“A company is only strong when its leader is,” they say–but is it really true? Being a leader comprises making difficult choices, maintaining team morale, and adjusting to the always-shifting corporate environment, especially when you’re a small business owner. It requires you to be competent and outstanding.
The problem is that great leaders are not born, but rather created. Learning from people who have been there, done that, and practically written the book on it is one of the best ways to hone your leadership abilities.
Simple—learn from the best! Books written by some of the world’s best leaders can help you advance your career, increase your self-confidence, and expand your business.
Let’s look at the top leadership books for small business owners that they should invest in.
Top Leadership Books for Small Business Owners
These are a few of the top books that small business owners should read to enhance their abilities.
Starting your own business? You Are Pigheaded
One of the amazing leadership books for small business owners—You Are Pigheaded, explores the determination, resilience, and steadfast mentality needed to endure the wild ride that is entrepreneurship. It’s about sticking to your vision despite the odds being against you.
Being “pigheaded” is a superpower in the corporate industry and this writeup comes in the category of the best books for small business leaders that presents real stories of entrepreneurs who persisted, demonstrating that consistent commitment frequently leads to success. The secret to success is not giving up, whether it’s dealing with rejection, conquering obstacles, or persevering through financial difficulties.
With every new edition, the leadership challenge stays updated with modern workplace trends, organizational issues, and global real-world leadership examples.
The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations
Being a leader involves more than just having a title; it also involves inspiring, guiding, and making a big impact on others. The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner, which deals with inspiring and influencing others, is among the top small company books. Anyone looking to become a better leader should read this book, which has been translated into over 30 languages and sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide.
What is unique about The Leadership Challenge? It is among the best small business books, going beyond simple ideas and general guidance. Kouzes and Posner extensively examined the characteristics that distinguish truly exceptional leaders from ordinary people. This is one of the best books for small business owners, simplifying leadership into useful, doable concepts that anybody can use, regardless of whether they are a manager, small business owner, or an aspiring leader.
The Leadership Challenge remains relevant with each new edition, reflecting current workplace trends, organizational challenges, and real-world leadership examples worldwide. Leadership in the world today is not just about leading in the boardroom.
Conquer The Chaos
This book is to help small business owners spot the early warning signs of trouble and implement damage control, hopefully before it is too late. The authors are also well-accomplished entrepreneurs (from InfusionSoft) and recognize the ease with which the daily rigors of running a small business can fill up a majority of our time and leave little room for personal development or life outside of business.
Mask and Martineau share their experiences launching and operating a business in Conquer the Chaos, one of the incredible books every small business owner needs. This is one of the incredible handbooks that small business owners can rely on, which walks you through six tactics to bring order to your business, including how to get organized so your company can grow. It provides examples to help you achieve mental and personal wellness and strike a healthy balance between work and family.
Smarter Faster Better: The Transformative Power of Real Productivity
Have you ever felt like you’re working hard but not getting very far? Or that there just isn’t enough time to do everything? In Smarter Faster Better, Charles Duhigg wants to change your perspective about productivity. This is about working smarter, not harder. Duhigg will examine the ingredients that create some people and companies that have great success while others struggle to remain competitive.
This is not about working 24/7, although many business leaders use this approach in their work context. It’s about choices, motivation, and effective goals. One of the best books about mindset for small business owners, this shows that final results are what make a real difference.
Dare to Lead
Being a leader doesn’t mean you need to have all the answers—it just requires courage, vulnerability, and emotional openness. Brené Brown, in one of her best books about building a small business, challenges the old-fashioned idea that leaders need to be tough and brave.
Instead, she says that the right leadership comes from being honest and empathetic and creating a space where people can take risks and share ideas.
Brown advocates for the strength of vulnerability and asks leaders to seek input, invite other viewpoints, and inspire creativity. She also emphasizes that failure is a teaching opportunity rather than an adversary. By normalizing failures, leaders can help teams become more resilient, stronger, and innovative.
Profit First
Michalowicz explains his inverted approach to conventional cash flow management in Profit First. He describes his Profit First system, which he claims can assist small businesses in escaping the daily “check-to-check struggle,” using case studies, helpful tips, and his entrepreneurial ideas.
In addition to explaining how his system, which was created for small businesses with a behavioral approach to accounting, “forces innovation, supports profitable expansion, and skyrockets profits,” Michalowicz provides readers with a step-by-step guide for applying the Profit First formula (Sales-Profit=Expenses).
Likeable Social Media
Making an impression on social media is essential today. But, how can you create a brand that people want to interact with? Dave Kerpen’s amazing book about small business leadership, Likeable Social Media, can help with that.
This book, which is packed with practical examples and doable tactics, teaches you how to produce interesting content, establish credibility, and convert followers into devoted customers without coming across as overly pushy. Kerpen demonstrates that being “likeable” is the secret to success on the internet by exploring the power of storytelling, client relationships, and real engagement.
Final Thoughts!
Being a great leader means always learning, growing, and motivating the people around you. Learning from the brightest minds in business is the best approach to hone your leadership abilities.
The books we’ve discussed include practical advice and observations from professionals. These leadership books for small business owners will equip you with the skills you need to be a confident leader, whether you want to lead your team well, improve your decisiveness, or encourage your organization to grow.
Visit Collett Thorpe for additional professional insights and resources if you’re serious about advancing your leadership skills and business success. Because strong leaders, like YOU, are the foundation of powerful businesses!
