You’ve found our list of the best change management books.
change management books teach managers to lead transformations within organizations or guide employees through changes in the workplace. These books include topics such as organizational psychology, agile methodology, and leadership best practices. These books are for CEOs, managers, entrepreneurs, and other business leaders.
You are reading: Best books about change
These books are similar to project management books, management books, business innovation books, and training and development books. These books can help you anticipate and manage trends in the workplace.
this list contains:
- best books on change management
- books on organizational change
- books on change management
- books on change management change
here’s the list!
list of change management books
From recent hits to change management classics, here’s a list of the best books for leading organizational change.
1. managing transitions: making the most of change by william bridges and susan bridges
Managing Transitions is one of the most popular organizational change management books in the genre. Authors William and Susan Bridges address the psychological aspects of organizational transformation, coaching readers on the best ways to present and prepare for transitions. the methods frame transformation as an opportunity and encourage workers to embrace change. transition management covers topics such as initial resistance, ongoing change, and transition control, encouraging leaders to examine fit from multiple perspectives.
Notable Quote: “Endings happen more easily if people can take a bit of the past with them. you’re trying to disassociate people from it, not wipe it out like an infection. And in particular, you don’t want people to feel guilty about being part of this.”
buy transition management: make the most of change.
2. our iceberg is melting: changing and succeeding under any conditions by john kotter and holger rathgeber
Our iceberg is melting is one of the most recommended changes in workbooks. John Kotter illustrates his methods by using the ongoing metaphor of a colony of penguins preparing to move to a new home, making corporate strategy concepts relatable and easy to understand. Our Iceberg Is Melting breaks down the transition process into eight stages and steps, providing an entertaining yet practical guide to managing change. kotter has written several other books on change management, including leadership in change, sense of urgency, and heart of change.
Notable Quote: “empowering others to take action. remove as many barriers as possible so that those who want to make the vision a reality can do so. encourage others to remove barriers and make true innovation happen.”
buy our iceberg is melting.
3. change (the) management: why we as leaders must change so that the change lasts by comeaux
change (the) management is one of the best new leading books on organizational change. Al Comeaux argues that two-thirds of organizational change initiatives fail because the campaigns are superficial and fail to meaningfully communicate and connect with the workforce. For change to be meaningful and lasting, leaders must engage employees on an emotional level and model ideal attitudes and actions. First, managers must examine their own psychologies and remove misconceptions and barriers to improvement. only then will leaders be ready to convince their colleagues to conform to the new standards.
Notable Quote: “The reality is that if we want successful and lasting change, we should not try to get people to change their behavior… instead, what you need to do is get people to wantto change their behavior.”
buy change (the) management.
4. hbr’s 10 must reads on managing change from harvard business review
While many change management books focus on specific facets of organizational evolution, hbr’s 10 must-reads on change management cover a wide range of topics. This anthology is one of the “greatest hits” in change management and is one of the best change management books for beginners. The collection brings together the best transition management essays from previous issues of The Harvard Business Review, such as “Leading Change: Why Transformation Efforts Fail,” “Sea Change, The Quiet Way,” and “leading change when business is good.” the book teaches skills like concentrating resources, establishing a sense of urgency, and overcoming complacency.
Note quote: “Technical problems, while often challenging, can be solved by applying existing knowledge and the organization’s current problem-solving processes. adaptive problems resist these types of solutions because they require individuals throughout the organization to change their ways; Since the people themselves are the problem, the solution lies with them.”
See Also: 8 Gripping Books like 11/22/63 – Books Like This One
buy hbr’s 10 must reads on change management.
5. who moved my cheese by spencer johnson and kenneth blanchard
Who Moved My Cheese is one of the change management classics that appears again and again on lists of the best change management books for leaders and employees alike. Using the allegory of mice running through a maze, the authors state that the most important factor in dealing with change is not the nature of the transformation, but the attitudes of the actors involved. Who Moved My Cheese teaches readers to adopt more productive mindsets and react to change gracefully, rising to the challenge rather than displaying the fear or anger that stalls progress.
Notable quote: “See what you’re doing wrong, laugh at it, change and do better.”
buy who moved my cheese.
6. Leadership Change (The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Adopt) by John C. maxwell
john maxwell has written a variety of best-selling leadership books. In this work, he focuses on 11 critical changes leaders must make throughout their careers to drive meaningful change and growth. leadership change describes transformations such as the shift from people-pleasing to people-challenging, and the evolution from team uniformity to team diversification. By defining and illustrating each approach, leadership change equips the organization’s leaders to gain the support of employees and spearhead essential change.
Notable quote: “If others work for you, spend your time only with those who are willing to learn and grow.”
buy leadership change.
7. Doing Agile Right: Transformation Without Chaos by Darrell Rigby, Sarah Elk, and Steve Berez
agile is a project methodology derived from the world of software development. the methodology favors lean and autonomous teams, continuous adaptation, constant improvement, flexibility and collaboration with the client. the approach enables speed and innovation, allowing employees to create and test new tactics on the fly instead of getting bogged down by rigid rules and strict systems. When done correctly, agile prevents confusion and chaos. Getting Agility Right shows forward-thinking leaders how to reinvent and reorganize businesses for optimal efficiency. the book shows practitioners how to find a happy medium between traditional systems and agile approaches. Getting agility right covers topics like scalability, technology, budgeting, and managing people.
