LEADERSHIP LIBRARY

LEADERSHIP LIBRARY

What is the Leadership Library?

This curated list includes Richard’s most trusted book recommendations across leadership, business strategy, personal growth, faith, time management, and team development. These are the titles that have shaped his mindset, coaching approach, and lifelong pursuit of purposeful leadership.

THE ONE THING

By: Gary Keller & Jay Papasan

Focusing on what matters most is at the heart of Richard’s leadership philosophy. As someone who has led high-performing offices and coached overwhelmed leaders, Richard brings real-world clarity to the principle of narrowing focus and aligning actions with true priorities. This book lays the foundation for achieving extraordinary results through intentional time management and strategic discipline.

Extraordinary success comes from narrowing your focus to what matters most.

Richard will help your leaders identify their ONE thing and build momentum behind it.

Richard is a certified trainer for ‘The ONE Thing”

ATOMIC HABITS

By: James Clear

Change doesn’t happen in a moment—it happens through daily, repeatable choices. Richard’s coaching style aligns directly with the power of small, consistent shifts. Atomic Habits breaks down the science of behavior in a way that complements the structure and accountability Richard teaches his clients to adopt in business and life.

Small habits, done consistently, lead to massive long-term results.

I’ll help your team build winning routines that stick and scale.

The 4 Disciplines of Execution 

By: James Clear

Execution is what separates vision from success. Richard has worked with teams to implement systems that turn big ideas into focused, trackable progress. The 4 Disciplines align seamlessly with his approach to helping teams prioritize what matters, measure what moves the needle, and stay committed to meaningful results.

Clear focus, lead measures, and accountability drive real results.

I train teams to cut through the noise and execute what matters most.

THE POWER OF POSITIVE THINKING

By: Norman Vincent Peale

Rooted in faith and mindset, this book reflects the kind of internal leadership Richard believes creates true external impact. It’s more than optimism—it’s about anchoring your thinking in truth, resilience, and confidence. The principles inside have shaped Richard’s own walk as a faith-first leader and coach.

Belief fuels achievement—what you expect is often what you get.

I teach how to build a resilient, optimistic mindset that drives success.

10x IS EASIER THAN 2x

By: Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy

Bigger breakthroughs don’t come from doing more—they come from thinking differently. Richard’s leadership journey and coaching reflect the core of this mindset: simplifying around purpose, delegating strategically, and pursuing bold goals without burning out. This book’s framework challenges leaders to elevate their thinking and unlock their next level.

Unlock exponential growth by focusing only on your unique genius and eliminating the rest.

Bring me in to challenge linear thinking and ignite breakthrough performance.

SHIFT

By: Gary Keller

Markets change. Mindsets must, too. Having led through multiple real estate cycles, Richard brings practical wisdom to the SHIFT models. He knows what it takes to stay productive, connected, and proactive when the market shifts—and how to help teams pivot with clarity instead of panic.

THE MIRACLE MORNING

By: HAL ELROD

Bigger breakthroughs don’t just happen during the day—they’re built in the morning. The Miracle Morning reframes success by focusing on intentional habits that align your mind, body, and purpose before the world even wakes up. Richard’s leadership journey echoes this rhythm: clarity before complexity, alignment before action, and personal mastery before professional momentum. This book challenges leaders to elevate their routines—and in doing so, elevate their results.

Transform your life by owning your morning—and watch your impact expand far beyond it.

Let me help you build habits that align with your vision and fuel breakthrough performance.

Master Reading List

This is more than a list of books—it’s a blueprint of the ideas, disciplines, and principles that have shaped Richard Licare’s leadership journey over the past four decades. Each title on this list has been carefully selected, read, and recommended by Richard to help leaders, entrepreneurs, and purpose-driven professionals grow in every area of life.

Organized by category, this collection covers everything from mindset and productivity to business, faith, leadership, and real estate. Whether you’re looking to build a stronger team, sharpen your thinking, or align your daily habits with your highest calling, these books are a trusted place to start.

Personal Development & Mindset

  • Atomic Habits – James Clear

    • Practical guide to habit formation and behavioral change.

  • The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen R. Covey

    • Timeless principles for personal and professional effectiveness.

  • Awaken the Giant Within – Tony Robbins

    • Strategies for mastering emotions, finances, relationships, and life.

  • Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl

    • A psychiatrist’s memoir and psychological exploration of finding purpose.

  • Becoming More – Dianna Kokoszka

    • Mindset transformation with a blend of neuroscience, faith, and personal growth.

  • The Power of Positive Thinking – Norman Vincent Peale

    • Classic text on the benefits of faith and optimism.

  • The Power of One More – Ed Mylett

    • Mental strategies to unlock your potential by pushing just one step further.

  • The Untethered Soul – Michael A. Singer

    • A spiritual journey into mindfulness and inner freedom.

  • 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do – Amy Morin

    • Key behaviors to avoid for increased mental resilience.

  • Make Your Bed – Admiral William H. McRaven

    • Life lessons learned from Navy SEAL training.

These books challenge how you think, who you believe you are, and what you’re capable of becoming. From faith to neuroscience, this section is about building a stronger, more grounded version of yourself from the inside out.

 Productivity, Focus & Effectiveness

  • The ONE Thing – Gary Keller & Jay Papasan

    • Focus on what truly matters for extraordinary results.

  • 10x Is Easier Than 2x – Dan Sullivan & Benjamin Hardy

    • Exponential thinking by letting go of the 80% that holds you back.

  • The 12 Week Year – Brian Moran & Michael Lennington

    • Achieve more by thinking in 12-week execution cycles.

  • The 4 Disciplines of Execution – McChesney, Covey, Huling

    • Framework for achieving wildly important goals.

