Finding Happiness and Purpose: Books for Leaders and Dreamers

For CEOs and senior leaders today, success isn’t just defined by profits and scale — it’s about purpose, fulfillment, and impact. The most insightful leaders harness the wisdom of great thinkers and authors to shape not only their organisations, but also their inner lives and vision for the future.

Below is a curated list of books that help leaders discover purpose, happiness, and meaning, blending practical leadership insights with deep human wisdom — all essential reading for executives who want to lead with clarity, intention, and heart.

1. Start with Why – Simon Sinek

Great leaders don’t just do — they inspire. Simon Sinek’s seminal work explains how leaders and organisations achieve long‑term success by uncovering and communicating their “WHY” — the fundamental purpose that drives everything they do. Understanding your WHY helps you lead with authenticity and meaning, turning routine work into a mission that motivates teams and stakeholders alike.

CEO takeaway: Gain clarity on your core purpose and apply it to strategic decisions, culture building, and organisational alignment.

2. True North – Bill George & Peter Sims

Based on interviews with over 125 leaders including CEOs and political figures, True Northfocuses on authentic leadership — leading from deep self‑awareness and principles rather than external expectations.

CEO takeaway: Discover how your personal values and life narrative shape your leadership style and how gravitating toward authenticity can yield long‑lasting satisfaction and sustainable influence.

3. Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose – Tony Hsieh

In Delivering Happiness, Tony Hsieh — former CEO of Zappos — shares how a values‑led culture built around happiness and purpose can fuel both financial performance and employee engagement. This book blends inspiring stories with practical leadership takeaways, especially relevant for CEOs who want to align culture with purpose.

CEO takeaway: Learn how purpose‑driven culture can enhance customer loyalty, brand strength, and organisational resilience.

4. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose – Eckhart Tolle

While not a traditional business book, A New Earth explores deeper questions of presence, consciousness, and meaning — inviting leaders to shift how they see themselves and the world beyond ego‑driven goals. Many CEOs find this perspective invaluable for managing stress, fostering creativity, and leading with calm authority.

CEO takeaway: Cultivate a present‑moment mindset that sharpens focus, improves decision‑making, and reduces burnout.

5. Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life – Héctor García & Francesc Miralles

Ikigai introduces a timeless concept — finding your reason for being at the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. This holistic framework supports leaders in balancing purpose, happiness, longevity, and contribution.

CEO takeaway: Apply ikigai principles to design a fulfilling life and leadership approach that aligns passion with strategic impact.

6. The Happiness of Pursuit – Chris Guillebeau

Guillebeau’s writing reframes purpose not as a destination but as something found in the journey itself — through challenges, curiosity, and intentional pursuit. This resonates with CEOs who are constantly navigating change and seeking deeper meaning beyond business metrics.

CEO takeaway: Embrace life’s journey with purpose‑driven quests that energize you and inform your leadership.

7. Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl

A profound classic on resilience and meaning, Frankl’s reflections from life in concentration camps demonstrate the human ability to find purpose even amid adversity. Leaders can draw powerful lessons about enduring hardship and leading with empathy and courage.

CEO takeaway: Anchor your leadership philosophy in meaning that transcends external success — especially valuable in turbulent times.

Result, These Books Help CEOs Lead Better

CEOs and executive leaders often wrestle with questions that go beyond strategy and systems: “Why am I here?”, “What impact truly matters?”, “How do I lead a life of significance?” The books above help answer these questions by blending leadership wisdom with philosophical inquiry and personal reflection.

Reading in these areas supports mental agility, emotional intelligence, and purposeful decision‑making — all qualities that strengthen individual leaders and the organisations they serve.

Reading also complements leadership development services like those provided by The Zone Global, which supports CEOs and executives in:

• Clarifying personal and organisational purpose
• Developing emotionally intelligent leadership
• Leading teams with purpose‑driven culture
• Aligning personal values with organisational vision

Explore The Zone Global’s executive leadership and executive coaching services to translate insights from these books into sustainable company‑wide transformation.

Lead With Purpose, Live With Meaning

The journey to greater happiness and purpose is deeply personal but also profoundly professional for CEOs. The books above supply frameworks, stories, and insights that reshape how leaders think about success — not as a destination, but as a well‑lived pursuit. If you’re ready to broaden your leadership mindset and connect personal fulfillment with organisational impact, these books are a powerful starting point.

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