15 HR Books for HR Professionals Looking to Grow Their Career

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In an era where employee experiences are just as crucial as customer experiences, human resource professionals must always be at the top of their game.
If you’ve chosen a career in human resource management (HRM), you must constantly upskill to stay relevant and add value to the business. As the race to hire and retain the best talent intensifies, business leaders must learn and set the right KPIs for HR teams that align with the organization’s strategic goals.
We’ve curated a list of the 15 best HR books for HR professionals like you who want to grow at work. These HR books blend the wisdom of seasoned veterans and insights into the latest industry trends impacting talent management.
Let’s dive in!

Sometimes known as the ‘bible of the HR world,’ Gary Dessler’s iconic Human Resource Management is a 700-page, in-depth guide on the science and execution of people operations.
Today, one of the most iconic HR books, it breaks down the essentials of HR according to functional areas, from hiring and talent management to training, compensation, and managing employee relations.
Now, in its 17th edition (with multiple international versions as well), the book not only explores the history of HR practices but focuses on how technology (like cloud computing) and social media (LinkedIn, in particular) shape the field. It also discusses how the latest HR tech tools and software are shaking things up in the ever-evolving world of HRM.
Gary Dessler’s Human Resource Management book is a staple textbook for learning what HRM does in a company/organization as a department and a function. The book gives a solid explanation of [sic] what an HR manager’s roles are, what they should do and avoid, and what to do in situations where dilemmas (technical or ethical) occur [sic]. It is a must-read for any HR Managers and students undertaking the Human Resource Management course.

For over a decade now, The Essential HR Handbook by Sharon Armstrong and Barbara Mitchell has been helping HR professionals navigate a range of functions like recruitment, legal compliance, performance management, and workplace diversity.
Freshly updated in 2020, the 10th edition of this book has easy-to-understand explanations on everything from handling diverse teams to crafting employee-friendly policies and benefits. Even today, this edition remains a go-to resource, providing tips and checklists for most HR practitioners.
This book is a great resource for someone beginning in the HR field as I am. I wanted a book that had information as well as sample forms and checklists, and this little book was it. If you’re just beginning in HR, I highly recommend this book.

Not a fan of old-school HR—where employees were encouraged to impress rather than bring their authentic selves to work? Then you’ll love Dave Ulrich’s bestseller, Victory Through Organization.
Published in 2017, it suggests a fresh approach to HR: building dynamic systems where great talent is not restricted to one department or practice area but leveraged across the entire organization. What’s unique about this book is that its ideas are based on insights from 30,000 HR professionals and business leaders!
Victory through Organization covers various HR themes, such as organizational effectiveness, talent development and deployment, building a sustainable competitive advantage, and more. It is considered a handbook for senior HR leaders.
The book challenges norms, busts myths, and pushes for real change. Its overall message is that success isn’t just about hiring top talent; it’s about making the most of it.
Victory Through Organization is an extraordinary accomplishment: data-based, original, creative, and comprehensive. The case for why HR must re-conceptualize its core responsibility is brilliant. HR must be continuously ready to re-think and re-perceive why it exists; it has to change in the most fundamental ways from a status quo of meeting regulation requirements and the like, which are imposed from outside to being a proactive business partner which contributes to the development of strategy and financial outcomes while being an ongoing source of creativity and reality in terms of human performance.

In a world where a company’s strength lies in intangibles and brainpower, The HR Scorecard by Brian Becker makes a strong case for the importance of HR.
This book introduces the concept of an HR scorecard—a measurement principle that links the role of an HR professional to the firm’s performance. With insights drawn from surveying over 2,800 companies, the book concludes that companies with effective HR management systems often outperform their competitors.
The book explains how to measure parameters like HR key performance indicators (KPIs) against business goals and covers a few indexes to help you calculate the ROI of any HR program.
The book provides a measurement model to guide the implementation of human capital strategy, the ultimate objective of the model being to align strategy, people, and organizational performance. The authors present a new approach to managing a firm’s ‘HR architecture’ as a strategic asset, as well as measuring its contribution to the firm’s performance. The authors argue in favor of a top-down, rather than a bottom-up approach to the implementation of strategy, along with an innovative assessment system to measure HR’s contribution.

