Question 9 is one that I am often asked during webinars, and that is, What books should I read as a business owner?
I am an avid reader. I read a lot. I use audio books because I drive, but sometimes I can be reading two or three books at a time and I strongly believe that leaders are readers!
Of course, many will argue that reading is a lot like art in that it is subjective. What one person may get from a book another can take away something completely different.
My list is not exhaustive and you can of course add your own favourites to the list or any book that you felt really made an impact on you for that matter. However these are the books that I believe are a great read for anybody that is starting a new business, and yes, they are also books that I have found have helped me in my journey through life so far:
- The Lean Start-up by Eric Ries– How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses is a book by Eric Ries describing his proposed lean start-up strategy for start-up companies.
- Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne– The book presents analytical frameworks and tools to foster an organization’s ability to systematically create and capture “blue oceans”—unexplored new market areas
- Ego is the enemy by Ryan Holiday– draws on a vast array of stories and examples, from fascinating figures such as George Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Katharine Graham and Eleanor Roosevelt, who all reached the highest levels of power and success by conquering their own egos.
- Deep Work by Cal Newport– A mix of cultural criticism and actionable advice for focused success in a distracted world.
- So good they cant ignore you by Cal Newport-This clearly-written manifesto flies in the face of conventional wisdom by suggesting that it should be a person’s talent and skill – and not necessarily their passion – that determines their career path
- David and Goliath by Malcom Gladwell– Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants, a non-fiction book The book focuses on the probability of improbable events occurring in situations where one outcome is greatly favoured over the other
- The Achievement Habit by Bernard Roth– The co-founder of the Stanford School introduces the power of design thinking to help you achieve goals you never thought possible.
- Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath- The book continues the idea of “stickiness” popularized by Malcolm Gladwell in The Tipping Point, seeking to explain what makes an idea or concept memorable or interesting.
- Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter– It advocates the importance of financial literacy, financial independence and building wealth through investing in assets, real estate investing, starting and owning businesses
- The Messy Middle by Scott Belsky– the indispensable guide to navigating the volatility of new ventures and leading bold creative projects.
These are my top 10 book suggestions to read. I believe that they are books that drive, lift and encourage a person to be the best they can be. See if you can make the list up to 20 with some of your own favourites and remember: Leaders are Readers!