Many of us dream of being an entrepreneur and having good financial conditions, which we know is tough working in a job. Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerburg, Ratan Tata, etc., are some famous entrepreneurs and inspirations for all other entrepreneurs. In this article, I will discuss here some of the must-read books for entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurship leads to financial freedom, and thus many of us aspire to be one. But, Is it so easy to become an entrepreneur? No, It leads through numerous difficulties, and at some point, every entrepreneur is broke and needs inspiration in one way or another. What other than books can help us in life? Many successful entrepreneurs have also addressed books as a factor in their success.
Motivational, Inspirational, and Business books are the best for entrepreneurs to understand their businesses and finance. The books mentioned here have helped millions understand the power of money, investing, and Habits. The 15 books shortlisted had an immense impact on many entrepreneurs and could help millions more in bringing their businesses to new heights.
Though 1000 books are available in the market, I have picked out some of the best books to help you achieve greatness and constantly work to achieve new successes. In this article, we will further discuss how these books help entrepreneurs.
15 Influential Books For Entrepreneurs
1. Rich Dad Poor Dad
“Rich Dad Poor Dad,” written by Robert T. Kiyosaki, and published in 1997, is an amazing book to invest your time in to get proper knowledge of economic prosperity.
This book provides readers with financial knowledge based on personal experience about money, investment, and accounting for a better financial condition which should have been taught to us in schools.
In this book, the author shares his childhood story and how his father and father’s best friend changed him and shaped his thoughts about money and investing.
It is one of the many books I suggest to any entrepreneur to understand the value of sound financial condition and what you should teach your children about money and future economic success because the school system can’t be relied upon to learn about money.
2. How to Win Friends & Influence People
Dale Carnegie wrote this book, a must-read book for young entrepreneurs to build communication and people skills.
As an entrepreneur, building relations is the most important business aspect. And building relations is not a piece of cake. It takes determination and strong communication skills to influence others with your ideas, thoughts, etc.
This book is a perfect example where the author guides the readers step-by-step to help you connect with others, even the ones who don’t believe in you and your ideas.
In this book, the author teaches you how to make people like you and your thinking and change people without resentment.
3. The Leader in You
“The Leader in You,” another masterpiece by Dale Carnegie, is a book every person shall read where the author focuses on revealing the leader lies among us. Whether in business, job, or life, leadership skills are important.
This book has been regularly updated since the author died in 1955 by the network of professional trainers and his team of Dale Carnegie & Associates.
With the tales of many successful people of different professions such as corporate, athletics, sports, politicians, etc., this book guides people step-by-step to identify their leadership strengths, achieve goals, become a team player, identify skills, show gratitude and interest to others to build a long life impact on others and much more.
The most important investment you will ever make is in yourself—once you discover the key that unlocks.
The Leader in You
4. The $100 Startup
“The $100 Startup,” written by Chris Guillebeau, is a really good book for people unaware of entrepreneurship. Anyone believing success is for rich and lucky people is just a myth, and this book has cleared that up. Chris identified 1500 individuals and shortlisted 50 to present them in this book.
Chris used these 50 real stories of successful business owners who faced enormous difficulties and, despite having odds against them, turned their businesses successful.
These stories showcase that you don’t need funds or luck for your business to achieve heights, though the only thing required is an idea and determination to work for it.
5. The Entrepreneur Mind
“The Entrepreneur Mind,” written by Kevin D. Johnson, is a classic book for entrepreneurs to change their belief systems, thoughts, habits, etc., to be successful entrepreneurs like Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Sara Blakely, Oprah Winfrey, and many more.
As you know, negativity is the source of destruction of success, while positivity brings prosperity, happiness, and success. The author, too, believes in that and wants all young and aspiring entrepreneurs to learn from the vital lessons of successful entrepreneurs.
President of a multi-millionaire company Johnson Media Inc. and an entrepreneur for many years, Johnson identifies 100 key lessons in the book for every young and veteran entrepreneur of Strategy, Education, People, Finance, Marketing and Sales, Leadership, and Motivation.
With all his key lessons in the book, the author makes sure you know what you are doing and how to plan towards it.
6. Think & Grow Rich
“Think & Grow Rich,” written by Napoleon Hill, is a highly motivational book to make you wealthier professionally and personally.
In this book, the author has used the real stories of big millionaires to explain his principles of becoming rich. It has 15 chapters, each providing a principle that will help you create the wealth you desire.
It is an easy read in which the author emphasizes the burning desire to achieve even though the going gets tough.
7. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Written by Stephen R. Covey is a powerful book for personal changes through a holistic and principle-centered approach to solving personal as well as professional issues.
It is a must-read book for any entrepreneur determined to build a brand for their business. The author of this book suggests:
- Be Proactive
- Begin with the end in mind
- Put first things first
- Think win-win
- Seek first to understand and then to be understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the saw
8. The Power of Habit
“The Power of Habit,” written by Charles Duhigg, is a unique book where the author uses scientific discoveries to explain the power of habit and how it can be changed.
