Top 10 Books to Read to Increase High Performance in 2026
In an era where performance is both a competitive advantage and a career multiplier, the right literature can sharpen your mindset, habits, and leadership impact. These ten books represent the most powerful reads for high-performance growth in 2026, whether you are leading teams, innovating in business, or refining personal mastery.
What Defines a High-Performance Workplace?
A high-performance workplace is a physical or virtual environment intentionally structured to help employees be as effective as possible in supporting business goals and providing organisational value. It is achieved by balancing investments in people, processes, environment and technology so workers can learn, innovate, collaborate, lead and deliver measurable results with efficiency and purpose.
Source: Gartner
How Do You Increase Workplace Performance?
Increasing performance is rooted in employee engagement. Organisations with a highly engaged workforce are shown to have 21% higher profitability compared to less engaged peers, underscoring the bottom-line value of motivation and connection. Strategies to raise performance include strengthening leadership alignment, building clear and measurable goals, equipping teams with skills and autonomy and investing in professional development. Hiring an expert keynote speaker, someone who can energise teams around performance habits, resilience or leadership, not only inspires action but also embeds performance principles into the culture long after the event ends.
Our Top 10 Books To Read In 2026 To Increase High Performance
This selection of books has been thoughtfully assembled based on 180 corporate event polls. The High Performance Speakers Agency offers an expert editorial opinion on what the Top 10 High Performance Books in 2026 are. These books are bestsellers known for their developed insight.
- How to Win by Sir Clive Woodward
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
- Energize by Jo Salter
- High Performance by Jake Humphry & Damian Hughes
- It’s Not Magic by John Amaechi
- The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett
- Fearless Leadership by Carey Lohrenz
- Life Under Fire by Jason Fox
- Soul Fuel by Bear Grylls
- 21 Yaks and a Speedo by Lewis Pugh
1. How to Win by Clive Woodward
How to Win by Sir Clive Woodward explores the mindset, preparation and performance systems behind elite sporting success and shows how those same principles apply in business. Woodward breaks down how attention to detail, data-driven decision making and a culture of continuous improvement create teams that perform consistently under pressure, making it a powerful guide for leaders building high-performance environments.
Sir Clive Woodward is best known for leading England Rugby to World Cup victory and is now a globally respected authority on leadership and team performance. His work bridges elite sport and corporate strategy, helping organisations understand how winning cultures are designed, not left to chance.
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear
Atomic Habits sees James Clear explain how small, consistent behavioural changes lead to transformative long-term results. James Clear shows that high performance is built through reliable systems rather than occasional motivation, giving readers a practical framework to improve focus, productivity and personal effectiveness every day.
As a leading expert on habits and decision making, James Clear has become one of the most influential voices in personal development. Through his writing and speaking, James helps individuals and organisations apply behavioural science to achieve sustainable performance growth.
3. Energize by Jo Salter
Energize by Jo Salter highlights the powerful connection between physical wellbeing, mental resilience and sustained performance. Jo Salter encourages readers to reset their energy and mindset, showing that high performance depends on managing recovery, balance and long-term vitality as much as effort.
Dr Jo Salter MBE is a former RAF fast jet pilot whose career in high-stakes aviation gives Salter unique authority on performance under pressure. Today, Jo inspires organisations as a keynote speaker, sharing lessons on resilience, courage and personal renewal.
4. High Performance by Jake Humphrey & Damian Hughes
High Performance by Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes brings together insights from elite athletes, coaches and business leaders to uncover the habits that drive sustained excellence. Jake and Damian translate these lessons into practical strategies that help readers raise standards, build consistency and unlock higher levels of performance in both professional and personal settings.
Broadcaster Jake Humphrey and performance psychologist Damian Hughes combine their expertise in sport, leadership and behaviour to explore what truly separates high performers from the rest. Through their podcast, research and speaking, Jake and Damian help teams and organisations embed the behaviours and mindsets that underpin long-term high performance.
5. It’s Not Magic by John Amaechi OBE
In Its Not Magic by John Amaechi, the author challenges the belief that success is mysterious or reserved for the naturally gifted. John Amaechi explains how high performance grows from culture, accountability and psychological safety, offering leaders a research-backed approach to unlocking potential in themselves and others.
As an organisational psychologist and former professional athlete, John Amaechi brings both academic insight and lived experience to his work. Amaechi is widely respected for helping organisations build inclusive cultures where people can thrive and consistently perform at their best.
6. The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett
The Diary of a CEO captures the lessons Steven Bartlett has learned while building and leading successful businesses. Steven Bartlett explores resilience, self awareness, risk taking and leadership, giving readers insight into the mindset required to perform at a high level in competitive environments.
Entrepreneur, investor and podcast host Steven Bartlett is known for his candid approach to leadership and growth. Through his ventures and public speaking, Bartlett shares real-world insights that resonate with ambitious individuals and high-performance teams.
7. Fearless Leadership by Carey Lohrenz
In Fearless Leadership, Carey Lohrenz uses lessons from fighter aviation to explore how leaders can stay calm and decisive in moments of uncertainty. Carey Lohrenz shows how preparation, trust and communication create teams capable of delivering high performance when the stakes are at their highest.
As a former US Navy F14 Tomcat pilot, she made history as one of the first women to fly combat missions in that aircraft. Today, Carey is a sought-after speaker who translates her frontline experience into powerful lessons on leadership, resilience and teamwork.
8. Life Under Fire by Jason Fox
In Life Under Fire, Jason Fox reflects on the mental and emotional demands of military life and what they reveal about human performance. Jason explores fear, pressure and personal limits, offering lessons on resilience and mental strength that translate directly into stronger leadership and workplace performance.
A former UK Special Forces operator, Jason now speaks widely on mental resilience and teamwork. His lived experience in extreme environments gives authenticity and impact to his insights on performing under intense pressure.
9. Soul Fuel by Bear Grylls
In Soul Fuel, Bear Grylls shares stories and reflections designed to strengthen inner resilience and determination. Bear shows that high performance is sustained by courage, belief and purpose, reminding readers that mindset often matters more than circumstance.
Globally recognised adventurer and survival expert Bear has built a career pushing the limits of human endurance. Through his expeditions and speaking, he inspires audiences to develop grit, adaptability and the confidence to overcome challenges.
10. 21 Yaks and a Spedo by Lewis Pugh
In 21 Yaks and a Speedo, Lewis Pugh recounts his extraordinary endurance swims in some of the world’s most extreme environments. Lewis Pugh’s story highlights how purpose, preparation and mental discipline make seemingly impossible goals achievable, offering powerful lessons for anyone pursuing high performance.
Endurance swimmer and environmental campaigner Lewis Pugh is known for completing record-breaking swims to raise awareness of climate issues. Pugh now shares his experiences as a keynote speaker, using his achievements to inspire resilience, determination and purpose-driven performance.
Hire a High Performance Speaker Today!
If you’re interested in bringing one of these world-class high-performance speakers to your next event or would like to explore more about how they can inspire your audience, don’t hesitate to reach out! Our team is ready to help you find the perfect speaker to drive success and motivate your team. Contact us at 0203 0070 319 or simply fill out our online contact form to begin planning an event that will leave a lasting impact. Let’s make excellence your next achievement!
- Top 10 Lists
- 5 February, 2026
