Why it mattered to me:
Bethune turned Continental Airlines from a punchline into a powerhouse - not by changing everything, but by focusing on what mattered most to customers and employees. It’s a lesson in clarity, consistency and culture as infrastructure. And I love the simplicity of his one fix at the beginning. Also, I love the global aviation industry and I love reading stories that outline the challenges of leading in it. 

Best for:
Leaders managing turnarounds or trying to get traction with a disillusioned team.

Take this with you:
People don’t need perfection - they need to know someone’s steering the ship and that leadership shoots straight. 

Skip if:
You want leadership advice without operational context. This one is tactical and unapologetically airline-centric - but that’s also why it works.

From Worst to First — Gordon Bethune

Why it mattered to me:
This is the book that reminded me personal power is strategic. And everyone has something they can value regardless of what anyone else says. It's about mindset, which we hear a lot about. I like that she is real and shows you her struggles. You don’t have to agree with every story to see the throughline: how you think about yourself shapes what you allow, what you build and how you lead.

Best for:
Leaders who are recalibrating — stepping into something bigger, scarier or more self-defined.

Take this with you:
“You are responsible for what you say and do. You are not responsible for whether or not people freak out about it.”

Skip if:
You need nuance and depth on every page. This one is more punchy than polished - but sometimes, that’s exactly what gets through.

You Are A Badass — Jen Sincero