The 29 best business books to read in 2023, ranked by Goodreads members
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Entrepreneurs can learn business concepts, tactics, and advice from books.
The best business reads include self-help, leadership, and psychology books.
We turned to Goodreads to rank the best business books to read in 2023.
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Whether you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, or just someone seeking useful career advice, there are many great books to turn to. Business books can provide psychological concepts for better negotiation skills, personal anecdotes to avoid repeating mistakes, or self-help tips to improve productivity.
To find the best ones, we turned to Goodreads, the world's largest platform to rate and review books. Among the highest ranking are classics like "How to Win Friends and Influence People" as well as newer memoirs like "Shoe Dog." From fascinating leadership reads to analytical management books, here are the best business books to read in 2023.
16 Mind-Blowingly Useful Books on Management for Women Leaders
There’s a lot to be said about work culture today.
More and more companies offer flex schedules , better parental leave, and value creative work. And perspectives have shifted, allowing us to switch jobs or industries in our pursuit of the "just right" fit.
We also celebrate people who start their own companies—whether we call them “serial entrepreneurs,” “solopreneurs,” “mompreneurs,” or “ bloggers ”—and many of today’s leaders are self-made, often taking a great idea and bringing it to fruition through years of hard work. But more freedom also means that some of the formal elements of office work have virtually disappeared. Maybe the biggest concern? A lack of leadership training
Work looked different for our parents' and grandparents' generations. You often stayed at the same company for decades and worked your way up, slowly, surely, patiently. And so, by the time you got promoted to manager , you’d been carefully vetted and prepared over the course of years. Often, that preparation included hours of formal management training.
Today, many of us will find ourselves overseeing teams without any guidance or previous experience. Some of us will have spent years flying solo as freelancers or serving in creative roles where we only answered to a boss or client. And that means that too many of us will have never managed anyone else’s time, given critical feedback , or—worst of all— had to fire someone
Thankfully, formal training isn't everything. Here are some books to help you help yourself.
*If you buy something through our links, Career Contessa may earn an affiliate commission.
We’re suggesting the most obvious one first because you should always start with the basics, right? The Making of a Manager covers all the essentials for anyone who’s never supervised before, from hiring to firing and managing time to managing people. Less fun to read than some of the others on our list, but a classic for a reason. We also had Zhou on our podcast, The Career Contessa Podcast , if you'd like to get introduced to her advice.
Who It’s Good For
If you’ve just received a surprise promotion and are starting, oh, immediately, this is the book for you. Think of it as a reference guide and keep it on hand to quickly skim anytime you’re feeling uncertain.
We also have a management course for all of you new managers out there (huge congrats, by the way!).
Many of you have heard of Brené Brown and have probably also listened to her renowned TED Talk , but if you’ve been meaning to read her book, Dare to Lead , and just haven’t gotten to it? Big mistake. This book is the culmination of a seven-year study on courage and leadership. Brown's findings inform her practical and thoughtful guide to leadership that is equal parts courageous and mindful.
Who It’s Good For
The Type A personality who’s having a hard time ceding control. You’re about to learn how to d-e-l-e-g-a-t-e.
3. Lead from the Outside by Stacey Abrams
Leadership is hard. Convincing others—and yourself—that you are capable of taking charge and achieving more requires insight and courage. Lead from the Outside is basically the handbook for outsiders. It addresses the unique challenges that hinder women, people of color, the working class, members of the LGBTQ community, and millennials ready to make a change.
Abrams uses her own insights to break down how ambition, fear, money, and failure function in leadership. The best part? Stacey Abrams is far from finished with her impressive work.
Who It’s Good For
For anyone who feels on the "outside" looking to get in—and lend a hand back once they do.
4. The Likeability Trap by Alicia Menendez
What's a likeability trap? We're glad you asked!
The Likeability Trap describes the impossible bind women face at work. At work, strong women are criticized for being cold, and warm women are seen as pushovers. As an award-winning journalist, Menendez examines this fundamental paradox and empowers readers to let go of old rules and reimagine leadership rather than reinventing themselves.
