Explore the mindset and habits of the world’s most impactful business leaders, and you will find a stunning range of personality traits, talents, and leadership styles. Different leaders bring different qualities to the table, but a close look at their habits and their advice will reveal one notable commonality. Entrepreneurs love to read and they make time in their busy schedules to dive into good books.
For example, the iconic Bill Gates explains that despite working closely with some of the world’s most knowledgeable individuals, “Reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.” Mark Cuban adds that he is committed to “continuously search[ing] for new ideas. I read every book and magazine I could. Heck, 3 bucks for a magazine, 20 bucks for a book. One good idea that led to a customer or solution and it paid for itself many times over.”
Many of these successful entrepreneurs love not only to read, but also, to pass on their wisdom through the power of the written word. Their books can prove illuminating, especially for aspiring or novice business owners. This can be a shortcut to learning valuable lessons about how to thrive as an innovator and entrepreneur.
Must-Reads for Every Entrepreneur
Different entrepreneurship books tend to resonate with different people, so it is important to explore a wide range of authors and genres to see what clicks. Each book is valuable in its own unique way, offering new perspectives and actionable strategies. However, the following are widely regarded as the best books on entrepreneurship, having garnered considerable praise from a wide range of reviewers and prominent business leaders.
Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action by Simon Sinek
Inspirational speaker and leadership expert Simon Sinek is fascinated by the nuances of human behavior and, in the acclaimed Start With Why he reveals what it takes to influence those behaviors. He also encourages readers to lead with purpose, connecting authentically with teams and with customers or clients who share core values.
One of the most important concepts outlined in this book involves the golden circle, which aims to help readers articulate their vision. Featuring a core purpose or belief within the innermost of three concentric circles, this visual framework extends to a middle circle featuring the methods behind leaders ‘how’ and finally, an outer circle with tangible products or services to reveal what exactly the leader or business offers.
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
Central startup challenges involve uncertain environments and a lack of validation surrounding leaders’ core assumptions. Eric Ries helps founders tackle these issues through The Lean Startup, which draws inspiration from lean manufacturing. This approach centers around a form of rapid experimentation known as validated learning, which aims to streamline product development processes while developing a more nuanced understanding of what exactly customers want.In addition to highlighting the need for validated learning, The Lean Startup details the build-measure-learn feedback loop, explaining how simple versions known as Minimum Viable Product (MVPs) can be rapidly developed and used to secure valuable customer feedback prior to being polished.
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel
PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel worries that we have reached an age of stagnation but believes that opportunities for innovation still exist. To inspire progress across industries, he encourages readers to dig deep and explore complex philosophical questions while determining how they can inspire change.
This book draws heavily on Thiel’s extraordinary experiences as a technological changemaker. He also highlights the benefits of developing a contrarian mindset and encourages readers to challenge the status quo.
Smartcuts: How Hackers, Innovators, And Icons Accelerate Success by Shane Snow
Contently cofounder Shane Snow believes in the power of working smart instead of simply working hard. In Smartcuts, he provides helpful suggestions for future innovators to build this strategy into their own lives. This thinking reveals how some of the most successful startups have managed to reach the pinnacle of success seemingly overnight. Smartcuts can help readers break through the limitations imposed by lateral thinking and find new ways to unleash cutting-edge ideas in a competitive market.
Deep Dives Into Specific Topics
Depending on your vision, interests, and current skill gaps, you may require different perspectives or insights than those found in ‘conventional’ business books. You can learn a lot by enrolling in business elective courses, but the right books can further enhance your understanding. Name a business topic or philosophy, and you will almost certainly find a book that explores your preferred niche in detail.
The Daily Entrepreneur by S.J. Scott and Rebecca Livermore
Entrepreneurship can feel downright intimidating. As S.J. Scott and Rebecca Livermore explain in The Daily Entrepreneur, the biggest challenges of starting a business can be tackled one day at a time by developing simple, yet meaningful habits and building them into everyday workflows. This actionable book is a must for current business or entrepreneurship students, who can avoid wasting valuable time by embracing the power of positive habits.
The Greater Good by Madeleine Shaw
In The Greater Good, social entrepreneur and change agent Madeleine Shaw takes a fascinating look at the lives and achievements of unconventional entrepreneurs, revealing the power of impact-driven ventures and the growing need to contribute to a caring economy.
