As an entrepreneur, I read non-fictional books only. And most of these books are business or self-help books. Well, there are tones of books written on this subject. It really depends on whether you wish to read something light or something highly complex.We’ve all got our own reading-list. I prefer books that talk to me in a simple fashion. So, here’s a list of Top 5 books for startup leaders.

Top 5 Books for Startup Leaders

Do Nothing! by J. Keith Murnighan

This one’s undoubtedly my favourite book on the subject of entrepreneurship and management. What I really like about the book is the author’s style of writing; it’s simple, creative, and highly impactful. Apart from the his interesting style of writing, the range of topics that he’s covered in the book is another key highlight. And that’s exactly why it makes to the top of this list of top 5 books for startup leaders.

Corporate Chanakya by Radhakrishnan Pillai

This one is a salute to the greatest and the oldest take on subjects like entrepreneurship, management, and their relevance today. The author has taken Chanakya’s quotes, translated and defined them to seamlessly fit in today’s times. The writing could get slightly complex sometimes. But it’s certainly worth a read. It’s great to see how these age-old quotes can teach us how to lead.

Zero to One by Peter Thiel

Once again, the beauty of this book lies in its simplicity. And this one’s by the man who gave the world one of the biggest electronic funds transfer company – Paypal. The way the author has explained different aspects of entrepreneurship is remarkable. From scaling up to globalization, it covers quite a few relative subjects, very effectively. And the theory of why every business should start from a very small market gives quite a few key takeaways to startup leaders. The book is crisp, and doesn’t beat around the bush. It talks hard and straight. Hence, it’s a sure shot title that would make it to any list of top 5 books for entrepreneurs.

I is for Influence by Rob Yeung

This one is not really a book about entrepreneurship. But in today’s world, when it’s all about striking the right chords, and building the right associations, it will always come in handy. It smartly covers subjects like negotiation, body language, psychology and influence. The book is not a quick read but and will slowly grow on the reader. Though it’s a rare book to be featured in the top 5 books for startups leaders, it certainly deserves to be there.

STFU – Start  The F Up by Rajive Dhavan

This book is not really a match to the other greats mentioned above. It might not be one of the best books for leaders of startups & SMEs. But as I’ve written this book, I can certainly say that this book will make you think. It will help you look at usual subjects from an unusual perspective. And that’s not all. This book will certainly empower & motivate you to look for solutions yourself.

Hope this list of top 5 books for startup leaders will be of help to you. At the end of it all, it’s important to understand that books are a great source to master various subjects; even entrepreneurship for that matter. But that’s not where it should stop. In fact, that’s where it should begin!

About The Author:

Rajive Dhavan is a serial entrepreneur, and the author of the book STFU – Start The F Up, for present & future leaders of startups. He’s got a collective work experience of over 10 years. Having launched his first startup at the age of 22, today he heads three successful companies – What’s In a Name Creatives, Namesake Productions & Just Flaunt Salon. He launched his first startup with an investment of Rs. 40,000 and (Read More…)