Who It’s Good For
Anyone who is sick of obsessing over feeling liked at work. You can also hear our interview with Menendez on The Career Contessa Podcast.
5. Power Moves by Lauren McGoodwin
Drawing on the insights and lessons developed from Career Contessa (ahem, right here!), Power Moves is the essential handbook that helps professional women truly feel understood so they can bypass perfection and planning and head straight to evolving. McGoodwin addresses young professionals’ number-one concern: career transitions and growth. Power Moves engages readers with specific goals, including:
Defining what Power Moves are—and how they work
Cutting out harmful comparison traps, shame, and self-loathing
Abandoning the elusive “dream job”
Embracing your inner questioner, your inner quester, and your inner quitter
Making money moves and taking control of your financial future
Tuning out from the noise and tuning into your voice
Who It’s Good For
Every woman everywhere, but especially someone feeling a little stuck in her career without a navigable path forward. We've got you!
Trust The Harvard Business Review to distill a bunch of information down into a handy guidebook. This how-to on running meetings is from an ongoing HBR book series that we love, but we’ve chosen to include this option for one important reason: we’re so freaking tired of wasting time in conference rooms. If meetings bore you too, read this before you start running meetings of your own. Your team will thank you for it.
Who It’s Good For
If you have to lead a meeting anywhere ever, you just need to read it. Period.
Bonus: We also created this course, We also created this course, Building Efficient Meetings , to make sure your meetings are worth every second.
7. Originals by Adam Grant
Yep. If you’re reading this list, you’ve set yourself apart. You stand out. You innovate. Chances are you've gotten plenty of kudos and promotions and thank yous for all your great ideas. But leading requires a slightly different approach than just coming up with good concepts—you've got to keep them alive over time.
Grant’s Originals: How Nonconformists Move the World covers how to continue to innovate without losing your edge to groupthink. Embracing a nonconformist approach may sound counterintuitive in a collaborative work environment, but it’s also that sort of perspective that will shake things up. Oh, did we mention Sheryl Sandberg wrote the foreward? She’s everywhere.
Who It’s Good For
Anyone who believes—or wants to believe—that success comes from breaking a few rules.
8. The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
There’s a reason why Career Contessa founder, Lauren McGoodwin, recommends this book to any woman looking to make a major career change. Study after study shows that women often lack confidence in their own work, particularly in comparison to their male counterparts. This book will help you isolate those feelings, understand them better, and learn how to counteract them.
Who It’s Good For
Anyone who needs some help shaking off self-doubt and truly harnessing confidence.
Speaking of confidence...
9. My Own Words by Ruth Bader Ginsburg
RIP RBG.
What can we say about Ruth Bader Ginsburg that hasn't already been said? Witty, engaging, serious, and playful, My Own Words is a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of America’s most influential women.
Who It’s Good For
Anyone looking to be dazzled, inspired, and grateful to have lived (even if briefly) alongside RBG and all that she did for us—right up until her very last moment.
10. Start With Why by Simon Sinek
We really, really love Simon Sinek and his landmark concept of “The Why” in business. Actually, who doesn’t? It’s the third most popular TED talk of all time. But what sets Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action apart from his past talks is that it brings that idea down to the individual level. In it, he outlines exactly how you personally can take a disparate team and inspire them to act and innovate. Sign us up.
Who It’s Good For
Leaders who want to do more than just get it done—the ones who want to change the world. (Don’t roll your eyes.)
11. Act Like A Leader, Think Like A Leader by Herminia Ibarra
As a new manager, your day to day will get consistently busier, and you might find yourself obsessing over current issues and concerns more than planning forward-thinking strategies. According to Ibarra’s book , that’s a fatal mistake. The best leaders make a conscious effort to step up, actively plan time to improve their leadership skills, and embrace the opportunity both to take responsibility and personally evolve as needed. In other words, it’s about action, not reaction.
Who It’s Good For
The busiest among us who may need a little reminder about what matters.
12. Thrive by Arianna Huffington
Look, any book by Arianna Huffington is probably going to make a list on leadership and women. She’s Arianna Huffington. The premise of this book goes something like this: At the peak of exhaustion, Huffington took a nasty fall and promptly realized that her health and life were at stake if she kept working the way she was. This book is the result of that lightbulb moment—a guide to caring about yourself as much as your work.
