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We put together a list of reads brimming with tips, tricks and real insights that will help you become a better entrepreneur and leader

10 business books you need to read

Tips, tricks and real insights that will help you become a better entrepreneur and leader


In the pursuit of excellence and better business practices also lies the human desire to improve oneself. And therein lies the booming market for self-improvement books and business books. Several of the entrepreneurs interviewed by The Established, such as Rashi Narang and Adwaita Nayar, are avid readers of tomes that impart smart strategies and deep insight on success, failure and running companies. For our selection, we’ve zoomed in on ten titles from recent years that highlight ideas of the virtual office, unknown stories of refugee entrepreneurs, negative business practices (to be avoided at all costs!), stories about an Indian entrepreneurial community unlike any other and so many more.

Dare to Lead by Brene BrownPenguin Random HouseA research professor at the University of Houston, Dr Brene Brown has spent two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy. She is also the author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers and the host of two award-winning Spotify podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead; the latter is also a book that we all need to read as potential leaders. Brown’s contention is that daring leadership in a culture defined by scarcity, fear and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply human. Her book–and podcasts–urge us to empathise, connect and draw out courage in order to be better leaders. A must-read.

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Penguin Random House

A research professor at the University of Houston, Dr Brene Brown has spent two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy. She is also the author of six #1 New York Times bestsellers and the host of two award-winning Spotify podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead; the latter is also a book that we all need to read as potential leaders. Brown’s contention is that daring leadership in a culture defined by scarcity, fear and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply human. Her book–and podcasts–urge us to empathise, connect and draw out courage in order to be better leaders. A must-read.

The Nowhere Office: Reinventing Work and the Workplace of the Future by Julia HobsbawmHachetteThe traditional office as all knew it before COVID-19 hit us was teetering in existence. It is inevitable then, that the future of work, in a pandemic and post-pandemic world will be different. Julia Hobsbawm’s smart primer on the workplace of the future is a practical guide to navigating a pivotal moment in the history of work as well as a lesson in adapting to change for both employees and employers. She offers fresh strategies on hybrid-working along with deep insights into how the way we work is being transformed by larger issues revolving around community, hierarchy, bias, identity and security. An evangelist for embracing change, Hobsbawm says this moment in time can truly turn out to be more meaningful and more productive for us. Extremely relevant.

The Nowhere Office: Reinventing Work and the Workplace of the Future by Julia Hobsbawm

Hachette

The traditional office as all knew it before COVID-19 hit us was teetering in existence. It is inevitable then, that the future of work, in a pandemic and post-pandemic world will be different. Julia Hobsbawm’s smart primer on the workplace of the future is a practical guide to navigating a pivotal moment in the history of work as well as a lesson in adapting to change for both employees and employers. She offers fresh strategies on hybrid-working along with deep insights into how the way we work is being transformed by larger issues revolving around community, hierarchy, bias, identity and security. An evangelist for embracing change, Hobsbawm says this moment in time can truly turn out to be more meaningful and more productive for us. Extremely relevant.

25 Million Sparks: The Untold Story of Refugee Entrepreneursby Andrew Leon HannaCambridge University PressA powerful story of hope, the book focuses on three Syrian women entrepreneurs in the Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan: Asma, Malak and Yasmina. Hanna tells the inspiring stories of these women, and their creativity and entrepreneurship that demonstrates the strength of the human spirit to turn even an adversity into opportunity. Hanna’s book follows Asma, Malak and Yasmina’s stories and their ability to create joy, hope and dignity in the camp, through their immense struggles. These are stories that highlight the resilience and the power of refugees to heal, lead and advance communities around the world. Inspiring!

25 Million Sparks: The Untold Story of Refugee Entrepreneurs

by Andrew Leon Hanna

Cambridge University Press

A powerful story of hope, the book focuses on three Syrian women entrepreneurs in the Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan: Asma, Malak and Yasmina. Hanna tells the inspiring stories of these women, and their creativity and entrepreneurship that demonstrates the strength of the human spirit to turn even an adversity into opportunity. Hanna’s book follows Asma, Malak and Yasmina’s stories and their ability to create joy, hope and dignity in the camp, through their immense struggles. These are stories that highlight the resilience and the power of refugees to heal, lead and advance communities around the world. Inspiring!

