Career and Leadership Library
Books and podcasts I return to most often with my career and leadership coaching clients — curated by Laura Pasquini, PCC
Each resource here is chosen because it does real work, to help leaders develop presence, navigate transitions, manage people more effectively, do the inner work of growth, or design the career they actually want.
Resources are organized by theme. Many apply across multiple areas of development. Follow what pulls you.
Books
Amy Jen Su & Muriel Maignan Wilkins
The go-to for executive presence — helps leaders find and claim their signature voice rather than performing a version of someone else.
Amy Jen Su
Complements Own the Room — focuses on the inner conditions that allow leaders to show up as their best self consistently.
Frances Frei & Anne Morriss
For leaders who need to drive change quickly without sacrificing trust — rigorous and practical.
Sally Helgesen & Marshall Goldsmith
Identifies the specific habits that hold women back from leadership advancement — direct and actionable.
Podcasts
Muriel Wilkins · HBR
Actual coaching sessions with senior leaders — lets clients hear what the coaching process sounds and feels like.
HBR
Honest, research-backed conversations about the workplace experiences specific to women in leadership.
Books
Kim Scott
The framework for caring personally while challenging directly — widely applicable for leaders at any level.
Russ Laraway
Clear, actionable framework for being a great manager — especially useful for leaders who manage other managers.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Patrick Lencioni
Classic for a reason — gives leaders a shared vocabulary for diagnosing what’s blocking team performance.
Laura Crawshaw
Useful for clients dealing with difficult leadership styles — including their own. Direct and research-based.
Liz Fosslien & Mollie West Duffy
Emotions at work, handled with nuance and humor. Great for leaders who struggle to talk about the human side of leading.
Podcasts
Molly Graham
Explores the psychology of work — great for clients thinking about culture, teams, and meaning at work.
Kim Scott
Extends the book into practical scenarios — a useful companion for clients working on feedback and direct communication.
Books
William Bridges
Explains why change feels so disorienting before it gets better. Essential for any client navigating a professional shift.
Your First 100 Days in a New Executive Job
Robert Hargrove
Practical and strategic — ideal for clients stepping into a new senior role and wanting to hit the ground running.
Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
Design thinking applied to career — helps clients prototype possibilities rather than search for the “right” answer.
Alex Cavoulacos & Kathryn Minshew
Modern job search and career navigation — practical for clients actively in transition or exploring new paths.
Podcasts
Jessi Hempel
Thoughtful conversations about work and identity — good for clients in career exploration or questioning their direction.
Books
Susan David
Helps leaders unhook from unhelpful thoughts and emotions — foundational for the inner work of executive coaching.
Caroline Webb
Behavioral science made practical — accessible and immediately applicable for busy executives.
Want to explore any of these resources together in a coaching session?
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