If you haven’t gotten around to Thrive yet, set aside some time this weekend. At the very least, you’ll finally understand what everyone’s talking about when they reference it.
Who It’s Good For
The woman who can’t seem to strike a work-life balance no matter how much she knows it matters.
13. The No Asshole Rule by Robert Sutton
Most of us have survived a toxic social environment. Bullies. Mean girls. Cliques. The truth is that they don’t go away after high school. But, according to this book (subtitled " Building a Civilized Workplace (And Surviving One That Isn't) "), we can change that as leaders by instilling a culture of zero tolerance. Apparently similar concepts have been used at JetBlue and Google with great success—so why shouldn’t your office be next?
Who It’s Good For
Anyone walking into a toxic work environment or facing some tension between members of her team.
14. Brotopia by Emily Chang
In this powerful exposé , Bloomberg TV journalist Emily Chang reveals how Silicon Valley got so sexist despite its utopian ideals, why bro culture endures despite decades of companies claiming the moral high ground (Don’t Be Evil! Connect the World!)—and how women are starting to speak out and fight back.
Who It’s Good For
Someone who is slogging through their own Brotopian hellscape.
If you’ve ever felt self-conscious in a boardroom, speaking in front of a crowd, or just voicing an opinion at an informal lunch meeting, pick it up ASAP.
15. Work Rules! by Laszlo Bock
There’s really only one company that comes up every time people talk about places that prioritize their employees: Google. So if you want a managerial blueprint to follow that has a proven track record, Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead is probably for you. Learn how to hire the right people and retain them based Google's real experiences.
Who It’s Good For
Anyone who’s facing the possibility of hiring for the first time or plans on working directly with creatives.
Bonus: Read Read this interview with a rad woman working at Google to see what it's really like.
16. Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
Chris Voss is an author, speaker, and a former hostage negotiator, so his advice on getting what you want is pretty valuable. And it's not machismo B.S. either. Voss employs a mixture of negotiation, empathy , and steadfastness that is seriously inspirational. Trust us, you'll want to take this kind of energy into your next salary negotiation process.
Our CEO, Lauren McGoodwin, saw him speak a few years ago and he was so impressive, he became our first (!) male guest on The Career Contessa Podcast.
Who It’s Good For
Any employee ready to amp up their confidence to say "yes" when they mean it and "no" when they don't.
*We want to let you know that some of these links are affiliate links. That means when you purchase some of the items we listed, Career Contessa could earn a small commission at no cost to you. We only recommend items we know and love. Thank you for supporting the brands that help support Career Contessa.
Best Leadership Books of 2023
The ability to lead is a critical skill to possess in today’s world. Thankfully, it’s an ability that can always be strengthened and improved upon, whether you’re a college student or a seasoned professional in your field. Here we share the best leadership books for leaders and aspiring leaders of all types. Unlike some book lists that focus on one domain — like leadership in the business world — our list features books with wide applicability. We’ve also included books from a diverse array of voices and backgrounds because leadership is a skill we can all cultivate.
How We Picked the Best Leadership Books
To create our list of the best leadership books, we scoured the New York Times bestseller list and other online “best of” lists and we put out a call to leaders across the country for their recommendations. The result was a collection of over 129 books dedicated to the topic. We then narrowed the books down to this list of 20, basing our research on overall popularity and online materials like reviews and common recommendations. Important criteria included a wide intended audience and a general consensus on the book’s utility. Additionally, because many popular leadership books came up in multiple categories we researched for our “best” lists (such as business and psychology), we’ve done our best to prevent duplicate recommendations across our lists on
The 19 Best Leadership Books
Leadership books are a genre of nonfiction. Subgenres of leadership books include self-help, business, communications, and psychology. Leadership books are typically motivational and often provide readers with tools and exercises to improve their leadership skills. These books can be helpful for anyone looking to improve how they interact with others, especially in a business or organizational setting. If you’re interested in the genre, you’re going to love our list of the 20 best leadership books.
