Business Reading in 2020
by John A. Wojtecki
March 14, 2020

Ryan Robinson published an article in January titled “85 Best Business Books in 2020 for Entrepreneurs, Creatives, & Professionals to Read (and Grow).” I like to read, yet eighty-five, is a bit much for me. There are a number of sites and business leaders that give their Top 10. When I “Google” business books to read, there are only 423,000,000 results. I sit here smiling when I think 85 or the 423 million. Yet, Ryan does have the right idea that reading and growing (and application of read ideas) is important both for today and in the future.

Over the years, I have used a number of wonderful books in leadership classes and found several books most beneficial to me in my business. Here are fewer than 423 million and fewer than 85 for you to consider.

  1. Jim Collins – Good to Great: I used this in my leadership classes and found the wisdom shared here is timeless. Always worth a repeat read for me to give me perspective on my individual (personal) coaching and instructional design.
  2. Malcolm Gladwell – Outliers: Highlights include the 10,000-hour rule and addressing what makes high achievers great. Again, I smile. I recently began playing the harmonica. 10,000 hours seems such a daunting objective for me.
  3. Sheryl Sandberg – Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead: Lean In speaks loudly on what is a strong call to action for the reader (and blueprint) for personal growth that can empower women around the world to achieve their full potential. A must read.
  4. Malcolm Gladwell (again) – The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can make the Difference: Gladwell argues that there are particular personality types that deliberately work to push ideas to the tipping point. These include trendsetters and the world’s great salespeople. The theme resonates with me to push myself to reach my full potential.
  5. William Ury – Getting to Yes: I became familiar with this work in the early 1980’s after a particularly difficult negotiation. Ury is co-founder of Harvard University’s Program on Negotiation. I recently used this in a workshop I facilitated. Sound advice from Ury that could be used across the globe. He also has two additional books. The getting to yes concept becomes a foundation for those in customer service.
  6. Kevin D. Johnson – The Entrepreneur Mind: I have not read this one. I plan to borrow from our library. The premise of this book is that if you hope to reach the highest level of performance as an entrepreneur, you need to change your mindset. You as a business owner or an employee need to think with the entrepreneur mind.
  7. Jack Canfield and Janet Switzer – The Success Principles: I met Jack, pleased to have done so. Impressive messages within this work. I have this on my bookshelf and refer back to it often. He is also responsible for the Chicken Soup series of books.

Once I read the Entrepreneur Mind, I will let you know my thinking. Stop by the library or go online and borrow what interests you. Happy reading!

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