The Diary of a CEO – Steven Bartlett

Some books are read once and placed neatly back on the shelf. Others become reference books that you return to time and time again. For me, The Diary of a CEO falls firmly into that second category.

I actually came to the book later than many people. Like millions of others, I discovered Steven Bartlett through The Diary of a CEO podcast first. One episode quickly became two, then five, then dozens. Before long, I realised I needed to read the book that had inspired so much of the thinking behind the conversations I was listening to.

I’m so glad I did. It’s also one of the few books I could never lend to anyone else. Almost every chapter contains highlighted passages, scribbled notes in the margins and reminders to myself about ideas I didn’t want to forget. It’s become less of a book and more of a working handbook.

Unlike many business books that focus solely on strategy, marketing or finance, The Diary of a CEO explores something much broader: the behaviours, habits and beliefs that shape successful leaders. Steven Bartlett shares lessons drawn from his own entrepreneurial journey alongside principles influenced by psychology, behavioural science and the many remarkable guests who have appeared on his podcast.

What makes the book so engaging is that it doesn’t pretend success is linear or easy. It acknowledges uncertainty, self-doubt, failure and the uncomfortable realities that every leader faces at some point. Rather than offering quick fixes, it encourages readers to question their assumptions, challenge their thinking and become more intentional about the decisions they make.

It’s easy to see why the book has become so popular. Steven writes in a straightforward, conversational style that makes complex ideas accessible without oversimplifying them. Whether you’re building a business, managing a team or simply trying to become a better leader, there’s something in these pages that will make you stop, underline a sentence and think, I needed to hear that.

For leaders in health and social care, many of the themes feel especially relevant. The sector demands resilience, sound judgement, emotional intelligence and the ability to lead through constant change. While the examples aren’t specific to care, the lessons are highly transferable and often challenge you to reflect on how you communicate, motivate others and respond under pressure.

I’d also strongly recommend pairing the book with The Diary of a CEO podcast. It’s one of the few podcasts I rarely miss. The conversations cover leadership, business, health, psychology, performance and personal development, with guests ranging from entrepreneurs and academics to clinicians, athletes and world-leading experts. Even if a particular episode isn’t directly related to your industry, I almost always come away having learned something useful.

The combination of the book and the podcast has had a genuine impact on how I think about leadership and decision-making. Both encourage curiosity, continuous learning and the willingness to challenge your own thinking, qualities that every good leader should cultivate.

Editor’s Rating: ★★★★★

Who should read it? Leaders, entrepreneurs, managers and anyone interested in improving the way they think, lead and make decisions.

Why it’s in the Leadership Library: Because the best leaders never stop learning, and this book reminds us that success is built as much on mindset and self-awareness as it is on strategy.