New Study Reveals: The Best Books Every CEO Should Read

Ask any CEO and they’ll probably tell you that continued development is the key to staying on top of your game.

One way CEOs can develop their knowledge and skillset is by engaging in some mind-expanding reading.

To learn what CEOs read, we enrolled the help of Sophie Andrea, founder of Dialogue Books. Sophie has kindly researched the best books every CEO should read and shared her findings with us.

Today, we’ll look at the books Sophie found!

Expert Opinion

When we spoke to Sophie, she told us more about the importance of books and how she hopes to “get more people into reading”. She explained that the books from her research can assist CEOs on their journey to the top.

Let’s take a look at the books Sophie found!

10 Books Every CEO Should Read

1. Unstoppable: A 90-Day Plan To Biohack Your Mind And Body For Success, By Ben Angel

The first CEO book on this list takes readers on a journey into the world of biohacking. If you’re new to biohacking, this book will be a revelation.

Ben Angel puts his success down to biohacking, which he explains revived his mental performance, lowered stress levels, and led him to better health.

2. Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook Of Silicon Valley’s Bill Campbell, By Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, And Alan Eagle

Is there any better person for a CEO to learn from than a man who helped build Apple, Intuit, and Google? We seriously doubt there is, which makes this leadership playbook one of the best reads for CEOs.

Bill Campbell was revered in Silicon Valley so reading this book allows CEOs to embrace Campbell’s principles and change their lives.

3. Leading Inclusion: Drive Change Your Employees Can See And Feel, By Gene Cox

This is an excellent read for C-suite executives and board members that want to learn more about inclusion models. Through this book, executives can learn how to model inclusion using a top-down approach.

The book aims to teach executives how to drive change and impact employees more positively.

4. Dare To Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. By Brene Brown

CEOs looking to develop their leadership skills should give this Brene Brown book a read. This book cleverly reframes leadership in terms of those who spot potential in others and those who are guided by the mindset that power should be shared.

This book questions how CEOs can be better leaders by being more daring and courageous within the workplace. There’s also plenty of actionable advice too.

5. Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive, By Paul Polman

Next, we have Paul Polman’s Net Positive book. An essential read for corporate leaders, this book explores 50 years of corporate principles, arguing that companies must become ‘net positive’ to thrive.

Penned by one of the world’s leading voices, this book features an easy-to-read blueprint that CEOs can use to improve their business and fix world problems.

6. Strategy For Sustainability: A Business Manifesto, By Adam Werbach

This book claims to be the ‘definitive work on business strategy for sustainability by the most authoritative voice in the conversation’. In this book, it is argued that Strategy for Sustainability is key for businesses that want to survive the next decade.

This book includes real-life examples and a practical framework that CEOs will find invaluable.

7. Elevate: Push Beyond Your Limits And Unlock Success In Yourself And Others, By Robert Glazer

Everyone gets stuck sometimes, whether it be in our routines, roles, or careers. Elevate will help you get back to where you need to be.

By exploring and honing your spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental capabilities, you can unlock your full potential and get back on track.

8. Global Sustainability: 21 Leading CEOs Show You How To Do Well By Doing Good, By Mark Lefko

Global Sustainability is an interesting read that looks at how different CEOs use sustainability to improve their businesses and do good.

The book uses CEOs from multinational companies to Fortune 50 companies to teach business leaders how to grow their companies using sustainable practices.

9. Work From The Inside Out: Break Through Nine Common Obstacles And Design A Career That Fulfills You, By Gooler Loeb

Too often, people use their family, age, and past experiences not to grow their careers. With more than two decades of experience helping individuals improve their careers, Gooler Loeb uses this book to show people the steps they need to take to achieve a more fulfilling career.

10. Grow The Pie: How Great Companies Deliver Both Purpose And Profit, By Alex Edmans

In his book, TED speaker Alex Edmans explains the importance of human capital, offering readers real-life examples of how CEOs run companies for purpose.

Grounded in academic evidence, Edmans gives readers a roadmap that’s practical and drawn from real-life examples.

Final Thoughts

Thanks to Sophie Andrea from Dialogue Books, we now know the 10 books every CEO needs to read. All the books on the list can be used by CEOs to develop their skill set, improve their business, and further their careers.