Looking for ways to sharpen your leadership skills and learn something new? Whether you are just getting started or are an established company with many employees, useful career advice fits all sizes.

Recently, we asked members of the FareHarbor Community what books have had the biggest professional influence on them.

Here is a list of some best business reads to inspire, motivate, and educate you. 

Content Inc.

By Joe Pulizzi

“Content Inc.” is a book written by Joe Pulizzi, a leading expert in content marketing and founder of the Content Marketing Institute. 

It offers a strategic approach for entrepreneurs and business owners to leverage the power of content creation to build an engaged audience and establish successful businesses. 

The book emphasizes the importance of creating valuable and relevant content that attracts and retains customers, ultimately leading to sustainable growth and profitability.

“The easiest way to turn off your community members is to broadcast the same message across multiple channels. Instead, determine the kind of content that interests the members of your community in a way that is useful to them.”

Building a Story Brand

By Donald Miller

“Building a Story Brand” offers a unique and powerful framework for businesses and individuals to effectively communicate their message and engage their target audience. 

It presents a practical guide for creating compelling brand narratives that resonate with customers, clarify their needs, and ultimately drive business growth. 

By applying the principles of storytelling, readers can craft compelling messages that cut through the noise and captivate their target audience.

 

“Simply put, we must show people the cost of not doing business with us.”

Atomic Habits: Build Good Habits, Break Bad Ones

By James Clear

“Atomic Habits” provides a practical framework for understanding the science of habit formation and offers actionable strategies to create and sustain positive habits while eliminating negative ones. 

Drawing upon research in psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral economics, Clear presents a comprehensive guide that empowers readers to make small, incremental changes that produce remarkable long-term results.

“True long-term thinking is goal-less thinking. It’s not about any single accomplishment. It is about the cycle of endless refinement and continuous improvement. Ultimately, it is your commitment to the process that will determine your progress.”

The Experience Economy

By Joseph Pine and James Gilmore 

This innovative book explores the shift in economic value from goods and services to experiences, like the ones you offer as a tour and activity operator.

Published in 1999, it presents a compelling argument for businesses to move beyond the traditional model of selling products and services and instead focus on creating transformative experiences for their customers.

 

“Fundamentally, customers do not want choice; they just want exactly what they want.”

Mindset

By Carol S. Dweck

“Mindset” is a groundbreaking book written by psychologist Dr. Carol S. Dweck that explores the concept of mindset and its profound impact on personal growth, success, and fulfillment. 

Drawing from years of research, Dweck reveals that people possess either a fixed mindset or a growth mindset, which fundamentally shapes how they approach challenges, setbacks, and achievements. 

Through captivating anecdotes, scientific studies, and practical insights, the book provides readers with a deep understanding of the power of mindset and offers strategies for cultivating a growth mindset to unlock one’s full potential.

 

“No matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability and turns it into accomplishment.”

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

By Stephen R. Covey

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is a widely cited book that presents a holistic approach to personal and professional development, offering practical guidance on how to become more effective in various aspects of life. 

The book explores seven fundamental habits that successful individuals cultivate to achieve long-term success and fulfillment. By adopting the seven habits, readers can enhance their productivity, develop meaningful relationships, and align their actions with their core values.

 

“Habit is the intersection of knowledge (what to do), skill (how to do), and desire (want to do).”

Motivational books like these provide a wide variety of personal narratives, tips, productivity hacks, and so much more. We hope you’ve discovered something on our list that piqued your interest. Happy reading!