A curated preview of the most compelling leadership books launching in January 2026, highlighting practical frameworks for productivity, AI-driven leadership, project-centric organizations, creativity, and excellence.
The post spotlights five upcoming leadership titles that each promise a concrete shift in how leaders operate. Chris Bailey's Intentional argues that finishing goals requires structuring daily actions around intentional priorities rather than endless to-do lists, giving leaders a usable mental model for personal productivity. Zack Kass's The Next Renaissance frames AI as a collaborative partner, offering concrete examples of how artificial intelligence can expand human creativity and solve problems that were previously out of reach. Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez's Powered by Projects makes the case that modern organizations must treat projects as the core operating unit, outlining the leadership styles and reward structures needed to thrive in a project-driven economy. George Newman's How Great Ideas Happen debunks the myth of the lightning-bolt insight, teaching leaders a step-by-step method for excavating ideas from everyday observations. Finally, Brad Stulberg's The Way of Excellence blends science and philosophy to show how disciplined practice, not hustle culture, leads to sustained high performance and deeper satisfaction. Each book equips technical leaders with actionable mindsets that can be applied directly to team dynamics, strategic planning, and personal growth.
Check out the full stdlib collection for more frameworks, templates, and guides to accelerate your technical leadership journey.