Notable Quote: “In a truly agile company, bureaucracy and innovation become partners. they create a system in which both elements improve and in which people from each field collaborate to generate superior results.”
buy doing agile correctly.
8. switch: how to switch things when switching is hard by chip heath and dan heath
The human psyche presents one of the greatest obstacles to meaningful change. the battle between the rational mind and the emotional mind puts obstacles in the way of growth and improvement. switch teaches readers how to harmonize both ways of thinking and create positive patterns to achieve more impressive results. The book draws on stories and case studies to illustrate how to resist urges, develop positive habits, and suit both mindsets rather than denying one or the other. Although Switch focuses on general psychology, it relies heavily on professional examples, making the book a great motivational read for the workplace.
Notable quote: “A good change leader never thinks, ‘why are these people acting so bad? They must be bad people. A change leader thinks, “how can I set up a situation? that brings out the good in these people?”
buy switch.
9. It’s You: Crisis, Change, and How to Lead When It Matters Most by Leonard J. Marcus, Eric J. mcnulty, et al.
The last two decades have presented a series of pressing problems and crises, including several recessions and financial turmoil, natural disasters, and a global pandemic. these extenuating circumstances are difficult, but they can inspire innovation and extraordinary performance. Expert leaders guide organizations through periods of rapid, unpredictable, and often stressful change with the kinds of methods described in You Instruct Readers on Leading Through Crises. for example, by maintaining a calm composure and a clear mind to carefully assess difficult situations, choosing a pragmatic course of action, instilling confidence in your colleagues, and pivoting your business without giving workers a whiplash.
Notable quote: “complexity is not something that needs to be solved. it is not a condition that can be cured. you can’t make it go away. however, you can navigate through it.”
buy you are.
10. The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Fail Big Companies (Innovation and Change Management) by Clayton M. Christian
See Also: Top 36 Best Werewolf Books Of All Time Review [Update 2022]
The Innovator’s Dilemma is one of the most highly praised change management books of all time. clayton christensen chronicles the effects of disruptive technologies on markets and advocates embracing advances at the right times. The book suggests that successful, well-organized, industry-leading companies can lose their edge if they resist change. The Innovator’s Dilemma teaches leaders to evaluate new technologies and gauge when to abandon tradition in favor of progress. this work is a manual for disruptive innovation and a guide to navigate the transformation.
Notable quote: “Managers facing disruptive technology change must be leaders, not followers, in commercializing disruptive technologies.”
buy the innovator’s dilemma.
11. reinventing organizations: a guide to creating organizations inspired by the next stage of human consciousness by frederic laloux
The reinvention of organizations is inspired by historical paradigm shifts and employee engagement best practices. the book is a guide to reimagining the workplace. the authors claim that poor management systems are to blame for much of the disillusionment and disengagement in the modern workplace. however, by restructuring the processes that guide organizations, leaders can revitalize the workforce and transform their companies. The book explores operating frameworks and shares stories to help leaders reinvent and revolutionize business in ways that foster worker autonomy, true collaboration, and a positive company culture.
Notable Quote: “When trust is extended, it breeds accountability in return. emulation and peer pressure regulate the system better than hierarchy.”
buy organizations that reinvent.
12. imagine it forward: courage, creativity, and the power of change by beth comstock and tahl raz
imagine it forward examines organizational transformation from the standpoint of creativity, reinvention, and imagination. The author’s call to action is for readers to initiate change before trends or crises require change. Beth Comstock was a marketing executive at companies like GE and NBC. The author draws on this experience to illustrate the role of risk-taking and storytelling in driving change at the organizational level. imagine it forward presents change management as an art and a creative endeavor that requires discipline and ingenuity.
Notable Quote: “Too often traditional business strategy doesn’t bother to create a story or narrative about its actions for its employees and the world to come together. for the strategy to become reality, people must see themselves in the story and then act to make the story happen.”
buy imagine it forward.
conclusion
change is difficult and constant. In an ever-evolving global climate, leaders must exercise good judgment and adapt to new situations and developments with good judgment and grace.
The change management books on this list prepare managers and employees alike to assess and implement new systems with strategy, skill, and flexibility, creating work environments that are conducive to innovation and resilience.
For more reading suggestions, check out our posts on Human Resources Books, Organizational Behavior Books, or Books for CEOs.
frequently asked questions: change management books
here are answers to common questions about change management books.
what are change management books?
Change management books are guides and textbooks that help workers and managers adapt to new technologies, policies, or organizational restructuring. these books preach psychological approaches to embracing change, persuasive methods for getting employees to accept change, and practical steps to executing change in the workplace in a scalable, sustainable, and successful way.
what are the best change management books for beginners?
good change management books for beginners include hbr’s 10 must reads on change management, who moved my cheese, and our iceberg is melting.
what change management books should leaders read?
Reading books and articles can help leaders navigate organizational transformations and communicate more effectively with employees in the process. Good change management books for leaders include managing transitions, the innovator’s dilemma, and how to do agile things right.
Press “ctrl + d” or “command + d” to mark this page for updates.
You can follow us on linkedin for team building tips!
share this article:
See Also: Christine Carbo – Book Series In Order