Shaw brings a unique perspective on how everyday individuals — including women, racialized people, and other underrepresented communities — can harness their personal experiences and values to create meaningful change. Her book empowers those who may not fit the traditional profile of entrepreneurial success by offering creative exercises and prompts that help readers formulate their unique vision for a better world. Compassionate yet pragmatic, Shaw’s work provides essential strategies for those seeking to make a lasting impact.
Virtual Freedom by Chris Ducker
Detailing the fallacies behind “superhero syndrome” (in which aspiring leaders assume they have to do everything themselves), Virtual Freedom reveals how business owners can make the most of every moment. This is useful for anyone who struggles with delegation and outsourcing, but it’s especially important for future small business owners. They will eventually need to seek outside help and will likely have to collaborate or delegate remotely.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz
Ben Horowitz, co-founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, draws on his business experience by likening his challenges to war stories. He emphasizes the importance of “wartime CEOs” — leaders who are always ready for conflict and excel at making tough decisions.
In The Hard Thing About Hard Things, Horowitz takes an unflinching look at the core challenges of running a business in both peacetime and wartime, revealing the unique skills and mindset that battle-hardened business warriors must develop to survive or even thrive in times of uncertainty.
Small Giants by Bo Burlingham
Many aspiring business owners find inspiration in success stories, especially when these stories begin with relatable challenges or circumstances. Often, however, future entrepreneurs struggle to relate to the world’s most memorable success stories, simply because they have different definitions of success.
In Small Giants, former Inc. editor at large Bo Burlingham highlights unconventional examples of business success. He references unique micro-brewers, record companies, and other potentially overlooked businesses that have made an impact but not always received the credit they deserve. These small giants have made meaningful contributions to their communities, and they promise a wealth of inspiration for the changemakers of tomorrow.
The Power of Personal Growth
As an aspiring entrepreneur, you will need to commit to a lifetime of learning. The most resilient entrepreneurs make a strong effort to understand new concepts and technologies and integrate these into their own businesses or initiatives. This effort should also encompass personal development, in which you continually strive to improve soft skills such as creativity, agility, and cultural awareness along with your understanding of ethical leadership. These books should help:
The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship by Andreas Widmer
Many aspiring entrepreneurs struggle to navigate ethical concerns, often failing to understand how their business initiatives impact communities or the environment. Revealing that businesses can be “both virtuous and profitable” in The Art of Principled Entrepreneurship, entrepreneur and leadership coach Andreas Widmer encourages the leaders of tomorrow to consider how they can make a positive impact on society while adopting a long-term perspective. Widmer also discusses what it takes to innovate responsibly.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Bringing a principle-centered approach to the problem-solving process, this beloved guide has sold over 40 million copies. As one of the most influential self-help books of the ‘90s, it remains relevant today, demonstrating the value of a proactive mindset, not to mention, the enduring power of a clear and compelling vision. The lessons are important, but also easy to digest. This is partly due to entertaining anecdotes and straightforward explanations that break down otherwise complex or intimidating concepts.
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Many potential leaders struggle with doubt and uncertainty, which prevent them from reaching their full potential and introducing important new ideas or opportunities. In Dare to Lead, Brené Brown brings a much-needed dose of courage to the underestimated leaders of tomorrow, explaining the true nature of leadership: recognizing the potential in others and then taking the leap of faith needed to help them realize that potential.
Brown highlights the value of underappreciated qualities such as empathy and vulnerability. Her work draws on a powerful blend of research-backed insights and real-world examples, all while encouraging readers to reflect on their own journeys and their top opportunities for driving change.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
It’s easy to get trapped in ineffective or maladaptive cycles, but it’s possible to make a fresh star and adopt a new set of habits to keep you striving for more. One of the simplest ways to get on the right track? Read the bestseller Atomic Habits, which provides an actionable framework for developing these positive habits.
Drawing on the fascinating research surrounding habit formation, this book offers an accessible read for those who crave change but are short on time. Anyone can implement its simple, but impactful strategies to build positive habits, one step at a time.
Discover The Secrets to Entrepreneurial Success With Johnson & Wales
The right books can expose you to fascinating perspectives. That said, if you need a more structured approach to leadership development, consider pursuing your Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Entrepreneurship with Johnson & Wales University.
Offering a deep dive into the nuances of ideation, business planning, and capital funding, our entrepreneurship degree program will help you prepare for a bright future. Reach out today to learn more about this exciting program and how it can play into your entrepreneurial ambitions.
For more information about completing your degree online, complete the Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881, or email [email protected].