In the aftermath of our conversation with renowned industry leaders, I have picked out some of the favorite books of business leaders that are thought-provoking, intriguing and even light-hearted. These are the best books for business leaders to read and even draw inspiration from. Some are hidden gems, while some are top leadership books of all time, continually serving inspiration and vital lessons applicable to people from all walks of life.

The Art of War

'The Art of War' by Sun Tzu is an eternal source of knowledge that syncs well with the modern-day business environment even though it was written centuries ago. The book revolves around the complexity of warfare, but its strategies strike a chord with today’s leadership that speaks of conquering an industry empire rather than just climbing the ladder within an organization.

Sun Tzu’s emphasis on psychological warfare, deceit and adaptability carries his views on the nature of war and how a proactive strategy could enable leaders or commanders to foresee an action and respond faster, even in the case of escalating matters. Among many lessons, the author highlights leadership roles in determining a conflict’s conclusion. Here, he specifies that the conduct and disposition are based on the leader who decides to improve the morale and effectiveness of the team. They must showcase their virtue, courage, kindness, intelligence and balance to learn how to act appropriately.

One of the people who found this book beneficial in their entrepreneurial journey is Mr.Thompson P Gnanam, Managing Director & Global CEO, 3i Infotech Ltd.

He says, “For me, 'The Art of War' has been an important foundational book because I have personally implemented the learnings to reality.”

 

Strategic planning is also essential to each initiative’s success. The author dwells upon directing the cognitive process to think strategically, predict and plan every action accordingly. Be it a battlefield, corporate system, politics or personal growth, Sun Tzu offers insights for overcoming obstacles, grasping opportunities, and being prepared to adjust to the dynamic global environment.

Gödel, Escher, Bach: an Eternal Golden Braid

If you are on the lookout for a book that intrigues your mind, questions your thoughts, and leaves you feeling enlightened, Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid is the ideal book for you. The Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Douglas Hofstadter studies the relationship between language, music, and mathematics. It starts with the geniuses Kurt Gödel, M.C. Escher, and Johann Sebastian Bach.

Popularly known as GEB (Gödel, Escher, Bach), the book dwells upon the nature of intelligence, recursion, and self-reflection. The author takes us on the undiscovered journey of what we can learn and how we can learn it through a number of methods, from artificial intelligence and computer programming to logic and set theory. Although the writing style is light-hearted, it has a captivating effect and is known for setting off readers on a voyage of discovering themselves despite its complex subject matter.

The book is for anyone who finds joy in putting their brain to work on the most abstract concepts. It is said to appeal to and challenge readers like mathematicians, musicians, philosophers, or just inquisitive about the world around them. It may contain about 735 pages and is said to be a bit not on the easy side to read. But Hofstadter's humor and creativity is said to surely keep the readers engaged.

The taker of this brain game is Mr.Rajan Sethuraman, CEO, LatentView Analytics who shared, “I’ve always been fascinated by technology and I’ve spent quite a bit of time on the parallels between biological evolution and technological evolution. So one of the very early books that I’ve read about how the human mind and consciousness has evolved is this book by Douglas Hofstadter called GEB.” 

It’s Your Ship

Written at the time of his Navy Commander days, Capt. D. Michael Abrashoff's book It's Your Ship is said to be a worthwhile read to learn about the fundamentals of leadership style from the grassroot level. The author has penned down his experience of steering a state-of-the-art ship as he traverses through the path of finding out his leadership approach that fell short of his expectations. In the book, Abrashoff tells readers he built a crew of confident and enthusiastic problem-solvers ready to take the initiative and accountability for their actions while discarding the old way of Navy leadership techniques.

The book also holds the essence of Confucian thoughts, "real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance,” which the author tells us is the secret to effective leadership. That is to first understand yourself and then use that understanding to form the organization. The author explains how it is important to exercise freedom to leave room for people to use their ability to the max. The author also observes that most problems that barricade people’s potential tend to be initiated by the leader, and their problems stem from personal phobias, ego demands, and ineffective routines. This book is recommended by Ms.Jasleen Kohli, MD & CEO, Digit Insurance.

Man’s Search for Meaning

Recommended by Sunjae Sharma, Managing Director, India & Southwest Asia, Hyatt India Consultancy Pvt. Ltd, Man’s Search for Meaning, is a book by Viktor Frankl. In this book, the author recalls his past of surviving the Holocaust, taking readers through the ups and downs of life. His life in the Nazi concentration camps was of unspeakable amount of grief and pain, yet he was able to see beauty, connection and hope in the dark places of human existence. However, the book explores the human search for meaning in-depth and goes beyond just being a story of grief. Frankl presents the idea of logotherapy, a psychoanalytic technique he created in response to his personal experiences. He contends that we always have the option to select our attitudes and actions, regardless of the situation.

This book has had a profound impact on existential philosophy, psychology, and thought. It serves as a reminder that our ability to find meaning in life endures even in the most trying circumstances. Let's pause to consider the timeless power of the human spirit and the profound insight that "Man's Search for Meaning" gives as we navigate our own lives.

Outliers: The Story of Success

Most liked by Rakesh Aerath, President—Asia Pacific, CGI, the book Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell delves into the elements that lead to extraordinary success and accomplishment. Gladwell contends that outside variables like time, cultural background, and opportunity accessibility have an impact on achievement in addition to personal skill and effort. He emphasizes how extraordinary accomplishment can often be greatly influenced by being in the right place at the right moment. Gladwell talks about how upbringing and cultural legacies can have a big influence on a person's chances of succeeding. He investigates how cultural perspectives on discipline, hard labor, and deference to authority affect attainment.

Gladwell disproves the idea that success comes solely from intelligence. He investigates the ways in which social bonds, mentorship, and parental participation can provide possibilities and clear the path to success. Gladwell questions the idea of the "self-made" person and emphasizes the need for teamwork and group effort in attaining success. He looks at the value of cooperation and the capacity for peaceful coexistence. These important lessons from "Outliers" provide light on the intricate interactions between chance, individual effort, cultural norms, and support networks that lead to extraordinary achievement across a range of professions.