The Playbook: How to Deny Science, Sell Lies, and Make a Killing in the Corporate World by Jennifer JacquetAllen LaneIn this book, Jennifer Jacquet, an associate professor at New York University’s Department of Environmental Studies, maps out how corporations have responded to a major threat to their operations, with scientific evidence. Jacquet writes that scientific denial is industry-agnostic. That is, companies largely use the same toolkit to attack virtually any threat, whether it’s evidence that links red meat to colon cancer, that neonicotinoid pesticides harm bees, or that asbestos damages lungs. The book’s central theme is that challenging scientific knowledge is simply part of business operations, and that it isn’t really isn’t given much more moral consideration by any company beyond that.

The Playbook: How to Deny Science, Sell Lies, and Make a Killing in the Corporate World by Jennifer Jacquet

Allen Lane

In this book, Jennifer Jacquet, an associate professor at New York University’s Department of Environmental Studies, maps out how corporations have responded to a major threat to their operations, with scientific evidence. Jacquet writes that scientific denial is industry-agnostic. That is, companies largely use the same toolkit to attack virtually any threat, whether it’s evidence that links red meat to colon cancer, that neonicotinoid pesticides harm bees, or that asbestos damages lungs. The book’s central theme is that challenging scientific knowledge is simply part of business operations, and that it isn’t really isn’t given much more moral consideration by any company beyond that.

Power Play: Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century by Tim HigginsPenguin Random HouseHate him, love him–it’s hard to be indifferent towards the brilliance of Elon Musk’s business acumen, his failed bid for the purchase of Twitter notwithstanding. Tim Higgins tells the story of Tesla’s ascent in dramatic flourish that is in keeping with Musk’s rise. The book’s most interesting parts are the what-ifs. For instance, did you know that Tesla could have built a plug-in hybrid, or might have been sold to Google, or have become a battery supplier to the auto giants?

Power Play: Tesla, Elon Musk, and the Bet of the Century by Tim Higgins

Penguin Random House

Hate him, love him–it’s hard to be indifferent towards the brilliance of Elon Musk’s business acumen, his failed bid for the purchase of Twitter notwithstanding. Tim Higgins tells the story of Tesla’s ascent in dramatic flourish that is in keeping with Musk’s rise. The book’s most interesting parts are the what-ifs. For instance, did you know that Tesla could have built a plug-in hybrid, or might have been sold to Google, or have become a battery supplier to the auto giants?

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James ClearPenguin Random HouseA self-improvement book with clear focus, this read helps you build good habits and break bad ones. James Clear’s book is a how-to guide on making incremental improvements that will lead to significant changes in your life. Clear’s steps will resonate with the highly motivated and practical souls amongst us. If you like self-improvement books, this one's definitely for you.

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

Penguin Random House

A self-improvement book with clear focus, this read helps you build good habits and break bad ones. James Clear’s book is a how-to guide on making incremental improvements that will lead to significant changes in your life. Clear’s steps will resonate with the highly motivated and practical souls amongst us. If you like self-improvement books, this one's definitely for you.

The Dolphin and the Shark: Stories on Entrepreneurship by Namita ThaparPenguin Random HouseIt was inevitable that one of the seven (way too many?) sharks on the Indian version of the business reality show Shark Tank India would eventually write a book– and here it is. Entrepreneur Namita Thapar, one of the judges on the show, asks the reader/the business leader whether you ought to be as aggressive as a shark and empathetic as a dolphin. Using examples from the TV show, Thapar tells us how to get a pitch right, what to do once you have clinched a deal, how to build a strong team and a brand and how to involve mentors. This one might be a fitting read for budding entrepreneurs.

The Dolphin and the Shark: Stories on Entrepreneurship by Namita Thapar

Penguin Random House

It was inevitable that one of the seven (way too many?) sharks on the Indian version of the business reality show

Shark Tank India

would eventually write a book– and here it is. Entrepreneur Namita Thapar, one of the judges on the show, asks the reader/the business leader whether you ought to be as aggressive as a shark and empathetic as a dolphin. Using examples from the TV show, Thapar tells us how to get a pitch right, what to do once you have clinched a deal, how to build a strong team and a brand and how to involve mentors. This one might be a fitting read for budding entrepreneurs.

The Sindhis: Selling Anything, Anywhere by Mark-Anthony FalzonPenguin Random HouseFeared, respected, mocked at but always acknowledged as the community with great business acumen, the Sindhis and their trade are spread far and wide not only in India but across the globe. Survivors of the bloody line that was drawn across the Indian subcontinent by Cyril Radcliffe–the (Hindu) Sindhis–migrated post-1947 in droves fanning across cities the world over. In Sindh, the Hindus were a prosperous minority, and Partition dispossessed them of their livelihood and assets. But their innate business acumen struck again and again, making them branch out to bigger things. This is the 13th book in Penguin’s multi-volume series, The Story of Indian Business, in which Mark-Anthony Falzon examines the social and cultural infrastructure that sustains Sindhi businesses and their networks. He traces the growth of the well-known Sindhi business firms–Chanrai, Chellarams, Choithrams, Moorjanis and Harilelas—as well as the phenomenal success story of the Hinduja brothers—and how they adapted to local conditions.