Along the book, a reader will learn how some people earn more and more while others constantly grow due to their policy of no change.
Changing habits according to the situation, age, etc., is vital. The author further describes how habits work and how they reside in the brain and work.
When a habit emerges, the brain stops fully participating in decision making. It stops working so hard, or diverts focus to other tasks. So unless you deliberately fight a habit—unless you find new routines—the pattern will unfold automatically.
The Power of Habit
9. Steve Jobs
“Steve Jobs” is an inspirational and motivational book written by Walter Isaacson based on the real-life story of one of the world’s biggest entrepreneurs, i.e., Steve Jobs.
This inspiring book shares the highs and lows of Steve Jobs, who was creative, inventive, and a perfectionist. He is famously known for his passion for perfection.
This book was written with the help of interviews conducted with his friends, family, relatives, and colleagues. Competitors were also interviewed. The book also represented his brutal nature as he wanted others to speak the truth about him and let the world know about his struggles.
10. Female Innovators at Work
Danielle Newnham writes this book, and it is a must-read book for female entrepreneurs in which the author has mentioned the success stories of highly successful female entrepreneurs in a male-dominated environment.
Female entrepreneurs are of varied professions, including CEO founders, inventors, etc., of different tech companies. This book includes the personal insights, advice, and instructions of other female innovators who encountered obstacles to rising high worldwide.
This book is helpful for all entrepreneurs and any person willing to enter the tech industry.
11. Grit: The Power of Passion & Perseverance
Written by Angela Duckworth, a psychologist, she takes her readers through the journey of this motivational book to remind everyone that talent doesn’t decide success; rather, constant determination, passion, and perseverance, which is also known as GRIT, determines how successful you are.
Angela provides valuable insights in this book, inspiring and encouraging readers to appreciate the power of passion, consistency, and action toward a goal.
Angela was a teacher, researcher, and consultant who being a less genius of a girl, determined that only a person’s GRIT leads to success.
12. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion
“Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion,” Written by a highly acclaimed bestseller known for his passion for influence and persuasion, teaches the psychology of people saying YES and how these principles can be applied in our business and life.
It is a must-read book for young and veteran entrepreneurs who wish to influence people about their ideas and thoughts to work with them.
The author teaches the 6 weapons of influence: Reciprocation, Commitment & Consistency, Social proof, Liking, Authority, and Scarcity. Using these weapons of influence, a person can exploit the mindset of any individual, which can be seen in our daily lives, how salesman exploits us to buy their products. A veteran salesman knows these weapons and uses them effectively.
13. The Compound Effect
“The Compound Effect” written by Darren Hardy is also a book for entrepreneurs who doesn’t show any magic to success but teaches the readers to shape their destiny with minimal decisions everyday that can change our life.
The author teaches the need to make small decisions everyday to change your lives which will either take you to success or lead to disaster.
It is an extraordinary book that teaches how small decisions in our life impacts our whole life. Our decisions have led to the life we are living right and most importantly makes us take responsibility for our actions and decisions.
14. The Greatest Salesman in the World
Written by OG Mandino, this book is not for any particular person but for every person because selling is the ultimate skill everyone needs in life. We all sell something to anyone we meet, be it our parents, friends, relatives, colleagues, etc. We always sell something, and sometimes we get successful in convincing, but sometimes we need to do more.
Everyone almost praises the story written in this book. It is one of the most inspiring stories, and anyone who reads this book and applies the principles defined in it can never fail. Both can succeed with them.
This moral, spiritual, and ethical guidance book is an unfailing source of comfort and inspiration.
15. The Obstacle is the Way
Written by Ryan Holiday is an inspiring book for many readers, including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Cool J, James McGee, Michele Tafoya, and many more successful people.
The author inspired people based on Stoicism to endure pain with perseverance and patience. He says that the obstacles coming in the way of success must be taken advantage of to convert them into stronger and better opportunities.
Further, the author also uses the examples of top entrepreneurs to showcase how they overcame their obstacles by following these principles to emerge out of the blue.
Conclusions | Top 15 Must-Read Books for Entrepreneurs
Many people highly recommend these books mentioned above and have received good feedback. They have helped in entrepreneurship as well as in the personal lives of many people.
Reading only one book never makes you perfect, so reading even some of the books among these and implementing the principles taught in these books will help you change and lead yourself to something new and good.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What Are The 4C’s of Entrepreneur?
The 4 C’s include Commitment, Courage, Capability and Confidence.
2. What Are The 3T’s of Entrepreneurship?
The 3T’s of entrepreneurship include Time, Team and Trust.
3. What Are The 4 Pillars of Entrepreneurship Success?
The Pillars in success for an entrepreneur include: Passion, fear, Risk and Opportunity.
