30 Must-Read Books to Mold You into an Accomplished Entrepreneur, Leader, and Businessperson

Paul Segreto
3 min readSep 17

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In the modern day business era, gaining insights and advice from experts can be a catalyst for growth and innovation. Aspiring entrepreneurs, leaders, and business professionals can greatly benefit from the wisdom housed within the covers of these 30 must-read books. From classics to newer titles, this curated list promises to hone your business acumen and leadership qualities.

  1. “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell In this revolutionary book, Gladwell explains how small actions can create a ripple effect, leading to a “tipping point” of widespread change. A great resource for understanding market dynamics and the secrets behind viral trends.
  2. “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael E. Gerber Gerber breaks down the myths surrounding starting your own business and walks readers through the steps of building a successful, scalable enterprise. It’s a practical guide to business management and entrepreneurship.
  3. “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries Eric Ries presents a systematic, scientific approach for creating and managing successful startups in an age when companies have to innovate more than ever.
  4. “How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie This timeless classic focuses on interpersonal skills, crucial for business leaders to forge meaningful connections and inspire teamwork.
  5. “Good to Great” by Jim Collins Collins delineates the factors that differentiate great companies from good ones, offering invaluable insights for business professionals aiming to achieve long-lasting success.
  6. “Thinking, Fast and Slow” by Daniel Kahneman A deep dive into human psychology and decision-making, which can greatly aid in business strategy and leadership development.
  7. “The Innovator’s Dilemma” by Clayton Christensen Christensen explores why large companies can fail despite good management, and how businesses can sustain growth through innovation.
  8. “The Effective Executive” by Peter Drucker This book focuses on time management and decision-making skills, a guide for executives aiming to be more effective and productive in their roles.
  9. “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown Brené Brown discusses the fundamentals of modern leadership, focusing on vulnerability and empathy as strengths in the business environment.
  10. “Principles” by Ray Dalio Dalio shares the principles that have made him successful, offering guidance on making decisions, approaching challenges, and building strong teams.
  11. “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert B. Cialdini This book explores the psychology behind why people say “yes” and how to apply these understandings in various aspects of marketing.
  12. “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu A classic that offers wisdom on strategy and competition, essential reading for anyone in the business realm.
  13. “Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us” by Daniel H. Pink Pink examines the science of motivation, providing new frameworks for encouraging productivity and satisfaction among employees.
  14. “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz Horowitz provides advice on managing startups, offering insights from his personal experiences and addressing the tough challenges business leaders face.
  15. “Shoe Dog” by Phil Knight This memoir by the founder of Nike offers a candid look into the trials and tribulations of building a globally renowned company.

Further Essential Reads

  1. “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek
  2. “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel
  3. “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell
  4. “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck
  5. “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg
  6. “Crushing It!” by Gary Vaynerchuk
  7. “Measure What Matters” by John Doerr
  8. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey
  9. “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth
  10. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear
  11. “The Fifth Discipline” by Peter M. Senge
  12. “Built to Last” by Jim Collins and Jerry I. Porras
  13. “Deep Work” by Cal Newport
  14. “Never Split the Difference” by Chris Voss
  15. “Who Moved My Cheese?” by Spencer Johnson

Conclusion

Arming yourself with the wisdom contained in these books will not only help you develop a robust business mindset but also mold you into a leader capable of navigating the complex terrain of the modern business world. As you embark on this literary journey, be prepared to be inspired, challenged, and transformed into a better entrepreneur and businessperson.

Make it a great day. Make it happen. Make it count!

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Paul Segreto

Proven Small Business, Restaurant & Franchise Growth Strategist; Fueling the entrepreneurial spirit is my passion!