Would you like to draw inspiration from the impeccable HR practices at Google and adapt them to fit your company? If yes, then this book is for you.
Google’s former VP of People Operations, Laszlo Bock, compiles 15 years of intensive research in this inspirational collection of talent management lessons for teams of any size.
It includes real-world cases, actionable advice, and insights on balancing creativity and structure within a company. Bock also teaches you to reshape leadership from within the organization rather than top-down.
Google is not as unusual or hard to understand as people think—this book clearly shows that a unique philosophy, creativity, and lots of hard work prevail. Tons of fantastic examples which other companies can use, and a very good explanation of how to experiment and use analytics to create great people strategies.

HR professionals often grapple with a question: Do I prioritize people or processes?
If you, too, are struggling to find a balance between the two, Su Patel’s Putting The Human Back Into HR should be your next buy.
The book addresses the age-old conflict between human resources (the people) vs. human processes (the policies) and outlines key areas that HR professionals need to master. It covers how you can bring all the areas of the HR professional role together, feel more fulfilled as a member of the HR team, and pave the way for professional growth.
I wish I had read this book years ago – and had others around me read it too! I think sometimes we overcomplicate Human Resources – after all, it ain’t rocket science – but also dehumanize it. This book addresses both of these failings – it is full of simple yet effective methods for HR professionals to use and has people at the heart of everyone.

Celebrated HR executive and veteran Steve Browne is just as passionate about human resources today as he was 30 years ago when he began his career. His best-seller, HR On Purpose, is a testament to that passion.
The book is a personal and motivational guide encouraging HR professionals to move beyond administrative tasks and do things that positively impact organizations.
Sometimes, dealing with HR issues day in and day out can be draining. Browne aims to reignite your enthusiasm through valuable insights, practical advice, and real-life examples, making this book a compelling read for all HR folks.
If you want to be a great HR leader (or just a great leader), you should read this book! What I like best about HR On Purpose is the simple, practical leadership stories. That may seem strange for a book on HR (and might have something to do with my own focus on leadership) but one of Steve’s primary points is that HR folks – like all leaders – have to focus on people, not policies and compliance.

Inspired by his own journey as a transgender man, Perry published Belonging At Work as a practical guide to building inclusive workplaces where everyone feels at home.
It’s not just about diversity and inclusion; it’s about building a welcoming organizational culture that lets employees bring their authentic selves to work and gives them a sense of belonging. Perry shares personal stories, case studies, and practical HR strategies that can help create a workplace that practices true allyship.
Perry uses a friendly, warm tone as he invites you to internalize why belonging matters, how it’s different from diversity and inclusion, and why it’s the future of human resources.
Rhodes Perry’s book Belonging at Work should be required reading for not only managers and supervisors but for everyone who interacts with others different from them in any fashion. Belonging at Work provides myriad stories, tips, exercises, and calls to action, all presented in Mr. Perry’s clear, congenial writing style.

As someone who works in the HR department, do you ever feel like you’re stuck in a rut?
Then you should read this book by Lucy Adams, which looks to break the mold of traditional HR and bring in a new perspective.
HR Disrupted is an easy-to-read book centered around the question: How can a modern HR professional lead, manage, engage, and support employees in a constantly evolving business world?
Adams’ work, enriched with relatable examples from her experiences at the BBC, prompts readers to rethink how they work.
She delves deep into minute details and suggests tools and tactics for all HR-related functions, including rewards, employment rules and policies, and talent management.
This is by far the best book I’ve read in years; everything Lucy talks about is directly related to my own thoughts and observations I’ve seen with my own eyes in all the places I’ve worked. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is genuinely interested in helping understand and address one of the most important and influential aspects of any business or organization that will greatly help achieve what it has set out to do…the people working in it.

The human psyche is an intriguing, delicate thing, and business leaders must be mindful of how the workplace affects it. Amy Edmondson talks about that in her book, The Fearless Organization.
Edmondson’s book explores the idea of psychological safety—creating an environment where employees feel safe to take risks, share their thoughts, and learn without fearing negative consequences.
This book is like a north star for HR leaders and folks who want to boost employee engagement and spark innovation by letting people openly communicate, collaborate, and practice continuous learning.
Edmondson packs 20 years of research into this book, giving leaders practical steps to make their workplaces inclusive and fearless. This powerful book makes a strong case for the link between employee well-being and organizational success.
Edmondson’s The Fearless Organization provides a useful framework for managers who are interested in promoting psychological safety in their work environments… One refreshing aspect of Edmondson’s framework is that it is backed by 20 years of research in multiple industries. This research shows the importance of psychological safety in the workplace: when employees do not feel enabled or encouraged to speak up with their questions or concerns, it can breed a culture of silence that may go beyond business failure and affect people’s physical and mental health.

