Reading is one of the many ways you can level-up and will benefit your MBA study and future business activities. Here are the books currently on my MBA reading list. Some I have read before, and are revisiting (marked with a *). The books listed here will be the subject of many blog posts in future.
Also check out my MBA Read List, where these books go once I have finished reading them.
The Lean Startup – Eric Ries*
The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses
If you haven’t yet read this book, you should. It’s not so much great in its content, more great because of the lens it gives you to view (re-view) the business world around you. It’s almost a religious movement in the states.
Business Stripped Bare – Richard Branson
Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur
Branson’s books are generally easy reads, and this one is no exception. Unfortunately some of the things mentioned in this book, are the same as I’ve read in his other books! Feels a bit like the author cheating. Anyway, still a good read.
The Startup Owners Manual – Steve Blank and Bob Dorf
The Startup Owner’s Manual: The Step-By-Step Guide for Building a Great Company
In the startup world, Ries’ book gets all the attention. But it falls a little short at providing real, practical advise on how to do the things he talks about. This book is completely different. If you think of the old workshop manuals for your car, this book is the startup equivalent of that. Like a car mechanics manual, it is not really meant to be read start to end, rather. jump straight to what you are working on. I absolutely recommend it.
Steve Jobs – Walter Isaacson*
Steve Jobs
This book is simply, one of the best books I have ever read. And that is despite its flaws. Read it. A great insight into Steve, and business generally. Even if you’re not in the Apple camp.
6 Thinking Hats - Edward De Bono
I picked this one up in anticipation of a few business flights, and it’s been surprisingly good. How do you legitimise an emotional response to a situation? Or maybe an intuitive thought that a business approach is wrong? The traditional approach to decision making pays little heed to these valuable responses, and the De Bono method is an attempt to correct that, amongst other things.
What would Google Do? – Jeff Jarvis
What Would Google Do?: Reverse-Engineering the Fastest Growing Company in the History of the World
Thinking about the world in terms of data is one of the ways google looks at the world. Whilst this book is a few years old now, I’ve found it interesting as it helps give you another lens to look at the world, and perhaps see opportunity in areas you might have overlooked before.
Enders Game – Orson Scott Card*
Ender’s Game (Ender, Book 1)
I know, this one is not a business book. But it is a great read, and there is a movie coming out soon so I wanted to freshen up on it. If you haven’t read it. READ IT! One of my most favourite books of all time.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People – Stephen Covey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Globally a huge hit since its release in 1989, this books is about authentic leadership. Achieving what you want by focusing inward first. The book shows its age, but it is one of those books that all MBA students & graduates should read.
What’s next on my list?
Well, i’ve probably got too many on my list at the moment, but when a few drop off, these two will be next:
The 4 Hour Work Week – Tim Ferriss
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (Expanded and Updated)
