Big Tech Execs Reveal Secret to Leadership: Read a Book, Pretend You Lead
KEY POINTS
- â˘Seven executives from AWS, AT&T, Mastercard, Revlon, IBM, Mejuri, and Bluesky shared the books shaping their leadership styles.
- â˘Their book choices spanned topics like emotional intelligence, extreme ownership, innovation disruption, and navigating burnout.
- â˘The executives emphasize empathetic leadership and resilience as critical amid rapid AI changes and workplace pressures.
In a world where executives from AWS to Bluesky claim to shape their leadership by reading, seven big-league bosses haunted bookstores instead of boardrooms. Sarah Cooper from AWS swears by Clayton Christensenâs 'The Innovator's Dilemma' â because nothing says AI dominance like obsessing over being disrupted. AT&T's Jennifer Van Buskirk, describing herself as an adrenaline junkie, unironically recommends 'Extreme Ownership' by Navy SEALs, proving business ops is just boot camp with more spreadsheets. Mastercard's Raj Seshadri gushes about BrenĂŠ Brown's 'Dare to Lead,' reminding us all to cry productively. Meanwhile, Revlonâs Michelle Peluso prefers biographies over boring biz books because CEOs are basically fancy book clubs. IBMâs Christina Shim doubled down, gifting her whole team Susan Cainâs 'Quiet' because introverts apparently run the green world. Mejuriâs Noura Sakkijha gritted through Ben Horowitzâs 'The Hard Thing About Hard Things'âwho knew jewelry CEOs need survival guides? Last but not least, Blueskyâs Jay Graber owns the burnout struggle with Amelia Nagoskiâs 'Burnout,' telling us to yoga away those many-hat headaches. Reading between the lines here: leadership books are the new power tools, and CEOs are awkwardly trying to flex âem.
Share the Story
Seven execs sweat through leadership books proving CEOs totally stress-read to fake empathy, rage, and ownership like pros.
Leadership 101 according to Amazon, Revlon, and Navy SEAL fan clubs: Step 1, read a book no one else finishes.
Turns out Tech CEOs don't just fight AI, they suffer through bios and burnout manuals instead of naps.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 1/26/2026 | Author: Ana Altchek
More Articles in Business
Politico Announces Australia Launch for 2026, Because Why Not Start Late?
Trump Promises Retirement Plan That Matches Generosity of Federal Workersâ Excuses
Trump Calls Supreme Court 'Unfortunate,' Then Hits Economy with âBetterâ 10% Global Tariff
Workday CEO Wonders Who to Replace with AI Before Deciding to Lay Off 400 Humans
David Ellisonâs 10th WBD Offer: Slightly Better Than Doing Nothing
AI Slaps White-Collar Jobs, Blue-Collars Brace for Gig Economy Chain Reaction
Costco, Toyota & FedEx Sue Trump For Tariff Refunds Like Itâs Black Friday Cashback
Lamborghini Cancels Silent EV, Citing Absence of Vroom-Feelz
