In our rapidly changing world of work, HR teams and people leaders face challenges like a looming recession, return-to-office, poor employee engagement, and managing a cross-generational team.
It can be hard to know where to start when building strategies to answer these challenges. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top must-read HR books, handpicked to supercharge your HR toolkit.
Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned HR pro looking to refresh your strategies, these reads are key resources you need to create a lasting impact.
Ready to transform your workplace? Let’s dive in!
1. HR Disrupted: It's Time for Something Different by Lucy Adams
In HR Disrupted, Lucy Adams provides a refreshing take on the evolving world of Human Resources. As the former HR Director of the BBC and current CEO of Disruptive HR, Adams brings a wealth of experience and insight into the challenges facing today's HR professionals. In the second edition of this acclaimed resource, Adams makes a compelling case for overhauling traditional HR practices that no longer meet the demands of modern organisations. She offers practical solutions and strategies that aim to equip HR professionals with the necessary capabilities and mindset to thrive in a disrupted world. Her approach is both innovative and actionable, making it a must-read for those looking to make their HR strategies more relevant and effective.
2. Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up by Stephen Shedletzky
Speak-Up Culture is an insightful exploration into the transformative power of creating a speak-up culture within organisations. Stephen Shedletzky, known for his extensive work in leadership development and psychological safety, articulates the profound impact that listening and valuing employee voices can have on a company’s success. This book underscores the importance of fostering an environment where employees feel safe and valued enough to share their ideas, concerns, and mistakes. Through his own experience and engaging storytelling, Shedletzky provides practical guidance on how leaders can nurture a culture where open dialogue contributes to innovation, engagement, and superior performance.
3. Employalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work by Joe Mull
Employalty is an essential guide for any leader grappling with the challenges of retaining top talent in today's competitive and rapidly changing job market. Joe Mull, a seasoned speaker and leadership expert, introduces the concept of "Employalty," a revolutionary approach to employee experience that addresses the evolving needs and values of workers. This book offers a compelling, research-based framework for creating a workplace that not only attracts candidates but also inspires them to stay and thrive. Through engaging narratives and practical advice, Mull shows how shifting from merely trying to find the best person for the job to creating the best job for the person can transform your organisation into a destination workplace. "Employalty" is a playbook filled with actionable strategies for fostering commitment and enhancing employee retention, making it a critical resource for leaders aiming to excel in the new age of work.
4. Redefining HR: Transforming People Teams to Drive Business Performance by Lars Schmidt
Redefining HR is an essential read for those aiming to modernise their HR functions in the face of ongoing change and disruption. Drawing from his extensive experience and insights from top companies like Hubspot and Stripe, Lars Schmidt offers a practical, non-theoretical guide filled with progressive ideas aimed at rethinking recruitment, talent management, and more. This book isn’t just about theory; it's a comprehensive, action-oriented guide packed with global case studies and expert advice on crucial areas such as diversity and inclusion, people analytics, and employee experience. Schmidt’s work, deeply rooted in actual industry practice, makes this book invaluable for HR professionals and business leaders looking to drive greater efficiency and business success through innovative people strategies.
5. People Strategy: How to Invest in People and Make Culture Your Competitive Advantage by Jack Altman
People Strategy is a pivotal read for leaders aiming to leverage organisational culture for competitive edge. As the CEO and cofounder of Lattice, an acclaimed HR and performance management platform, Jack Altman shares a robust framework for enhancing team performance, boosting employee motivation, and harnessing data to foster a positive and productive company culture. This Wall Street Journal bestseller offers insightful strategies for establishing core values, refining feedback processes, and tracking employee engagement—all essential for translating a people-centric vision into tangible business outcomes. Essential for executives, HR professionals, and managers, this book also appeals to anyone interested in the art and science of developing and empowering employees.
