No one can argue with the tenet that reading is essential for self-development.  Yet many of us struggle with finding the time to devote to such an important endeavor.  

But where should one start?  Which books are considered the building blocks of development for an established or emerging leader?

The National CIO Review, in our interviews with leading CIOs, has compiled a list of recommended books worth sharing.  But of course, we would love to hear your favorites as well. 

“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” 

HARRY S. TRUMAN

Dave Finnegan, Chief Experience Officer for Orvis

The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail (Management of Innovation and Change)

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable

Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t

The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey

Marty Smith, Chief Information Officer for FINSYNC

Reinvent Your Enterprise

The Transformational CIO: Leadership and Innovation Strategies for IT Executives in a Rapidly Changing World

Greatness: The 16 Characteristics of True Champions

Is Your Frog Boiling? – Ten Signs That Your Life May Be Spinning Out Of Control And What You Can Do About It

Sarah Naqvi, Chief Technology Officer for LivCor

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t

The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything

Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ

Jodi Eddy, SVP and Chief Information and Digital Officer for Boston Scientific

The Startup Way: How Modern Companies Use Entrepreneurial Management to Transform Culture and Drive Long-Term Growth

Gene Berry, Former CVP & CIO for One America

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics

Beth O’Rorke, Chief Information Officer for Commonwealth Healthcare Alliance

The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, Updated and Expanded

Authentic Leadership: Rediscovering the Secrets to Creating Lasting Value

Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition

Phil Crawford, Chief Technology Officer at CKE Restaurants, INC.

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike

Creative Followership: In the Shadow of Greatness

The Digital Transformation Playbook: Rethink Your Business for the Digital Age

The Digital Matrix: New Rules for Business Transformation Through Technology

Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business

Calvin Rhodes, Vice President for Kyndryl

Enterprise Social Technology: Helping Organizations Harness the Power of Social Media, Social Networking, Social Relevance

The Strategic CIO: Changing the Dynamics of the Business Enterprise

Tim Ryan, Chief Information Officer for Aegis Sciences Corporation

The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People

The Phoenix Project

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Drop me a line at mike.burgett@burgateglobal.com with any books that you think should be at the top of the list. And, of course, don’t forget to check out our CIO Bookstore to find even more good reads!