108 Best Business Books Worth Your Time
This list of the most worthwhile business books, prepared by the Headway team, offers you practical, easy-to-follow lessons tailored to your personality.
Whether you're practicing the art of influence with 'Pre-Suasion' by Robert Cialdini or trying to tackle financial literacy with 'The Millionaire Fastlane' by MJ DeMarco, these are just a few of the authors that are here to assist you with applicable concepts that you can explore at your own pace.
You'll learn simple yet effective strategies from financial experts, innovative leaders, and top marketing authorities like Nancy Duarte, author of 'HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations.' Go ahead! Flip through these titles, and get ready to succeed.
Shelf goals: Business books you'll actually want to open
Simply opening a page is a small step toward professional confidence, providing ideas that are useful right away, thoughtfully organized, and simple to grasp.
If you're interested in wealth fundamentals, definitely try Robert T. Kiyosaki's mega-hit 'Rich Dad Poor Dad,' which explains how to stop relying solely on a paycheck. Meanwhile, 'Naked Economics' by Charles Wheelan will simplify essential principles behind economic decisions.
Leading a team? Improve communication with 'The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace' written by bestselling authors Gary Chapman and Paul White:
"The impact of appreciation on staff turnover is dramatic: 79% of employees who leave… cite a lack of appreciation..."
For entrepreneurial stories, 'Shoe Dog' by Phil Knight shares an inspiring retail adventure, showing how he turned early financial challenges into the story of Nike's rise to a global brand.
Books like 'Start With NO' by Jim Camp and 'The 11 Laws of Likability' by Michelle Tillis Lederman provide concrete strategies you can use right away:
"Effective listening is the single most powerful thing you can do to build and maintain… trust and collaboration."
From financial literacy to leadership tips, these reads present actionable knowledge that fits into daily work life. By opening and finishing these books one after another, you'll contribute to your steady progress and practical, goal-oriented growth.
Brain snacks: Must-reads for business buffs
This collection will set your focus on topics that help you learn the fundamental business concepts and ways of their use in real life. Stimulate the creative entrepreneur inside of you with 'Creativity, Inc.' by the writing team of Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace, or upgrade your marketing knowledge through 'This Is Marketing' by Seth Godin.
For financial know-how, 'The Little Book of Common Sense Investing' by John Bogle remains highly relevant, while 'Flash Boys' by Michael Lewis presents a vivid account of modern finance.
"He further believed that the only way to get people to believe that you were good for their careers was actually to be good for their careers."
Leadership lessons can be found in 'Leadership Strategy and Tactics' by Jocko Willink, and personal development guidance comes from 'The Introverted Leader' by Jennifer B. Kahnweiler.
"Introverted leaders... are more likely to listen carefully to suggestions and support employees' efforts to be proactive."
Each author aims to adjust the ideas they discuss and make them clear and accessible, whether it's about team supervision, drafting a corporate strategy for the next business year, or developing useful skills. The ultimate goal is straightforward: share knowledge in a way that's both accessible and immediately useful for making progress for professional progress.
Start With NO
by Jim Camp
Who should read Start With NO
HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations
by Nancy Duarte
What is HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations about?
Who should read HBR Guide to Persuasive Presentations
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
by John Bogle
What is The Little Book of Common Sense Investing about?
Who should read The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
Bitcoin Billionaires
by Ben Mezrich
What is Bitcoin Billionaires about?
Who should read Bitcoin Billionaires
Digital Gold
by Nathaniel Popper
What is Digital Gold about?
Who should read Digital Gold
The Millionaire Fastlane
by MJ DeMarco
What is The Millionaire Fastlane about?
Who should read The Millionaire Fastlane
Screw It, Let’s Do It
by Richard Branson
What is Screw It, Let’s Do It about?
Who should read Screw It, Let’s Do It
Trump
by Donald J. Trump, Meredith McIver
What is Trump about?
Who should read Trump
Pre-Suasion
by Robert Cialdini
What is Pre-Suasion about?
