At Thayer Leadership, our faculty are constantly reading and engaging with new ideas to cultivate a growth mindset and expand their perspectives on leadership. This commitment to lifelong learning is reflected in our Summer 2025 Reading List—a collection of thought-provoking books they’ve found especially impactful over the past year, offering fresh inspiration for your own leadership journey.
BOOKS ABOUT LEADERS OF CHARACTER
‘Differ We Must’ by Steve Inskeep – Recommended by MG (Ret.) Keith Thurgood, Ph.D.
Explores how President Abraham Lincoln overcame division in a polarized nation through courageous leadership, shared values, and a commitment to unity and collaboration.
- Leadership Topics: Adaptability, Building Coalitions, Communication, Moral Courage
- Thoughts by MG Thurgood: “The author highlights 16 specific encounters that illustrate the power of self-awareness and staying grounded in core principles, showing how strong, collaborative relationships are essential for achieving meaningful and effective outcomes.”
‘Grant’ by Ron Chernow – Recommended by MG (Ret.) John Batiste
A comprehensive biography that chronicles Ulysses S. Grant’s journey from modest beginnings to Civil War hero and U.S. president, highlighting his resilience, strategic brilliance, and commitment to national reconciliation.
- Leadership Topics: Leading by Example, Leading Under Pressure, Managing Complex Organizations, Moral Courage, Resilience & Perserverance, Strategic Vision
- Thoughts by MG Batiste: “General Grant is probably the least understood of all our wartime leaders. It takes 965 pages to tell his story – he was a decisive, servant leader.”
‘Ike: An America Hero’ by Michael Korda – Recommended by MG (Ret.) Bob Ivany, Ph.D.
A compelling portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower as a brilliant general and principled president, whose character and leadership brought victory in war and stability in peace.
- Leadership Topics: Authenticity, Moral Courage, Servant Leadership, Strategic Vision
- Thoughts by MG Ivany: “This book is an honest look into one of our outstanding national leaders who is often misunderstood.”
BOOKS ABOUT ADVERSITY & RESILIENCE
‘By the Grace of the Game’ by Dan Grunfeld – Recommended by Alison Levine
A poignant memoir tracing the author’s journey from the horrors of the Holocaust to the heights of the NBA, highlighting the resilience and unity that basketball fostered across generations.
- Leadership Topics: Creating Legacy & Identity, Discipline, Overcoming Adversity
- Thoughts by Alison Levine: “This book is an example of how great leaders think beyond the present and helps you understand how values, perseverance, and mentorship have a positive influence on future generations.”
‘Team of Rivals’ by Doris Kearns Goodwin – Recommended by BG (Ret.) Becky Halstead
A Pulitzer Prize–winning portrait of Abraham Lincoln’s political brilliance, focusing on how he united a cabinet of former rivals to lead the nation through its greatest crisis. The acclaimed book also inspired the Oscar-winning film Lincoln, directed by Steven Spielberg.
- Leadership Topics: Conflict Resolution, Leading Diverse Teams, Servant Leadership
- Leader Questions: What leadership strategies are most effective when navigating high-stakes conflict or managing strong personalities?
‘Tip and The Gipper’ by Chris Matthews – Recommended by MG (Ret.) Bob Ivany, Ph.D.
Recounts the remarkable partnership between Speaker Tip O’Neill and President Ronald Reagan—two fierce political opponents who managed to govern collaboratively for the good of the nation. As a firsthand eyewitness, the author offers an entertaining and insightful look at how mutual respect and principled negotiation can lead to real progress.
- Leadership Topics: Mutual Respect, Navigating Conflict, Resilience
- Thoughts by MG Ivany: “This is a very insightful book on how individuals with opposing ideas and perspectives can still cooperate in any organization.”
BOOKS ABOUT GROWTH MINDSET
‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear – Recommended by MG (Ret.) Doug Crissman
A practical guide that shows how small, consistent habit changes can build good habits, break bad ones, and create systems that support lasting success.
- Leadership Topics: Accountability, Behavior Change, Continuous Improvement, Overcoming Obstacles
- Thoughts by MG Crissman: “We often discuss how our core values begin as thoughts and words within our leadership philosophies, and ideally, these values translate into daily actions that evolve into habits—leader behaviors that ultimately shape our character and legacy. Through storytelling, the author offers simple techniques to break bad habits and develop better new ones. He does a great job describing how we often cite time as a primary obstacle to breaking and/or developing habits and offers useful tools and approaches to overcome this.”
‘Decisive’ by Chip and Dan Heath – Recommended by COL (Ret.) Tom Magness, P.E.
Practical strategies to overcome common decision-making biases and make better, more informed choices in both personal and professional life.
- Leadership Topics: Learning from Mistakes, Managing Groupthink, Overcoming Decision Biases, Preparing for Uncertainty, Testing Assumptions
- Thoughts by COL Magness: “This book offers practical strategies and case studies to improve decision-making in both life and work, aligning closely with military decision processes and addressing common pitfalls to recommend more effective approaches.”
‘The Purpose Code’ by Jordan Grumet, MD – Recommended by MG (Ret.) Keith Thurgood, Ph.D.
Explores how individuals can unlock greater fulfillment and impact by aligning their unique talents, values, and passions with a deeper sense of purpose.
- Leadership Topics: Adaptability, Building Community, Purpose-Driven Action
- Leader Questions: How can narrowing one’s focus help you achieve meaningful, lasting impact?
‘Shift: Managing Your Emotions So They Don’t Manage You’ by Ethan Kross – Recommended by COL (Ret.) Pat Sweeney, Ph.D.
A science-based guide that provides practical tools for emotional regulation, helping you harness your emotions to enhance resilience, relationships, and overall well-being.
- Leadership Topics: Emotional Intelligence, Environmental Influence, Perspective-Shifting, Resilience
- Leader Questions: What strategies help develop resilience to recover from setbacks and maintain focus under pressure? How do surroundings and relationships influence emotional states, and how can leaders leverage this for better outcomes?
BOOKS ABOUT TEAM DYNAMICS
‘The Art of Winning’ by Bill Belichick – Recommended by COL (Ret.) Pat Sweeney, Ph.D.
A deep dive into the mindset, strategies, and principles behind one of football’s most successful coaches, emphasizing discipline, preparation, and adaptability as keys to sustained excellence both on and off the field.
- Leadership Topics: Accountability, Leading by Example, Planning & Adaptability, Resilience, Teamwork
- Thoughts by COL Sweeney: “This book provides super insights into building and leading winning teams.”
‘The Ideal Team Player’ by Patrick Lencioni – Recommended by COL (Ret.) Tom Magness, P.E.
Explores the essential virtues of humility, hunger, and people smarts that enable individuals to become effective, collaborative team members and drive organizational success.
- Leadership Topics: Building Cohesive Teams, Conflict Resolution, Continuous Improvement, Humility, Interpersonal Skills
- Thoughts by COL Magness: “An excellent book for assessing potential team members and cultivating the growth of current ones—this aligns perfectly with the principles of the Thayer Leadership Model.”