Top School Communication and Leadership Books for 2025

From the publisher: “New York Times bestselling author Jonah Berger’s cutting-edge research reveals how six types of words can increase your impact in every area of life: from persuading others and building stronger relationships, to boosting creativity and motivating teams. This book is designed for anyone who wants to increase their impact. ... Whether you’re trying to persuade a client, motivate a team, or get a whole organization to see things differently, this book will show you how to leverage the power of magic words.”

Why you should read it: The words we use matter. You already know this—but you may not yet know what words to use. Dr. Berger’s Magic Words has challenged us to think deeply about language as it pertains to marketing and school communications. Some words are more effective than others; they can influence behavior and even change minds. Whether you’re trying to persuade, shift perceptions, share information or capture attention—if you’re interested in learning how to leverage language to increase your impact, this book is for you.

↳Bonus tip!

This book pairs well with our podcast episode “Jonah Berger: Increasing Our Influence.”

It’s not just about telling a great story because you can tell a great story that doesn’t lead to a take-home point. If we’re schools, if we’re leaders, if we’re employees, we don’t just care about great stories being told. We care about the take-home point of those stories.

— Dr. Jonah Berger

From the Publisher: “Communication is a superpower and the best communicators understand that whenever we speak, we’re actually participating in one of three conversations: practical (What’s this really about?), emotional (How do we feel?), and social (Who are we?). If you don’t know what kind of conversation you’re having, you’re unlikely to connect…Supercommunicators know the importance of recognizing—and then matching—each kind of conversation, and how to hear the complex emotions, subtle negotiations, and deeply held beliefs that color so much of what we say and how we listen…In this book, you will learn why some people are able to make themselves heard, and to hear others, so clearly.”

Why you should read it: In the world of school communications, master communicators aren’t exactly in short supply. Being a skilled communicator is necessary to the job. That’s true for superintendents, too. We wouldn’t be surprised if part of what led you to school leadership is a gift for connecting with others. And yet, all natural talent must still be honed. What makes Supercommunicators such a strong read is that it treats the ineffable act of forming connections as a set of learnable skills. With concise writing and engaging storytelling, Duhigg guides readers through easily actionable strategies for better communication. You’ll find yourself trying out his advice in your own conversations before you even make it through the first few chapters.

From the publisher: “[When we dare to lead], we don’t see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others…But daring leadership in a culture defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply and uniquely human. The irony is that we’re choosing not to invest in developing the hearts and minds of leaders at the exact same time as we’re scrambling to figure out what we have to offer that machines and AI can’t do better and faster. What can we do better? Empathy, connection, and courage, to start.”

Why you should read it: School communicators and superintendents alike are not strangers to difficult conversations. In fact, multiple school leaders have told  me that by the time a frustrated parent or community member gets to them, that person has usually already had multiple conversations with other staff members that didn’t solve their problem. Often, in order to move forward, we have to uncover the root of an issue—and in order to do so, we have to get comfortable with vulnerability. Dare to Lead is all about digging into what makes us uniquely human—bravery, fear, compassion—and claiming the power that comes with those traits, while also recognizing and celebrating that same power in other leaders around us.

↳Bonus tip!

According to Libby Roof, chief communications officer for South Carolina’s Lexington County School District One, Dare to Lead is even better if you’ve also read Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly.

From the publisher: “In every organization there are Impact Players—those indispensable colleagues who can be counted on in critical situations and who consistently receive high-profile assignments and new opportunities…In Impact Players, New York Times bestselling author and researcher Liz Wiseman reveals the secrets of these stellar professionals who play the game at a higher level. Drawing on insights from leaders at top companies, Wiseman explains what the most influential players are doing differently, how small and seemingly insignificant differences in how we think and act can make an enormous impact, and why—with a little coaching—this mindset is available to everyone who wants to contribute at their highest level.” 

Why you should read it: Whether you’re a superintendent or a school communicator, your work requires cross-functional collaboration. There is no way to lead a school or tell its story while working in a silo. And yet, cross-functional collaboration is easier said than done. Impact Players delves into strategies for working across power differentials and ensuring that you do the best, most impactful work possible. It’s an enjoyable read that will motivate you to both step up in your own work and remove barriers so that those you work with can step up, too.

From the publisher: “What makes a story perfect? How do you tell the perfect story for any occasion? We live in a story world. Stories are a memorable and engaging way to differentiate yourself, build connection and trust, create new thinking, bring meaning to data, and even influence decision-making. But how do you turn a good story into a great story that informs, influences, and inspires? Without relying on complicated models or one-size-fits-all prescriptions, this book makes storytelling accessible with practical and impactful steps for anyone to tell the perfect story for any occasion.”

Why you should read it: In school communications, we can talk about storytelling until we’re blue in the face—but any story is only as valuable as its impact. And while we admit that there’s probably no such thing as a “perfect” story, there are strategies for leveling up your storytelling so that it actually moves the needle on high priority goals. In The Perfect Story, Eber teaches you to draw out the best stories from stakeholders all over your district. She breaks down every aspect of storytelling—from building the right framework to forming ideas to improving community sentiment. By the book’s final chapters, you’ll have learned how to turn an unengaged audience into active listeners.

↳Bonus tip!

This book pairs well with our podcast episode “Karen Eber: How Storytelling Can Shape School Culture.”

The thing that is really powerful in storytelling is specificity. Sometimes telling the smallest story you can and then zooming out is powerful.

— Karen Eber

Book Smarts

When done well, book studies are an effective way to facilitate valuable learning across your entire team. Here are some tips to get you started.

Primed for PD

By making professional development something your teachers actually want to do, you’re not just removing a contributor to burnout. You’re also giving them a source of inspiration, growth, and drive—and that just might be enough to keep them in your classrooms.

How the Science of Motivation can Improve School Culture

Researcher Neel Doshi, co-author of bestselling book Primed to Perform, tells us how the science of motivation can help you build a positive school culture and prevent teacher burnout.