6. HR for Hybrid Working: How to Adapt People Practices to Support Employees and the Organization by Gary Cookson
HR for Hybrid Working is an essential guide for HR professionals navigating the complexities of the hybrid work model. This timely resource tackles the critical adjustments required in policies, contracts, and workplace culture to support a blend of remote and office working. Gary Cookson provides comprehensive strategies for updating pay and reward terms, managing employee expectations, and ensuring that work processes are suitable for remote environments. He also dives into adapting L&D programs and wellbeing initiatives to suit a dispersed workforce. Plus, it also offers insights into choosing the right technological solutions and managing organisational changes like inductions and exits under a hybrid setup. Full of practical advice, case studies, and a dedicated section on new skills for HR professionals, this book is indispensable for anyone involved in shaping contemporary work environments.
7. Rituals for Work: 50 Ways to Create Engagement, Shared Purpose, and a Culture that Can Adapt to Change by Kursat Ozenc and Margaret Hagan
Rituals for Work by Kursat Ozenc and Margaret Hagan is a profound exploration of how creative rituals can enhance the workplace environment. This book illustrates the significant role that rituals play in motivating achievements, fostering teamwork, and building a cohesive culture within a company. Ozenc and Hagan, both from Stanford University, leverage their unique backgrounds in design and law to offer a practical guide featuring 50 innovative rituals that can be implemented in various business and personal development contexts. With case studies and vibrant visuals, the authors showcase the transformative impact these rituals have on organisations, helping to change behaviours, form positive habits, and strengthen shared values. Rituals for Work serves as an invaluable resource for executives, managers, and team leaders eager to cultivate an environment of increased engagement, innovation, and collective success.
8. People Processes: How Your People Can Be Your Organization’s Competitive Advantage by Rhamy Alejeal
People Processes by Rhamy Alejeal offers a crucial blueprint for modernising HR management. Rhamy Alejeal, an expert in automated HR processes, delves into the common pitfalls of traditional HR—unmotivated employees, high turnover, and burdensome paperwork. He argues that these challenges can be alleviated by leveraging technology to streamline personnel operations. The book thoroughly explores each component of HR workflow, from onboarding and scheduling to payroll and compliance, providing step-by-step guidance on how to optimise these processes. This practical guide is essential for any HR manager or business leader looking to transform their people management into a dynamic competitive advantage.
9. Talent Keepers: How Top Leaders Engage and Retain Their Best Performers by Christopher Mulligan and Craig Taylor
Talent Keepers by Christopher Mulligan and Craig Taylor is a critical guide for leaders who face the challenge of retaining top talent in an evolving workforce landscape. As the workplace continues to shift, with Millennials becoming the largest generational cohort and the economy thriving, the stakes for maintaining employee engagement are high. Talent Keepers offers a fresh perspective on employee retention, providing a systematic approach supported by proven tactics that enhance engagement from the moment employees are hired. This book is a must-read for any executive or HR professional dedicated to creating a vibrant, supportive culture that fosters long-term retention and success.
10. Bring Your Human to Work: 10 Surefire Ways to Design a Workplace That Is Good for People, Great for Business, and Just Might Change the World by Erica Keswin
Wall Street Journal bestseller Bring Your Human to Work redefines what it means to be successful in business by focusing on the human element. Drawing from her extensive experience as a workplace strategist, Erica Keswin emphasises the importance of fostering authentic relationships within the workplace to retain creative, productive, and loyal employees. With practical insights derived from case studies of leading companies like Lyft and Starbucks, the book outlines key practices that any leader can adopt to cultivate a human-centred workplace. Keswin’s approach not only enhances workplace satisfaction but also boosts business performance, proving that being human is not just good ethics—it’s good business.
Final thoughts
From fostering a speak-up culture to mastering people analytics, each of these essential books provide unique insights into making HR a pivotal part of your organisation's success. As the business world continues to transform, the value of updated, innovative HR practices cannot be overstated.
So turn these pages and fuel up on these fresh HR perspectives, so you can lead your workplace into a future where HR is the heartbeat of organisational success.