Home | HR Pulse Daily » Blog » Top 10 Books for Building Better Workplace Wellness and Culture in 2025
HR Systems Global

Top 10 Books for Building Better Workplace Wellness and Culture in 2025

Top 10 Books for Building Better Workplace Wellness and Culture in 2025
Image Courtesy: Pexels

As we step into 2025, the workplace is rapidly evolving. Traditional 9-to-5 jobs, rigid structures, and corporate hierarchies are being replaced by more flexible, collaborative, and people-focused environments. In this shift, workplace wellness, culture, and employee relations are becoming central to success. To help organizations navigate this transformation, a wealth of knowledge is emerging from thought leaders in these fields. Here are 10 must-read books that provide invaluable insights into creating healthier, more productive, and more human-centered workplaces.

1. Cultivating a Positive Culture: Unlocking the Secrets of Successful Teams

    Daniel Coyle’s The Culture Code is an essential read for anyone looking to build a thriving team or organization. Coyle explores the psychological aspects of successful groups, emphasizing trust, safety, and purpose. His research shows how small behaviors and shared values can create a culture of collaboration and innovation.

    2. Wellness Beyond the Basics

      Laura Putnam’s Workplace Wellness that Works is a practical guide for infusing wellness into the very fabric of your organization. Putnam goes beyond typical wellness programs and advocates for a holistic approach that engages employees on physical, emotional, and psychological levels, ensuring well-being becomes a core part of the company’s mission.

      3. Leading with Compassion and Honesty

        Kim Scott’s Radical Candor is a masterclass in creating an open, honest, and supportive work environment. Scott offers a framework for leaders to give feedback that fosters growth while maintaining empathy and respect. Leaders who master radical candor create workplaces where employees feel both challenged and supported, a crucial balance for any thriving culture.

        4. The Employee Experience Revolution

          Jacob Morgan’s The Employee Experience Advantage examines how organizations can design work environments that prioritize engagement and well-being. Morgan’s insights emphasize that employee experience isn’t just about perks and benefits—it’s about creating a holistic, meaningful environment where employees feel valued and connected.

          5. Building Resilience in the Workplace

            Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead challenges conventional leadership models and encourages leaders to lead with vulnerability, courage, and empathy. Brown’s approach builds psychological safety, trust, and collaboration, which are foundational to creating resilient teams that can weather any storm.

            6. The Language of Appreciation

              In The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, Gary Chapman and Paul White extend the concept of love languages to the workplace. By understanding how employees prefer to be recognized, leaders can create a more engaged and motivated workforce. Appreciation goes a long way in building strong employee relations.

              7. Unlocking Motivation

                Daniel Pink’s Drive revolutionized our understanding of motivation by showing that autonomy, mastery, and purpose are far more effective than traditional incentives like money or rewards. For organizations looking to foster intrinsic motivation, Pink’s research is invaluable.

                8. Creating Psychological Safety

                  Amy Edmondson’s The Fearless Organization is essential reading for anyone looking to foster innovation and learning in the workplace. Edmondson emphasizes the importance of psychological safety—creating an environment where employees feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and take risks without fear of judgment or retribution.

                  9. The Power of Trust

                    Sandra J. Sucher’s The Power of Trust explores how trust is the cornerstone of any strong relationship—whether personal or professional. In the workplace, trust influences everything from employee engagement to collaboration, and Sucher’s book offers strategies for building and restoring trust within organizations.

                    10. Rehumanizing the Workplace

                      Cynthia C. Simmons’ Rehumanizing the Workplace focuses on bringing empathy, collaboration, and inclusivity back into the workplace. By emphasizing the human side of business, Simmons advocates for a shift from transactional relationships to ones based on mutual respect and understanding.

                      About the author

                      Prachi Subhedar

                      Prachi Subhedar is an Author and Copy Writer. Driven by curiosity and creativity, she takes pride in developing engaging and insightful content at various knowledge-sharing fronts of the company. Her passion for expressing & delivering knowledge about any topic brings her value to fulfill the organization’s content goals.