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#LEADERSHIP

10 leadership resources for effective Team Development and Growth

BY
Andrew Langat
June 2, 2025
Manager accessing leadership resources for team development.
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Whether you’re managing a small team or guiding a growing organization, there comes a time when instinct alone isn’t enough.

This is because leadership is not linear. Nobody has it all figured out; even the most experienced of us sometimes second-guess themselves.

Navigating complex challenges, aligning teams, and driving sustainable results requires more than experience as a leader; it demands the proper support, tools, and strategies.

That’s where leadership resources come in.

Whether you're a regional manager, team lead, or aspiring executive, leveraging the right leadership development tools can make the difference between just managing and truly leading. From leadership coaching and professional training to curated content and real-world examples, these resources are designed to solve problems, boost employee engagement, and drive lasting change.

Let’s explore 10 leadership resources that can elevate your leadership journey, empower your team, and support your organization’s strategic planning and business growth.

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What are leadership resources?

Leadership resources are tools, platforms, and programs that help individuals become better leaders. They offer guidance on developing leadership skills, building confidence, and handling real-world challenges such as delegation, succession planning, and emotional intelligence.

Why does it matter?

Leadership resources are especially valuable because experienced leaders benefit from reinforcement, structure, and support to handle evolving challenges. They help leaders stay adaptable, build resilience, and cultivate a positive impact on their teams and organizations

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10 Leadership resources to improve your leadership skills

1. Leadership Books and Blogs

As Harry Truman famously said,  "Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers." Books and articles are timeless resources that offer expert advice, case studies, and practical strategies.

It's no wonder that the average CEO reads 60 books a year. Warren, for example, is known to be an avid reader, often reading for 6 hours per day.

From best sellers like “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You” to the latest blogs on leadership trends, written content helps you develop communication, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking at your own pace.

Blogs, in particular, offer excellent resources for bite-sized, actionable insights that keep your thinking fresh. Some of the great blog resources for learning more about leadership include the John C. Maxwell blog, Tryhighrise ascender blog, Harvard Review blog, and McKinsey & Company blog, among others.

👉Related: Leadership Books: The Best Books on Leadership for Every Stage of Your Career.

2. Leadership Podcasts

If you're constantly on the go, leadership podcasts are an excellent way to stay informed and inspired. As one of the most popular niches, leadership podcasts feature successful leaders who share their leadership journeys, including wins, failures, and how they overcame real-world results challenges.

Podcasts can broaden your perspective, introduce new ideas, and motivate you to lead in the right direction.

👉Related: Leadership Podcasts to Ignite Professional Growth

3. Online Leadership Development Courses

Platforms like Coursera, Harvard Online, and LinkedIn Learning offer professional development through structured leadership development programs. Some even provide accelerated leadership programs to quickly enhance your ability to focus, manage teams, and meet strategic objectives.

These courses are perfect for managers aiming to increase productivity and solve problems with effective strategies.

Some of the questions to ask yourself before enrolling for a leadership development course include:

  • Is there an emerging trend that can improve my workflow? This includes new ways of doing work, such as applying AI.
  • Is there a skill that an online course will refine?
  • How will this course advance my career?
  • Does the course provider have a strong reputation and accreditation?

4. Successful leaders' video interviews

Seeing how strong leaders conduct themselves, communicate, and respond to pressure offers valuable insight. Video interviews, especially those involving CEOs and transformational leaders, provide a window into high-level leadership strategy, decision-making, and the personal philosophies that shape culture and employee engagement.

What to Watch For:

  • How they communicate—Pay attention to how clearly they explain things. Do they keep it simple? Do they connect with their audience? What is their body language and presence?
  • Why do they make certain decisions? Look for clues into their thinking process. What factors do they weigh? How do they balance short-term needs with long-term goals?
  • How they talk about people – Notice how they speak about their teams. Do they give credit? Do they care about culture and engagement?

5. Leadership workshops and Executive coaching

Nothing replaces the value of hands-on, experiential learning. Leadership workshops and executive coaching programs are immersive, allowing you to receive personalized feedback, refine your leadership style, build accountability, and stay ahead of the trends.

