13 Books that should be on every Startup Founders must Reading List

“What do you need to succeed in business? Three simple things: 1) know your product better than anyone, 2) know your customer, & 3) have a burning desire to succeed.”–Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s ++ study to learn how to Execute. [Wiz4biz]

Founders Topics: Path to Success, Leadership, Relationships, Go Mindset, Flexibility, Hard Work, Handling Customers, No Limits, Overcoming Setbacks,

There’s so much to read to keep up with the latest trends, it can often be over-whelming to know exactly where to start. When you’re a Founder – busy running a company – it’s ever more of a challenge. That’s why we asked 13 Founders from Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) the following question:

“What business book should be on every Founder’s reading list?”

Best Books for Entrepreneurs

Here’s what YEC community members had to say:

1. “Founders at Work” by Jessica Livingston [Successful Founders]

Originally published in 2007, this book captures authentic interviews with Founders of famous tech companies concerning what happened in their early years. Not only are the interviews entertaining & insightful, but it’s re-assuring to read about other founders who may have found themselves in situations similar to the ones you face and have become successful.”

2. “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” by Patrick Lencioni [Leadership]

Written as a fable, this leadership book describes the most common causes of organizational dysfunction and suggests ways to create a cohesive, productive team that works well together.

3. “Be Our Guest” by the Disney Institute [Relationships]

“This has been one of the best hospitality and culture books I have ever read. We learn the science behind Disney’s work culture and formulas they use to ensure clear communication with the staff. The interesting part is how diverse each Disney property’s cultural standards may be while they stay aligned with performance standards.”

4. “Mindset” by Carol Dweck [Gross, no, Growth Mindset]

When you orient your life, business & mind towards learning & growing as your # 1 priority, you’ll end up with a good Growth Mindset. This book teaches you how to do that.

5. “Letters from a Stoic” by Lucius Annaeus Seneca [Flexibility]

The ancient stoic worldview teaches the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and maintain emotional stability in good times & bad. Much more so than any canned framework, your ability as a business owner to react well to circumstances is what leads you to success.”

6. “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” by Ben Horowitz [Hard Work]

We commonly hear a “success-filled” one-sided view of starting a business, but what about the hardships? Written by a successful Entrepreneur & VC, this book doesn’t sugarcoat how hard it is to start your own business. It’s filled with practical advice from his business experiences. He frankly discusses his near failure of his company too.

7. “Hug Your Haters: How to Embrace Complaints & Keep Your Customers” by Jay Baer – [Handling your unhappy Customers]

Haters are a reality of life & work. Reading this book helps you figure out how to handle them in a more effective way. It’s also a great way to up your customer service.

8. “#AskGaryVee: One Entrepreneur’s Take on Leadership, Social Media, and Self-Awareness” by Gary Vaynerchuk [More Hard Work]

His new book is one that all founders should read. He speaks his mind and his views are accurate. He stresses the “work” part of the equation and is very vocal about the new startups that don’t have a strategy to make money, because they are simply banking on more investment rounds to keep them above water. His ‘real talk’ is refreshing and this is a book everyone will find value in.

9. “Living With a SEAL: 31 Days Training with the Toughest Man on the Planet” by Jesse Itzler [Pushing your Limits]

I am always impressed by people who continuously push themselves. The Author made me question my commitment levels and my own personally-set limits within my business & everyday life. His unconventional methodology and commitment to pushing the limits will motivate you to get out of your comfort zone this summer.

10. “What to Do When It’s Your Turn (And It’s Always Your Turn)” by Seth Godin [Get out of your own way !!!]

This is a must read for any entrepreneur who needs to get out of their own way. Whether you’re a solo founder or partner, sometimes the largest critic and factor in your inability to move forward and change is yourself. This book dives into the fear of the unknown, the fear of our own freedom of choice, and the fact that owning your mistakes is the fun part of life’s adventure. ”

11. “Zen and the Art of Happiness” by Chris Prentiss [Recovering from Setbacks]

Everyone should read this book about accepting things rather than resisting them. It hits home the point that anything that happens to you, even though it may feel like the worst turn of events in a given moment, will – in retrospect – have impacted you positively in some way. This lesson helped me develop a stronger and more resilient mindset, especially in solving complex problems.

12. The Second Machine Age” by Erik Brynjolfsson & Andrew Mcafee [The Digital Age]

The first machine age, the Industrial Revolution, overcame our “physical” limitations. Now with the rise of computers & other digital technologies, we have moved to overcoming our “mental limitations. This book reveals the forces that are driving innovation and thus the economy – and in doing so – reveals how technology, society, and the economy all progress together.

13. “The E-Myth Revisited” by Michael Gerber [Fanchising]

This book has inspired millions and helped countless business owners learn how to adapt their business to a franchise proto-type model. His story-telling ability makes for a quick, interesting read. You’ll walk away understanding the need to incorporate the right systems & processes in your business, so that it functions well regardless of who’s running it.

Comments: Do you have a Book that helped you as a Startup Founder?

from The Young Entrepreneur Council [YEC.co/] 18 Aug 16 enhanced by Peter/CXO Wiz4biz

For more Info, click on Founders, Book Review.