Influential Leadership Authors to Follow in 2026
The journey of Paul B. Thornton offers a clear reminder that leadership is rarely shaped by a single breakthrough moment, but rather by a persistent question pursued over time. What began as a young athlete observing patterns on the ice evolved into a lifelong exploration of how leaders influence performance, culture, and results. That curiosity continues to define his work and makes his perspective especially relevant in today’s complex leadership landscape.
On Cover
Paul B. Thornton
Author of 30 Books on Leadership | Former Corporate Executive and College Professor Published in SmartBrief on Leadership | USA Today | Leader-to-Leader Journal International Leadership Speaker | Podcast Guest
As a high school hockey player in Massachusetts, Paul noticed something that puzzled him. Two teams in his league finished first and second year after year, while his team consistently finished in the middle of the standings. The players seemed equally talented. The difference, he sensed even then, had little to do with skill. It had everything to do with the coaches and how they led.
Dr. Carmen M. Castro
D.B.A., Founder & Chairwoman, Castro & Partners Private Equity, Author & Singer-Composer-Songwriter
In an era where leadership is often reduced to singular expertise, Dr. Carmen M. Castro represents something far more powerful: the convergence of billion-dollar infrastructure financing, academic innovation, creative artistry, and strategic entrepreneurship. Her career encompasses more than $100 billion in international project financing across the Middle East, Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and South America, while simultaneously reshaping business education across continents and building a legacy that extends from boardrooms to recording studios.
Josselyne Herman-Saccio
Vision Architect, Thought Leader, Author, Master Coach, The Art of Being Unmessablewith
In the early 1990s, a pop group called Boy Krazy faced what seemed like the end of the road. Their record company had un-officially dropped them, citing failure in the UK market and unwillingness to invest further. The paperwork was being prepared. The dream, it appeared, was over.
