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9 Essential Product & Leadership Books

9 Essential Books for Product & Leadership (2025 Edition)

Small Business Success

As the year wraps up and I look back and selfishly reflect on personal accomplishments (professional accomplishments to follow in a separate post), I’d have to dub 2024 “the year of learning.” 

Over the last 18 months, I’ve set aside some regular quiet time to go back to the basics and read. No, not online or behind a screen, but the good old-fashioned print version, with a coffee, on my balcony (at least during summer, weather permitting). I highly recommend the experience; it infused me with new energy, ideas, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Those who know me understand that sharing what I’ve learned is an important part of who I am. So in that spirit, I’m happy to share my essential Product & Leadership reads for 2025.

Passion Meets Purpose

Why Product & Leadership? Simply put, those are the two hats I wear today within WHC. As CEO and Head of Product, I’m tasked with driving strategic leadership at WHC while leading product initiatives that solve real problems for our clients. In tech, these are powerful skill sets that are essential in taking startups and scaleups to the next level.

Without further ado, here are the books that have impacted me most, and why:

1. Inspired, Marty Cagan, 2017 (2nd Edition)


Inspired book

Inspired is a must-read for tech startups looking to build products that truly resonate with customers. Cagan, a former product leader at eBay and HP, outlines a practical framework for creating innovative, market-defining products. He emphasizes the importance of strong product teams, clear decision-making, and relentless customer focus. Startups will gain insight into prioritizing features, avoiding common pitfalls, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and iteration.

2. Shape Up, Ryan Singer (Basecamp), 2019


Shape Up book

Written by a leader at Basecamp, Shape Up offers a unique approach to software development that moves beyond traditional Agile and Scrum methodologies. Singer introduces concepts like "betting" on projects rather than planning them, empowering small teams to work on longer build cycles. This book helps tech startups streamline product development, reduce wasted effort, and maintain agility as they scale, all while avoiding the common trap of endless backlogs.

3. Good to Great, Jim Collins, 2001


Good to great book

While not specific to tech, Good to Great provides essential leadership principles that are crucial for startups aiming for sustained success. Collins identifies the traits of companies that made the leap from good to great, such as the "Hedgehog Concept" and "Level 5 Leadership." For tech founders, it offers guidance on building enduring companies, focusing on long-term strategic thinking, and hiring the right talent to scale the business effectively.

4. Deep Work, Cal Newport, 2016


Deep work book

Deep Work explains how startups can achieve extraordinary results by fostering a culture of intense, focused work. Newport argues that shallow work (like emails and meetings) drains productivity, while "deep work" creates true value. For tech startups, the book provides actionable strategies to help teams focus on critical tasks, eliminate distractions, and achieve breakthrough innovation, especially in software development and technical problem-solving.

5. Start with Why, Simon Sinek, 2009


Start with why book

Start with Why is a blueprint for purpose-driven leadership and brand positioning. Sinek's "Golden Circle" framework emphasizes the importance of starting with "why" — the core mission and values — before moving to "how" and "what." Tech startups can use this approach to craft compelling brand stories, align their teams around a shared vision, and attract customers and investors who believe in their mission.

6. Radical Candor, Kim Scott, 2017


Radical candor book

Effective team communication is essential for tech startups, and Radical Candor provides a clear path for achieving it. Scott, a former Google and Apple executive, teaches leaders to balance "care personally" with "challenge directly" to build honest, respectful feedback loops. Startups that adopt this approach foster open communication, resolve conflicts faster, and create a high-performing, aligned team culture.

7. Traction, Gino Wickman, 2007


Traction book

Traction introduces the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a framework designed to bring structure and accountability to fast-growing businesses. For startups navigating rapid growth, EOS helps define roles, set clear goals, and track performance. This system ensures that everyone in the company is aligned on priorities, which is crucial for scaling a tech startup while maintaining operational efficiency.

8. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, Patrick Lencioni, 2002


Five Dysfunctions of a Team book

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team is a leadership fable that illustrates the key pitfalls that prevent teams from achieving their full potential. For tech startups, this book is essential for building strong, cohesive teams. Lencioni’s model highlights issues like lack of trust, fear of conflict, and lack of accountability — all of which are common in fast-paced, high-stress environments like startups & scaleups. Solving these dysfunctions leads to better team alignment and higher performance.

