The 22 Best Business Books to Help You Grow

Are you looking for the best business books to help you grow and scale your business? If so, you have come to the right place! In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best business books out there!

These business books are packed full of information that will help you succeed in your business ventures. Whether you are just starting out, have gone to business school, or have been in business for a while, this is a list of the 22 best business books to take your business to the next level.

So, what are the best business books out there? 

1) The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9–5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss

“For all of the most important things, the timing always sucks. Conditions are never perfect. “Someday” is a disease that will take your dreams to the grave with you. If it’s important to you and you want to do it “eventually,” just do it and correct course along the way.”

The book is divided into two parts: the first part discusses “lifestyle design” and how to free yourself from the shackles of the traditional job. Part Two is about how to build a business and outsource your work so you can achieve your own version of the 4-hour workweek.

In The 4-Hour Workweek, Tim Ferriss provides readers with an alternative perspective on running a business and work-life balance. First published in 2007, the book became a New York Times bestseller and follows Ferriss’s personal life, from working long hours at a prestigious job to quitting and finding success as an entrepreneur.

The book draws on case studies, interviews, and research to provide readers with actionable steps. Further, it has been praised for its inventive approach to work-life balance, and it has been credited with helping people to rethink their careers and live more fulfilling lives.

2) $100M Offers: How to Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No by Alex Hormozi

“Make people an offer so good they would feel stupid saying no.” ​— ​Travis Jones

In $100M Offers, Alex Hormozi shows you how to make offers so good that people feel stupid saying no. You can make profitable offers by “reliably turning advertising dollars into (enormous) profits using a combination of pricing, value, guarantees, and naming strategies.” Alex Hormozi outlines the Value Equation, which is made up of four variables that create the value for any offer:

• The Dream Outcome – improve the feelings and experiences the prospect has envisioned in their mind
• Perceived Likelihood of Achievement – increase the probability that the purchase results in the achievement that the prospect is looking for
• Perceived Time Delay Between Start and Achievement – decrease the time between a client buying and receiving the promised benefit
• Perceived Effort & Sacrifice – the ancillary costs or other costs accrued of effort and sacrifice”

$100M Offers is an essential read for anyone who wants to close more deals and make more money. If you’re looking for a way to take your business to the next level, this book is for you.

3) Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek

“Very few people or companies can clearly articulate WHY they do WHAT they do. By WHY I mean your purpose, cause, or belief – WHY does your company exist? WHY do you get out of bed every morning? And WHY should anyone care? People don’t buy WHAT you do, they buy WHY you do it.”

In Start with Why, Simon Sinek presents how great leaders inspire others is tied to understanding and communicating the why behind what we do. All businesses have a what they do, some have a how they do it, but very few of them know their why.

The most successful companies that discover and communicate their why can inspire those around them to take action. Further, great leaders inspire their people by communicating their vision and motivating them to achieve it.

With over two million copies sold, Start with Why has helped create a global movement of businesses and business leaders who are striving to live and work with purpose. If you want to read a book that will help you become a successful leader, Start with Why is an essential read.

4) How to Win Friends and Influence People: The Only Book You Need to Lead You to Success by Dale Carnegie

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

Written by Dale Carnegie in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People has stood the test of time as it is still relevant today. He provides actionable advice on how to build relationships and develop influence based on his own experience and observations.

Carnegie emphasizes the importance of listening and showing genuine interest in others, as well as being positive and helpful. Even though his methods may seem simple, they are practical strategies and lead to lasting relationships. Whether you’re looking for ways to win friends, grow your network, or build your career, this book is definitely an essential read.

5) The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries

“We must learn what customers really want, not what they say they want or what we think they should want.”

In The Lean Startup, Eric Ries explores his lean methodology to show you how entrepreneurs build successful businesses. The business book argues that traditional methods of scaling businesses are no longer effective in an age where technology is constantly changing and disrupting industries.

The Lean Startup approach emphasizes continuous innovation, quick prototyping, and constant feedback from customers. This approach allows businesses to maximize learning, minimize waste, fail fast, and ultimately succeed.

The book has been both highly influential for the startup community and major corporations alike. Thus, The Lean Startup is a critical read for anyone interested in entrepreneurship and innovation.

6) Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids about Money – That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not! by Robert Kiyosaki

“Winners are not afraid of losing. But losers are. Failure is part of the process of success. People who avoid failure also avoid success.”

In Rich Dad Poor Dad, businessman Robert Kiyosaki provides essential advice about personal finance and investing from his experience growing up under two dads, his own (“poor dad”) and his best friend’s father (“rich dad”).

Robert Kiyosaki argues that the rich earn more money and wealth because they understand how to make their money work for them. Further, they educate their children about money from an early age.

In contrast, the poor and middle class tend to have a negative attitude toward money and fail to teach their children about financial literacy. As a result, so many of these people are stuck in low-paying jobs and are unable to build wealth.

The book has helped millions of people around the world to change their relationship with money and achieve financial freedom.