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek Buy Now Our top pick in leadership books is the acclaimed Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by New York Times bestselling author Simon Sinek. It was inspired by a conversation Sinek had with a Marine Corps general who told him that in the chow hall, “Officers eat last.” Sinek expands on this leadership philosophy in the book and makes it applicable to organizations and interactions outside the military world. Chad Price, CEO of Chad Price, recommends the title, stating, “Every business or organization needs to know their ‘why’ to create a thriving business. This book helps leaders learn how to do better and be better so they can succeed.” This book will appeal to anyone looking for common sense and winning, established approaches to leadership.
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You by John C. Maxwell Buy Now Timeless leadership principles combined with real-world examples are the hallmarks of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You – a bestselling book in the leadership genre. The book has sold millions of copies and is so popular a hardcover 25th anniversary edition was released in 2022. Author John C. Maxwell is a New York Times bestselling author, leadership coach, and recipient of the Horatio Alger Award. If you’re looking for stories about successful leaders from a wide range of industries -— including business, sports, religion, and politics — this book is an excellent choice.
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink Buy Now Author Daniel H. Pink takes readers on a deep dive into the topic of motivation in Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us. This book is particularly useful for business owners and managers as it dispels the notion that money is the main motivator of employees. Pink uses science and research to assert that internal fulfillment is what drives people in the workplace and beyond. This book would be especially valuable to students and those unfulfilled in their current careers and who are searching for more personal and professional satisfaction.
Primal Leadership: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman, Richard E. Boyatzis, and Annie McKee Buy Now When it was first released in 2013, Primal Leadership: Unleashing the Power of Emotional Intelligence was considered groundbreaking. The book by bestselling authors Daniel Goleman, Richard E. Boyatzis, and Annie McKee is credited with making “emotional intelligence” part of business vocabulary and practice. It continues to be widely used as required reading in universities, business and medical schools, and professional training programs. Additionally, it will appeal to anyone interested in learning more about how to lead with empathy and heart.
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts by Brené Brown Buy Now In Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts, author Brené Brown shows readers what daring leadership is and why it matters. She does this via research, stories, and answers to questions like, “How do you cultivate braver, more daring leaders?” The book was named to Bloomberg‘s Best Books of 2018 list and is relevant for anyone looking to step up into a brave leadership role. In addition to being a bestselling author, Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston and the subject of the HBO Max docuseries Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart! This title was recommended by Mia Cloud, Founder of Cloud Law Firm. “Brene Brown’s book is for leaders, team members, and potential entrepreneurs who could use advice on interacting with others, including the importance of vulnerability.”
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin Buy Now U.S. military veterans Jocko Willink and Leif Babin unite to deliver Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win, a powerful book detailing the resilient mindset leaders should possess. The authors use their own gripping stories as leaders of SEAL Team Three, Task Unit Bruiser in Iraq to show that leadership is the most important factor in determining whether a team succeeds or fails. The book is particularly appealing to anyone who is part of a formal team — be it in sports, business, the military, or law enforcement.
On Becoming a Leader by Warren G. Bennis Buy Now Leaders are not born, they are made – this is the premise of the classic leadership book On Becoming a Leader by Warren G. Bennis. Bennis, who died in 2014, was a professor and pioneer in leadership studies. He advised presidents and business executives on how to become successful leaders. This book offers his wisdom to the masses and is intended for anyone aspiring to be a leader, especially those in business. Bennis authored over 30 books on leadership, but many scholars consider this to be his most important one.
Emotional Intelligence: Discover why it can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman Buy Now Emotional intelligence is key to strong leadership, which is why Daniel Goleman examines it in detail in his book Emotional Intelligence: Discover why it can Matter More Than IQ. Goleman redefines what it means to be smart, and he shares groundbreaking brain and behavioral research to show that emotional intelligence can be strengthened throughout adulthood. This book is for anyone with an interest in growing their emotional intelligence to become a better leader.
Buy Now Harvard Business School professor John P. Kotter’s book Leading Change offers a practical approach to leadership. It details Kotter’s eight-step process for managing change with positive results and is regarded as both a leadership guide and a toolkit. Kotter has written 20 books on leadership, but Leading Change is considered his seminal work. It was selected by Time magazine in 2011 as one of the 25 most influential business management books ever written.