The Sindhis: Selling Anything, Anywhere by Mark-Anthony Falzon

Penguin Random House

Feared, respected, mocked at but always acknowledged as the community with great business acumen, the Sindhis and their trade are spread far and wide not only in India but across the globe. Survivors of the bloody line that was drawn across the Indian subcontinent by Cyril Radcliffe–the (Hindu) Sindhis–migrated post-1947 in droves fanning across cities the world over. In Sindh, the Hindus were a prosperous minority, and Partition dispossessed them of their livelihood and assets. But their innate business acumen struck again and again, making them branch out to bigger things. This is the 13th book in Penguin’s multi-volume series, The Story of Indian Business, in which Mark-Anthony Falzon examines the social and cultural infrastructure that sustains Sindhi businesses and their networks. He traces the growth of the well-known Sindhi business firms–Chanrai, Chellarams, Choithrams, Moorjanis and Harilelas—as well as the phenomenal success story of the Hinduja brothers—and how they adapted to local conditions.

Davos Man By Peter S. GoodmanHarper CollinsThis one’s a scathing critique of the greed, hypocrisy and narcissism of “the stratosphere of the globe-trotting class,” many of whom gather at the annual World Economic Forum held in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos every year. New York Times’ global economics correspondent Peter S. Goodman’s Davos Man is “an unusual predator whose power comes in part from his keen ability to adopt the guise of an ally.” Goodman argues that the “relentless plunder” perpetrated by Davos Man, “is the decisive force behind the rise of right-wing populist movements around the world,” leading to widening economic inequality, intense public anger and dire threats to democracy. This revelatory read examines five people: private equity magnate Stephen Schwarzman; JPMorgan Chase executive Jamie Dimon; asset manager Larry Fink; Amazon’s Jeff Bezos; and Salesforce founder and CEO Marc Benioff.

Davos Man By Peter S. Goodman

Harper Collins

This one’s a scathing critique of the greed, hypocrisy and narcissism of “the stratosphere of the globe-trotting class,” many of whom gather at the annual World Economic Forum held in the Swiss Alpine town of Davos every year. New York Times’ global economics correspondent Peter S. Goodman’s Davos Man is “an unusual predator whose power comes in part from his keen ability to adopt the guise of an ally.” Goodman argues that the “relentless plunder” perpetrated by Davos Man, “is the decisive force behind the rise of right-wing populist movements around the world,” leading to widening economic inequality, intense public anger and dire threats to democracy. This revelatory read examines five people: private equity magnate Stephen Schwarzman; JPMorgan Chase executive Jamie Dimon; asset manager Larry Fink; Amazon’s Jeff Bezos; and Salesforce founder and CEO Marc Benioff.

Masters of Enterprise by H.W BrandsSimon & SchusterA cast of 25 pivotal North American figures that range from classic captains of industry, such as Cornelius Vanderbilt and Andrew Carnegie, to media mavens Ted Turner and Oprah Winfrey, form this book. H.W Brands’ features leaders who have defined and thrived in various historical eras, beginning just after the American Revolutionary War, right upto the present. The stories include how Nike got its start as a B-school project for Phil Knight; how Robert Woodruff almost refused to take control of Coca-Cola to spite his father; how Thomas Watson saved himself from prison by rescuing Dayton, Ohio, from a flood; how Jay Gould nearly cornered the gold market; and how H.L Hunt went from gambling at cards to gambling with oil leases–all engaging narratives with lessons to impart about American entrepreneurship.

Masters of Enterprise by H.W Brands

Simon & Schuster

A cast of 25 pivotal North American figures that range from classic captains of industry, such as Cornelius Vanderbilt and Andrew Carnegie, to media mavens Ted Turner and Oprah Winfrey, form this book. H.W Brands’ features leaders who have defined and thrived in various historical eras, beginning just after the American Revolutionary War, right upto the present. The stories include how Nike got its start as a B-school project for Phil Knight; how Robert Woodruff almost refused to take control of Coca-Cola to spite his father; how Thomas Watson saved himself from prison by rescuing Dayton, Ohio, from a flood; how Jay Gould nearly cornered the gold market; and how H.L Hunt went from gambling at cards to gambling with oil leases–all engaging narratives with lessons to impart about American entrepreneurship.

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