Ever felt like the human connection is missing in workplace relationships?
Erica Keswin’s Bring Your Human to Work is about bringing that warmth back.
With over 20 years of experience, Keswin reveals how top-notch companies like Lyft and Starbucks create genuine and supportive workplaces.
This Wall Street Journal bestseller is not your typical HR Ted Talk—it’s a practical guide on making your workplace more personable and fostering work habits that lead to company success and employee happiness.
Keswin’s book is filled with important reminders (backed by meticulous research) that supporting the PEOPLE who work with you and providing them with the tools to connect and give back creates a more productive and positive work environment. My personal bias – the chapters on giving back and saying thank you are the most meaningful, because the world, and every workplace, could use a little more kindness and humility these days. But every chapter is filled with gems of wisdom and honest perspective on how our technologically “connected” world needs a little more human connection.

In a world where remote work has become near-ubiquitous, it’s clear why this HR book made our list.
Remote, Not Distant is your roadmap to business success in the era of remote and hybrid work. Gustavo Razzetti, CEO of Fearless Culture, provides practical advice for maintaining a solid company culture, improving collaboration, and building psychological safety in the digital workplace.
This book offers actionable advice for companies aiming to boost employee satisfaction and productivity in remote-first organizations. It even recommends healthy work habits that make for high-efficiency, innovation-driven workplaces.
Whether new to remote work or refining your strategies, you’ll find everything you need here to succeed in a modern workplace.
I’ve read lots of books on leadership for today’s world of hybrid scenarios and this one is the best. With over 135 references (all linked easily) it is thorough and precise. Highly recommended. No matter how long you think current conditions will last, this book is useful!

Creating an inclusive workplace requires asking difficult questions, and Bärí A. Williams manages to touch upon most of them in her book Diversity In The Workplace.
Williams takes us on a journey into workplace diversity through 25 insightful interviews, where marginalized individuals share their experiences around race, gender, LGBTQ+ identification, ability, age, religion, and culture.
What’s unique about this HR book is its practical touch. Each section wraps up with a valuable takeaway to use as your tool for change. Diversity in the Workplace is an excellent read for HR professionals, managers, and anyone keen on building inclusive workplaces.
Bäri is an intelligent, thoughtful, and compassionate writer. I love that she’s able to capture the interviewees’ story [sic] in an unbiased manner, staying objective all throughout. I saw myself/my experiences in several stories so the book really hit home for me. I highly recommend reading it.

If you aim to actively address workplace misconduct and nip the ‘drama’ in the bud, read The Drama-Free Workplace.
Authored by seasoned attorney and HR expert Patti Perez, this book gives you practical strategies to minimize drama, boost compliance training, and improve communication on sensitive topics at work.
With insights from over 1,200 workplace investigations, Patti covers everything about sexual harassment, bias, diversity, and ethical issues at the workplace.
It’s not just about legal compliance—it’s about creating a healthy workplace culture that is safe and respectful of everyone. The book debunks myths and offers practical tips for foreseeing and avoiding legal pitfalls when dealing with workplace issues.
This is a great book with tons of great material. Patti has tons of experience in the legal and operational field of how to best deal with creating a positive work culture that guards against a hostile work environment. If you want a workplace that can be creative, supportive, engaged, and thriving, then this book is a must. A step-by-step on how to get that done and make sure that your workforce is thriving… all of them!

This is it if you ever need a book that answers every HR-related question. Authors Shawn Smith and Rebecca Mazin address over 200 common employer questions ranging from recruitment and discipline to downsizing and compensation.
This HR book is practically bursting with practical solutions to everyday human resource management-related issues and industry best practices. It also comes with bonus checklists.
The HR Answer Book is essential for professionals seeking a quick consult guide to workplace issues.
This really is an answer book! It covers in-depth [sic] answers to core HR policies and procedures in just about every aspect of HR. Oh and did you know that it also qualifies for recertification credits if you’re a SHRM-certified professional? Yes, that’s right. This book is worth 3 recertification credits if you take an online quiz (SHRM eLearning) after reading it…
Now that you’ve gained insights from these 15 top human resource management books, it’s time to implement them.
ClickUp’s HR analytics and data management platform can help you do that. With a slew of user-friendly productivity features for HR professionals, ClickUp is an essential addition to your toolkit of HR data and software products.