The Art of War by Sun Tzu Buy Now One of the oldest books on leadership, The Art of War by Sun Tzu is still relevant today. Tzu was a Chinese general who wrote this wisdom more than 2,500 years ago. Although it was originally written for soldiers, business people have embraced it for its timeless advice on how to lead while encountering obstacles. It features 13 chapters, each focused on a different aspect of war. Fans of the HBO hit show “The Sopranos” may remember the book as one often quoted by the show’s main character, mafia boss Tony Soprano (played by James Gandolfini). This timeless classic comes recommended by Chris Lewandowski, president of Princess Dental Staffing. “Still used as a guidebook by many modern-day business leaders, this 2,500-year-old book offers strategic advice and highlights the importance of planning.”
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick M. Lencioni Buy Now If you learn best through vivid storytelling, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick M. Lencioni will appeal to you. This unique book teaches leadership lessons through the use of fables, which are short fictitious tales. It’s also an excellent read for anyone who is looking to strengthen the cohesivity of a group. Lencioni is an author and businessman who has written 10 books about leadership and business.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There are no Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz Buy Now Using rap lyrics, humor, and blunt language, blogger and successful entrepreneur Ben Horowitz’s The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There are no Easy Answers is an avante-garde book on leadership. Filled with practical wisdom, this book is perfect for seasoned and aspiring entrepreneurs alike who want straight talk on how to succeed in the start-up world. It was named to Business Insider’s Best Business Books list of 2014.
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Buy Now A powerful read by a powerhouse author, Daniel Kahneman’s Thinking, Fast and Slow has wide appeal for anyone interested in how the mind works. Kahneman was awarded the 2002 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences and is considered one of the most influential economists in the world. This essential leadership book examines the systems that drive the way we think and, ultimately, lead. It was the winner of the National Academy of Sciences Best Book Award in 2012. Recommended by Lukee Li, co-founder and project manager at Neutypechic: “This book can greatly benefit you when you’re making a tough decision or negotiating with others.”
Tribes: We Need you to Lead Us by Seth Godin Tribes: We Need you to Lead Us is a book for those who think leadership is for other people. Through true stories about surprising leaders, Seth Godin shows readers that anyone can be a leader. The book also features three concrete steps to help you build a tribe of like-minded followers in any domain — from business to publishing. Godin is a bestselling author, blogger, founder of (which was acquired by HubPages), and inductee to the Marketing Hall of Fame.
Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose by Tony Hsieh Buy Now If you’re looking for honest leadership advice from someone with a proven track record in business, Tony Hsieh’s Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose will speak to you. Hsieh is the CEO of Zappos, an online shoe retailer that grosses over 1 billion dollars a year. In this practical and compelling book, Hsieh shares personal experiences and different leadership lessons he has learned in business and life. It has been both a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller.
Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan Buy Now Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by businessmen Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan is a deep dive into a part of business culture known as execution culture: the linking of people, strategy, and operation planning. For those interested in learning how to be a leader not just in title but in execution, this comprehensive book is an excellent resource. It’s also an excellent read for any individual looking to improve their productivity in any area.
If I Could Tell you Just one Thing by Richard Reed Buy Now If I Could Tell you Just one Thing by Richard Reed is an entertaining read about leadership through the words of remarkable people. Those who share their wisdom include former President Bill Clinton, Annie Lennox, Simon Cowell, and Caitlyn Jenner. Reed is a successful entrepreneur who founded the popular European chain Innocent Drinks. If you are motivated by inspirational quotes and stories, If I Could Tell You Just One Thing is well-suited for you.
Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change by Stacey Abrams Buy Now Political powerhouse Stacey Abrams shares her leadership wisdom with the masses in Lead from the Outside: How to Build Your Future and Make Real Change. Abrams was the first Black woman to become the gubernatorial nominee for a major party in the United States. Her inspiring book is intended for aspiring leaders from marginalized communities and backgrounds. By sharing her own experiences and tangible exercises, Abrams shows readers that differences in race, gender, and class are surmountable when it comes to leadership.