Foundational Reading for Creatives & Agencies

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I'll never forget reading The Accidental Creative by Todd Henry for the first time. It was one of those rare moments where someone puts words to something you've been feeling but couldn't articulate. An awakening of sorts.

That's what a truly great creative book does—it doesn't just inform you, it transforms how you see your work.

In 20 years of creative leadership, I've read plenty of bad books (most could be a blog post instead of 12 dragging chapters). But I've also found a handful I can't stop recommending. The ones I buy multiple copies of and ship to creatives all over the country. The ones that keep coming up in conversations with the best people I know in this field.

My college professor used to say, 'Leaders are readers.' If you want to lead your creativity well, you need to learn from those who've gone before you and are doing the work you're doing now.

So whether you're new to this community or just ready to reinvest in your creative foundation, here's where to start:

1. Steal Like An Artist by Austin Kleon
   Learn how to embrace influence, unlock your creativity, and make something uniquely your own.
   Purchase here

2. Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
   A guide on how to share your creative process and build an audience around it.
   Purchase here

3. Keep Going by Austin Kleon
   A toolkit for staying creative and resilient through tough times.
   Purchase here

4. The Accidental Creative by Todd Henry
   Learn how to build habits and systems to stay consistently creative under pressure.
   Purchase here

5. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
   A must-read for unlocking your creative potential through practical exercises and mindfulness.
   Purchase here

6. Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt
   A guide to setting and achieving meaningful goals in both personal and professional life.
   Purchase here

7. Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
   Transform your leadership by embracing vulnerability, trust, and courage.
   Purchase here

8. Creative Directions by Jason Sperling
   Perfect for transitioning from creative roles to leadership roles with strategies for leading creative teams.
   Purchase here