10 Helpful Books All Business People Should Read

Non-Fiction Business Books: Our 10 Picks

5 Tips for New Business Owners

1. Make sure your business is insured.
2. Stay on top of your finances before tax day comes around.
3. Learn how to use hashtags and other social media tools.
4. Have a nice-looking, high-quality logo for your company.
5. Keep all of your files well organized.

Ideas for Personal Self-Improvement

Putting effort into your business is great, but without self-care, you'll burn out before too long. Keeping your personal life in order can reflect positively on both your business and your own happiness, so consider using a few of these techniques:

• Make sure you're getting enough sleep
• Cook more meals at home
• Stretch and massage your muscles regularly
• Plan out a daily, weekly, or monthly schedule
• Take time to relax and meditate
• Get regular exercise

The Making of a Young Entrepreneur

In Depth

Making it in the world of business isn't just about having ambition and big ideas. It's also about understanding your strengths and avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you're a seasoned executive or you're just starting out, here, in no particular order, are some amazing books that can help you achieve your professional goals.

For the #1 pick, we have, "The Engaged Leader" by Charlene Li. What does it mean to be a true leader in a digital world? In this age of fast-paced technological developments and ever-changing workplaces, how can CEOs and team leaders become better at what they do? According to best-selling author Li, the answer lies in connection. Just as product managers rely on user feedback, heads of companies need to be in touch with consumers and workers in order to know just what they're getting wrong, and what they're doing right.

At #2 is Joshua Wolf Shenk's "Powers of Two," which explores how intimate one-on-one relationships can foster creativity and innovation. By analyzing the bonds between pairs like Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, Lennon and McCartney, or even the co-creators of "South Park," Shenk attempts to decipher what makes these partnerships work, and how others can emulate their success.

At #3 is "The Anatomy of Peace" by The Arbinger Institute. In Western society, we have certain ideas about war and peace that influence how we make decisions on a daily basis. So what would happen if we learned that everything we knew about conflict was wrong? What if we learned that all our battles, personal and public, stem from one underlying cause? Instead of merely offering advice, the book centers around the story of two individuals caught in a cultural conflict, and how they were able to move beyond their prejudice to help others.

For #4, we have Tracy Kidder's "A Truck Full of Money." Software engineer Paul English fell madly in love the first time he laid eyes on a computer. Growing up in a working-class environment, English was never sure where he fit in, until he saw what kind of power the Internet could have to bring people together. In this interpretation of the tech tycoon's early days, award-winning author Kidder gives readers a closer look at just what happens when one great idea sparks a revolution.

For #5, we find "Smart Trust" by Stephen M.R. Covey and Greg Link with Rebecca R. Merrill. Many corporate climates are driven by fear, which leads to micromanagement and stressful workplaces. The authors argue that trust is one of the most important traits for successful leaders, and use many examples to show how anyone can build high-trust relationships that allow for sound judgment while increasing the potential for employees and management.

Many corporate climates are driven by fear, which leads to micromanagement and stressful workplaces.

Coming in at #6 is Mireille Guiliano's "Women, Work and the Art of Savoir Faire." Women have a lot to deal with in the modern workplace, with societal expectations, sexist co-workers, and the wage gap to contend with, and that's before getting down to the work itself. In this insightful book, Veuve Clicquot executive Guiliano shows how passion, poise, and sophistication can be a female entrepreneur's greatest professional strengths.

At #7 is "Thinking in Bets" by Annie Duke, which shows what business leaders can learn from a professional gambler about making tough decisions when you don't have all the information. Former poker champion Duke lays out her theories of success based on risk analysis in this fresh take on making solid projections in the high-risk worlds of sports, politics, and of course, big business.

At #8 is Dan Roam's "Show and Tell." Anyone who's ever clammed up in the conference room will know just how difficult it can be to make a presentation. Even if you're great at what you do, pulling off a speaking engagement or wowing your boss at a meeting is a whole different ballgame. When it comes to perfecting a stunning presentation, author Roam uses an activity we all did in school to teach methods that can help make you a captivating speaker.

Anyone who's ever clammed up in the conference room will know just how difficult it can be to make a presentation.

For #9, we get "Brave, Not Perfect" by Reshma Saujani. Based on her groundbreaking TED talk, Saujani expands on her ideas about letting go of societal expectations and the fear that often holds women back. By embracing imperfection, women and girls can develop confidence and the bravery necessary to succeed in a world that doesn't always reward playing it safe.

Finally, at #10, is Larry Smith's "No Fears, No Excuses." For many young adults, graduating from college is a terrifying prospect, and it isn't just the fear of entering a struggling economy, or having to work low-level jobs for years. Most graduates simply don't have a clue about what kind of work they really want to do. Smith aims to help young people find not just a job, but a fulfilling career path. This helpful, inspirational book is a great gift idea for grads pondering the next step.