Companies that offer leadership coaching help managers cultivate essential soft and hard skills, boosting team performance and enhancing company culture.

👉Related: Executive Coaching for Leadership Development: The Ultimate Guide

6. Leadership styles

Understanding different leadership styles, from transformational, democratic, and servant leadership to situational and democratic approaches, enables you to lead based on what your team and organization need most.

This knowledge supports better collaboration, adaptability, and stronger strategic planning.

How is leadership style important?

A study by Deloitte shows that companies with strong leadership cultures see up to 20% higher revenue and 30% improvement in employee performance, demonstrating that effective leadership styles directly impact organizational performance.

👉Related: What are the Different Styles of Leadership?

7. Personality Assessment Tools

Self-awareness is critical for bringing about real change in the workplace. Unfortunately, many leaders lack this vital component for effective management.

Tools like the MBTI(Myers-Briggs Type Indicator), DiSC, and StrengthsFinder are wonderful leadership resources that offer guidance on your unique personality traits and how they influence your leadership approach. When integrated into professional training, these tools help leaders develop emotional intelligence and improve communicationdelegation, and team dynamics.

While these tools have limitations—such as critiques about empirical validation or oversimplification—they remain powerful resources when integrated thoughtfully into professional development programs.

👉Learn more: What Are Leadership Assessment Tools? 13 Types Explained

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8. Mentorship Programs

Mentorship provides a two-way flow of knowledge, support, and advice. Whether you're being mentored or mentoring others, these relationships offer a deeper understanding of leadership challenges, team dynamics, and how to lead with empathy, courage, and clarity.

If you’re being mentored, it helps you think through tough decisions, build confidence, and learn from someone who’s already been through the challenges you’re facing. And if you’re mentoring someone else, it sharpens your own leadership skills, pushes you to articulate your thinking, and reminds you what it means to lead with empathy and clarity.

At its best, mentorship helps you become a more thoughtful, grounded, and resilient leader.

👉Learn more: From Aspiration to Achievement: How the Best Mentorship Programs Empower Lives.

9. Case Studies on Leadership Successes and Failures

Case studies offer an unfiltered look at how businesses set goals, encounter setbacks, and pivot towards success. By studying real-world results, such as the successes and failures of companies like Enron, leaders learn to avoid pitfalls, recognize red flags, and adapt their strategies for better outcomes. These stories are beneficial for succession planning, innovation, and organizational development.

By digging into what worked and what didn’t, leaders can spot patterns, avoid common mistakes, and make smarter decisions in their own teams.

Whether working on succession planning, leading through change, or trying to spark innovation, case studies provide a grounded, relatable way to see leadership in action and apply those insights to your own challenges.

10. Networking Events and Conferences

Attending conferences like the Global Leadership Summit or regional leadership meetups introduces you to fresh perspectives and valuable connections. These events are ideal for collaboration, coaching, and staying informed about industry trends. More importantly, they allow you to join communities of leaders committed to professional development and business growth.

These events are a great way to exchange ideas, gain fresh insight, and find inspiration outside your usual circles. Whether looking for a mentor, exploring new strategies, or simply wanting to stay sharp, being part of a leadership community can push your thinking and fuel your growth. It’s not just professional development — it’s about being part of a conversation that helps shape better leaders and stronger businesses.

Inspiring, isn’t it ? Want to learn more about connecting self-awareness to professional development? Get in touch today.
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Leadership Resources are Important, Coaching is better

While resources like books, courses, and conferences can support your growth, nothing drives real, lasting change like personalized leadership coaching. At Highrise, we focus on helping you become a more effective, confident leader through one-on-one coaching tailored to your goals and challenges.

Whether you're leading a team through change, preparing for a bigger role, or simply trying to sharpen your leadership skills, Highrise gives you the structure, support, and insight to move forward with clarity. Contact us today if you're ready to grow and lead at your best.

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AUTHOR
Andrew Langat
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Andrew Langat is an experienced content specialist in Leadership, Productivity, Education, Fintech, and Research. He is an avid reader and loves swimming as a hobby. He believes that quality content should be actionable and helpful.