This article is also published on ChangeTheCompany.com
In a world where information comes at supersonic speeds, decisions have to be made on the fly. Before making those decisions, however, it might be best to gain a little knowledge by reading some books. However, not all books are created equal. That’s why this list sets out to find the six best books of all time for entrepreneurs to read before they get started on their business.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
It’s never too late to read or even reread a classic. Written by Dale Carnegie and published in 1936, this book has become one of the best-selling books of all time for a reason. Paraded by Warren Buffet as one of his favorite books, How to Win Friends and Influence People is a book that teaches and reiterates the basic tenets of leadership in a work environment.
While some of Carneigie’s advice might seem obvious on the surface, they are rules for life that everyone needs to be reminded of every so often, lest they slip from the forefront of our minds. It’s a refocusing of the personal compass and an allowance to step back and objectively compare our behavior with these rules to find guidance. Despite the fact that this book is eighty-five years old, How to Win Friends and Influence People remains a necessity on every entrepreneur’s shelf.
The E Myth by Michael E Gerber
Written by Michael E Gerber, The E Myth starts off by explaining that most small businesses are run into the ground because of the fatal assumption that any individual who understands technical work can run a business involved in that field. Following that explanation, Gerber goes on to elaborate on how an entrepreneur needs to get their business to run without them around all of the time.
The book teaches the aspiring entrepreneur how to work on their business, how to get their employees to work, and how to systematize the business so it can expand. If you feel that your business depends on you, this book tells us that you don’t own a business. You own a job, and only you have the power to change that.
Zero to One by Blake Masters and Peter Thiel
Zero to One is a heart-pounding book that shows the inner workings and secrets behind Peter Thiel, the man who founded PayPal, is worth over a billion dollars, and was the first outside investor to Facebook. Filled with contrarian thinking and insights that make you pause, the book is simply a must for any entrepreneur.
The book teaches that, in the simplest terms, emerging companies and investors need to aim for the jugular when maximizing profits, pricing power, and the ability to think long-term. This book throws out ideas left and right until you’re flipping through the pages like there’s caffeine in your veins.
The 5am Club by Robin Sharma
Robin Sharma’s book, The 5am Club, takes a radically different approach compared to the others in this entry. While often categorized as a self-help book, it is also fictional. It follows two characters who go to a convention where they meet a man who whisks them away to an island to teach them the principles of the 5am Club.
While on the surface Sharma’s rules for The 5am Club are simple, that might be because the book’s refreshing style makes these rules much easier to ingrain into your brain. It’s perfect for the entrepreneur who has difficulty remembering long lists and wants to try something new!
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Stephen R. Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, is a principle-centered approach for solving personal and professional problems. Riffled with riveting insights and personal anneotes that’ll make you go “Aha!,” this is a self-help book that is actually helpful.
Like the title states, Covey offers seven habits for those looking to improve their efficiency. These habits build upon each other in sequences and are super easy to follow. Like with Dale Carnegie’s How to Win Friends and Influence People, this book is a necessity for everyone, from newcomers to entrepreneurs already in the game.
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