Who should read Pre-Suasion
Money-Making Mom
by Crystal Paine
What is Money-Making Mom about?
Who should read Money-Making Mom
The 11 Laws of Likability
by Michelle Tillis Lederman
What is The 11 Laws of Likability about?
Who should read The 11 Laws of Likability
Never Get a Real Job
by Scott Gerber, Sean Pratt
What is Never Get a Real Job about?
Who should read Never Get a Real Job
Shoe Dog
by Phil Knight
What is Shoe Dog about?
Who should read Shoe Dog
The Introverted Leader
by Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, PhD
What is The Introverted Leader about?
Who should read The Introverted Leader
15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management
by Kevin Kruse
What is 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management about?
Who should read 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management
This Is Marketing
by Seth Godin
What is This Is Marketing about?
Who should read This Is Marketing
The Coaching Habit
by Michael Bungay Stanier
What is The Coaching Habit about?
Who should read The Coaching Habit
The Wolf Of Wall Street
by Jordan Belfort
What is The Wolf Of Wall Street about?
Who should read The Wolf Of Wall Street
Stock Investing for Dummies
by Paul Mladjenovic
What is Stock Investing for Dummies about?
Who should read Stock Investing for Dummies
Leadership Strategy and Tactics
by Jocko Willink
What is Leadership Strategy and Tactics about?
Who should read Leadership Strategy and Tactics
Frequently asked questions about business books
What are the best business books to read?
The best of the best business books to read would be 'Thinking, Fast and Slow' by Daniel Kahneman (being analytical about decision-making), and 'Zero to One' by Peter Thiel (innovation and vision). For a shift in mindset, 'Think and Grow Rich!' by Napoleon Hill is the way to go. These titles combine psychology, strategic thinking, and practical business knowledge.
What are the top 10 books for entrepreneurs?
'Zero to One' — Thiel & Masters
'The Millionaire Fastlane' — DeMarco
'Think and Grow Rich!' — Hill
'The 10X Rule' — Cardone
'The 1-Page Marketing Plan' — Dib
'Rework' — Fried, Hansson
'Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook' — Vaynerchuk
'Creativity, Inc.' — Catmull & Wallace
'Shoe Dog' — Knight
'Never Get a Real Job'— Gerber & Pratt (the best one when you're starting and planning to grow an independent venture).
What books should a CEO read?
The CEO would need guidance on how to be a wise leader and prioritize long-term vision. Recommended titles include 'Good to Great' by Jim Collins and 'Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order' by Ray Dalio. If you're in search of a good mentor, 'Trillion Dollar Coach' by Eric Schmidt will supply you with high-level management lessons on decision-making.
What are the best books to learn about business?
To build a solid foundation, read 'The Big Short' by Michael Lewis for advice on financial systems and crises, and 'Tribes' by Seth Godin for community and organizational strategy. Pair with 'The 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing' by Al Ries to gain a firm grasp of marketing principles applicable to any enterprise.
What business book should I read first?
To develop financial understanding and perspective, start with 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' by a popular American author and business builder, Robert Kiyosaki. Alternatively, 'Start With NO' by Jim Camp provides immediate practical strategies for negotiation and decision-making that can be applied to everyday business and personal interactions.
What's the #1 most-read book of all time?
The Holy Bible is the world's most-read book, offering guidance on pre-planning and working diligently (Proverbs 21:5), which ensures prosperity. It encourages you to act with integrity (Proverbs 11:1) to build trust and manage resources wisely (Luke 14:28) by counting the cost before starting a project — a gentle reminder that good values lead to good business.
What's the best way to get business knowledge?
The most effective way to get business knowledge is to combine reading and practical application. 'Brewing Up a Business' by Sam Calagione introduces and explains real-world business cases, allowing readers to explore them and draw logical conclusions. The author will explain in detail how to apply the lessons that the cases teach us through the feedback of mentors.
















