As one of my mentors says, "You can't thrive in a new place with old information." The grind of an entrepreneur or business owner can be grueling. It's my belief that in order for us to outwardly deliver results to clients, we must first inwardly grow our minds. Being a man of faith, who is a follower and believer of Jesus Christ, my obvious choice for the number #1 book on my list would be the bible; but, for the sake of personal & business development on a more practical level, I wanted to give you guys a list of 10 (additional) books that helped shape who I am today as an entrepreneur. Hopefully you’ll find these books to be helpful as well.
As I mentioned in the beginning, it's impossible to give away what you don't have. I found this title by John Maxwell to be invaluable when it comes to cultivating leadership within. Maxwell challenges to your normal thought processes' and provokes effective change to help you become the leader you always wanted to be. Purchase your copy here.
You'll absolutely love this book, as it highlights the generally accepted, four basic personality types: Melancholy, Phlegmatic, Sanguine, and Choleric. The book is full of hilarious examples of personality traits that allows us to see ourselves and others in a way we haven't before. It gives us insight on how to talk and interact with those who have different personalities than we do. From a marketing perspective, it's a great tool in learning how to approach various decision makers properly. Not to mention, this book lends towards great team building exercises. Purchase your copy here.
This great book would be my sleeper pick and also an "x-factor" when it comes to change. Jeff Olson does a masterful job a breaking down how our day to day decisions have a greater impact on our results than we think. It's the "slight edge" choices we make every second, minute and hour of the day that compounds into results, whether good or bad. If you apply the principles in this book, I promise you'll begin to see an immediate difference.
A crowd favorite and spark for many a conversation, Gary Chapman's 5 Love Languages is sure to help develop discussion amongst you and your peers. Now, I know what you're thinking: Isn't this book about love and relationships? What does it have to do with business? Glad you asked! Understanding the emotional and psychological needs of person and give incredible insight on how to work with colleagues, B2B clients and more. Of course, if you have that special someone, it certainly doesn't hurt to brush up on what keeps them happy. In addition, Chapman has expanded the Love Languages and written titles specifically for the workplace, teenagers, singles & more. So be sure to check out his entire collection.
An extension of a book mentioned later on my list, The Cash Flow Quadrant helps to shape your mind around the real methods of generating income in this world. Everyone falls into one of four categories: Employee, Self-Employed, Business Owner, & Investor. You may be shocked to learn which one you actually fall into! This a must read for anyone looking to create generational wealth. There's even an interactive game centered around the book for children. Check it out here.
When it comes to leadership, some principles are here to stay. Another winner from John Maxwell, is maybe his most acclaimed title, '21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership'. In the book, Maxwell breaks down the golden laws of leadership that have been tested for centuries, and jammed packed into one succinct print. If you're in leadership in any capacity, be sure to pick up a copy.
As the old saying goes, change your thinking, change your life. I'm a HUGE stickler as it relates to the power of your words; and it all starts with how you think. Thoughts become words and words become action. You'll never have the wealth if you don't begin to think how those who have done it before. This a great book that never gets old, and one I recommend you read annually. Purchase your copy here.
Who you follow in life can and will make huge influence in how successful you become. In his most popular publication, Robert Kiyosaki talks about the difference between his biological father (poor dad) and his mentor (rich dad). Although many may have good intentions with the advice they give, sometimes it my hinder you from reaching your full potential. I highly recommend this title as you go through the entrepreneurial process.
As John Maxwell stresses, "leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less". The statement is 1000% true and Dale Carnegie give an extensive account of how gaining influence is gold in business. One of the biggest setbacks for some is the ability to gain new friends (i.e. networking) and mastering the skill of persuasion (i.e. sales). Growing these two skills can catapult you above the crowd into becoming a star in any arena of business.
By far my favorite book in the leadership/personal development realm, I've read this title several times. If you want the complete guide to becoming a strong, influential leader, this is it! Maxwell eloquently shows us the ins and outs of personal leadership development. You cannot develop what you are not; and you certainly can give out what you don't have. As an instant classic in my catalog, I recommend this book to anyone. This title isn't limited to helping you in the business world, but quite frankly will develop you into the leader you need to be in every area of your life. I recommend you get multiple copies, one for you and a few to give away as an investment into the lives of those around you.
I hope this lists helps you in your business journey! Like this post and feel free to share it on social media, giving your top 10 list of favorite books.
~ Donald