5 Books That Have Shaped How I Lead and Live

Every so often, a book comes along that doesn’t just teach you something new—it reframes how you see the world. Over the years, I’ve found certain works that do more than offer strategies or insights; they call me to become someone different.

Here are five books that have profoundly influenced my approach to leadership, relationships, and the pursuit of a life well-lived.
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1. Wild at Heart – John Eldredge

This book gave language to the deep, God-given desires in a man’s heart: a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. It will reawaken the wild, courageous core that God intended for you as a man.
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2. The Sacred Romance – Brent Curtis & John Eldredge

A beautifully written invitation to live in the story God is telling. The Sacred Romance reveals that beneath our day-to-day lives is a divine pursuit—the Lover of our souls calling us into a grand adventure with Him. It’s shaped the way I see my own story and the stories of the people I lead.
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3. Living Fearless – Jamie Winship

Fear is a master thief—it robs us of peace, clarity, and the courage to follow our true calling. Living Fearless explores how identity in Christ frees us from fear-driven living and allows us to step into our God-given role with boldness. A game-changer for anyone who wants to live with greater freedom to explore an extraordinary life.
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4. Can You Go Beyond High Performance? – Jason Jaggard

This isn’t just about working harder—it’s about shifting from high performance to meta-performance. Jason Jaggard’s concept challenges leaders to ask, “What are you capable of?” It’s helped me raise the ceiling on what’s possible for myself and the teams I work with.
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5. The Three Laws of Performance – Steve Zaffron & Dave Logan

A brilliant look at how to create radical shifts in results by transforming how people see and speak about the world around them. This book has influenced my coaching, strategy, and even how I communicate vision—it’s about changing the game entirely, not just playing it better.

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Why This List Matters to Me

Each of these books is different in focus—some are spiritual, others are performance-driven—but they all share a common thread: they call us to live intentionally, with integrity, and from a place of deep identity.
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If you’re looking for a reading list that will challenge both your heart and your habits, start here. And don’t just read them—wrestle with them, journal through them, and let them shape the way you lead and love.

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