5 Best Henry Cloud Books On Leadership (Plus 10 Henry Cloud Quotes)

Dr. Henry Cloud speaks frequently at the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit and other conferences (Check out some of the Best Talks of the Summit). Dr. Cloud is also a best-selling author of multiple books and a consultant for many Fortune 500 companies. I’ve found his resources challenging and helpful over the years. He addresses critical issues such as boundaries, endings, and relationships in general. This list of Henry Cloud books and quotes will challenge you and resource you as a leader.

'Remember...just because someone is offended doesn't mean you are wrong.' -- @DrHenryCloud Click To Tweet

I’ve provided a list of Henry Cloud quotes in addition to the Henry Cloud books because I know you are busy. Leaders often skim resources to decide quickly if they would like to dive further. In my work with the Malphurs Group church consulting firm, I continually get asked about what resources are available and am amazed at how many times I’ve seen various Henry Cloud books on someone’s desk. If the Henry Cloud quotes at the bottom of the post address any of the current challenges you face, consider one of the top five Henry Cloud books found below. If these aren’t helpful, you may find another Henry Cloud book at Amazon that better fits your context.

5 Best Henry Cloud Books On Leadership (Plus 10 Henry Cloud Quotes)

1) Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life

This book is probably the most well known Henry Cloud book written. It still today is ranked as
one of the top books on Amazon. In this books he discusses how boundaries help not only define our comfort zones but go much deeper.
Boundaries help us to define who we are and who we are not. When you or those you lead clearly establish boundaries, you enable your team or organization to perform at a high level with emotional stability.

2) Making Small Groups Work: What Every Small Group Leader Needs to Know

Small groups matter for any organization. Most things get done in the context of small teams or groups. But in the church, small groups, missional communities, or adult bible fellowships create a space that facilitates growth, community impact, and leadership development. This Henry Cloud book provides the guidelines necessary for small group leaders who want to maximize their impact.

I’ve found that rarely do churches provide solid training for small group leaders. Without training, it is no wonder that we struggle to create a culture of small groups and discipleship. Consider using a book like Dr. Henry Cloud’s Making Small Groups Work as a training tool for your new or potential small group leaders.

3) Necessary Endings: The Employees, Businesses, and Relationships that All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Move Forward

Projects end. Events come to a close. People die. Relationships sour. It is a fact of life. If you avoid the necessary endings of life in order to maintain the status quo, you will continually wrestle with moving forward.

We all have necessary endings. There comes a point that you have to decisively end something in order to achieve or experience what you truly long for. This book, along with my list of leadership coaching questions for leaders, can get you on the right track and moving forward.

4) Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality

Reality can stop you in your tracks or propel you forward. All of the Henry Cloud books, but especially Integrity, provide a framework within which you can get the courage you need to live a life of character. At the end of the day, what do you really have if you don’t have your integrity?

For those of us that serve church leaders and pastors, you know firsthand the importance of integrity to the ministry of not only the leaders but the church in general. I would argue that our lack of integrity as Christians has frequently been the cause of distrust in the hearts of those who don’t call themselves Christians. The common statement I hear is that Christians are hypocrites and judgmental. What if your life was characterized by a lack of hypocrisy and acceptance of others? My guess is that you would have a much greater impact on your family, friends, and community.

What about those who more focused on the business world? Integrity is the basis for trust between two individuals or a team. If your team lacks integrity then you will be less likely to trust them. You will create a culture of distrust. Your co-workers will walk on eggshells and struggle to navigate the fog of distrust as it gradually tears your company apart from the inside out. Step back and assess your own integrity and then find a way to encourage your team to interact with one another with integrity.

5) Safe People: How to Find Relationships That Are Good for You and Avoid Those That Aren’t

Relationships matter. Whether your focus is on your personal life, work, non-profit or some other context, you
face the challenge of understanding others and being understood yourself. Cloud’s book Safe People will help you to find the relationships you need to navigate the highs and lows of leadership and life. It also will equip you to avoid the debilitating relationships impede success and joy. 

10 Dr. Henry Cloud Quotes

As promised, this post not only has Henry Cloud books but also a few powerful Henry Cloud quotes. You’ll realize how brilliant he is when you read them. I may end up printing these out and posting them on my wall.

1) Hoarders by definition are in denial. — @DrHenryCloud

2) God is there with you, empowering you to do what achieves his ends. — @DrHenryCloud

3) Holding on to the baggage of the past will disable you for your journey with God. — @DrHenryCloud

4) Remember……just because someone is offended doesn’t mean you are wrong….. — @DrHenryCloud

5) A good sign of how secure you are is what it takes to “offend” you. The more secure we are, the less we take offense. — @DrHenryCloud

6) The real work is to get the people to work the plan. — @DrHenryCloud

7) Sorry does not equal trust. Sorry equals forgiveness. Changed and different behavior equal trust. — @DrHenryCloud

8) When you become comfortable with being uncomfortable, there is no limit on your growth. Embrace discomfort. — @DrHenryCloud

9) Intentions do not bring results…..but actions do. No matter what you intend to do, if you don’t do it, it won’t materialize. — @DrHenryCloud

10) God’s way is not out of your problems but through them. — @DrHenryCloud

You can find more information or interact with Dr. Cloud on his website, Twitter, or Facebook.