about purpose in Start With Why, Simon Sinek has turned his attention to critical questions about the ‘how’. What does it take for leaders to transform paranoia and cynicism into safety and trust? Is a common enemy necessary for cooperation? This book promises to share what he's learned from military and corporate leaders.

Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen

This is a potentially life-changing look at one of the toughest but most important parts of life: receiving feedback. Doug Stone and Sheila Heen, coauthors of Difficult Conversations, show how to take an honest look in the mirror, and gain invaluable insights about the person staring back at you. The payoffs from their prescriptions include less defensiveness, more self-awareness, deeper learning, and richer relationships.

Thrive by Arianna Huffington

In the quest for success, many people end up taking paths that they come to regret. Climbing up the ladder in pursuit of money and power, leaders and managers often sacrifice their health and well-being, and miss out on meaningful opportunities to give back. Building on her celebrated Third Metric conference, Huffington Post cofounder and president Arianna Huffington is on a mission to redefine success beyond money and power to enhance well-being, giving, wisdom, and creativity. This book may be the Lean In of 2014 - for both women and for men.

The Progress Principle by Theresa Amabile & Steven Kramer

What really sets the best managers apart from the rest? It’s their power to build a team of employees who have great inner work lives—consistently positive emotions; strong motivation; and favorable perceptions of the organization, their work, and their colleagues. As Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer explain, seemingly mundane workday events can make or break employees’ inner work lives. But it’s forward momentum in meaningful work—progress—that creates the best inner work lives. Through rigorous analysis of nearly 12,000 diary entries provided by 238 employees in 7 companies, the authors explain how managers can foster progress and enhance inner work life every day.

Flex: The New Playbook for Managing Across Differences by Jane Hyun & Audrey S. Lee

In Flex, executive coaches Hyun and Lee demonstrate the importance of “flexing”--incorporating multiple leadership styles to lead employees who are different from you. The book offers tools and strategies to effectively communicate with employees and customers, bridging the gap between culture, age, and gender. Karyn Detje, Chief Talent Officer of Tory Burch, notes the book "provides a way for leaders to re-define how to lead by understanding, embracing and seeking out differences."

Did we miss any? Share your summer business reading recommendations with us on Twitter or Facebook!

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