7 books that all entrepreneurs must read without delay

If you look at some of the leading entrepreneurs, you will find that they didn’t make a fortune out of thin air. They have different success stories, which can be attributed to the fact that they took the road less travelled and followed smart approaches to reach where they are today.

As an entrepreneur or a founder, I am sure that you can relate to their success stories and want to make it big just like them. For this, all you need to do is step into their shoes and know the secrets to their success by reading the following books:

1. Chaos Monkeys: Obscene Fortune and Random Failure in Silicon Valley

Chaos Monkeys: Obscene Fortune and Random Failure in Silicon Valley is the autobiography of former Facebooker Antonio García Martínez. The book gives an insider’s view of what all happens in the Silicon Valley, the home to some of the biggest tech companies in the world. But instead of giving the backstory of successful companies, the author gives the behind-the-scenes account of working from his own experience in a tech biggie. A riveting read, the book is a great attempt at exposing what happens on the ‘other side of the fence’.

2. Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future

Elon Musk needs no introduction. A well-known public figure, this young CEO teaches what dreams are made of. Those who want to follow suit, can take inspiration from his life by reading Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future by Ashley Vance.

Hailed as the ‘definitive biography’ of Elon Musk, the book gives a comprehensive account of his life, personality, his passion and what makes him one of the top entrepreneurs in the world today. Even if you are not a fan, you can surely learn a lot from the book and get inspired.

3. Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable

Seth Godin’s Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable is the next book on the list and it instructs readers to “stand out like a purple cow in a field of monochrome Holsteins”. In other words, break the shackles of traditional marketing and take inventive steps towards success.

The book offers great practical advice, which is not just meant for young entrepreneurs but also for those, who need to rethink their business strategies and improve their bottom lines. If you want to give your startup a much-needed push, this is the book you ought to read.

4. Blink

One of the most popular books widely read by entrepreneurs and managers alike is Blink. Written by Malcom Gladwell, the book gives an insight into how we think even when we are not thinking, and the ways through which our brain makes decisions. To understand how this works and to train your brain into doing some rapid decision-making, add the book to your reading list today!

5. Will It Fly?

Don’t know how to proceed with your business idea?

Have a groundbreaking thought but not sure whether it will take off or not?

Afraid to take risks with your products/services?

These common questions often plague founders. Luckily, they can find their answers in Will It Fly. In this book penned by Thomas K. McKnight, you get a 44-item checklist. This checklist was created by the author based on his real-life experiences. It comes in immensely handy for evaluating your business ideas and to assess whether they are yay or nay. In short, by going through it, you’ll get a realistic idea of the success or failure of your idea. So, if you want to turn your idea into a profitable venture, this is the book that you should read!

6. 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich

Published in 2007, the 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich can be considered as every entrepreneur’s guide to ‘living their entrepreneurial dreams’ without giving up on the little pleasures of life. Author Timothy Harris offers an all-inclusive guide to a ‘luxury lifestyle design’ in this book. The practical tips, case studies, tools, tricks and templates in the book, make it easy to implement the guidelines in your everyday life.

In short, it shuns the “all work and no play for entrepreneurs” myth and teaches them how to enjoy their life and work towards their entrepreneurial goal(s). Grab a copy to get the detailed instructions!

7. Zero To One

Have the time to read only one book? If your answer is yes, then select Zero To One by entrepreneur and investor Peter Thiel. In this book, he explains that instead of taking the world from 1-n (or following millions of others), entrepreneurs mush break new grounds and go from 0 to 1, making way for uniqueness. This timeless strategy not only works for grabbing the attention of people, but also, for reducing the competition by making waves in the industry. If you love to come up with exceptional, disruptive solutions for the end-users, then this book needs to be there on your shelf.

To Conclude

Ever heard of the quote “if you read to learn you’re bound to earn”? This applies to all budding entrepreneurs and founders. By reading the books on this list (or other books for entrepreneurs), you are bound to get a new perspective. So, don’t let these pearls of wisdom go vain and use them to build your “empire” from scratch. Who knows, in the future, you may have a book written about you or your success story!

Have any other books that all entrepreneurs and founders must ‘read to lead’? Share them with us.

Feature image: David Trawin via Flickr.