THE 14 BEST BUSINESS BOOKS FOR MBA STUDENTS

Learn how to become a great conversationalist without saying anything, how to make other people feel important, and how to change other people’s minds without offending them. Discover the best business & management books recommended by the world’s most successful and interesting people. No matter the size of the workforce you manage or the type of business you run, employees and managers alike have a tendency to grow accustomed to old processes.
Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. If you are interested in having your own business or just in managing people, this is a great read. According to the authors, you either lead by example or you don’t lead at all. All of these truths must be understood by any great leader and you neglect them at your own peril.
In this article we’ll look at some basic traits that better leaders share, before diving into the 20 best management books that have inspired my own journey to success. Robert Cialdini’s Influence has sold millions of copies and been translated in more than 30 languages. It is widely believed to be one of the best books ever written on the psychology of persuasion and one of the best business books of all time. This New York Times bestseller was produced by the co-founder of Pixar Studios – the people behind some of the most famous and successful films of all time. In this book, the authors explore the leadership qualities that have made Pixar so successful. Written by a self-made millionaire, Mackay gives practical advice on how to outsell your competition and motivate your employees.
The genre is diverse and offers advice to businesses of all sizes and types. These books cover topics like negotiation, management, profit, and productivity. The purpose is to teach entrepreneurs effective habits and best practices that result in successful ventures.
As a new manager in her mid-twenties, Zhou found herself at times overwhelmed by the amount of skills to master, lessons to learn, and seemingly endless questions to answer. After a decade leading teams in Silicon Valley, Zhou penned her own guide to help freshly-minted managers feel more confident in new roles of responsibility. Written from business management mandarin of a young leader, The Making of a Manager is one of the best management books for new managers. While this entry does not fall exclusively into the category of business management books, How to Think More Effectively optimizes thought processes in ways that greatly benefit bosses. Managers need to think clearly and strategically, and this guide from The School of Life teaches readers how to adopt productive mindsets. How to Think More Effectively is a mindful approach to mindsets, training readers to be more aware of different ways of thinking.
In the New York Times Book Review, Warren Bennis writes, “Anyone interested in leadership . Should get a copy of this book.” Although a book on emotional intelligence may not seem like it belongs on a list of the best business management books, leaders agree that it’s a critical read for CEOs. This is arguably one of the best books on entrepreneurship ever written. Eric Ries has lots of experience with startups and is the entrepreneur-in-residence at Harvard Business School. In The Lean Startup, he outlines his methodology for launching new companies and products. He explains how to understand what customers want, test ideas, shorten product cycles, and adapt when things aren’t working out as planned.
Management books are resources that teach useful skills and philosophies to managers. Managers read these books in hopes of learning, growing, and developing into more dynamic leaders. The One Minute Manager is a guide for managers looking to empower their employees and teach them to succeed in their jobs, with minimal direct guidance. As the title suggests, most of what we consider “management” takes one minute or less.
Readers love this book for Horowitz’s brutal honesty and his perspective as he writes to current and future CEOs as a CEO himself. “The Power of Habit” argues that habits are the key to success in business, communities, and our personal lives. Through an analysis of human nature and examples from successful business people, athletes, and leaders, this book demonstrates how mastering powerful habits can change our entire lives. Over a six-year research project at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, authors Collins and Porras studied the habits of 18 successful and long-lasting companies in direct comparison to their competitors.
Management, when done effectively, can be what makes a company succeed.High Output Managementby Andrew S. Grove discusses how to effect manage a new business. The first few months of a business are an important key to making the most of a company. The content in this book is great for managers, yes, but it can also be beneficial to teachers, accountants, CEOs, and consultants. Grove teaches how to properly manage life and work with simple tools and techniques.
Many people dream of quitting a job and becoming their own boss by starting a business. A million new businesses are started each year, but 40 percent fail within the first year and 80 percent fail within five years. Underlying the high failure rate are persistent romantic notions about how businesses are born and what it takes to succeed.