By Scot McRoberts, Executive Director, Virginia CEOs
One of the things I appreciate about summer is that it creates a little more space to think.
The pace doesn’t necessarily slow down for CEOs, but summer often provides opportunities to step back from the day-to-day demands of running a business and invest in our own growth. Whether you’re heading out on vacation, spending time at the lake, or simply enjoying a lighter schedule, a good book can offer new ideas, challenge your assumptions, and give you a fresh perspective on leadership.
Over the years, I’ve read books that have shaped the way I think about business, leadership, decision-making, and personal growth. If you’re looking for leadership books that offer practical insights for business owners and executives, here are five that I believe are worth adding to your summer reading list.
- Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
- The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
- Essentialism by Greg McKeown
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Each offers a different perspective on leadership, decision-making, personal growth, and resilience.
1. Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Most leaders work to build resilient organizations. What makes Antifragile interesting is that Taleb pushes the conversation a step further. He explores how some individuals, organizations, and systems actually become stronger through stress, uncertainty, and disruption.
As CEOs, we face constant change. Markets shift, industries evolve, and unexpected challenges emerge. This book offers a different way of thinking about risk and growth, encouraging leaders to build organizations that can learn, adapt, and improve through adversity.
Key takeaway: Build an organization that can learn and grow through uncertainty.
2. The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
I’ve always appreciated books that challenge conventional thinking, and The Happiness Advantage does exactly that.
Achor’s research suggests that happiness and success are more closely connected than many people realize. He explores how mindset influences performance, creativity, resilience, and overall effectiveness.
For leaders, it’s a valuable reminder that personal well-being isn’t separate from leadership effectiveness. The way we show up each day has a direct impact on our teams, our organizations, and our ability to lead through challenges.
Key takeaway: A positive mindset can improve both performance and leadership effectiveness.
Fun fact: Shawn Achor remains one of the most popular speakers ever to appear at a Virginia CEOs event.
3. Essentialism by Greg McKeown
If there is one challenge that nearly every CEO shares, it’s the reality of competing priorities.
Essentialism is a powerful reminder that leadership is often about deciding what not to do. McKeown encourages readers to become more intentional about where they invest their time, energy, and attention.
I recommend this book to leaders who feel pulled in multiple directions because it provides practical guidance on identifying what matters most and eliminating distractions that get in the way of meaningful progress.
Key takeaway: Greater focus often leads to better decisions and stronger results.
Greg McKeown is also among the highest-rated speakers in VACEOs history.
4. Atomic Habits by James Clear
One reason I continue to recommend Atomic Habits is its practicality.
Clear makes a convincing case that meaningful change rarely comes from a single breakthrough. More often, it comes from small actions repeated consistently over time.
Whether you’re working to improve your own leadership habits, strengthen your company culture, or drive organizational change, the lessons in this book are easy to apply and surprisingly powerful.
Key takeaway: Consistent small improvements can produce significant long-term results.
5. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Written nearly 2,000 years ago as a collection of personal reflections, Meditations remains one of the most impactful books I’ve read.
As Roman emperor, Marcus Aurelius faced enormous responsibility while navigating uncertainty, conflict, and constant demands on his attention. His reflections on self-discipline, humility, resilience, and duty continue to resonate with leaders today.
Many leadership books focus on strategy and execution. Meditations focuses on character, judgment, and perspective. Those qualities matter just as much now as they did centuries ago.
Key takeaway: Leadership begins with how you respond to circumstances you cannot control.
A Final Thought
One thing I’ve learned through my time working with CEO peer groups is that the strongest leaders never stop learning.
The best CEOs I know remain curious. They look for new ideas, seek different perspectives, and continue to invest in their personal growth regardless of how much experience they’ve accumulated.
Reading is one of the simplest ways to do that.
If you’re looking for a book to pick up this summer, I hope one of these recommendations proves valuable. Set aside some time to read, reflect, and recharge. You might discover a new idea that changes the way you lead, make decisions, or think about the challenges ahead.
I’d also love to hear what’s on your summer reading list. I’m always interested in connecting with fellow lifelong learners.
Scot McRoberts
Executive Director, Virginia CEOs
