12 Business Books to Read While Social Distancing
While the coronavirus, or COVID-19, wreaks havoc on the world’s economies and keeps many of us at home, you may be looking for productive ways to spend your time that don’t involve a screen.
If so, here are the 12 best books to read while quarantined to grow yourself and your business.
Some of these books have already changed the way we do business here at The Lane Collective, while others are still sitting pretty on our bookshelf, just waiting to be cracked open.
Consider this the Social Distancing Book Club. (There’s even a Slack channel you can join.)
May we recommend pairing these titles with a long bath, a glass or wine or ginger tea, or an at-home facial mask?
1. Conscious Capitalism: Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business by John Mackey, Raj Sisodia, et al.
This book marked a paradigm shift in thinking about the role of business. It advocates for businesses being a force for positive change in their communities. If you believe in the idea of doing well while doing good, this is essentially your textbook.
2. Ignore Your Customers (and They’ll Go Away): The Simple Playbook for Delivering the Ultimate Customer Experience by Micah Solomon
Micah Solomon is a thought leader in the customer success space, and this book shows why. If you take care of your customers, everything else takes care of itself. This book show how to make that real.
3. Growth IQ: Get Smarter about the Choices that will Make or Break Your Business by Tiffani Bova
This incredible book outlines the different strategies you can use to grow, with pros, cons and consequences for each. We recommend that all growth-focused businesses consider this required reading.
4. You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero
This book is a manifesto for believing in yourself, with tactical tips to get from where you are to where you want to be. This is one that will get revisited again and again.
5. Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
If you’ve seen Simon Sinek’s wildly popular TED Talk, you may already know the central thesis of this book. That said, the book goes well beyond the TED Talk; consider the video a preview of what’s to come.
Businesses needs good leaders to succeed. This book will help you be the leader your biz needs.
6. This is Marketing: You Can’t Be Seen Until You Learn to SEe by Seth Godin
Seth Godin is the marketing sherpa for many modern marketers. This book shows why marketing matters, fundamental things you need to know to do it well.
If the word “marketing” leaves a bad taste in your mouth, this is the book you need to read.
7. Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for true belonging and the courage to stand alone by Brene Brown
It may seem surprising that this book, which focuses on how to create, cultivate, and live in strong communities, would show up on a business growth book list. Here’s why it’s not: your business is a community, even if you’re the only person working there. It impacts your loved ones, your customers, and your community at large.
8. Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
This book is particularly valuable for artists, makers, and creative entrepreneurs. It illuminates a path to living as a creative that breaks free from the financial stressors, and embraces the opportunities. It’s chock-full of inspiration and ideas to change your perspective on business as a creative.
9. Upstream: The Quest to solve problems before they happen by Dan Heath
Upstream is a brand-new book from bestselling author Dan Heath. It dives into persistent problems in our world today, and how to address them before they actually happen. We can’t wait to read it, especially now.
10. Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant
A renowned organizational psychologist, Adam Grant is one of the foremost thinkers about business, culture, and work. In this book, you’ll see how unconventional people and ideas make a big difference in business - and how to cultivate more originality in yourself.
11. Radical Candor: Be a Kickass boss without losing your humanity by Kim Malone Scott
We’ve had the good fortune to hear Kim Grant speak in person, and she’s a quiet force. Her book clearly shows why respectful, empathetic honesty in the workplace matters. She makes the case that radical candor cuts through politics, and opens a way to more trusting and understanding relationships.
12. You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and why it matters by Kate Murphy
Another new release, this book is a refreshing change of pace. It says that active listening can be the antidote to overwhelm, isolation, and intolerance. For business leaders, listening is a proven strategy for ongoing learning, evolution, and ultimately, growth.
To buy these books, may we (strongly) recommend that you support your local bookstores?
They need our help now, more than almost ever. Some independent bookstores offer online ordering and even access to audiobook memberships like this one.
If you can’t get to your local bookstore, and they don’t offer an online store, Bookshop.org connects online buyers with local stores across the US. A portion of the proceeds goes back to the bookseller, and shipping is usually free!
Have another recommendation for a great book or a way to support local bookstores? We’re all ears.
Wishing you wellness, always and especially now.