Because ClickUp offers an all-in-one productivity platform that can help manage teams of any size and industry, it’s the perfect tool for HR teams juggling tasks like employee data, timesheets, and goals.
With customizable features and over 1,000 integrations, it can centralize your work, from recruitment and payroll to onboarding and exits, across apps into a single collaborative workspace.
So whether you’re figuring out employee engagement and rewards or measuring productivity, ClickUp can make all your HR data, decisions, and processes a breeze.
But does it align with all the takeaways we learned from our curated list of HR books? Let’s see.
Hiring the right people is the first and arguably most crucial step in building a great company. Several of the best HR books on our list cover recruitment and hiring strategies extensively. And ClickUp simplifies and upgrades the entire process.

Manage and store everything from job descriptions and team information to company details and policies using ClickUp Docs. Collaborate in real-time, customize to your brand style, and control access to safeguard confidential data.
You can revolutionize your talent search and interview process with ClickUp by organizing candidates, applications, and outreach in a streamlined pipeline. Also, create job descriptions, team information, company details, and company policies and give access based on authority.
Add the specifics you need with the help of custom fields and task descriptions, and use automation to usher candidates smoothly through the process.
And if you’re too short on time, turn to ClickUp’s extensive library of templates.
For instance, ClickUp’s Hiring Candidates Template is designed to help streamline and visualize your hiring process. You can use it to evaluate candidates, compare applicants, and stay organized with checklists and reminders.
First impressions matter. Once you’ve hired fresh new talent, you’ve got to give them a great onboarding experience. ClickUp is here to help you with that.

Create onboarding workflows that can get your new hires off to a great start. Set up training modules with trackable tasks and process documents. After that, assign people their roles and actively communicate with them through tags, comments, and notifications.
With ClickUp, you can access ClickUp’s Employee Onboarding Template to create checklists, set up tasks and meetings, schedule training sessions, and promote collaboration.
Once everything’s set, it’s time to get to work.
Our collection has two excellent books (Diversity in the Workplace and Belonging at Work) that help HR practitioners build more inclusive, diverse workplaces. In your quest to do so, ClickUp is a staunch ally.
Create a safe, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all employees with ClickUp’s Action Plan Template for DEI. Use this template to gauge the success of your DEI initiatives, collaborate on related tasks in a central location, and monitor the status and progress of each action item.
But that’s not all. ClickUp has a ton of similar templates to help you maintain a diverse workplace. You can use them to create strategic plans, set goals, and even perform a SWOT analysis to better grasp your initiatives.
Most HR books are brimming with shining examples of employee engagement. If you’d like to run some of these programs, ClickUp is the perfect partner.

Brainstorm and visualize your employee engagement ideas among team members with ClickUp Whiteboards, and connect various process flows together to keep everything centralized in one place. Use customizable ClickUp Forms to collect team feedback on company policies and initiatives.

ClickUp has several templates to track and boost employment engagement. For instance, use the Employee Engagement Action Plan Template by ClickUp to create action plans to identify and address employee issues or double down on strategies to improve workplace engagement.
Additionally, you can work toward improving the employee experience by gathering employee feedback using ClickUp’s Employee Engagement Survey Template.
The book The HR Scorecard is an ardent advocate of performance management, underscoring its importance through case studies and solid research.
Luckily, ClickUp comes equipped with everything related to performance management. Create trackable goals with specific targets using ClickUp Goals and keep tabs on all your wins. This lets you quickly see how your team is doing and track their overall performance.
Check out everything on your ClickUp Dashboards, and monitor business performance in real-time. Get valuable insights on performance reviews based on charts and graphs.
Plus, when needed, create personalized insights and performance reports for each employee to stay organized throughout your processes.
Use the ClickUp Performance Review Template to gather and provide feedback during the employee performance review process. Create individual goals for employees and monitor their progress with customizable statuses to guide them through their growth plans. Prioritize these goals to ensure clarity on the criteria you use for measurement.
Humans will make human errors. And when issues crop up at the workplace, they must be reported and dealt with effectively.
Use ClickUp’s ClickUp’s Employee Incident Report Template to monitor incident reports and maintain their detailed accounts for future purposes. Create actionable strategies and plans to organize response teams, tasks, and instructions within ClickUp.
You have all the HR knowledge you need from our list of HR books. All you need now is a reliable tool to help you implement it at your workplace.
Trusted by teams of various sizes across several industries, ClickUp has everything you need to set up and run a successful HR team that fuels business growth. Use ClickUp Docs to build a knowledge base, Whiteboards for brainstorming ideas, and ClickUp Goals to share and track organizational goals.
With features designed to support collaboration and efficiency, it’s an all-encompassing solution for your company. Plus, it won’t break the bank. Sign up today!
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