Recommended Reading: Leadership & Professional Growth
Books that Inspire How We Lead and Learn
At P3 eLearning Solutions, leadership isn’t just a skill — it’s a mindset. These books have shaped how we think about growth, integrity, communication, and performance.
Each one offers timeless lessons that influence how we design learning and help others lead with purpose.
Developing the Leader Within You — John C. Maxwell
A foundational work on leadership rooted in personal growth, vision, and influence. Maxwell’s principles remind us that great leadership begins with self-discipline and a desire to serve.
Quiet Strength — Tony Dungy
A deeply personal story of faith, perseverance, and leading by example. Dungy’s approach to leadership through humility and conviction resonates with our belief in purpose-driven impact.
The Ideal Team Player — Patrick Lencioni
Lencioni defines the three essential virtues of effective team members: humble, hungry, and smart. These same traits shape how we recruit, coach, and build high-performing teams.
This Is Marketing — Seth Godin
Godin reframes marketing as service — understanding people, building trust, and solving real problems. The same principles apply to how we engage learners and drive transformation.
Building a StoryBrand — Donald Miller
Miller’s storytelling framework reminds leaders and organizations to make people the hero of every story — a principle that guides our instructional design and leadership coaching work.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less — Greg McKeown
A powerful guide to reclaiming focus in a world of endless demands. McKeown challenges us to prioritize what truly matters — to design our work and learning with clarity, intention, and purpose. Essentialism isn’t about doing more with less; it’s about doing less, but better — a principle every leader and learning designer can practice daily.
Books that Shape How We Design Learning
Learning doesn’t happen by accident — it’s intentionally designed.
These books reflect the theories, methods, and creativity that influence how we design experiences that engage, challenge, and inspire growth.
Whether you’re an instructional designer, facilitator, or lifelong learner, these resources offer practical frameworks for building learning that sticks.
Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning — Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger III, and Mark
A must-read on how people truly retain information — practical, research-based, and essential for designing effective training that lasts.
Deconstructing Depth of Knowledge — Erik M. Francis
A clear guide to applying Webb’s DOK framework for building deeper learning and assessment rigor. Perfect for instructional designers and educators focused on critical thinking.
Design for How People Learn — Julie Dirksen
An engaging, highly visual guide that connects learning theory to practical design. Dirksen’s approachable style makes this a go-to for anyone who creates learning experiences.
ISD from the Ground Up — Chuck Hodell
A practical walk-through of the Instructional Systems Design process. It bridges academic frameworks with real-world application — ideal for both new and seasoned designers.
The Gamification of Learning and Instruction Fieldbook — Karl M. Kapp, Lucas Blair, and Rich Mesch
Hands-on tools and case studies for integrating game mechanics into learning design. A powerful resource for engagement and motivation.
Professional Learning Communities and High Reliability Schools — Robert J. Marzano, Philip B. Warric
Explains how to create collaborative, high-performing teams focused on continuous improvement — equally relevant to instructional design and organizational leadership.
A Theory of Human Motivation — Abraham H. Maslow
A foundational psychological work introducing the Hierarchy of Needs — essential for understanding what drives adult learners and workplace engagement.
Data & Analytics for Instructional Designers — Megan Torrance and Tricia Broderick
A guide to using data to measure learning effectiveness and drive decision-making — a must for designers moving toward evidence-based practice.
Laws of UX: Using Psychology to Design Better Products and Services — Jon Yablonski
Brilliantly bridges design psychology and user experience — helping instructional designers create more intuitive and learner-centered digital environments.