Creativity, Inc.
Good to Great
The Lean Startup
Blue Ocean Strategy
Leaders Eat Last
The Innovator's Dilemma
Thinking, Fast and Slow
Lean In
The Power of Habit
Four Thousand Weeks
Creativity, Inc. Good to Great The Lean Startup Blue Ocean Strategy Leaders Eat Last The Innovator's Dilemma Thinking, Fast and Slow Lean In The Power of Habit Four Thousand Weeks
Keep your mind fresh with summaries of the best business books
Start With Why
In Start with Why, Simon Sinek argues that truly inspiring leaders and organizations ignite loyalty by communicating from the inside out—beginning with a clear, purpose-driven “Why,” then showing “How” they deliver on that cause, and finally “What” they sell. Rooted in biology and illustrated by Apple, Southwest, and the Wright brothers, the book shows how clarity of purpose sparks innovation, trust, and sustainable success in business and life.
The Answer Is A Question
The Answer is a Question argues that a manager’s greatest, most under-used superpower is asking the right question at the right moment. Rather than racing to provide solutions, top leaders spark insight, ownership, and innovation by framing curiosity, listening with intent, and guiding teams to discover their own answers. Master this inquiry-first approach, and every conversation becomes a catalyst for deeper engagement and better results.
Vision Maker
Vision Maker lays out Jim Ballidis’s three-week “make, tame, broadcast” program for leaders who struggle to craft a vision that sticks. By first exposing “Vision Killers,” then rooting out self-sabotage and limiting beliefs, assembling a purpose-driven team, and finally evangelizing a bold, evergreen directive to the wider world, the book offers a step-by-step blueprint for inspiring people and accelerating sustainable growth.
The Power of Going All-In
The Power of Going All-In: Secrets for Success in Business, Leadership, and Life by Brandon Bornancin explores the transformative impact of full commitment. Through vivid anecdotes, real-world case studies, and actionable frameworks, it demonstrates how focusing single-mindedly on a goal can unlock exponential growth—whether you’re leading a team, launching a venture, or pursuing personal excellence.
Power
In Power: Why Some People Have It—and Others Don’t, Jeffrey Pfeffer explores the dynamics of influence in organizations. Rejecting the notion that success relies on talent alone, Pfeffer reveals how power stems from relationships, visibility, and strategic action. Drawing on case studies and research, he demystifies the “rules of the game,” offering a frank roadmap for anyone hungry for real-world clout.
Presence
In Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges, Amy Cuddy explores how we can harness the power of body language and mindset to build confidence, reduce stress, and perform at our best in high-stakes situations. Drawing from her groundbreaking research and personal experiences, Cuddy provides actionable strategies to help readers tap into their inner strength and project authenticity.
Learning Leadership
"Learning Leadership" by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner emphasizes that leadership is a learnable skill. The book outlines five key fundamentals: believe you can lead, aspire to excel, challenge yourself, engage support, and practice deliberately. These principles provide a clear, actionable framework for anyone looking to enhance their leadership abilities and achieve professional success.
The 360 Degree Leader
"The 360 Degree Leader" by John C. Maxwell provides a comprehensive guide to leading effectively up, down, and across an organization. It stresses leading yourself first, valuing everyday leaders, navigating leading superiors, developing high-performing teams, and leading change deftly. With real examples and actionable advice, Maxwell makes a compelling case for cultivating 360 degree leadership skills to maximize influence and drive organizational success.
Turn the Ship Around!
"Turn the Ship Around" by L. David Marquet offers a radical leadership approach, emphasizing the leader-leader model over traditional hierarchies. It advocates for decentralizing authority, empowering all team members, and fostering a proactive mindset. Marquet's insights, drawn from his experience commanding a nuclear submarine, provide practical strategies for creating a more engaged and effective workforce in any organization.
Creativity, Inc.
In Creativity, Inc., Pixar co-founder Ed Catmull reveals the management philosophy behind the studio's unprecedented success. He argues that creativity is not a mystical event but a team process that can be managed by building a culture of trust and candor. Using concepts like the "Braintrust" for honest feedback and protecting new "ugly baby" ideas from fear, Catmull provides a playbook for any leader looking to overcome the hidden forces that stifle innovation and build a fearless, creative organization.
Dare to Lead
In Dare to Lead, Brené Brown uses extensive research to argue that leadership is not about power or control, but about the courage to be vulnerable. She outlines four teachable skills for "daring leadership": rumbling with vulnerability, living into your values, building trust through her "BRAVING" framework, and learning to rise from failure. The book is a practical playbook for any leader looking to build more courageous, empathetic, and innovative teams by shedding their professional "armor."
The Ride of a Lifetime
In The Ride of a Lifetime, longtime Disney CEO Bob Iger recounts his ascent from studio assistant to the helm of one of the world’s most beloved brands. Mixing behind-the-scenes stories—Pixar’s make-or-break merger, Marvel’s unlikely courtship, the birth of Disney+—with hard-won lessons on creativity, courage, and integrity, Iger offers a candid leadership blueprint for anyone determined to build culture, embrace change, and bet boldly on the future.
Burn the Boats
In Burn the Boats, Matt Higgins argues that having a "Plan B" is a recipe for mediocrity. He uses the ancient military tactic of burning one's ships to illustrate how eliminating the option of retreat forces total commitment and unleashes one's full potential. This mindset isn't about reckless risk, but about making a calculated, all-in decision after due diligence. By removing your safety net, you unlock the desperate creativity required for breakthrough success.
The Innovator's Dilemma
In The Innovator's Dilemma, Clayton Christensen explains why successful, well-managed companies often fail. He introduces the theory of disruptive innovation, where new, "inferior" technologies create new markets and topple industry leaders from below. The dilemma is that the very practices that make companies great—listening to customers and investing in high-margin products—cause them to ignore these disruptive threats. Christensen’s solution is for firms to nurture disruptive projects in separate, independent organizations.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things
In The Hard Thing About Hard Things, Ben Horowitz provides a brutally honest guide to the challenges of entrepreneurship that business schools don't cover. He argues that "The Struggle" is an inevitable part of the journey and introduces critical concepts like the Peacetime vs. Wartime CEO. Offering no easy answers, Horowitz gives unfiltered advice on difficult tasks like firing friends and managing your own psychology, making this an essential read for any leader navigating chaos.
Leaders Eat Last
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek delves into the various aspects of leadership and how they can be used to create a successful and sustainable company culture. It explains how the most successful organizations are those where the leaders put the needs of their employees first. The book emphasizes the importance of leading by example, building trust, creating a sense of belonging, being vulnerable, and understanding the human brain, to create a culture where employees feel safe, valued and motivated.