  • Who Not How – Dan Sullivan & Benjamin Hardy

    • Delegation mindset to accelerate progress.

  • Time Traps – Todd Duncan

    • Identifies distractions and how to overcome them.

  • Sleep Smarter – Shawn Stevenson

    • Optimizing sleep to improve energy and productivity.

High performance doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from doing what matters most. These titles offer frameworks for time management, goal execution, and breaking through distraction to achieve focused results.

Faith

  • Uncommon – Tony Dungy

    • A powerful call to live a life of integrity, purpose, and faith in a world that celebrates the opposite.

  • The Maxwell Leadership Bible – John C. Maxwell

    • Blends timeless biblical wisdom with practical leadership insights, showing how Scripture equips you to lead with influence and character.

  • The Case for Christ – Lee Strobel

    • A former atheist journalist investigates the historical and logical evidence for Jesus, ultimately discovering the truth of the gospel

  • Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis

    • A compelling, reasoned exploration of the Christian faith that lays out its core truths with clarity and conviction.

  • The Screwtape Letters – C.S. Lewis

    • A brilliant and imaginative look at spiritual warfare through the eyes of a senior demon advising his apprentice on how to tempt a soul.

  • 5 Pillars of Biblical Manhood – Dr. John Mark Caton

    • Outlines five foundational principles for becoming a strong, godly man anchored in biblical truth.

  • In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day – Mark Batterson

    • An inspiring reminder to chase God-sized opportunities with courage, even when they look risky, uncertain, or impossible.

These books invite you to renew your mind, deepen your identity in Christ, and align your life with eternal truth. Rooted in both scripture and personal transformation, this section is about strengthening who you are from the inside out—spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.

Business, Finance & Entrepreneurship

  • The E-Myth Revisited – Michael E. Gerber

    • Why most small businesses don’t work and what to do about it.

  • The Hard Thing About Hard Things – Ben Horowitz

    • Raw, real-world business leadership lessons.

  • The 4-Hour Workweek – Tim Ferriss

    • Build a lifestyle business and escape the 9–5.

  • Profit First – Mike Michalowicz

    • Cash management system for entrepreneurs.

  • Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki

    • Shifts your mindset around money and investing.

  • Cashflow Quadrant – Robert Kiyosaki

    • Defines four ways people earn income — employee, self-employed, business owner, investor.

  • 7 Strategies for Wealth and Happiness – Jim Rohn

    • Timeless wisdom for achieving financial and personal success.

  • The Golden Handoff – Nick Krautter

    • Transferring client relationships in real estate.

Whether you’re running a team or building a business, these books help you master the numbers, mindset, and systems that drive sustainable success—from cash flow to company culture.

Leadership & Teams

  • Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink & Leif Babin

    • Navy SEAL principles for leadership and accountability.

  • Good to Great – Jim Collins

    • What differentiates great companies from good ones.

  • The Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick Lencioni

    • Team-building framework through a business fable.

  • Dare to Lead – Brené Brown

    • Courage, vulnerability, and leadership.

  • Leaders Eat Last – Simon Sinek

    • The importance of trust and safety in leadership.

  • The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership – John C. Maxwell

    • Laws that govern leadership effectiveness.

  • The 5 Levels of Leadership – John C. Maxwell

    • Developmental model for growing influence.

  • The 360 Leader – John C. Maxwell

    • Leading from any position in an organization.

  • The Ideal Team Player – Patrick Lencioni

    • Qualities to look for in team members: humble, hungry, smart.

  • Real Leadership – John Addison

    • Simple truths and lessons from a seasoned executive.

  • High Road Leadership – Michael Broome

    • Ethics and values in leadership.

  • Speak Up Culture – Stephen Shedletzky

    • Creating cultures of psychological safety and open dialogue.

Leadership is influence, and these books teach you how to earn it, grow it, and use it well. This section includes powerful lessons on leading yourself, your people, and your organization with clarity and trust.

Change, Adaptability, & Influence

  • Start with Why – Simon Sinek

    • Inspire others by starting with purpose.

  • The Infinite Game – Simon Sinek

    • Long-term thinking for sustainable success.

  • How to Win Friends and Influence People – Dale Carnegie

    • Timeless strategies for interpersonal effectiveness.

  • Who Moved My Cheese? – Spencer Johnson

    • Embracing change in work and life.

  • The One Minute Manager – Ken Blanchard & Spencer Johnson

    • Simple management techniques.

  • The Present – Spencer Johnson

    • Staying present and focused.

  • Know What You’re For – Jeff Henderson

    • Aligning your leadership and brand with impact and service.

In a world that’s constantly shifting, adaptability is your competitive edge. These books offer insight on inspiring others, navigating change, and leading with long-term impact.

Real Estate Specific

  • The Millionaire Real Estate Agent – Gary Keller

    • Proven models and systems for growing a real estate business.

  • Shift – Gary Keller

    • Tactical responses to changing real estate markets.

  • The Golden Handoff – Nick Krautter

    • Acquiring and transitioning client relationships.

From tactical market shifts to business-building models, these titles are essential for agents and real estate professionals looking to scale with systems, service, and strategy.

Philosophy, Boundaries, & Inner Clarity

  • Boundaries – Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

    • Learning to say no and protect your mental/emotional space.

  • Power vs. Force – David R. Hawkins

    • Consciousness, energy, and human development.

  • The Art of War – Sun Tzu

    • Strategic thinking from an ancient Chinese military treatise.

Leadership starts within. These books offer timeless wisdom on energy, boundaries, clarity, and character—helping you stay centered in a high-demand, high-distraction world.