10 Books Every NP Should Read to Elevate Their Leadership Skills

Nurse practitioner leadership isn’t defined by job title. It shows up in clinical decision-making, team communication, advocacy, academic influence, professional visibility, and how we elevate the NP role within complex healthcare systems.

NPs lead in exam rooms, classrooms, simulation labs, and boardrooms.

Whether you’re an NP faculty member, a preceptor, a clinical leader, or a professional voice in your specialty, leadership today is less about hierarchy — and far more about influence, clarity, strategic thinking, and human connection.

The selections below were curated intentionally for NPs who want to strengthen how they lead — wherever they practice.

These are the books that expand how we think, decide, influence, and shape the future of our NP profession.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why NPs Need Leadership Reading — Beyond Management

Modern NP leadership requires a blend of:

• systems thinking

• emotional intelligence

• communication clarity

• the ability to lead change

• team culture awareness

• strong professional identity

• the capacity to help others lead

Leadership reading fuels all of these — not to perform leadership, but to embody it through everyday practice.

10 Books Every Elevated NP Leader Should Have on Their Shelf

The Coaching Habit — Michael Bungay Stanier (link: https://amzn.to/48x3WBN)

Shows NPs how to lead through curiosity and coaching rather than direction, strengthening learner growth, team development, and clinical communication.

Radical Candor — Kim Scott (link: https://amzn.to/4ogoTpl)

Offers a practical approach to clear, caring communication—essential for feedback, tough conversations, team culture, and conflict resolution in NP practice.

Conversational Intelligence — Judith Glaser (link: https://amzn.to/4p0s7yt)

Explores how language shapes trust, psychological safety, and collaboration, giving NPs tools to elevate communication across clinical, academic, and leadership roles.

Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change — Grenny, Patterson, et al.

(link: https://amzn.to/4pykH5w)

Provides a behavior-focused framework for driving change, making it highly relevant for QI initiatives, clinical process improvements, and organizational leadership.

Presence — Amy Cuddy (link: https://amzn.to/3LX3VOY)

Gives NPs science-backed strategies to show up with confidence and clarity in high-stakes moments so leadership aligns with their values—not their stress response.

Thanks for the Feedback — Stone & Heen (link: https://amzn.to/49DmVvx)

Helps NPs give, receive, and integrate feedback with less defensiveness and more growth—crucial for teaching, precepting, supervision, and team communication.

The Art of Gathering — Priya Parker (link: https://amzn.to/48jYgK9)

Reimagines how to design purposeful, engaging meetings, classes, workshops, and professional events—skills NPs need to lead groups with intention.

7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen Covey (link: https://amzn.to/3LWdYDM)

A foundational guide to self-leadership that helps NPs clarify priorities, communicate proactively, and model balanced, values-driven leadership.

Dare to Lead — Brené Brown (link: https://amzn.to/43IPpjS)

Frames leadership as everyday courage, equipping NPs with tools for vulnerability, psychological safety, healthy boundaries, and authentic influence.

The Energy Bus — Jon Gordon (link: https://amzn.to/4oifmhj)

A story-driven roadmap for leading with optimism, purpose, and positive energy—especially helpful for NPs navigating change, burnout, or team culture challenges.

How to Use Books to Elevate NP Leadership

Reading is helpful — but applying reading is transformative.

Tips to try:

• Pick 1–2 ideas per chapter that feel doable and play with them in your day-to-day work. Tiny shifts add up!

• Jot down a few reflections as you read — think about them as quick notes about what stood out or what you want to try next.

• Let a book be your “theme” for a season. Instead of rushing, revisit it slowly and let it shape how you show up.

• Borrow a framework from a book and try it out in real conversations — with patients, peers, teams, or students.

• Use your reading as evidence of growth. If you have an annual review, promotion packet, or leadership goal, let your reading connect directly to your development.

Leadership development compounds over time. Small integrations > massive overhauls.

Where to Start

Some ideas for books on specific leadership growth goals:

Small wins create leadership momentum — and momentum strengthens NP identity and influence.

Final Thoughts

NP leadership is not about authority — it’s about insight, influence, clarity, and the ability to elevate others. Whether you’re teaching the next generation, mentoring a peer, guiding a clinical team, or influencing your specialty at the professional level, leadership requires ongoing refinement.

One well-chosen leadership book can shift how you think, how you respond, how you teach, and how you advocate. Leadership and practice rise together — and reading is one of the simplest ways to elevate both.

Start with one book — and let it shape the next step.