Life & fun · alternatives · 2026

24 alternatives to Icons and idiots

Straight Talk on Leadership

Below are 24 products that do a similar job, ranked by how close each is in meaning and then by launch-day votes. Icons and idiots launched in 2015; newer entries below may have overtaken it.

1. 1
   Leadership BS▲65

   Fixing workplaces and careers one truth at a time

   2015 · its alternatives →

2. 2
   Generating Buy-In▲67

   Mastering the Language of Leadership

   2016 · its alternatives →

3. 3
   #AskGaryVee▲95

   A take on leadership, social media, and self awareness

   2016 · its alternatives →

4. 4
   On Becoming a Leader▲56

   The leadership classic

   2015 · its alternatives →

5. 5
   Winning Isn't Normal▲53

   Meditations on the art of ass-kicking

   2015 · its alternatives →

6. 6
   The Checklist Manifesto▲108

   How to get things right

   2015 · its alternatives →

7. 7
   Reater▲76

   Find books that great leaders have in common

   2016 · its alternatives →

8. 8
   Art of Plain Talk▲67

   A tool for the writer who wants his work read

   2015 · its alternatives →

9. 9
   EDGY Conversations▲62

   How ordinary people can achieve outrageous success

   2015 · its alternatives →

10. 10
    Nonsense▲59

    The power of not knowing

    2016 · its alternatives →

11. 11
    #AskGaryVee Book▲225

    Gary's take on leadership, social media, and self-awareness

    2016 · its alternatives →

12. 12
    Mad Genius▲65

    A manifesto for entrepreneurs

    2016 · its alternatives →

13. 13
    As We Speak▲64

    How to Make Your Point and Have It Stick

    2016 · its alternatives →

14. 14
    Crucial Conversations▲69

    Tools for Talking When The Stakes Are High

    2015 · its alternatives →

15. 15
    The Myth of the Strong Leader▲70

    Political leadership in the modern age

    2016 · its alternatives →

16. 16
    Meetings Suck▲61

    Meetings don't suck we suck at running meetings

    2016 · its alternatives →

17. 17
    Leadership BS▲12

    Fixing Workplaces and Careers One Truth at a Time

    2015 · its alternatives →

18. 18
    Getting There: A Book of Mentors▲92

    Thirty leaders in diverse fields share their secrets

    2015 · its alternatives →

19. 19
    A First-Rate Madness▲12

    Delving into the link between madness and leadership

    2015 · its alternatives →

20. 20
    Crucial Conversations▲56

    Tools for talking when stakes are high

    2015 · its alternatives →

21. 21
    Shitty Notebook▲61

    Shitty notebooks for all your shitty ideas.

    2016 · its alternatives →

22. 22
    Rework▲107

    Meetings are toxic

    2015 · its alternatives →

23. 23
    Mindset▲84

    How You Can Fulfil Your Potential

    2016 · its alternatives →

24. 24
    Gung Ho!▲53

    Turn on the people in any organization

    2015 · its alternatives →

Ranked by how close each launch is in meaning, then by votes. Prices were read from each product’s own site when checked and can change. Refine with your own description →