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As an aspiring leader and entrepreneur, what are three books I must read?

I am 19 years old at university. This summer I've immersed myself in a variety of texts ranging from philosophy to leadership advice. I still am, however, looking for that one book to spark a certain inspiration.

If you have any book recommendations, I would love to hear it. #entrepreneurship #leadership #philosophy #books #reading #recommendation

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Ayan’s Answer

Being a business leader means making a concerted effort to positively run your life, and do whatever it takes to be the best leader possible. There are a number of ways that any potential leader can start crafting themselves, but one of the best strategies is by starting to read as much as possible. There is no shortage of relevant and beneficial material. From learning how to work with others to understanding motivation and trust, leadership is a fluid evolution requiring constant adjustment. Here are six books which help with this leadership transformation.



  1. The Truth About Leadership: The No-Fads, Heart-of-the-Matter Facts You Need to Know
    James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner


These two authors take their 30 years of research on the topics of effective leadership to create a detailed, hard-hitting book on how to deliver effective leadership tactics. Focusing on classic tactics such as trust, ethics, and credibility, this book is filled with some of the best nuggets of information that can positively shape any business leader’s life and trajectory.
2. Hustle: The Power to Change Your Life with Money, Meaning, and Momentum


Neil Patel, Patrick Vlaskovits, and Jonas Koffler


Hustle is one of those books that you need to read in order to really understand. This book covers a variety of different topics that can help any leader both inside and outside the office. As the title suggests, the text discusses money, and how to gain positive momentum with it. It teaches you how to really hustle in order to make your dreams and goals a reality.
3. The Heart of Leadership: Becoming a Leader People Want to Follow


Mark Miller


One of the keys to being a successful leader is making it so that people actually want to follow your direction. This book focuses on changing the lives of leaders by teaching them to lead from the front. It sets out to teach them how to set positive examples for others to follow. Many great leaders share similar traits that inspire others, and this book teaches you how to exhibit those traits.
4. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You


John C. Maxwell


There are a lot of leadership books that focus on things like philosophy and perspective. This is not one of those books. This is a straightforward approach to leadership, presented as the “21 Laws” of figuring leadership out. It's easy to skim, easy to digest, and one of those books that's able to quickly change the way potential leaders can tackle their leadership approach.
5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change


Stephen R. Covey


This is one book that is sure to make the top of a lot of lists, but it is one that is extremely pertinent to today’s most successful leaders. This book has been one of the biggest best-selling books of its kind since it was first released in 1989 and it is still helping people today. It can quickly change the life of any leader as they learn how to be more effective and productive each and every day.
6. Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us


Daniel H. Pink


Pick up this highly entertaining read and you can learn more about the ability to motivate and push others to do their best. This book is all about how motivation is central to leadership and it highlights some of the secrets of truly motivating others and how to get meaningful work out of those that you lead.

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Paul A’s Answer

Well Matthew, any of Tom Peters books would be a start even checking him out on You tube might be interesting, while there check out Kyle Cease, Mike Dooley and Jack Daly. Pour Your Heart Into It by Howard Schultz CEO of Starbucks you might find inspiring. Check out Grinding It Out by Ray Kroc of McDonald's fame. Maybe E-Myth or E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber would be interesting. Google them to get an overview or check on Amazon for an overview. When you finish those I could probably come up with a few more. Happy hunting! One of my favorites is The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly. Check him out on you tube also. The best! Paul

Thank you comment icon I really appreciate your in-depth answer. I will be sure to see some of these out. Matthew
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Alysia’s Answer

Narrowing it down to 3 is tough, but here are my recommendations for an aspiring entrepreneur:


The Alchemist by Paul Coelho


Influence by Dr. Robert Cialdini


How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie


Bonus one: Book Yourself Solid by Micheal Port

Thank you comment icon Dale Carnegie's book is very, very powerful. I actually just bought Influence, and I'm very excited to read it. Thank you for your answer. Matthew
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Matthew’s Answer

One book I recommend highly, Matthew, is Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute. Blessings on your journey!

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Sonya’s Answer

At times we don't have all the time to learn from our own mistakes so its best we learn from others and I strongly believe we need to understand our self first and only then we can lead .
The best books to read are - The Leader Who had no Title & The Saint, the Surfer, and the CEO by Robin Sharma and last but not the least to sum up all the best we have in each of us and from failure to success a must read book is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Thank you comment icon All amazing suggestions. I'm looking into The Alchemist now. Thank you! Matthew
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Paul A’s Answer

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and his Cash Flow Game might light your prosperity flame!

