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In today’s fast-changing work landscape, where hybrid schedules, employee burnout, and evolving workplace expectations are the norm, company culture has never mattered more. It can be the difference between your organization thriving and just surviving. 

According to a 2024 Gallup study, companies with highly engaged employees see 21% greater profitability, while those with poor workplace culture experience up to 48% higher turnover. And it’s not just about the bottom line; culture directly affects how employees feel at work, too. A recent report by McKinsey found that employees who describe their workplace culture as positive are 3.2 times more likely to report high job satisfaction.

So what builds a great culture? It’s not just free snacks or trendy office furniture. It’s leadership that is intentional, values that resonate, and a shared sense of community. That’s exactly why so many books are being written on this topic. Authors, workplace experts, and company leaders alike are offering fresh insights and actionable tools on how to build a workplace where people feel seen, supported, and motivated to do their best work. 

To help get started, our book experts have curated a list of books that support a variety of company culture goals. These reads will inspire you to create a workplace that works better for everyone. 

Books to build belonging and break bias

An inclusive workplace doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the result of conscious leadership, courageous conversations, and systems that support all their employees. Whether you’re addressing racial bias, redefining leadership through the lens of lived experience, or creating more respectful ways to collaborate, these books will help you embed DEI into the very fabric of your culture. Because when people feel like they truly belong, the whole organization benefits. 

• Qualified: How Competency Checking and Race Collide at Work by Shari Dunn

• Radical Respect: How to Work Together Better by Kim Scott

• What Your Comfort Costs Us: How Women of Color Reimagine Leadership to Transform Workplace Culture by M. Gabriela Alcalde, MPH, DrPH

Culture Tip: Host a monthly “Inclusion Check-In.” Invite team members to share a perspective, story, or resource that highlights diverse experiences. Keep it informal and focused on listening and celebrating differences.

Books for leaders who want to build cultures that last

Company culture starts at the top with leadership. But the best leaders know it doesn’t just stop there. These books guide you in defining your values, aligning behaviors, and creating a culture where everyone contributes to the organization’s vision. Whether you’re managing a small team or scaling a company, these reads will help you build a strong team and lead with purpose. 

• Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship by Keith Ferrazzi with Paul Hill

• The Culture Playbook: 60 Highly Effective Actions to Help Your Group Succeed by Daniel Coyle

• Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek

Culture Tip: Create a “Values in Action” wall where leaders can spotlight their team members and their achievements. A great way to recognize the impact team members have on the everyday success of the organization. 

Books to beat burnout and put balance back on the agenda

Workplace culture isn’t truly healthy unless your people are, too. From fighting burnout to rethinking productivity to prioritizing mental resilience, these books offer practical and science-backed strategies to support employee wellness. Sustainable performance starts with taking care of the humans behind the work. 

• Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport

• Why Workplace Wellbeing Matters: The Science Behind Employee Happiness and Organizational Performance by Jan-Emmanuel De Neve and George Ward

• The 5 Resets: Rewire Your Brain and Body for Less Stress and More Resilience by Aditi Nerurkar, M.D.

Culture Tip: Introduce “Focus Fridays” or “No-Meeting Zones”. These give employees uninterrupted time to recharge and reflect. 

Books that turn coworkers into communities

In today’s hybrid world, team bonding takes more than Slack emojis and virtual trivia. These books dive into the science and importance of connection. How connection can spark real conversations, celebrate authenticity, and build trust across roles and time zones. Whether you are fully in person or not, one thing is for sure. Culture isn’t just what you do; it’s how you make people feel. 

• The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle

• Authenticity, Identity, and Being Yourself at Work by Susan David

• Talk: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves by Alison Wood Brooks

Culture Tip: Try “connection kickoffs”. Short, meaningful prompts at the top of meetings to help people share (like a personal win, current read, or team shoutout).

Books that help you lead with generosity, not control

No one thrives under a microscope. These reads show how great leaders empower people by giving them ownership and trust. By creating clarity around the company’s mission and trusting your team, you can scale impact and create ways for you to lead in a way that lights people up. 

• Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara

•  Why Are We Here?: Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants by Jennifer Moss

• Scale Passion: Igniting Purpose, Driving Impact by Rob Craven with Dave Moore

Culture Tip: Start a “Let Them Lead” initiative where you rotate meeting leads or give individuals space to own and present a passion project or team improvement idea. It encourages trust, autonomy, and peer-led leadership in everyday culture.

Books that create a culture people are proud of

Culture isn’t just about KPIs, it’s about joy, growth, and a shared sense of purpose. Employees all want to feel that their work is important and that they are making a difference. These books offer a fresh perspective on how to make your culture aspirational, energizing, and truly human. When people feel like they and their work matter, they show up differently to work, and your whole organization rises. 

• Cultures of Growth: How the New Science of Mindset Can Transform Individuals, Teams, and Organizations by Mary C. Murphy

• The Power of Mattering: How Leaders Can Create a Culture of Significance by Zach Mercurio

• Courageous Cultures: How to Build Teams of Micro-Innovators, Problem Solvers, and Customer Advocates by Karin Hurt and David Dye

Culture Tip: Launch “Company Wins” days, where, once a month, your organization highlights small acts of innovation, growth, or courage across the company. Share stories in all-hands and celebrate progress as much as outcomes. 

Building a strong company culture doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right tools, ideas, and inspiration, it’s possible. Whether you’re working toward more inclusion, better leadership, or a healthier workplace, these books can help you take that next step. If any titles caught your eye, we’d love to help get these books into your teams’ hands! Request a quote, and one of our account managers will be happy to assist with recommendations, bulk pricing, and custom solutions for your team.