36 Must-Read Books for Every Entrepreneur: Unlocking the Path to Success

Being an entrepreneur is a remarkable journey filled with endless learning. At?EOS Worldwide, we believe in empowering you with practical knowledge to navigate this journey successfully.

That’s why we compiled a list of 36 books every entrepreneur should read. Each book offers real-world insights, strategies, and inspiration to tackle your entrepreneurial challenges head-on.

This list was once published on the EOS Worldwide website when I became an EOS Implementer in 2014. Some books are a bit older but are just as important today as a decade ago.

In this article, we’ll review each book, summarizing the key takeaways and explaining why it deserves a spot on your reading list. It’s more than just a list; it’s a resource designed to equip you with the right tools for your entrepreneurial adventure. Let’s dive in and explore the wealth of knowledge these books offer.

The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive by Patrick Lencioni:

• Key Takeaway: Lencioni reveals the essential disciplines that transform an average company into a powerhouse. By mastering organizational health, leaders can drive stellar results.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs seeking a cohesive, results-driven culture should dive into this read.

Good to Great by Jim Collins:

• Key Takeaway: Collins unveils what it takes for companies to leap from good to great, spotlighting the importance of disciplined people, thought, and action.
• Recommendation: This book serves as a roadmap for achieving enduring greatness.

Great by Choice by Jim Collins and Morten T. Hansen:

• Key Takeaway: Through rigorous research, the authors identify the principles for building an outstanding enterprise in uncertain, tumultuous, and chaotic times.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs facing turbulent times will find actionable insights to stay ahead of the competition.

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by?Patrick Lencioni:

• Key Takeaway: Lencioni explores the fundamental causes of organizational politics and team failure, providing insights on overcoming common hurdles to achieve collective success.
• Recommendation: It is essential for entrepreneurs to foster a teamwork culture and eliminate politics from their organizations.

E-Myth Revisited by?Michael E. Gerber:

• Key Takeaway: Gerber dismantles the myths surrounding starting your own business and showcases how commonplace assumptions can interfere with running a small business.
• Recommendation: This is a must-read for entrepreneurs looking to understand and overcome the challenges of starting and running a business.

Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by?Gino Wickman?(yes, we are partial to this one):

• Key Takeaway: Wickman presents a comprehensive system to help entrepreneurs increase business performance, align their teams, and balance life and work.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs struggling with business management will find actionable strategies to gain traction toward success.

Get a Grip by Gino Wickman and?Mike Paton:

• Key Takeaway: Through a captivating narrative, Wickman and Paton illustrate the trials and triumphs of implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to achieve business success.
• Recommendation: A companion read to “Traction,” providing real-world insight into applying the EOS principles.

Mastering the Rockefeller Habits by?Verne Harnish:

• Key Takeaway: Harnish provides tools and techniques for successfully scaling a business, focusing on mastering fundamental habits.
• Recommendation: Ideal for entrepreneurs aiming to scale their business while maintaining operational excellence.

Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great. ~ Jim Collins,?Good to Great

Unique Ability by?Julia Waller:

• Key Takeaway: Waller emphasizes discovering and leveraging your unique abilities to gain more satisfaction, success, and joy in life and work.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs looking to harness their innate strengths for personal and professional growth should consider this read.

You^squared by Price Pritchett:

• Key Takeaway: Pritchett encourages a quantum leap in personal performance and achievement, urging readers to break free from self-imposed limitations.
• Recommendation: Perfect for those seeking to drastically elevate their performance and achieve extraordinary outcomes.

The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey by Kenneth H. Blanchard, William Oncken Jr., and Hal Burrows:

• Key Takeaway: Through a compelling narrative, the authors reveal how managers can free up time by empowering others to take ownership of their responsibilities.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs and managers value learning to delegate effectively and manage time.

The Five Temptations of a CEO by Patrick Lencioni:

• Key Takeaway: Lencioni unveils the common pitfalls CEOs face and provides actionable insights on overcoming them to become more effective leaders.
• Recommendation: A concise yet powerful read for entrepreneurs aspiring to hone their leadership acumen.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey:

• Key Takeaway: Covey lays out a holistic personal and interpersonal effectiveness approach, essential for today’s problem-solving and decision-making.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs seeking to develop lasting solutions and make impactful decisions will find a wealth of knowledge in this book.

Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar:

• Key Takeaway: Ben-Shahar explores the science of happiness and how it can be applied to foster a fulfilling, meaningful life.
• Recommendation: Ideal for individuals looking to intertwine happiness with personal and professional success.

Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton:

• Key Takeaway: The authors introduce a revolutionary program to help readers identify their talents, build them into strengths, and enjoy consistent, near-perfect performance.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs can leverage this read to optimize their performance and that of their teams.

StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath:

• Key Takeaway: Rath provides an updated assessment to help individuals uncover their top talents and provides strategies for applying them.
• Recommendation: A valuable resource for entrepreneurs looking to play to their strengths and foster a strengths-based culture within their organization.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill:

• Key Takeaway: Hill distills stories of hundreds of the world’s most affluent people to draw principles of success we can all apply.
• Recommendation: Essential for those seeking to understand the mindset and actions conducive to wealth and success.

The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck:

• Key Takeaway: Peck explores the nature of loving relationships, life fulfillment, and spiritual growth in this classic read.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs seeking a deeper understanding of personal and professional relationships will find this book enlightening.

