Empowering Leadership: 6 Essential Reads for Women’s History Month

With change coming from every direction, rising expectations, and technology moving rapidly, leadership can currently feel both exciting and overwhelming. With this in mind, as Women’s History Month comes to an end, it’s the perfect time to pause and reflect on the kind of leadership the world really needs today and to draw on insights from influential women who are currently shaping the industry.

For women in leadership and the organizations supporting them, growth in 2026 isn’t about doing more, faster. Being a leader today means working things out as you go, making people feel valued, and fostering curiosity and teamwork. The best leaders earn trust by listening, learning, and leading with heart.

The six books below offer practical ideas, reassuring perspectives, and thoughtful guidance for navigating complexity, embracing bold thinking, and staying connected to what really matters. All are written by inspiring women in the leadership space. From working with doubt and disruption to redefining success at work, these reads capture the true spirit of Women’s History Month: celebrating confident, compassionate, and future-focused leadership.

Best read for: Bold leadership and breaking the mold

Leading on the Edge: The Bold Art of Being More Irrational and Less Mediocre

Zana Goic Petricevic

$22.99 (Paperback), Rethink Press

Playing it safe might feel comfortable, but it rarely leads to real impact. Leading on the Edge is for leaders who don’t want to settle for ‘just okay.’ Zana Goic Petricevic encourages you to rethink the rules you’ve been playing by, take bolder risks, and lead with real purpose.

Leading on the Edge is full of relatable stories and practical tips, helping you to overcome doubt and trust yourself along the way. It’s a motivating read for anyone ready to push past their comfort zone.

Best read for: Innovation in insurance and fintech

Navigating Insurtech: Opportunities and Challenges in Digital Insurance

Janthana Kaenprakhamroy

$26.38 (Kindle), Kogan Page

As digital change transforms the insurance industry, understanding insurtech is no longer optional. Navigating Insurtech takes this fast-moving, complicated world and makes it easy to understand with practical, hands-on insights.

Using real-world examples and expert guidance, Janthana Kaenprakhamroy shows how AI, blockchain, and IoT are changing the way customers experience services, how risks are managed, and where growth can happen. It’s a must-read for leaders, innovators, and investors who want to keep up, stay ahead, and make smarter decisions in a fast-changing digital world.

Best read for: Leading with confidence through uncertainty

Brilliant Doubt: Harnessing Uncertainty to Lead with Impact

Jenny Williams

$19.99 (Paperback), Practical Inspiration Publishing

Many leaders experience doubt, but few talk about it. In Brilliant Doubt, executive coach Jenny Williams reframes doubt as a strength, not a weakness. Drawing on real-world experience, she explains how doubt can sharpen decision-making, boost collaboration, and make leadership more thoughtful, but only if we learn to work with it rather than ignore it.

By exploring three types of professional doubt and introducing the idea of Active Doubt, the book helps leaders turn hesitation into clarity and uncertainty into action. It’s a reassuring and empowering read for women stepping into bigger roles or navigating complex change.

Unlocking Growth Through People-Centered Leadership

For executives seeking to propel their organizations forward while prioritizing their people, this insightful read is a must-have in today’s fast-paced business landscape.

These selected books offer a glimpse into the essence of contemporary leadership practices. They underscore the notion that authentic progress stems from leading with mindfulness, bravery, and empathy – a powerful message that resonates profoundly, particularly on the occasion of International Women’s Day.