SeeMeHired Insights
Top 10 HR Books to Read in 2025

In 2025, HR professionals face a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by digital transformation, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and changing employee expectations. Staying informed and adaptable is vital to thriving in this environment. The following carefully curated selection of HR books provides essential insights and practical tools to help HR leaders and practitioners lead with confidence, innovate in people management, and foster thriving workplaces.
1. Artificial Intelligence for HR: Use AI to Support and Develop a Successful Workforce by Ben Eubanks
This book demystifies the role of artificial intelligence in HR, providing a clear framework for leveraging AI to enhance recruitment, employee engagement, and workforce development. Ben Eubanks offers practical advice on integrating AI tools without losing the human touch.
What you will learn:
- How AI can automate repetitive HR tasks
- Ways to improve decision-making with data-driven insights
- Balancing technology with personalised employee experiences
2. Excellence in People Analytics: How to Use Workforce Data to Create Business Value by David Green and Jonathan Ferrar
Green and Ferrar explore how to harness workforce data to drive strategic decisions and deliver measurable business outcomes. This book provides frameworks and case studies that help HR teams become data-savvy and evidence-based.
What you will learn:
- Methods to collect and analyse HR data effectively
- How to link people analytics to organisational goals
- Building a culture of data-driven decision-making
3. Humanocracy: Creating Organizations as Amazing as the People Inside Them by Gary Hamel and Michele Zanini
Challenging conventional bureaucracy, this book advocates for empowering employees by flattening hierarchies and fostering innovation. Hamel and Zanini present a roadmap for creating agile, human-centred organisations.
What you will learn:
- Strategies to reduce bureaucracy and empower teams
- Cultivating autonomy and creativity at all organisational levels
- Designing organisations that attract and retain top talent
4. You’re Invited: The Art and Science of Connection, Trust, and Belonging by Jon Levy
Jon Levy combines behavioural science with practical techniques to help HR professionals build meaningful connections and create a workplace culture where employees feel valued and included.
What you will learn:
- The psychology behind trust and belonging
- Techniques to enhance workplace relationships and collaboration
- Creating inclusive environments that improve retention
5. Love ’Em or Lose ’Em: Getting Good People to Stay by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans
This classic HR text provides tried-and-tested strategies for improving employee retention through recognition, career development, and engagement. It remains highly relevant for tackling turnover in 2025.
What you will learn:
- Identifying key drivers of employee engagement
- Practical ways to recognise and reward talent
- Developing career paths that encourage loyalty
6. The Equality Machine: Harnessing Digital Technology for a Brighter, More Inclusive Future by Orly Lobel
Lobel examines how emerging digital technologies can be harnessed to promote equality and reduce bias within organisations. The book highlights opportunities and challenges of using AI and other tech in talent management.
What you will learn:
- Leveraging technology to create fairer hiring and promotion practices
- Understanding potential biases in digital tools and how to mitigate them
- Building a diverse and inclusive workforce using innovation
7. The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle
Coyle investigates what makes successful teams tick, focusing on the importance of psychological safety, shared purpose, and vulnerability. His insights help HR leaders build strong, cohesive groups.
What you will learn:
- Techniques to foster trust and openness within teams
- Creating a sense of belonging and shared identity
- How to sustain high performance through culture-building
8.Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
Scott introduces the concept of Radical Candor — caring personally while challenging directly — as a powerful leadership approach. The book equips HR and managers with tools for honest communication and effective feedback.
What you will learn:
- Delivering constructive feedback without damaging relationships
- Building a culture of open, honest communication
- Encouraging growth and accountability in teams
9. Make Work Fair: The Science of Building Fairness in the Workplace by Iris Bohnet and Siri Chilazi
This research-driven book explores how fairness impacts employee motivation and organisational success. Bohnet and Chilazi provide actionable advice on designing equitable HR policies and practices.
What you will learn:
- Applying behavioural science to improve fairness in hiring and promotion
- Designing compensation systems that reduce bias
- Building organisational trust through transparent processes
10. Judgement at Work: The Science of Decision-Making and How to Improve It by Andrew Likierman
Likierman delves into the cognitive science behind workplace decision-making. This book offers practical guidance to refine judgement skills and make better, more consistent choices as an HR leader.
What you will learn:
- Understanding common decision-making pitfalls
- Tools to improve judgement and problem-solving
- Enhancing organisational outcomes through better decisions
These titles offer a broad spectrum of knowledge and actionable strategies designed to equip HR professionals for the challenges and opportunities of 2025. Whether embracing AI, building inclusive cultures, or sharpening leadership skills, these books will help you lead your organisation’s people strategy with confidence and insight.