1001 Ways to Reward Employees by Bob Nelson:

• Key Takeaway: Nelson highlights the significance of recognition and presents many ways to appreciate employees, boosting morale and performance.
• Recommendation: A treasure trove of ideas for entrepreneurs seeking to create a positive, recognition-rich culture.

All Marketers are Liars by Seth Godin:

• Key Takeaway: Godin delves into the art of storytelling as a crucial marketing strategy, emphasizing authentic stories that resonate with consumers.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs in any industry will benefit from understanding the power of storytelling in marketing.

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell:

• Key Takeaway: Gladwell explores the science of intuitive decision-making, showcasing how snap judgments can be honed and leveraged.
• Recommendation: This is a thought-provoking read for entrepreneurs keen on refining their decision-making processes.

Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne:

• Key Takeaway: The authors introduce a strategic framework for creating uncontested market space and making competition irrelevant.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs aiming to innovate and carve out unique market positions will find this book invaluable.

Fierce Conversations by Susan Scott:

• Key Takeaway: Scott illustrates how robust conversations can lead to enriched relationships and strong business outcomes.
• Recommendation: Essential reading for enhancing communication skills and building solid relationships in the business realm.

Small Giants by Bo Burlingham:

• Key Takeaway: Burlingham celebrates companies that choose to be great instead of big, showcasing the distinctive qualities that make them thrive.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs pondering the trade-offs between growth and quality will find much to consider in this book.

The Personal Efficiency Program by Kerry Gleeson:

• Key Takeaway: Gleeson provides a systematic approach to overcoming the daily overload many professionals face, aiming to enhance productivity and reduce stress.
• Recommendation: A practical guide for entrepreneurs seeking to boost personal and organizational efficiency.

Reengineering the Corporation by Michael Hammer and James Champy:

• Key Takeaway: A seminal text on process innovation, offering insights on radically redesigning processes to achieve dramatic performance improvements.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs looking to improve operational efficiency significantly should consider this read.

Getting Things Done by David Allen:

• Key Takeaway: Allen introduces a time-management method that focuses on moving projects to completion and fostering a clear mind.
• Recommendation: An organizational game-changer for entrepreneurs striving to juggle multiple priorities effectively.

Get Out of Your Own Way by Mark Goulston and Philip Goldberg:

• Key Takeaway: The authors provide insights into overcoming self-defeating behavior, paving the way for higher levels of success and satisfaction.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs battling self-doubt or procrastination will find actionable advice to overcome these hurdles.

Brain Rules by John Medina:

• Key Takeaway: Medina explores how understanding the brain can lead to more effective teaching, learning, and work environments.
• Recommendation: A fascinating exploration for those keen on leveraging neuroscience to enhance workplace productivity and learning.

Primal Leadership by Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, and Annie McKee:

• Key Takeaway: The authors delve into the science of Emotional Intelligence and its profound impact on leadership effectiveness.
• Recommendation: A must-read for entrepreneurs aiming to cultivate emotionally intelligent leadership within their organizations.

Start with Why by Simon Sinek:

• Key Takeaway: Sinek emphasizes the importance of starting with ‘why’ to inspire action and build a loyal following.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs looking to build a compelling brand and culture should delve into this insightful book.

Built to Last by Jim Collins and Jerry I. Porras:

• Key Takeaway: Collins and Porras showcase what it takes to build visionary companies that stand the test of time.
• Recommendation: This is an enlightening read for those building enduring enterprises.

The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni:

• Key Takeaway: Lencioni argues that organizational health trumps all other factors in business success, providing a roadmap to achieve and maintain it.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs keen on building a cohesive, thriving organization should consider this read as a guide.

Drive by Daniel Pink:

• Key Takeaway: Pink explores the science of motivation, shedding light on how modern organizations can foster a culture of engagement and satisfaction.
• Recommendation: A compelling read for entrepreneurs looking to unlock higher levels of motivation within their teams.

Hunting in a Farmer’s World by John F. Dini:

• Key Takeaway: Dini discusses the entrepreneurial mindset, comparing entrepreneurs to hunters and employees to farmers, illuminating the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.
• Recommendation: Entrepreneurs will find validation and inspiration in understanding the unique mindset that drives them.

Business Brilliant by?Lewis Schiff:

• Key Takeaway: Schiff reveals the common behaviors and habits of highly successful entrepreneurs, providing actionable insights for achieving similar success.
• Recommendation: A motivating read for entrepreneurs seeking to emulate the behaviors of the highly successful in the business realm.

In wrapping up, this curated list of 36 books unveils a spectrum of insights, strategies, and inspirations crucial for every entrepreneurial journey. Each book serves as a stepping stone towards surviving the entrepreneurial landscape and thriving in it.

The wisdom encapsulated within these pages is poised to spark innovative thoughts, guide decisive actions, and fuel the relentless drive that characterizes every successful entrepreneur. As you turn the pages of these books, anticipate a journey of enlightenment, practical learning, and a rekindling of the entrepreneurial spirit that drives you.

Engaging with a community of like-minded individuals is an enriching way to keep the momentum of learning and growing. I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn for more insightful discussions and to stay updated with valuable resources tailored for entrepreneurs.

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I hope this list is helpful to you as I did in 2014 when I began my journey as an EOS Implementer.