7) The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business by Josh Kaufman

“Every successful business:

(2) other people want or need

(1) creates or provides something of value that

(3) at a price they’re willing to pay, in a way that

(4) satisfies the purchaser’s needs and expectations and

(5) provides the business sufficient revenue to make it worthwhile for the owners to continue operation.”

In the Personal MBA, Josh Kaufman is a comprehensive guide to business, especially for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to steer clear of business schools. The book covers a wide range of topics, including market research, business model generation, sales and marketing, product management, financial accounting, and more. Further, Kaufman does an excellent job of breaking down complex concepts into bite-sized pieces, making them easy to understand and apply.

Kaufman’s practical advice makes The Personal MBA one of the best business books for entrepreneurs, small business owners, or entrepreneurs-in-the-making. Whether stage you are in business, The Personal MBA is a must-read for anyone who wants to build a successful company while avoiding business school.

8) Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne

“Blue ocean strategists do not seek to beat the competition. Instead, they aim to make the competition irrelevant.”

In Blue Ocean Strategy, the authors advise companies to focus on creating “blue oceans” versus competing in “red oceans.” Blue oceans are new, uncontested market spaces with high potential, while red oceans are existing markets where competition is fierce.

The premise of the Blue Ocean Strategy is based on a study of 150 strategic moves that span more than a century and thirty industries. Further, the business book demonstrates a strategic framework for how good companies can create blue oceans and achieve business success.

9) The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It by Michael Gerber

“The difference between great people and everyone else is that great people create their lives actively, while everyone else is created by their lives, passively waiting to see where life takes them next.”

In The E-Myth Revisited, Michael Gerber found that many small business owners lack business experience and try to do everything themselves. They get bogged down in the details and focus too much on the day-to-day operations. As a result, they miss the bigger picture and are unable to grow.

Instead, Michael Gerber offers readers a framework for thinking about their business in a more holistic way. He provides practical advice on how to delegate tasks, build systems, and create a strong company culture. Even if you don’t own a small business, the E-Myth Revisited is an en excellent business book.

10) Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”

In Atomic Habits, James Clear outlines a simple yet effective methodology for creating and breaking habits. Clear argues that our lives are the sum of our habits and that by changing our habits, we can change our lives.

Atomic habits are formed by the habit loop of the four steps of a cue, craving, response, and reword. The “cue triggers a craving, which motivates a response, which provides a reward, which satisfies the craving and ultimately, becomes associated with the cue.”

James Clear reframes the four steps into the Laws of Behavior Change to help you build better habits. Conversely, the Four Laws can be inverted to help you break bad habits. Overall, Atomic Habits is an easy-to-read and insightful guide that helps you build good habits and make lasting changes.

11) The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller

“Make sure every day you do what matters most. When you know what matters most, everything makes sense. When you don’t know what matters most, anything makes sense.”

In The ONE Thing, Gary Keller teaches readers that identifying and focusing on the ONE thing that is most important will lead to better results. Multitasking is a myth, as trying to focus on multiple things simultaneously causes you to live in a distracted world.

Further, the book provides readers with a step-by-step guide for identifying their goals and taking actionable steps to reach them. In addition, The ONE Thing includes real-life examples of people who have used the principles in the book to achieve success in their own lives.

12) Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It by Chris Voss

“He who has learned to disagree without being disagreeable has discovered the most valuable secret of negotiation.”

In Never Split the Difference, Chris Voss shows you how to apply the same negotiation tactics that Voss used as a former international hostage negotiator to everyday life. Voss breaks down the art of negotiation into five main principles: preparing to be successful, understanding the other person’s perspective, building rapport, maintaining verbal control, and using silence to your advantage.

Never Split the Difference is an essential read for anyone who wants to improve their negotiation skills and get insight into the psychology of successful outcomes. With Voss’s help, you’ll learn how to better understand your opponent’s motivation, build trust, and create win-win solutions.

13) Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t by Jim Collins

“Good is the enemy of great. And that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great. Few people attain great lives, in large part because it is just so easy to settle for a good life.”

In Good to Great, Jim Collins investigates why some companies fail while others go from good to great. In his research, Collins and his team identified a set of characteristics that successful companies shared.

Collins argues that businesses must have a clear vision and purpose, and they must be willing to put aside anything that does not help them achieve their goals. He also emphasizes the importance of having the right people in leadership positions, and he provides detailed case studies of companies that have made the transition from good to great.

Good to Great is essential reading for any business leader or manager who wants to improve their company’s performance.

14) Business Adventures: Twelve Classic Tales from the World of Wall Street by John Brooks

“If you’re not able to communicate successfully between yourself and yourself, how are you supposed to make it with the strangers outside?”

In Business Adventures, John Brooks provides a collection of twelve stories about the world of Wall Street. First published in 1969, the book offers a unique insight into the financial world, with each story providing a different perspective on the inner workings of the stock market.

From tales of corporate greed and insider trading to accounts of economic recessions and market crashes, Business Adventures provides a comprehensive overview of the highs and lows of the financial world. Whether you’re an experienced investor or an aspiring entrepreneur, Business Adventures is sure to educate and entertain.

15) Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel

“The best entrepreneurs know this: every great business is built around a secret that’s hidden from the outside. A great company is a conspiracy to change the world; when you share your secret, the recipient becomes a fellow conspirator.”

