… Inspired by Today’s Best-Selling Business Books
Leadership excellence doesn’t happen by accident—it’s the product of consistent habits, intentional growth, and a hunger for learning. Today’s best-selling business books reveal that the most effective leaders share a common set of behaviors that elevate their teams, sharpen their thinking, and drive sustainable results.
Whether you’re a CEO, team manager, or aspiring leader, here are five proven habits of high performers, distilled from the most impactful titles in the Summary.com library.
1. They Prioritize Self-Awareness
Books like Working with Emotional Intelligence and Dare to Lead emphasize the importance of self-awareness as the foundation of great leadership. High-performing leaders regularly reflect on their emotions, behaviors, and blind spots. They seek feedback not as criticism, but as a catalyst for improvement.
Habit Tip: Schedule weekly check-ins with yourself or a mentor to assess your leadership behaviors and identify one area in which to grow.
2. They Think Long-Term & Act Short-Term
In The Long Game, author Dorie Clark conveys that the most successful leaders are described as those who plant seeds today for tomorrow’s wins, all while delivering short-term results. They strike a balance between vision and execution, strategy and action.
Habit Tip: Start each week by identifying one action that supports a long-term goal and one quick win that moves the needle today.
3. They Communicate with Clarity
High-performing leaders know that unclear communication leads to misalignment and inefficiency. In books like Radical Candor and Crucial Conversations, communication is framed as a skill to be honed through empathy, feedback, and honesty.
Habit Tip: Practice giving clear, direct feedback in one-on-ones and team updates. Invite questions to ensure understanding.
4. They Create Psychological Safety
Teams thrive when they feel safe to speak up, fail forward, and innovate. The Fearless Organization and Trust & Inspire underscore how top leaders foster trust and belonging.
Habit Tip: Regularly recognize team contributions and create space for open dialogue, especially around failures or setbacks.
5. They Never Stop Learning
According to the books Atomic Habits and Think Again, today’s leading business books champion the idea that continuous learning is the ultimate leadership edge. High performers are readers, listeners, and seekers of fresh ideas.
Habit Tip: Make learning a daily ritual. Whether it’s a 15-minute book summary, a podcast, or an article – feed your growth mindset.
Want to build these habits faster? Dive into our curated library of business book summaries and start applying big ideas in minutes. Let learning power your leadership habits.