Here are 10 business books you should read
Most leaders are readers.
So, I’ve read at least one book per week on average for the past 10 years, trying to become a better business leader. I have selected the top ten so that by reading them, you’ll have the core business education you need to succeed.
In no particular order:
#1: “The 4 Disciplines of Execution,” by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey and Jim Huling.
Tired of business strategies and plans that go nowhere? “4DX” gives you a system to implement business improvements while continuing to operate in the midst of your everyday whirlwind.
#2: “The Advantage,” by Patrick Lencioni.
“The single greatest advantage any company can achieve is organizational health.” That’s the opening sentence of the book. The next 200 pages show you exactly how to do it. It’s the summary of all Lencioni’s indispensable books on business culture.
#3: “The Experience Economy,” by Joe Pine and Jim Gilmore.
Goods and services are no longer enough to create a loyal customer. Today, customers crave experiences and the companies that learn to stage them are the ones that will succeed in the Experience Economy.
#4: “How to Win Friends & Influence People,” by Dale Carnegie.
Even more relevant today than when it was written 80 years ago. Why? The ability to work with and influence other people is how modern work gets accomplished.
#5: “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” by Stephen R. Covey.
All seven habits have become accepted business wisdom: Be proactive; begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win/win; seek first to understand, then to be understood; synergize; and sharpen the saw.
#6: “The Cluetrain Manifesto,” by Rick Levine, Christopher Locke, Doc Searles and David Weinberger.
This might be the first business book I ever read and actually got me to switch careers from politics to business. Their central contention – that markets are conversations – looks more relevant every day.
#7: “Blue Ocean Strategy,” by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne.
Most businesses fall into the predictable trap of devising strategies that amount to something like: “Do what we’re doing today, but a little better.” That’s the red waters of competition. Not the uncontested blue ocean.
#8: “The Challenger Sale,” by Matthew Dixon and Brent Adamson.
I had to include one sales book, and this tops my list. Their data from studying thousands of sales reps across multiple industries and geographies found that the most effective salespeople teach, tailor and take control.
#9: “Permission Marketing,” by Seth Godin.
I had to include something by Seth Godin and even though a bit dated now, this book changed me early in my business career. One read and I instinctively knew that this was the future of marketing, not mass interruption.
#10: “BE 2.0,” by Jim Collins and Bill Lazier.
Before “Good to Great” was “Beyond Entrepreneurship,” the first book of Jim Collins and his Stanford teaching pal Bill Lazier. Version 2.0 has the map, all the key concepts and frameworks from 30 years of teaching and research into building an enduring business.
What do you think?
I’d love to hear what you think of this list. What would you add or take away?
Drop me an email with your thoughts or book a call and we can chat about the best books in business.
Talk soon.