In Zero to One, Peter Thiel provides a how-to guide for building startups with an emphasis on technology. He argues that technology makes progress possible and that the key to making progress is learning how to do things that have never been done before.

Thiel goes on to discuss the importance of going from “zero to one” or creating new ideas and things rather than simply copying what has already been done. He argues that if we want to build the future, we need to be focused on creating things that are truly new and innovative.

Throughout the book, Thiel provides insights and advice on how to build startups that can change the world. Zero to One is one of the best business books for those interested in startups or technology.

16) The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz

“The one thing that prepares you to run a company is running a company.”

The Hard Thing About Hard Things is written by Ben Horowitz, the co-founder of venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and one of Silicon Valley’s most respected entrepreneurs. Horowitz draws on his own experiences in the business world.

He provides advice on how to deal with the challenges of starting and growing a company. The book covers topics including hiring, firing, managing difficult conversations, and making tough decisions.

The Hard Thing About Hard Things is one of the best business books for those interested in starting or growing their own company. And it’s also a great reminder that even the most successful entrepreneurs have to deal with difficult times.

17) Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras

Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras

Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras

“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.”

In Built to Last, James C. Collins and Jerry Porras explore how great companies achieve long-term success. The book is based on six years of research and features in-depth case studies on 18 companies that have been successful for over 100 years and identified common patterns among them.

One key finding is that these companies have a ” core purpose” that goes beyond making money. They also have strong leaders who are passionate about their work, and they invest in their employees, customers, and communities. Being one of the best business books, Built to Last is an essential read for any business owner or manager who wants to achieve lasting success.

18) Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert Cialdini

“A well-known principle of human behavior says that when we ask someone to do us a favor, we will be more successful if we provide a reason. People simply like to have reasons for what they do.”

In Influence, Robert Cialdini takes a deep dive into the science of persuasion. In the book, Cialdini outlined six principles of Influence: reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity. These principles are still widely referenced today and provide insights into how people can be persuaded to say “yes.”

For example, the principle of reciprocity dictates that people are more likely to comply with a request if they have received something from the requester first. Similarly, the principle of social proof says that people are more likely to comply with a request if they see others doing the same. By understanding these principles, today’s entrepreneurs can create persuasive messages to influence people to start selling online and more.

19) The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure by Grant Cardone

In The 10X Rule, Grant Cardone explores the idea that success is not about working harder but about working smarter. The 10X Rule posits that the only difference between success and failure is a factor of ten. In other words, successful people are willing to put in ten times the amount of work that unsuccessful people do.

The book breaks all the rules about productivity, provides readers with practical tips on how to achieve their goals, and outlines a step-by-step plan for success. The 10X Rule is an essential read for anyone who wants to accelerate the achievement of their goals and live a successful life.

20) Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

“The starting point of all achievement is DESIRE. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat.”

Think and Grow Rich is one of the most famous self-help and business books of all time. First published in 1937, the book was written by Napoleon Hill, who spent years studying the habits and methods of successful people.

In Think and Grow Rich, Hill lays out a simple but powerful formula for achieving success. The book starts with the premise that all success starts with the right mindset. Hill then goes on to explain how good thoughts can lead to good actions, which in turn lead to success.

While some of the book’s advice may seem dated, its core message remains as relevant as ever: that anyone can achieve their dreams if they’re willing to put in the hard work. For anyone looking to improve their life, Think and Grow Rich is essential reading.

21) Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman

“Clarify your vision, and you will make better decisions about people, processes, finances, strategies, and customers.”

In Traction, Gino Wickman lays out a framework to create radically successful businesses. He identifies the six key components of a successful business, including establishing a clear vision, organizing your people, implementing data, documenting your processes, resolving issues, and gaining traction on the vision.

Then he provides a step-by-step guide to putting these components in place. Foremost, Gino Wichman helps you take your business idea and capture it in a one-page business plan, also known as the “Vision Traction Organizer.”

Traction is clear, concise, and packed with useful information. And I highly recommend it as one of the best business books for anyone looking to get a grip and take it to the next level. For more by Gino Wickman, check out Rocket Fuel (book summary) or Entrepreneurial Leap (book summary).

22) The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling

“If you’re not keeping score, you’re just practicing.”

The 4 Disciplines of Execution is a business productivity book written by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling. The book breaks down the achievement of these goals into four key disciplines: focus, leverage, engagement, and accountability.

First, businesses need to focus on their “wildly important goals” in order to be successful. Then, have your people act on the leading measures. Next, motivate your people with a scoreboard to know if they are winning. Last, the organization creates a cadence of accountability.

The book provides readers with a step-by-step guide to implementing 4DX in their own organization. The 4 Disciplines of Execution is one of the best business books for any leader who wants to achieve results.

Final Thoughts

These are just a few of the best business books that can help you overcome self-doubt and grow your business. If you’re looking for more resources, be sure to check out our other blog posts, including our best productivity books.

It’s never too late to start learning and growing your business. With the right resources, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

So, what are you waiting for? Get started reading one of the best business books today!