Wax Marketing Blog

Although books are making a comeback for the mainstream consumer, for entrepreneurs and business owners they’ve always been an important part of continuous improvement. Here are ten of the top business books I recommend reading as soon as you can. The list is a mix of new books, oldies but goodies, and a couple of memoirs for good measure, not in any particular order. (I’m compelled to tell you these are monetized links. Should you order, I will make a little cash. But this is my true opinion nevertheless.)

Enjoy!

Ten Top Business Books

• Hustle: The Power to Charge Your Life with Money, Meaning, and Momentum – I usually like to read Neil Patel’s advice piecemeal, so I wasn’t sure whether or not I would enjoy this book. But Patel and his co-authors combine pragmatic tips with some advice bordering on the zen, which was a perfect fit for me. Plus it’s a fast read, and a good introduction to someone who has taught me a ton about business.
• Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World – As someone who usually gets marked as “weird” I had to read this book and the authors Sandberg and Grant do not disappoint. This is basically a book about looking at things in a different way. It’s “outside of the box” redux in a way that is fun and readable.
• Covey’s classic The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change should be a one of your top business books. . I think what always sticks with me is the lesson to “seek first to understand, then to be understood” which is also helpful for arguing politics with your husband.
• I have not read Superbosses: How Exceptional Leaders Master the Flow of Talent but enough people have recommended it to me that I felt I should include it here. Unless maybe all those people were trying to send me a message? I’ll have to noodle on that one.
• Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike is Phil Knight’s memoir. I found it to be as interesting for its examination of marketing as it was about Mr. Knight and the brand. This is a good plane read if you want to be productive but not really. I put it in the top business books list because it’s basically a great read no matter the reason for reading it.
• Elon Musk is literally changing the world and the book Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future doesn’t disappoint.  I always like books where the subject is shadowed by a real writer, and Ashlee Vance does a great job of telling the story of this “far out”  billionaire.
• If you’re starting a company The Creator’s Code: The Six Essential Skills of Extraordinary Entrepreneurs is a really good, quick read. If I had any discipline at all, I would incorporate these six skills into my life.
• I started speaking again last year, and I was really happy to find Illuminate: Ignite Change Through Speeches, Stories, Ceremonies, and Symbols. Lots of pragmatic advice around communications and how to “tell the story” from two women who truly are the best in the business.
• When I had a concussion in 2010, the neurologist told me I needed to learn how to unitask in order to heal my brain. Focus has been one of my best strengths ever since and Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World helped me get even better at it. It contains some really good, actionable steps.
• Finally, Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work is kind of a “Tipping Point” type book that provides information through stories, research and advice on ways to keep your brain working its best for you. It’s a really fun read too.