Essential Reading for BRMs in 2025
In honor of BRMWeek, we’re celebrating the collective wisdom and shared experiences of Business Relationship Managers worldwide.
BRMs from the community have come together to share their top book recommendations—titles that have guided their personal and professional growth, inspired new ideas, and helped them build stronger relationships. These books are more than just pages of advice; they represent real stories of impact and learning from professionals like you.
Whether you’re seeking to sharpen your skills, find fresh perspectives, or fuel your passion for BRM, this curated list of influential reads is here to inspire your journey. Let’s dive into the recommendations that have empowered others and may just do the same for you. In no particular order, here we go!
Did you know: Some of these title recommendations are from BRMConnect Storytellers!
The Trusted Advisor
by David Maister, Charles Green and Robert Galford
Recommended by Tom Kruse
Today, professionals work harder than ever to maintain and improve their business skills and knowledge. But technical mastery of one’s discipline is not enough. The authors of this title assert, the key to professional success is the ability to earn and maintain the trust and confidence of one’s clients. This immensley accessible read is essential reading for anyone who navigates relationships, both professional and personal.
Speak Up Culture
by Stephen Shedletzky
Recommended by Carl Ivey
We all know the impacts of poor leadership: lackluster performance, missed opportunities, deleterious cultures, and in some cases, disaster. This book is for leaders at all levels, from senior executives to mid level supervisors, and aspiring leaders. All these leaders share the common desire to know a better way to behave as a leader and operate in a team and culture where people are engaged and willing to speak up, for the success of the whole organization.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
by Patrick Lencioni
Recommended by Estelle Hicks Bennett
One of the best selling business books of all time- this handbook reveals the five behavioral tendencies that go to the heart of why even the best teams struggle. This book offers a powerful model and step-by-step guidefor overcoming those dysfunctions and getting everyone rowing in the same direction.
Transition Point
by Sean Culey
Recommended by Martin Crangle
The world is in an uncertain place right now. Technological advancement is creating the perfect storm of disruption, changing the way we live. Transition Point is a fantastic ready for anyone, whether you work in technology or are interested in emerging technological trends like AI.
Bringing a BRM Team to Life Playbook Series
by BRM Institute
With help from a team of subject matter experts, BRM Institute has developed a series of Purpose to Practice Playbooks, designed to be a pocket-guide toward bringing your BRM team to life. Each book in the series advances and builds on the previous work, offering practical insights and exercises that will allow you to confidently lead your team foward to drive tangible business outcomes.
The first book, an Introduction, is a high level guide to quickly assess team capabilities and introduce tools such as SWOT and the team Operating Model.
The second book, Plan and Prepare, takes the next step for you team with practical exercises and actionable insights to develop a team charter that aligns with your organizations goals and objectives.
The newest edition to the series, Implement and Integrate, takes BRM teams to the next level. This new edition covers such topics as, team logisitics, communication launch, implementation process, and more. These steps will allow your team to seamlessly inegrate into the fabric of your organization.
IT Business Partnerships: A Field Guide: Paving the Way for Business & Technology Convergence
by Joe Topinka
Recommended by Jasbir Kooner
An essential addition to any BRMs library, this guide shares insightful stories and real-life examples of what works and what doesn’t when it comes to convergence of IT and business. Joe shares proven methods, tools, templates and details that clearly build actionable guidance so that you, too, can achieve business technology convergence.
Radical Candor
by Kim Scott
Recommended by Andrea Pence
Radical Candor has been embraced around the world by leaders of every stripe at companies of all sizes.The idea is simple: you don’t have to choose between being a pushovr and a jerk. Recommended by BRMConnect Conference Master of Ceremonies, Andrea Pence, this book is about caring personally and challenging directly, improving your leadership and providing guidance to help others grow. If you’re trying to raise the bar on management practices, this is the book for you.
Hare Brain, Tortoise Mind
by Guy Claxton
Recommended by Samantha Collier
Explore the complexities of BRM and it’s pivotal role in modern organizations. This guide offers a robust framework built around six elements, with each chapter providing practical insights, tips and case studies.
The Goal
by Eli Goldratt
Recommended by Susan Solomon
Explore the complexities of BRM and it’s pivotal role in modern organizations. This guide offers a robust framework built around six elements, with each chapter providing practical insights, tips and case studies.
Leading with Business Relationship Management
by Lead the Pack
Recommended by Peter Lijnse
Explore the complexities of BRM and it’s pivotal role in modern organizations. This guide offers a robust framework built around six elements, with each chapter providing practical insights, tips and case studies.
The Phoenix Project: A Novel about IT, DevOps and Helping Your Business Win
by Gene Kim
Recommended by Greg Lewis-Brown
“A must-read for anyone wanting to transform their IT to enable the business to win. Told through an absorbing story that is impossible to put down, the authors each teach the essential lessons in an accessible way. Every business leader and IT professional should read this book.”
As you explore these powerful reads, remember that growth thrives on both knowledge and community. The insights you gain from these books are magnified when shared, discussed, and put into practice with others who share your passion for BRM.
Being part of the BRM Communities offers a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and support one another on this transformative journey. Best of all, these communities are free to join and open to anyone eager to learn, grow, and contribute.