Ten Must-Read Business Books

(Compiled by Thomas G. Reid, JD, CPCM, Fellow)

These ten primary books will give you an excellent overview of key issues involved in leadership. Most of
them are classics and given the leaders who have read them provides a convenient starting point for
conversations, networking, and issue resolution. More importantly, they will inform your thinking and
decision making in a very positive way. Each of the ten has a follow up suggestion. If you have read the
primary book, turn to the alternate. If you are a voracious reader, tackle all twenty.

1. Carnegie, Dale, How to Win Friends & Influence People, revised edition (New York: Simon and
Schuster, 1964).
a. This book is available in over 36 languages and numerous editions. Any of them are worth
reading. It has sold over 15 million copies. It’s the kind of book that if you have not read it in the
past five years – read it again. There is just too much to absorb in one reading, and as you
mature much of the material will take on greater meaning and depth. The alternate is a Covey
book that will greatly inform your sense of leadership style.
b. Follow-up Book: Covey, Stephen R., Principle-Centered Leadership (New York: Simon & Schuster
Inc., (Fireside Edition) 1992).
2. Fisher, Roger, William Ury, and Bruce Patton, Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving
In, 2 ed. (New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1991).
a. Every negotiator should have read this seminal classic by now, but if not – get to it. The
alternate is a more recent tome from one of the primary authors of the main suggestion. It will
assist you in any negotiation whether personal or business.
b. Follow-up Book: Ury, William, The Power of a Positive No (New York: Bantam Dell,2007).
3. Leeds, Dorothy, The 7 Powers of Questions (New York, NY: The Berkley Publishing Group, 2000)
a. The art of phrasing good questions will help you see issues more clearly and cut to the real
motivations behind peoples’ positions. Most people do not think clearly; a good questioner can
help that process along and more effectively serve to mediate situations. The follow up is an
excellent guide for times when you have to tell someone something that will probably not be
received well. There is an art to this as well.
b. Follow-up Book: Stone, Douglas, Bruce Patton, and Sheila Heen, Difficult Conversations (New
York: Penguin, 2000).
4. Covey, Stephen R., The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People (New York: Simon & Schuster Inc.,
1989).
a. A true classic that must be read by all leaders. The follow up is the book that would have been
#11 if the list were that long. It is the first in a series of excellent works from the Gallup
organization – yeah , the survey people.
b. Follow-up Book: Buckingham, Marcus and Curt Coffman. First Break All the Rules (New York:
Simon & Schuster, 1999).
 Ten Must-Read Business Books
(Compiled by Thomas G. Reid, JD, CPCM, Fellow)
5. Lencioni, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2002).
a. Teambuilding is a critical skill for leaders. Too many of them do not do it well. Lencioni is always
a quick enlightening read. There’s even a manga edition if you are into that style of writing.
Godin is equally light but wordier. Still, both are excellent in understanding team dynamics.
b. Follow-up Book: Godin, Seth. Tribes: We Need YOU to Lead Us. (New York: Penguin Books,
2008).
6. Gurian, Michael with Barbara Annis. Leadership and the Sexes: Using Gender Science to Create
Success in Business (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2008).
a. This is the only leadership book that has scientific data and brain scans monopolizing the first
two chapters. The key thing is that women and men are biologically different in more ways than
body styles might suggest. It makes clear that not ALL women are exactly one way and not ALL
men are exactly a different way, but collectively they are different enough that a good leader
understands this dynamic. The follow up is the best book on communication that you will find.
The author has a series of books covering all types of relationships and the issues that arise in
communication among them.
b. Follow-up Book: Tannen, Deborah, Ph.D., That’s Not What I Meant! How Conversational Style
Makes or Breaks Relationships (New York, NY: Ballantine Books, 1986).
7. Maxwell, John C., Developing the Leaders Around You (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers,
1995).
a. As a general rule, if Maxwell wrote it you should try to read it. He has two books on this list. This
particular selection was a tossup between this one and his related book titled Developing the
Leader within You. The follow up asks an extremely pertinent question and makes the point
(among many others) that management might decide who is in charge, but the followers will
determine who the leader is.
b. Follow-up Book: Goffe, Rob, and Gareth Jones, Why Should Anyone Be Led By You? What it
takes to Be an Authentic Leader (Boston, Massachusetts: Harvard Business School Publishing,
2006)
8. Collins, Jim. Good to Great (New York: Harper Books, 2001).
a. Jim Collins is a must-read for any leader. His later books are equally important, but start with
this one. Change being inevitable, Harvard Professor Kotter has written extensively on the
subject and is a writer that great leaders recognize as adding value to the conversation.
b. Follow-up Book: Kotter, John P. Leading Change (Boston: Harvard Business School Press, 1996).
9. Maxwell, John C. There’s No Such Thing as “Business” Ethics (New York: Warner Books, 2003).
a. This is the second Maxwell book on the list, and gets toward the issue of character. Many would
argue that without character no other leadership trait matters. It’s a powerful argument.
Maxwell’s point is that ethics are ethics. Right is right and wrong is wrong whether you are
involved in a business or a personal issue. This is an excellent quick read. The follow up is a
classic from Og Mandino and should be part of any leader’s library.
b. Follow-up Book: Mandino, Og. The Greatest Salesman in the World. (New York: Bantam Books,
1968)
 Ten Must-Read Business Books
(Compiled by Thomas G. Reid, JD, CPCM, Fellow)
10. Bossidy, Larry and Ram Charan with Charles Burck. Execution: The Discipline Of Getting Things Done
(New York: Crown Business Books, 2002).
a. One key measure of leadership success is results. On the one hand this can lead to “win at any
cost” thinking, and that can lead to significant disasters. Consider Enron and Worldcom as
examples. What the authors suggest here is that proper execution yields positive results. The
follow up suggestion is a longer read and well worth the time investment. Ben is an entertaining
and at times raucous writer, not to mention one of the wise men who qualifies as a “founding
father.” His chapter on how he attacked his many bad habits is outstanding for anyone looking
to engage in a little self improvement. There are several editions of this public domain book.
b. Follow-up Book: Franklin, Benjamin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (New York: The
Modern Library, 1950), or (New York: Viking Penguin, Inc., 1986)