9. Process! How Discipline and Consistency Will Set You and Your Business Free. Mike Paton and Lisa González, 2020


Process book

Process! provides a playbook for turning chaos into clarity. For tech startups that often struggle with fast-paced change, the book emphasizes the power of process discipline. Paton and González explain how to document, standardize, and optimize essential workflows, from customer onboarding to technical development. By doing so, startups can reduce errors, improve efficiency, and free up leadership to focus on growth and strategy.

Back to the Basics

Books are powerful tools for transformation. They inspire, teach, and push us to think differently. As 2025 approaches, I encourage you to carve out time for your own “year of learning.” Whether it’s one of the books I’ve shared or another that resonates with you, remember that every new page is a step forward in your journey. 

If you’ve got a book recommendation or want to chat about these reads, feel free to reach out or drop a comment. Here’s to growth, innovation, and a thriving year ahead! 🥂

Onboarding feature

Get Started Faster with WHC’s New Onboarding Feature!

WHC News & Events

Setting up your online services has never been easier. WHC’s new Onboarding Feature is here to make your setup stress-free, fast, and seamless.

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WPForms Vulnerability

WPForms Vulnerability: How to Protect Your WordPress Website

Security

If your WordPress site uses WPForms, WHC recommends promptly addressing a recently discovered vulnerability to ensure your website’s security.

WordPress is a powerful and versatile platform for building websites, but its security depends heavily on the plugins and themes you use. Recently, a critical vulnerability was discovered in WPForms, a popular WordPress plugin used for creating contact forms and surveys, as well as for managing payments. For those using this plugin, it's important to address the risks and ensure your website remains protected.

What’s the vulnerability?

The vulnerability, CVE-2024-11205, identified through the Wordfence Bug Bounty Program, affects specific versions of WPForms and relates to insufficient validation in the plugin’s handling of sensitive data. Specifically, the flaw could allow unauthorized users to execute payment refunds or cancel subscriptions through the forms created with the plugin. This opens the door for potential financial losses and service disruptions.

Although not every site running WPForms is necessarily at risk, sites processing payments or handling subscription-based services are particularly vulnerable. Attackers could exploit this issue to bypass authentication and carry out unauthorized actions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining robust plugin security.

Who is affected?

The vulnerability impacts WPForms versions prior to 1.8.2, a patched version of the plugin which resolves the issue and enhances security measures.

If you’re using WPForms on your WordPress site, it’s essential to check your current plugin version. To do this, log in to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins, and locate WPForms in the list. If your version is earlier than 1.8.2, update it immediately to safeguard your website.

Recommendations

To protect your website and your users:

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Stay safe out there, folks.

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AI-Powered WordPress Just Got Better!

WordPress

Creating a website and generating unique, tailored content has never been easier, thanks to WHC’s AI-powered WordPress. Powered by OpenAI, this cutting-edge tool empowers Canadians to create websites faster, smarter, and more efficiently than ever before.

Launched in July 2024, it’s available for free with Managed WordPress Hosting and Web Hosting services! And WHC didn’t stop there: our latest updates make it even more powerful and user-friendly. 

Let’s explore what’s new, what’s coming, and how it can supercharge your online space!

Reimagining Website Creation with AI

AI-powered WordPress combines the flexibility of WordPress with advanced artificial intelligence tools designed to simplify every stage of your website journey. Whether you're launching a blog, building an online store, or crafting a professional portfolio, these features empower you to do more in less time.

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Create a simple, single-page WordPress site in minutes, perfect for users who need to get online quickly.

WordPress AI

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WordPress AI

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What’s coming in Version 1.16?

Exciting enhancements are coming in mid-December 2024 with Version 1.16, bringing even more seamless website creation and management updates like:

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Why build your website on WordPress with AI?

By integrating artificial intelligence with the power of WordPress, WHC empowers everyone to create professional-grade websites, whether you’re a first-time user or a seasoned developer. Here’s how:

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Ready to get the most out of these new features?

Already with WHC? AI-powered WordPress is free to set up with your hosting. 

New here? Get started with Managed WordPress Hosting today, where AI-powered WordPress is included for free.

Building a stunning website has never been easier. Let’s create something amazing online, together!