Top Business Book Recommendations for Summer

Those who know me well are aware of my thirst for knowledge and the number of books I love to read (excluding podcasts). I’m constantly asked for insights on the books I’m either reading or have read. With the summer vacation period almost upon us I thought now would be the right time to pull that reading list together

For this list I’ve pulled together my favourite leadership and business books from the past 12 months. This list is in no particular order, but is a broad mix, which hopefully has something for everyone.

For convenience I’ve also included links to where you can find these books. To access these click on the relevant links below.

1. Good to Great

A staple of any business library. Clear and concise, giving broad perspectives on what it takes to move from being good, to something truly great. Solid examples and insights from good and great organisations, and importantly how they got there. Relevant for current or future leaders, who are trying to determine how to take their team or organisation to that next level.

Good to Great

2. Insanely Simple

Apple has often seemed like a mystery, but this book aims to unpack what makes Apple different. The term simplicity is often used but rarely understood. In this book you get a sense of how simplicity forms part of Apples DNA and gives you some useful insights for how you may apply to your organisation or team.

Insanely Simple

3. Quiet Leadership

Now you’re probably wondering what a book from a football manager is doing in this list. Like you I was dubious, but quite frankly this is one of the best leaderships books I’ve read. Clear examples of what it takes to be an authentic leader. Each chapter provides a perspective on its applicability for business. If there is one book I would recommend as a must in this list, it’s this one. It will surprise you!

Quiet Leadership

4. Influence without authority

To grow in business, it’s not so much about what you know, but who you can influence. Question is how you can you achieve that when you’re not at that level yet. This book does a great job in breaking down the typical barriers and provides some of the best insights on how to grow the often-overlooked leadership skills. A must for anyone that wants to learn how to persuade and influence for either business or personal gains.

Influence without authority

5. Midnight Lunch

Want to learn how to get the best from your teams, solve complex problems and truly collaborate? Why not learn from the master? Written by Thomas Edison's great-grandniece, this book provides the insights and tools used by the great man himself, enabling you to apply them to real world problems.

Midnight Lunch

6. Drive

A staple for any team or business leader that is looking to create a high performing team/culture. Outlines what motivates people in the modern era and provides real practical insights into how to tap into these. I personally have used these insights to create core values for teams, which helped create a high impact results.

Drive

7. The Perfect day formula

Often wondered how some people manage to achieve so much in the working day, whilst having the same amount of time as everyone else. This book is a true gem, it outlines what it takes to maximise your time and stay one step ahead, whilst also bringing balance to your life. It personally changed my life and dramatically increased my performance.

The Perfect day formula

8. True North

There are not enough words to describe this book. Quite possibly the best leadership book ever written. If your struggling to find your path or lacking direction, this book will provide you some key insights on how to get there. If you truly have the desire to lead, or are a leader that is looking to evolve/grow, this is your book.

True North

9. Leaders eat Last

Simon Sinek has brought the importance of leadership into the public domain. He has made this a talking point and made it more relevant than ever. A must book for those who wish to lead or who are leading, but want to take their leadership skills to that next level.

Leaders eat Last

10. Factfulness

Are things truly as bad as they seem and are we losing sight of the real progress we are making, due to inaccurate information or out of date thinking. This book starts to break some of the myths and provides some nice insights into how information can be used to be provide meaningful facts. When its endorsed by Bill Gates and Barrack Obama, you know this book has significant meaning. A must read!

Factfulness

11. The Alchemist

Carried by presidents and celebrities, the book that tells a truly magical story, which at its core demonstrates the power of spotting opportunities and importantly following your dreams. This book is a best seller for a reason!

The Alchemist

12. The Happiness Advantage

A good book to close this list. People often assume success will bring happiness, which is not always the case. This book provides useful insights on how to apply positivity to your teams and workplace, which will create higher levels of performance.

The Happiness Advantage

Hopefully you get the benefits from these as much as I have and I would love to hear your recommendations, because you can never have enough knowledge!