These are some resources that I have found very helpful as a female leader.  Once again, these are just recommendations.  I don’t agree with or endorse all of the material, but have found helpful suggestions and guidance in each of them.

The 21 Most Powerful Minutes in a Leader’s Day by John C. Maxwell.

If you were only going to read one leadership book, this is the one that I would insist you read.

Gifted to Lead: The Art of Leading as a Woman in the Church by Nancy Beach

If you are a woman in church leadership, this book is a must!  Nancy is an amazing leader and mentor for women in church leadership.  She has navigated these choppy waters so gracefully and has helped pave the way for many of us.

The Girl’s Guide to Being a Boss (without being a bitch): Valuable lessons, smart suggestions and true stories for succeeding as the chick-in-charge by Caitlin Friedman & Kimberly Yorio

I know, I know… can I really recommend a book with this title?  But let’s face it, women in leadership often get tagged with the “B” word and unfortunately oftentimes I think we deserve.  This book has some really practical nuggets for women in leadership and I was pleased that it doesn’t take an overly feminist bent.

Leading From the Second Chair by Greg L. Hawkins, Mike Bonem & Roger Patterson

Many of us play a second chair leadership role and this book is excellent at helping you navigate the dynamics of leading strong while also supportively following your first chair leader.

Elizabeth I CEO: Strategic Lessons from the Leader Who Built an Empire by Alan Axelrod

If you have not read much about Queen Elizabeth I, this is a great place to start.  She is one of my favorite female leaders to study and this book helps you draw some great application to your own leadership.

Tough Choices: A Memoir by Carly Fiorina

Carly is one strong woman.  In this book she shares her story of her career climb to the CEO of Hewlett-Packard and then the dramatic circumstances of being let go from that organization.  What I love about this book is that she shares her struggles and the emotions she dealt with while also mustering the strength to deal with the challenges she faced.