30 Most Influential Business Books Ever Written

Posted on August 29th, 2018 by Quertime Writer in Business

The most successful are the most voracious. Warren Buffet reads a whopping 500 pages every day. Bill Gates reads almost 50 books a year. Mark Zuckerberg finishes one book every fortnight. How about you?

Check out this list of 30 evergreen business books to add fresh perspectives and ideas on your ongoing entrepreneurial journey.

1. The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday

Bestselling author and marketing strategist Ryan Holiday is known to don his stoic lens while writing books. Unsurprisingly, the book, The Obstacle Is the Way book deals in life-lessons from Silicon Valley stalwarts and even other historical icons who thrived despite obstacles.

2. Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday

Ego is the Enemy talks about war heroes and great generals of the yesteryears who sacrificed their personal goals at the altar of higher humanitarian goals. A good read for power-hungry business class navigating the corporate jungle.

3. Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk

The book likens social media marketing to boxing. Just like a boxer uses a few jabs before attempting the difficult right hook, entrepreneurs need to connect with customers before confronting them with their products.

Read GoodFirms Research Report on Social Media Trends 2018.

4. The 10X Rule by Grant Cordone

“Success is your duty, says Grant Cordone in this ultra-motivational book. Replete with adrenaline-laced advice, 10X Rule wants you to take massive actions that would guarantee success for companies and individuals alike.

5. Be Obsessed or Be Average by Grant Cordone

Part memoir, part self-help, the book could prove to be a practical workshop for you and your business. It talks about over-promising, over delivering and nurturing your obsession instead of fighting it.

6. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

The principles discussed in the book, such as fighting procrastination, resistance, failure and more, is sure to resonate with all creatives types, in particular, and with the business world, at large.

7. The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris

Tim Ferris is a self-help aka shortcut guru. The book shares street-smart tips and tricks on simplifying life, automating work, managing email communications, cutting down interruptions and more.

8. Tools of Titans by Tim Ferris

Ferris has interviewed no fewer than 200 icons for his popular podcasts. Tools of Titans is a transcript of those podcasts. The book distills the tools and tactics applied by 200 world-class performers.

9. The Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferris

This brick of a book profiles the lives and works of top 130+ performers, from a wide array of industries. It helps you to find answers to life’s toughest challenges, achieve over-the-top results, and transform your life.

10. Poor Charlie’s Almanack by Charles T. Munger

This book is an interesting collection of essays, memoirs, interviews, and speeches about Charles T.Munger. An entertaining coffee table book for finance philosophers and biography buffs.

11. Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin

Build high-performing teams and dominate your business battlefields by reading this extraordinary leadership book by ex-navy seals.

12. Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

This book by Nobel Prize Winning author Daniel Kahneman talks about the dual systems in our brain and how they are prone to errors and mental lapses. The book discusses ways to identify and mitigate them.

13. Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

This classic self-help book tells you to figure out one sound idea that could pave way for more riches in your life and also discusses ideas on leading a rich life in the areas of spirituality, health, and wellness.

14. Deep Work by Cal Newport

Shallow work may give you a high in terms of productivity, but then that’s no true productivity; deep work is the best way to propel productivity and yield results, says Newport in this incredible book.

15. Re-Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins

If Awaken the Giant Within is a bomb between the covers, Re-awaken the giant is a compressed bomb. Read both to take control of your emotions, values, and beliefs.

16. Remote by J. Fried & D. Heinemeier Hansson

The book shares plenty of tips and tricks on how to get your company started through remote employees; and also how to manage work if you are a remote worker.

17. The 48 Laws Of Power by Robert Greene

The 48 Laws of Power will introduce you to the grey areas of life. And how to play the corporate power game well using a combination of actions, thoughts, and tactics.

18. The 4 Disciplines of Execution: by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, Jim Huling

This book offers you a step-by-step guide to pursue “Wildly Important Organization Goals” and tips to execute them well.

19. 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Stephen Covey examines 7 habits that one needs to adapt to become a more productive person, personally and professionally.

20. The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins

If you are an Olympic Gold Medalist in procrastination then this should be your go-to book. Do it for just 5 seconds says Robbins and it will get you up and run with the work that you may have been delaying for so long.

21. The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna

We enter so many crossroads in our life, such as the should road, the could road, the one-day road, and so on. But what is the must road in your life? Read this book to figure that out.

22. The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau

The easy-to-read guide is based on common peoples’ mistakes and successes and the idea that you just need $100 Dollars in your pocket to start a business.

23. Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk

No more sitting on your pet projects! Turn them into real money-spinning businesses by leveraging the power of the Internet, says Gary Vaynerchuk in Crush It.

24. Decisive by Dan & Chip Heath

Our brains are hard-wired to act foolishly and irrationally many a times. The four-step process discussed in the book helps you combat foolishness and take better decisions in our lives.

25. Essentialism by Greg McKeown

Essentialism focuses on the power of less. The author Greg Mckeown advises you to take charge of life by saying no to the ‘trivial many’ and focus on the ‘essential few’.

26. Getting Things Done by David Allen

The book is referred to as the classic productivity tome. Loaded with information and ideas, the book uncovers tips and tricks to undo procrastination and undertake a more practical approach toward life.

27. Give And Take by Adam Grant

Give and Take by Adam Grant shares a path-breaking perspective on three different types of people: givers, takers, and matchers. Backed by real-life case studies Grant offers practical advice on dealing with difficult situations, and on making the most of it.

28. Grit by Angela Duckworth

Tons of talent doesn’t matter if you aren’t gritty enough says Angela Duckworth in her much-acclaimed book Grit. Through real-life examples, the book delves into the psychology of talent, effort, and achievement.

29. The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

The book shares in-depth insights on the importance of company vision, work culture, hire and fire tactics, among many other interesting tips.

30. The Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday

No matter whether you are an author, entrepreneur, musician, filmmaker and so on, Holiday shares brilliant tips and tricks on how to produce perennial stuff. In Holiday’s words, a critical test for any service/product is to find whether the product adds value to the world and improve the lives of the people who buy it.

Which business books have inspired you? Let us know in the comment section.

Author: Jennifer Warren

This is Jennifer Warren, staff writer at GoodFirms a review and research platform for top ecommerce development companies, digital marketing companies, app development companies among many others. A bookworm at heart, I have successfully guest blogged for top sites such as Crazyegg, Semrush, Searchenginepeople, Sitepronews among others.