8 Essential Books Every Business Student Should Have on Their Summer Reading List

JULY 24, 2016

July 24, 2015 – Robin Weekley Bruce, CEO of The Acton School of Business, published the following summer reading list today on Medium.

At this time of year, as our recent graduates leave to start their next big thing and a new wave of students prepare for the coming year, I’m commonly asked for great books that ought to be on every entrepreneur’s summer reading list.

While there are endless options, some more beach-friendly than others, the below list will get you grounded in some great thinking as we head into the remaining six weeks of summer.

These recommendations reflect books that have meaningfully impacted my personal learning and development, as well as books that are ground zero for many conversations at Acton. I included a few golden “oldies”, and hopefully some pleasant surprises as well.

Let’s jump in!

#1: David & Goliath, by Malcolm Gladwell

By definition, we (most of us at least) are underdogs and we root for underdogs; we champion hard work and determination — and we teach students to “use what you got” (Gladwell’s words) to discover your unique strengths and advantages and bring those to bear in the market.

This book is required reading for anyone about to embark on the hardest thing they’ve ever done in their life. With the right mindset, you can make it. You can do it. Start here—get it on Amazon.

#2: The Road to Character, by David Brooks

We gave this book to all of our Acton students this year at graduation.

As it is, this book is very aligned with our Life of Meaning course and the cognizant decision students make to build “resume virtues” vs. “eulogy virtues.” Brooks examines how to think outside yourself, and how to build a life full of purpose, void of the navel-gazing consuming the millennial generation.

He explores great men and women—like Frances Perkins, George Marshall, A. Philip Randolph, George Eliot, Samuel Johnson—whose character defined them. How smart you are doesn’t define your character. Character must be built and earned.

This book is a compelling guide on how to conduct yourself in your personal life, and in business. Get it here.

#3: The Social Conquest of Earth, E. O. Wilson

Authored in 2013, this book has stuck with me anytime I visit a new city, cram into a subway, or get lost in a crowd at a conference—and it’s not your prototypical business schoolbook.

In this seminal piece of writing, Wilson traces the lines between the origin of religion, philosophy, art, and science. He takes a hard look at the human condition and digs into our similarities with certain insect species when it comes to how we structure communities, responsibility, and the resulting altruism within. You’ll leave this book with a new term on your tongue, “eusocial,” and a fascination with every anthill you encounter from here forward. Really. Get your copy now.

#4: The Progress Principle, Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer

Building on the same theme as the book above, The Progress Principle examines what motivates employees, and offers practical advice on growing successful corporate cultures (perhaps one of the most important micro-communities we create from scratch).

For many entrepreneurs, culture is an afterthought—product must come first is the favorite mantra of many start-ups—but after reading this book I’m confident you’ll see that building engaged employees is as important (if not more) than building functional products.

This book is a quick read with great advice on maximizing the performance of those who follow you into the blaze. You have no excuse—read it now.

#5: The ONE Thing, Gary Keller

The One Thing is an incredible book by an incredible Austin entrepreneur, Gary Keller. Over the years Acton has been lucky enough to have a few KW leaders move through the Acton MBA, and this book serves as an incredible guide and challenge for all entrepreneurs as they fight for focus amidst competing priorities.

If you’re drowning in voicemails, emails, texts, tweets, docs, or studies, you need to read this book immediately. It will help you narrow your priorities and give you the freedom to focus.

Highly recommended for anyone—business student or not. Buy it here.

#6: Thinking, Fast & Slow, by Daniel Kahneman

You will feel like a superhero after reading this book. In a matter of chapters, Kahneman lays out a cogent explanation for the psychological basis of our subconscious choices, prejudices, judgements, and ultimately, the decisions we make.

It challenges our ego as rational decision makers and introduces System 1 and System 2 thinking—i.e., fast and slow thinking—to illustrate the psychology behind things we think we understand.

It’s a must read for anyone interested in economics, investing, and entrepreneurship. Add it to your wish list immediately!

#7: Leaders Eat Last, by Simon Sinek

(If you haven’t read Start with Why yet, add it to your own list now.)

Simon Sinek’s new book is awesome. With a title inspired by the US military’s practice of commanding officers lining up behind junior recruits in the dining hall, it’s essential reading for anyone that manages a team, or would like to do so.

He talks a lot about a “circle of safety” that managers must build to foster trust and confidence in teams, and his takeaways often run counter to how I see many organizations operate today.

As an entrepreneur, you have to self-replicate the passion in your own heart in others in order to survive, much less flourish. See what you can learn here.

#8: Dealing with China, Hank Paulson

This is an eye-opening book written from the vantage point of a seasoned businessman and former US Treasury secretary who has spent a great deal of time working with the economic superpower that is China. It’s surprisingly frank, and equal parts hopeful and cautious.

Globalization is a reality for all businesses born in the 21st century. This book is great for anyone trying to understand the context necessary to engage with China for the next 20 years. Get it here.

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