Books for Growth & Success
Books have always been my go-to for learning, growth, and inspiration. After reading hundreds of titles, I’ve narrowed down my Top 50 Books that span leadership, mindset, business, marketing, and well-being.
This list is designed to help you:
✅ Strengthen your leadership skills
✅ Master your mindset and productivity
✅ Build and scale successful businesses
✅ Improve your personal health and well-being
Here’s the full breakdown across 5 categories. Whether you’re leading teams, building a business, or focusing on self-improvement, there’s something here for everyone.
The Top 50 Books by Category
1️⃣ Leadership/Professional Development
Leadership is not just about position; it’s about impact, influence, and inspiration. These books—from Jocko Willink's "Extreme Ownership" to John Maxwell's "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership"—have shaped my understanding of what it means to lead with integrity, courage, and adaptability. Whether it’s "Make Your Bed" reminding me that small wins build momentum or "Leaders Eat Last" emphasizing that true leadership prioritizes others, these lessons have directly influenced how I coach and empower leaders at Lifelong Development.
Trillion Dollar Coach – Eric Schmidt
Make Your Bed – Admiral William H. McRaven
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership – John C. Maxwell
Leaders Eat Last – Simon Sinek
Angela Merkel – Matthew Qvortrup
Leading Change – John P. Kotter
Leadership – Doris Kearns Goodwin
Extreme Ownership – Jocko Willink
Primal Leadership – Daniel Goleman
It Worked For Me – Colin Powell
2️⃣ Marketing/Sales/Finance
Growth requires strategy, and these books have been my go-to guides for building sustainable success. “Profit First” changed the way I view cash flow and profitability, while "Never Split the Difference" sharpened my negotiation skills, helping me lead impactful conversations with clients and partners. Books like "Building a StoryBrand" have taught me how to connect with audiences authentically—a lesson that has helped us elevate our messaging and engage clients with clarity and confidence at Lifelong Development.
The 1-Page Marketing Plan – Allan Dib
Building a StoryBrand – Donald Miller (Building a StoryBrand 2.0)
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion – Robert B. Cialdini
The Millionaire Next Door – Thomas Stanley
Profit First – Mike Michalowicz
Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert T. Kiyosaki
The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
Never Split the Difference – Chris Voss
The Intelligent Investor – Benjamin Graham
Traction – Gino Wickman
3️⃣ Business Building
Building a company is about systems, scalability, and vision. Books like “The Lean Startup” and “Clockwork” have shown me how to create processes that allow the business to grow while freeing up time to focus on innovation and leadership. “The Hard Thing About Hard Things” has been a constant companion in navigating challenges, and “Built to Last” reinforced the importance of building a legacy business. These lessons have shaped how Lifelong Development helps other organizations strengthen their foundations for sustainable growth.
The Lean Startup – Eric Ries
Blue Ocean Strategy – W. Chan Kim
Zero to One – Peter Thiel
The 12-Week Year – Brian Moran
Shoe Dog – Phil Knight
The E-Myth Revisited – Michael E. Gerber
Scaling Up – Verne Harnish
The Hard Thing About Hard Things – Ben Horowitz
Built to Last – Jim Collins
Clockwork: Design Your Business to Run Itself – Mike Michalowicz
4️⃣ Mindset/Productivity
Success begins in the mind. Books like “Atomic Habits” and “The One Thing” have helped me develop laser focus and consistency, which have been critical for both personal and professional achievements. “Mindset” by Carol Dweck has been a game-changer in how I approach challenges with curiosity and resilience. Whether fostering a growth mindset for myself or our clients, these books inspire us to aim higher, stay disciplined, and create lasting results.
Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
The One Thing – Gary Keller
The 5 Second Rule – Mel Robbins
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – Carol S. Dweck
Atomic Habits – James Clear
The Culture Map – Erin Meyer
Third Culture Kids – David Pollock
Flow – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Tiny Habits – BJ Fogg
Ego is the Enemy – Ryan Holiday
5️⃣ Health/Well-Being
As a leader, I’ve learned that taking care of myself is just as important as taking care of my team. Books like “Why We Sleep” and “The Miracle Morning” helped me build better habits for rest and daily rituals. "Can't Hurt Me" pushed me to embrace discomfort and resilience, while “Boundaries” reminded me of the importance of balance and protecting my time. By prioritizing well-being, I’ve been able to show up stronger, lead with clarity, and inspire others to do the same at Lifelong Development.
The Biology of Belief – Bruce Lipton
The Happiness Advantage – Shawn Achor
Why We Sleep – Matthew Walker
Hidden Potential – Adam Grant
The Burnout Challenge – Christina Maslach
Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess – Caroline Leaf
The Miracle Morning – Hal Elrod
Can't Hurt Me – David Goggins
Man's Search for Meaning – Viktor E. Frankl
Boundaries – Henry Cloud
Conclusion
These books have been transformative for me, and I hope they bring you as much insight, growth, and inspiration as they have for me.
Which of these books have you already read? Which ones are you adding to your reading list?
📚 Let’s grow together in 2025! Share your thoughts or favorite books in the comments.
Comments