Top Ten Free Resources to Build Your Leadership Skills
Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day.
-JIM ROHN
Leadership isn’t something you’re simply born with—it’s a constant process of growth, reflection, and adaptation. In a world where the rules of leadership are constantly shifting, the real challenge isn’t just about having the right skills; it’s about cultivating the insights and self-awareness that allow you to evolve.
How do we navigate the noise of modern leadership advice and find resources that actually move the needle on personal growth?
That’s the question I asked myself as I curated this list. These aren’t just any leadership tools—they are carefully selected resources that can reshape the way you think, act, and lead.
From uncovering your unique leadership style to learning how to communicate with empathy and make tough decisions, the power to lead effectively lies in how well you understand yourself and others. But here's the thing: leadership isn’t a solo journey. It thrives in community, with diverse voices and ideas. That's why I’ve included tools that challenge you, inspire you, and, most importantly, ask you to dig deeper. These 10 free resources will push you to rethink the way you lead—and the impact you want to leave behind.
Self-awareness is foundational to your development — and your performance — as a leader.
Understanding your unique leadership style is the first step in becoming an impactful leader. By taking the 16personalities.com free assessment based on the MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) and Big Five personality traits models, helping you uncover your strengths, weaknesses, and natural tendencies. The assessment categorizes you into one of 16 personality types, each with its own set of characteristics and preferences for communication, decision-making, and problem-solving. You will gain valuable insight into how you organize your life, interact with others, and process information.
Make sure to check out their free substack and Instagram account both of which include bonus content for ongoing learning.
2 - Learn How to Lead with Vulnerability & Empathy from Brené Brown
To lead effectively, you don’t have to abandon strength or authority—you just need to balance them with vulnerability and empathy.
Research has shown that emotional intelligence (EQ)—the ability to understand and manage your emotions and the emotions of others—is a critical factor in effective leadership.
Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston and a bestselling author, is widely recognized for her groundbreaking work on leadership, vulnerability, and courage. Her free guides and exercises (based on her popular books) show you how to weave these essential qualities into your leadership approach. By incorporating vulnerability and empathy, you’ll not only create a more engaged and trusting team, but you’ll also inspire loyalty and encourage innovative thinking.
3 - Challenge Your Thinking with Fresh Worklife Perspective from Adam Grant
Are you ready to rethink the way you lead?
Adam Grant is a renowned organizational psychologist, bestselling author, and TED speaker who has spent years studying the science of work and leadership. His WorkLife Podcast brings fresh, evidence-based insights on the challenges leaders face in today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world. In each episode, Grant interviews top thinkers, authors, and experts from various fields to explore how we can build healthier, more productive workplaces and lead with greater purpose.
Whether you're looking to improve team dynamics, enhance your decision-making, or challenge outdated leadership practices, Grant’s thoughtful discussions provide invaluable tools to rethink and refine your leadership approach.
4 - Learn from the Wisdom & Experience of Top Leaders on the HBR Coaching Real Leaders Podcast
Leadership isn’t just about theory—it’s about learning from those who have faced real challenges and navigated complex circumstances.
HBR’s Coaching Real Leaders Podcast, hosted by Muriel Wilkins, offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from top executives, entrepreneurs, and experts who share their leadership journeys, including both successes and setbacks.
Wilkins, an executive coach with decades of experience, brings her deep expertise in leadership development to every episode, guiding her guests through candid and insightful conversations. Her coaching style combines empathy, practical wisdom, and powerful questions, making each episode a masterclass in personal and professional growth. By listening in to this podcast, you’ll gain actionable advice and learn from the lived experiences of high-level leaders, helping you apply their insights to your own leadership path.
5 - Transform Your Habits with Simple, Profound Tips from James Clear
Effective leadership is often rooted in the habits you build over time.
James Clear, the bestselling author of Atomic Habits, offers his free 3-2-1 Newsletter, delivering bite-sized wisdom directly to your inbox every week.
With his practical, science-backed advice on habit formation, productivity, and personal growth, Clear helps leaders build better systems and make lasting changes. Each newsletter is packed with actionable insights that you can immediately apply to both your personal and professional life, helping you become a more intentional and effective leader, one small habit at a time.
6 - Stay Informed with HBR’s Expert Thought Leadership
Staying up-to-date on the latest leadership trends and management strategies is vital for any leader.
Harvard Business Review (HBR) offers free newsletters that deliver valuable insights straight to your inbox, covering everything from leadership strategies to team dynamics and organizational behavior.
Additionally, HBR provides access to three free articles a month, giving you in-depth analysis and expert advice from some of the world’s leading thinkers in business and leadership. Digging into your three free articles will help you refine your leadership approach, stay on top of current trends, and make more informed decisions that drive your leadership success.
7 - Foster Innovation & a Thriving Culture with Google’s Re:Work
Creating a workplace where innovation thrives requires thoughtful leadership and data-driven strategies.
Google’s Re:Work site offers a wealth of free resources, backed by research, to help leaders build inclusive, high-performing teams and foster a culture of collaboration and creativity. With options to explore various themes like innovation, people analytics, teams, managers, hiring, and goal-setting, Re:Work provides practical and actionable insights.
Check out these specific (customizable) resources:
How to Build a Shared Vision - Slide Deck & Facilitator Guide
8 - Access Cutting-Edge Leadership Insights from The Center for Creative Leadership
Leadership is a continuous learning journey.
The Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) is a world leader in developing transformational leaders. With a deep focus on research-driven insights, CCL offers free access to a variety of resources designed to help leaders at every level sharpen their skills. Check out their collection of:
Their content covers critical topics like emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and team dynamics. Whether you’re looking to improve your leadership effectiveness or develop your team’s potential, CCL’s evidence-based resources will provide you with the tools you need to lead with confidence, clarity, and impact.
9 - Expand Your Leadership Knowledge with Free Courses from Top Universities
Many leaders have little to no formal training in leadership development before beginning a formal leadership role.
If you have a desire to grow your leadership skills but cannot invest time or funding into a formal leadership degree, you can access high-quality, university-level education at no cost through these free programs (list and image created by Fortune.com).
Platforms like Coursera, edX, and FutureLearn offer free leadership courses from prestigious institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. While these featured courses offer valuable free content, there are typically some restrictions. For example, with many of the program, you can access course materials and lectures for free, but if you want a certificate of completion or access to assignments with feedback, you may need to pay.
Despite these limitations, the free content still provides valuable knowledge in areas like team management, emotional intelligence, and strategic leadership, all of which can help you advance as a leader without breaking the bank.
10 - Inspire and Equip Yourself (or Your Team) with TED Talks on Leadership
Looking for inspiration and fresh ideas?
TED Talks offers a curated Leadership Playlist with a wide range of talks from thought leaders, innovators, and experts in various fields. From Simon Sinek's How to Inspire Action to Sheryl Sandberg’s Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders, these talks cover essential leadership qualities and how to apply them in real-world situations.
And if you are searching for a different topic, browse their comprehensive playlists, which feature specific themes such as—
