Must-Read MBA Books for Professionals

There are numerous MBA degrees spread across an array of specializations to equip you with the necessary knowledge of managerial concepts along with the taste of global exposure. But if you explore the journeys of the leading entrepreneurs around the globe, you will be amazed by their educational qualifications. To start a business and extract the best output from it cannot be limited to the monotonous old-school learning methods. There are a plethora of readings that can make you aware of the insights about the fruitful struggles of leading business personalities which can help you grasp those marvelous strategical moves through which you can prosper. Through this blog, we are bringing you these amazingly written texts that you need to add to your list of MBA books as they have the potential of providing you with inspiring real-life business experiences that are more incredibly valuable than theoretical knowledge.

Top MBA Books for Professionals

In detail, the books are mentioned below.

Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis

This 2003 bestseller tells the story of the Oakland Athletics Baseball team and how its general manager Billy Bean’s use of a sabermetric approach involving statistical analysis brought them success in the league. The essence of the book lies in the use of statistical concepts through a practical approach to bringing together a potential team within a small budget. It is one of the best MBA books for budding entrepreneurs and management professionals, Moneyball teaches some significant lessons such as accepting criticisms, thinking “different” and focus on winning the “game” rather than making records!

Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller by Ron Chernow 

Amongst the must-recommended books for MBA professionals, Titan is the biography of John D. Rockefeller, the renowned American business magnate. He was the founder of the Standard Oil Company and a philanthropist who donated lavishly to academic institutions and health centers in the country. Besides being a well-known industrialist, his life was an enigma to the public and Ron Chernow sets out to explore his story, especially Rockefeller’s relationship with his father and his single-minded pursuit of money. Having been called the “Best Biography Ever” by the New York Times, this 1998 bestseller imparts some significant lessons for budding entrepreneurs and is a must-read for the freshly MBA graduates who are facing different struggles in building their start-ups and want to learn the real-life business techniques.

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How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie  

Having been released in 1936, How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold over 15 million copies across the globe. Another great read in our exclusive list of MBA books, this bestseller aims to impart professionals from every career field with influential tips and tricks to attain the maximum potential in your personal and professional life. The most unique aspect of this book is that it is based on the case studies of some of the great world figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Abraham Lincoln and Carnegie has simply referred to them as “true leaders tread softly”.

The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

Written by Ben Horowitz, a successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur and the co-founder of the renowned Andreessen Horowitz, this reading imparts his hard-learned lessons on the entrepreneurial world, be it handling a venture capital firm or finding and maintaining a CEO mentality of discerning the right time to cash in. The Hard Thing About Hard Things is among the must-read MBA books that will provide you with some significant knowledge of the business world that you might miss in a business school.

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini

Being one of the classics in the non-fiction genre of Psychology, Influence takes its readers on a journey through the six principles of acing the art of being an influencer. Robert B.Cialdini sets out to explore the psychology behind why people say ‘yes’ and when these principles can be efficiently applied for persuasion. It is a must-read for people from all walks of life, especially those looking for the best MBA books. 

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Rework by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson 

Taking a unique take on the same-old traditional methods of setting up a business, Rework is the brainchild of Jason Fried and David Hansson who founded the pioneering software company called ‘37signals’ later renamed ‘Basecamp’. Presenting the unusual ways of excelling in one’s business, there is a lot to learn in this recommendation under our list of top MBA books as it sets out to break away from the conventional business methods and establishes that it is not essential to do the things in the earthy and prescribed ways.

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

This masterpiece by Robert Greene is a subtle interpretation of Sun Tzu’s ‘Art of War’ as he puts forward the uncanny similarities between war and managing a business. The book comprises various power laws that are based on the philosophies of historical figures such as Machiavelli and Carl Von Clausewitz. The 48 Laws of Power is another must-read amongst the numerous MBA books as it will impart you with the dextrous knowledge of managing a team as well as the competitors.

Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman 

Grabbing its notable mention in the best MBA books, this bestseller is best for those management professionals seeking top business strategies. Thinking Fast and Slow is all about how human intuition functions and how entrepreneurs can use it as a persuasive skill in dealing with clients. Daniel has pointed down two systems-  System 1 and System 2 with the former based on emotional aspects and the second is systematic rational thinking. 

Other MBA books You Must Check Out

• The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
• The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferris 
• The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen 
• Good to Great by Jim Collins
• Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin 
• Scaling up Excellence by Robert Sutton and Huggy Rao
• Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip & Dan Heath 
• Confessions of an Advertising Man by David Ogilvy 

Modern MBA Classics Books

• The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich Timothy Ferriss
• Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In Roger Fisher and William L. Ury
• How Will You Measure Your Life? Clayton Christensen
• The Innovator’s Dilemma Clayton Christensen
• Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead Sheryl Sandberg
• The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses, Eric Ries

Popular Case Studies & Biographies 

• The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron
• Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind
• Soul of a New Machine: Tracy Kidder
• Steve Jobs: Walter Isaacson
• The Start-up of You: Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself, and Transform Your Career Reid Hoffman and Ben Casnocha
• The Upstarts: How Uber, Airbnb, and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley Are Changing the World Brad Stone
• Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future Peter Thiel

What You Should Look for in an MBA Book

An MBA book, like an economics book, should give you a fair balance of theoretical and practical understanding. Furthermore, the author must be a well-known specialist in his or her specialty. The parts that follow go into further detail on what makes an MBA book great.

Author History

Years of expertise in business administration, consulting, or other similar fields are required of the author. He or she should have worked for successful organizations, but an MBA book authored by a college professor is also a good choice.

Before you determine which book to buy, look at the author’s professional experience. Examine any previous publications or honors.

Story vs. Skill

MBA books with an engaging story are easier to read. However, don’t overlook the value of sound guidance. You’ll get the most benefit from a book that combines practical guidance with compelling stories.

Target Audience

Some MBA books are ideal for those who are just starting in the corporate world. Others are geared at consultants who are already well-versed in the field. Keep in mind that you can supplement MBA books with additional materials relevant to your field of study. For example, aspiring start-up founders can benefit from reading and comparing MBA books and entrepreneur books.

FAQs

Thus, there is a long list of MBA books and we have covered some major ones that can give the right push to build your career in Management. If you are in search of professional guidance, our Leverage Edu experts are just a call away from providing you with suitable assistance at every step of your career journey. So, don’t wait up, book a free 30-minute counseling session with us today and get your queries answered!