Career dilemmas? When you are looking for inspiration...
In my work with clients who feel stuck or unfulfilled in their careers, I’ve noticed the same challenges surface again and again. People want clarity, confidence, and a sense of direction. I am often asked to recommend some additional reading to help them navigate these frequent dilemmas. So, I’ve pulled together a selection of titles that have stood out to me this year for their insight and practicality. Here are twelve books—one for every month of 2026- to provide some inspiration:
JANUARY Awkward work colleagues can be distracting but Amy Gallo’s Getting Along. How to Work With Anyone [Even Difficult People] offers practical strategies for improving workplace relationships.
FEBRUARY Burnout has become a serious issue in many workplaces, and Kelly Swingler’s F*ck Burnout.Why we need to call BS on Workplace Wellbeing to finally Banish Burnout provides clear, actionable advice to help manage and prevent it.
MARCH If you want your career to be something that can have a social impact then take a look at Roshan Paul and Ilaina Rabbat’s The New Reason to Work: How to Build a Career That Will Change the World.
APRIL Many people in leadership roles don’t always recognise themselves as leaders. Gareth Southgate’s Dear England. Lessons in Leadership challenges that perception and offers truly inspirational guidance on how to get the best out of people.
MAY Career planning doesn’t always follow traditional, well‑known paths. You can in fact, create your own working life as Helen Tupper and Sarah Ellis’ The Squiggly Career demonstrates.
JUNE How to remain strong and resilient despite career setbacks is explored in detail in John Lees’ Secrets of Resilient People
JULY If networking for your career feels intimidating, Melitta Campbell’s A Shy Girl’s Guide to Networking offers practical reassurance and confidence-building tips.
AUGUST When you have some great ideas but you struggle to follow them through, be inspired by Phillipa Davies’ Eureka. Making Brilliant Ideas Happen which shows you how to change your approach.
SEPTEMBER If you are overwhelmed with the pace of change in your company or sector then Cyriel Kortleven’s The Change Mindset offers some practical tools to help you cope and thrive.
OCTOBER When you’re looking for ways to motivate your team and those around you, Nancy Kline’s philosophy in Time to Think offers powerful guidance. She emphasizes the importance of giving people genuine attention, respect, and space—enabling them to flourish.
NOVEMBER A lack of confidence, and imposter syndrome has been a hot topic on more than one occasion this year. Katty Kay and Claire Shipman’s perspective on this in The Power Code is both reassuring and insightful.
DECEMBER If you want 2026 to be the year you take full ownership of your career trajectory, Bill Burnett and Dave Evans’ Designing Your Work Life is an essential read.
Happy reading and all the best for 2026!
[Image: Pickawood on Unsplash]
