5 Books to Develop Your Leadership

1. Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance

In this New York Times bestseller, pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth proves that talent alone does not determine success. Instead, a unique combination of passion and perseverance, which she calls grit, is the key to long-term achievement.

The daughter of a scientist, Duckworth recalls how her father often pointed out her lack of “genius” when she was young. This fueled her curiosity about what truly drives success if not raw intelligence. Through neuroscience research and real-world experience, she studied how the brain works in relation to persistence and passion. Her findings revealed that these traits are not purely innate but can be developed over time—leading to the concept of grit.

In this book, Duckworth shares insights from interviews with top achievers such as Jamie Dimon (CEO of JPMorgan Chase), Bob Mankoff (The New Yorker’s cartoon editor), and Pete Carroll (Seattle Seahawks’ head coach).

Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth – Available on Audible; at Renaud-Bray for $22.99.

2. Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking

Why do some people consistently make great decisions, while others repeatedly fail? Why do some rely on instinct to succeed, while others seem doomed to misjudgment?

In Blink, Malcolm Gladwell challenges our understanding of decision-making, exploring the split-second choices we make. He highlights the concept of thin-slicing—our ability to filter key factors from overwhelming amounts of information. According to Gladwell, great decision-makers are not those who gather the most data or deliberate the longest, but those who can quickly identify what matters most.

Through fascinating stories, he introduces:

• The psychologist who can predict a couple’s divorce risk after just minutes of observation.
• The tennis coach who knows when a player will commit a double fault before they hit the ball.
• The art experts who can spot a forgery in an instant.

Gladwell also explores when intuition goes wrong, discussing the Warren Harding effect, the New Coke failure, and the tragic case of Amadou Diallo.

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell – Available on Audible; at Renaud-Bray for $23.99.

3. What You Have to Say Doesn’t Interest Anyone

(Original title: Ce que vous avez à dire n’intéresse personne)

How do you tell a compelling story? How do you structure arguments and present ideas effectively? How do you engage your audience?

These are questions we all ask ourselves—whether at home, at work, in meetings, or even with our children. But don’t assume people will naturally listen to you—you have to earn their attention.

Renowned expert Gaëtan Namouric has helped major corporations and small businesses alike become more creative and courageous. In this book, he shares the art of the perfect pitch—blending concrete advice, practical tools, and real-life stories to help you communicate more effectively.

What You Have to Say Doesn’t Interest Anyone by Gaëtan Namouric – Available at Les libraires for $24.95.

4. Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life

A team favorite! At La Tête Chercheuse, we had the privilege of hosting Amy E. Herman, the author of this transformative book, in our offices.

How can Monet’s Water Lilies paintings help a company save millions? How can noticing someone’s shoes help prevent a terrorist attack? How can choosing the right word help you win an argument, calm a child, or catch a thief?

As an art historian, Amy E. Herman has trained professionals from various industries to observe and communicate more effectively. By teaching them how to look at images critically, she helps them develop visual intelligence—a skill we all have but rarely use consciously.

For over a decade, she has:

• Trained doctors to focus on patients instead of paperwork.
• Taught police officers how to differentiate between facts and opinions during investigations.
• Helped FBI agents, diplomats, corporate leaders, and military personnel recognize critical details in their environments.

Visual Intelligence: Sharpen Your Perception, Change Your Life by Amy E. Herman – Available at Renaud-Bray for $33.19.

5. Anna Wintour

(Original title: Anna)

Impeccable bob haircut and signature black sunglasses—Anna Wintour remains an undisputed icon in fashion and a force to be reckoned with in media.

This biography follows Anna Wintour’s rise from an ambitious young woman to one of the most powerful figures in fashion and publishing.

As a child, Wintour was a tomboy, but in the 1960s, she fell in love with London’s miniskirts and bold hairstyles. This passion shaped her career. Her father, a prominent newspaper editor, played a major role in her life, setting her on the path to becoming the editor-in-chief of Vogue.

Leaving high school, Wintour worked at a trendy London boutique, learning firsthand about fashion and business. She experienced multiple setbacks before moving to New York, where she eventually took over Vogue in one of the most dramatic transitions in magazine history.

Despite facing numerous challenges and rivalries, nothing has dethroned her, and she has gone on to dominate Condé Nast, shaping the future of fashion journalism.

Anna Wintour by Amy Odell – Available on Audible for $29.60; at Renaud-Bray for $46.95.