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John’s Answer

Three books that have influenced me as a leader are: Leadership Is an Art by Max De Pree; The Empowered Manager by Peter Block,; and Good to Great by Jim Collins. Also, almost any book by Peter Drucker will be helpful.


Best wishes on an exciting journey,


John Ellis

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Donald’s Answer

I have written three books and would be interested in your thoughts if you read them:
Help Me: I'm Lost - A guide for new managers
Management Mistakes: A fable for new managers
70 Actions for Success


They are not famous but people who read them like them for their practical advice.

Thank you comment icon I'll be sure to check my library for them. Do you offer them on Nook? Matthew
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Padraig’s Answer

The LEAN startup - Eric Ries
Dont set up a business without understanding LEAN! It is essential for bootstrapping, surviving and for proving a concept before spending. It is also important for waste (processes/sspend/time) reduction.

Good to Great - Jim Collins
Get the right people on the bus, sittting in the right seats. Find out what makes businesses work. Learn about this, BHAG's and OKR's

The Obstacle is the way - Ryan Holiday
Stoicism.
When you are in 'the pit of despair' as an entrepreneur. Learn how to make the obstacle the way! Essential reading for business and life!
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David’s Answer

Here are three books that I would recommend:

1. Start with Why by Simon Sinek
2. Radical Candor by Kim Scott
3. Misbehaving by Richard Thaler

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Jeanine’s Answer

Hi there! It's so great that you are looking to read as much as possible to find your passion. I can tell you from a leadership perspective, it is important to keep learning and reading. Here are my top 3 books:

  1. Rise and Grind: Daymond John (This book is pretty new, but I love how it energizes me and challenged me to look at things through a different lens.)
  2. The Fearless Leader: Chris Baron (I had the pleasure of working under Chris Baron's leadership, and I am a better person because of her approach.
  3. Good to Great: Jim Collins (I read this book every once in a while to stay on task and remember that I can always do better.)

Good luck~

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Beverly’s Answer

Hi! Great question. I would suggest reading the following books:

  1. Three Signs of a Miserable Job by Patrick Lencioni
  2. Creating Magic by Lee Cockerill
  3. Fearless Leadership by Carey Lohrenz

All great reads.

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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Matthew,

Essential Reads for Budding Leaders and Business Innovators

"The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries: This indispensable guide for future entrepreneurs introduces the idea of developing a startup based on lean manufacturing principles. Ries underscores the need to verify ideas swiftly, learn from missteps, and adjust according to market feedback. It offers hands-on advice on how to effectively kick-start a business and make modifications based on customer reactions.

"Good to Great" by Jim Collins: In this enlightening read, Collins explores what distinguishes merely good companies from truly outstanding ones. He pinpoints key traits that thriving businesses share, such as disciplined leadership, a culture of excellence, and a commitment to long-term sustainability. "Good to Great" imparts valuable wisdom on how to elevate an organization from mediocrity to excellence.

"The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey: This enduring masterpiece emphasizes personal growth and effectiveness. It highlights seven habits that can aid individuals in becoming more proactive, prioritizing efficiently, and fostering robust relationships in both personal and professional spheres. The principles outlined in this book are particularly pertinent for budding leaders seeking to bolster their leadership prowess.

These three books encapsulate vital facets of entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal growth, offering invaluable insights and direction for ambitious individuals like you who are keen to thrive in these domains.

Top 3 Credible References Used in Crafting this Response:

Harvard Business Review: Renowned for its superior articles and research on topics related to business, Harvard Business Review is a trusted source for information on entrepreneurship, leadership, and management practices.

Forbes: A highly esteemed publication, Forbes covers a broad spectrum of business aspects, including entrepreneurship, leadership tactics, and success narratives of notable entrepreneurs. It offers precious insights for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur: Entrepreneur magazine provides a plethora of resources designed specifically for entrepreneurs and business leaders. It includes articles, interviews with successful entrepreneurs, and practical tips on effectively initiating and expanding businesses.

God Bless You,
James C.
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Ryan’s Answer

I like where you are going with this. I love to read and write for inspiration. Here are a few suggestions.

  1. Mindset by Carol S. Oweck
  2. Winning by Jack Welch
  3. The Data Driven Leader by Jenny Dearborn, David Swanson
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