With changes coming from all directions, rising expectations, and rapidly evolving technology, leadership right now can seem both exciting and overwhelming. With that in mind, as Women’s History Month comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on what kind of leadership the world really needs today and to build on the ideas of influential women currently shaping the industry.
For women leaders and the organizations that support them, growth in 2026 is not about doing more, faster. Being a leader today means working as you go, making people feel valued, and fostering curiosity and teamwork. The best leaders gain trust by listening, learning, and leading with heart.
The six books below offer practical ideas, reassuring perspectives, and sound advice for navigating complexity, engaging in bold thinking, and staying connected to what really matters. All are written by inspiring women in leadership. From working with doubt and disruption to redefining success at work, these readings capture the true spirit of Women’s History Month: celebrating confident, compassionate, forward-looking leadership.
Best read for: Bold leadership and breaking the box
Being on the cutting edge: the daring art of being more irrational and less mediocre
Zana Goic Petricevic
$22.99 (paperback), Rethink Press
Playing it safe may feel comfortable, but it rarely leads to real impact. Be at the forefront of progress is aimed at leaders who do not want to settle for “it’s okay”. Zana Goic Petricevic encourages you to rethink the rules you follow, take bolder risks, and lead with true purpose.
Leading on the Edge is full of insightful stories and practical advice, helping you overcome self-doubt and trust yourself along the way. It’s a motivational read for anyone who is ready to push beyond their comfort zone.
Best read for: Innovation in insurance and fintech
Navigating Insurtech: Opportunities and Challenges of Digital Insurance
Janthana Kaenprakhamroy
$26.38 (Kindle), Kogan page
As digital change transforms the insurance industry, understanding insurtech is no longer an option. Navigating Insurtech takes this complex, rapidly changing world and makes it easy to understand with practical, concrete information.
Using real-world examples and expert advice, Janthana Kaenprakhamroy shows how AI, blockchain, and IoT are changing how customers experience services, how risks are managed, and where growth can occur. It’s a must-read for leaders, innovators, and investors who want to keep pace, stay ahead, and make smarter decisions in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Best read for: Lead with confidence despite uncertainty
Doubt Brilliant: Harnessing Uncertainty to Lead with Impact
Jenny Williams
$19.99 (paperback), Practical Inspiration Edition
Many leaders experience doubts, but few talk about them. In Doubt shiningexecutive coach Jenny Williams reframes doubt as a strength, not a weakness. Drawing on real-world experience, she explains how doubt can sharpen decision-making, boost collaboration, and make leadership more thoughtful—but only if we learn to work with it rather than ignore it.
By exploring three types of professional doubt and introducing the idea of active doubt, the book helps leaders turn hesitation into clarity and uncertainty into action. It’s a reassuring and empowering read for women moving into larger roles or facing complex changes.
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Best read for: Adopt a curious mindset
The power of the learning mindset
Lilian Ajayi Ore and Marshall Goldsmith
$26.10 (hardcover), Wiley
In an ever-changing world, leaders who thrive are those who continue to learn. The power of the learning mindset explores how curiosity, adaptability, and personal development can help you and your team grow and succeed.
Using real-world examples, the authors explore their WIN mindset model – Will, Intentionality and Nurturing – giving leaders the tools to develop their own willingness to learn; their ability to lead with clear direction; and their coaching abilities to motivate, support and empower others.
Best read for: Stay grounded under pressure
Grounded: Staying with your feet on the ground when everything speeds up
Rochelle Trow
$21.99 (paperback), Rethink Press
Leadership can look impressive on the outside, but be exhausting on the inside. Anchor is aimed at high-performing professionals who feel tense, under pressure, or constantly “on the go.”
Rochelle Trow shares practical tips for slowing down internally, staying centered, and responding with intention rather than fear. With thought exercises and concrete strategies, the book helps leaders manage doubt, perfectionism and pressure, without getting lost. It’s essential reading for anyone seeking lasting success.
Best read for: Significant growth and employee engagement
Meaning over purpose: the CEO’s strategic plan for growth and sustainable engagement
Angela Rixon
$18.65 (paperback), practical inspiration edition
A goal statement alone is not enough to engage teams. In Meaning rather than purposeAngela Rixon shows how organizations can truly engage people by connecting what matters to them with the company’s goals.
Using research and real-world examples, the book offers strategies for building cultures where people feel valued, motivated, and connected. For leaders looking to drive growth while keeping people at the heart of their organization, this is highly relevant and timely reading.
Together, these books show what modern leadership looks like. They emphasize that real growth comes from conscious, courageous and caring leadership – a message that seems particularly meaningful on International Women’s Day.
