Becoming a good leader requires more than experience; it demands knowledge, perspective and the ability to think critically about the world. One of the most powerful ways to build these abilities is through reading the works of those who have already paved the way.
The books below, written by today’s leading voices in technology, business and culture, offer insights that span global economics, investing, American culture and even space travel. While unique in subject matter, they all share a common thread: each one is designed to challenge, inspire and shape future leaders’ impact.
1. “How Countries Go Broke” by Ray Dalio
Ray Dalio is a legendary investor, author and the Founder of Bridgewater Associates, which he built into one of the largest hedge funds in the world. With over 50 years of experience in investing, he has accumulated knowledge about the impact of macroeconomic policies. He also uses this historical understanding to predict the markets of today and tomorrow. In his book “How Countries Go Broke,” Dalio shares how the global economy works through the lens of large debt cycles, showing how money, credit and debt interact.
By understanding these mechanics, you can gain insight into economic trends and better anticipate future market movements, a key skill for successful investors.
2. “The Holy Grail of Investing” by Tony Robbins
Bestselling author Tony Robbins shares key insights from the world’s top investors in his book “The Holy Grail of Investing,” which is also the name of his podcast. In it, he interviews many successful investors, including Robert F. Smith, about how to thrive as an investor, even during times of economic uncertainty.
In the book, Robbins sheds light on the opportunities that private equity offers investors. He also discusses the advantages of private credit and other financial tools to help investors protect and position themselves during economic downturns.
3. “How We Heal” by La June Montgomery Tabron
As the president and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the U.S., La June Montgomery Tabron has learned firsthand how listening and empathy make for a great leader. In her book “How We Heal: A Journey Toward Truth, Racial Healing, and Community Transformation from the Inside Out,” she reflects on her journey to becoming the first female and Black American leader of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Through her story, she emphasizes that genuine healing starts with being honest.
While at the 2024 World Economic Forum, Tabron, a Southern Communities Initiative co-lead, spoke with Smith about how business leaders can help drive forward toward this goal.
4. “Source Code: My Beginnings” by Bill Gates
In “Source Code: My Beginnings,” Bill Gates reflects on his early life, recounting the successes and challenges that shaped him and ultimately led to co-founding Microsoft with Paul Allen in 1975. In the book, Gates shares that a nearby computer center became his refuge during difficult times. This laid the foundation for his coding skills and set him on a path to transform the world through software. His journey highlights the importance of STEM education and how it can prepare a student for success in the technology industry.
5. “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride
James McBride is a bestselling author and winner of the National Book Award for Fiction. In his novel “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store,” he explores the lives of members of the local community of Chicken Hill, a small Pennsylvania town in the 1970s. The theme of the novel is how love and community are what sustain us. This echoes the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who often spoke of his vision for the Beloved Community.
6. “Orbital” by Samantha Harvey
Samantha Harvey’s novel “Orbital” won the 2024 Booker Prize and became a New York Times bestseller. The book explores themes of humanity and space travel, centering on the experience of six astronauts during one of the last space missions of humankind. Harvey received praise for her ability to depict the profound impact human life has on the Earth.
7. “Lead Boldly: Seven Principles from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.”
In “Lead Boldly: Seven Principles from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,” Robert F. Smith offers insights on seven of Dr. King’s most powerful speeches. Reflecting on the words of the civil rights leader can help a new generation embody the principles of King’s teachings to tackle today’s most pressing challenges.
While these authors represent different sectors and perspectives, their words inspire readers to think critically about the world around them. With knowledge about how the global economy runs, how to engage with empathy at work, how to grow your wealth and how to lead boldly in your local community, you can grow into a holistic leader who takes these and other considerations into account to inform your leadership. Most importantly, you can learn how to pay your success forward to ensure that others can follow in your vision of the future.
Learn more about investing and philanthropic leadership by following Smith on LinkedIn.