The Top Ten Business Books I Recommend

I read a lot and people often ask which books I would recommend. Books that address human nature and business are currently my latest obsession. In fact, this year I have already read 24 books and expect to read another five books within the next month while I travel. That’s right, I love reading on airplanes. The silence on airplanes allows me to catch up on my reading and gives me focus to do so. Over the years I have read some amazing books that give me perspective on business and life. What books are some of my favorite recommendations that you may find valuable? Let’s take a look.

Predictably Irrational

If you have not read this book, I highly suggest it. You will not only learn about others, but you will learn about yourself and how you react to decision making. We are all predictably irrational in our decision making and it is surprisingly funny when we realize how predictably irrational we are and is clear why we do the things we do. It is also important to understand that behavior economics play a role in business. For the business folks out there, this book will add more context to implementation strategies that you choose to roll out in your business.

Grit

This is one of the best books I have ever read. Grit shares studies of what kind of people have grit and how they achieved it. It showcases the impact of challenges on our lives and how those challenges actually help us grow. Running a business is not easy and grit comes handy. So, this book reminds me that I do have grit and fortitude to continue on my journey.

Mindset

Along the lines of Grit, Mindset uses research to understand how someone’s mindset sets them apart from others. It looks at family and athletes. It looks at business professionals and teachers. It also explains the value of changing your mindset for specific situations. And yes, you can change your mindset to achieve your goals. The other important aspect of this book is that it addresses everyone. It came as a recommendation to me to read every page of this book. Even though I am not a parent, I gained insight on the impact that I could have on the children of my family and friends in my life.

Tipping Point

I read the Tipping Point when it first came on the scene many years ago. I recommended it then and I will continue to recommend this book. I remember where I was when I read it. I was heading to an Inc 500 party in Louisville, KY back in 2004 to celebrate our company’s position on the Inc 500 list. What an accomplishment and what a party! I believe Malcolm Gladwell may have been one of the speakers. His book talks about how specific types of people, connectors and mavens, make a difference as to how a solution or product can be perceived and can take off in a market. To this day, it is still worth the read.

Shoe Dog

When I was getting my MBA in Loyola University in Baltimore, I did a marketing strategy presentation on Nike. Nike has always resonated with me and the way they changed the market of footwear was impressive to me. Shoe Dog details Phil Knight’s story of starting Nike. Phil Knight is the founder of Nike and his story is both relatable to my own company stories and hilarious. I do not want to give anything away but tell me you are not laughing when he discusses how the name Nike came to be. I can definitely relate to this story about naming my own company, HomeZada.

Lovemarks

This book impressed me on how companies create brands that people more than love … they adore these brands. Kevin Roberts, the author of this book, explains how to explain why it is important that customers have love affairs with brands. These love affairs create loyalty and commitment beyond the products or services these companies sell. These love affairs are why people tattoo brand logos to their body. If you want your customers to love your brand, read Lovemarks.

Profitable Growth

Anything that Ram Charan writes in my book is amazing. Profitable Growth is Everyone’s Business was a book that many of my previous companies’ managers read. We leveraged the techniques in this book to keep our team focused and to provide smart growth in our company. Baseball terms were finally being used in business books and it made making decisions more effective for our organization. In fact, Profitable Growth had a direct impact on our company’s continued growth and profitability in a time when the economy was in a recession. If you want to understand how to grow your company with smart principles, this is a book for you.

Start with Why

Simon Sinek reminds us that when we know why we are doing something; we understand whether it is valuable to our business and life or not. Simon details how to get to your why, your company’s why and how to execute principles moving forward. He also explains that your personal why and company why need to be aligned to achieve success. Knowing your why could change your life. This book can be read quickly and there are exercises to help you define your why.

The Geography of Genius

This may seem like an unlikely book to recommend. But I am intrigued by history, the alignment of communities and how successful societies are created. This is the author of the Geography of Bliss, which also provides insight into worldwide happiness. If you appreciate history and like to understand how societies come together for creativity and achievement, this is the book for you. Eric Weiner brings us back to history with Socrates, Michelangelo, and Da Vinci but also keeps us current with Silicon Valley.

Getting to Yes

Being a consummate sales professional, I had to get one book out there specifically for the sales and business development folks. This book provides reminders of how to get to yes that is mutually acceptable for all parties. As business professionals, we all need a bit of reminding or looking at new perspectives to continue to grow our skills. When we can find multiple options that support everyone’s initiatives, we gain more insight as to how to creatively solve negotiations.  

More books are on my reading list and I am excited to read a few from the hundreds on my Amazon Wishlist. Here is what I am excited to read next:

Outliers by Malcom Gladwell

I have had this book on my list for years. Time to get to it.

Bad Blood by John Carreyrou

This book keeps getting recommend to me. I am eager to learn more about what happened here.

The Organized Mind by Daniel J Levitin

This came recommended from a friend that feels it may be in line with Grit and Mindset.

Principles by Ray Dalio

This is another that keeps getting recommended and I am excited to take a look.

The Blue Zones by Dan Buettner

Our health is equally important and makes a huge impact on our working life. I am excited to learn what gives these centenarians life.

Because I love to read, if you have recommendations, please post them in the comments. I am always open to suggestions.