It’s a fast-paced, scary world out there for professionals and job seekers. The job market changes every day, with new skills becoming highly in demand and others becoming suddenly obsolete. Finding the best books for young business professionals is vital.
A reason enough why you need to be in constant self-development mode to keep up, don’t you think?
There’s no better way to build yourself an armor against the ever-turbulent professional world than books. You can find the essence of people’s experiences, professional and otherwise, in the books they write.
Let’s get your armor started with the best books for young business professionals. Below is a table of all the books we’re going to feature in this article.
As you can see, we have a top choice, but a lot depends on your circumstances.
Our Selection Of The Best Books For Young Business Professionals
Here are our top choices of business books for you to read.
‘Never Split The Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It’ By Chris Voss
Whether you’re asking for a raise or renewing your apartment’s lease, negotiation is your go-to skill. Who better to teach you some serious negotiation tactics than a former lead FBI hostage negotiator?
In Never Split The Difference, Chris Voss teaches you how to polish your emotional intelligence and intuition and start using them to get what you want. Each chapter is a separate learning experience that you can practice in real life to see the results yourself.
‘How Not To Be Wrong’ By Jordan Ellenburg
If you’re not into numbers or mathematics, this is your chance to get reacquainted with the subject. Simply put, Jordan Ellenburg uses math to explain life. No, you don’t have to be an engineer or a statistician to understand and enjoy this book. It was written for everyone.
Ever wondered what’s the real use of all those mathematical theories we spent so much time studying at school? Well, this book is going to show you how to put all this theoretical knowledge into action.
Check the full price and reviews on Amazon here.
‘The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People’ By Stephen R. Covey
You can’t go wrong with this one. This is a book that has enriched people’s lives for 25 years and counting. It’s going to teach you about the seven habits of highly successful people. These habits are sure to change your professional and personal life.
The newer editions are written in an infographics format to make it easier for you to read the book and get engaged. One of the best things about this book is that you can apply what you’re reading in real-time. If you ask me, this is a must-read for all of us.
Read the reviews and check the prices on Amazon here.
‘Emotional Agility’ By Susan David
What you are on in the inside, drives everything you are on the outside. This is where emotional agility comes in handy. It’s all about facing your emotions and thoughts, no matter how turbulent they are, moving past them and then taking real control.
Susan David is an experienced psychologist who uses her knowledge and research to teach you how you could be emotionally agile.
This book is like a navigation guide to your inner world. It teaches you to power through storms, brace for impact, think clearly and keep your self-talk on the positive side.
‘Grit, The Power Of Passion And Perseverance’ By Angela Duckworth
In Grit, Angela Duckworth shows you that, unlike her father’s beliefs, it’s not about IQ, luck or talent, rather it’s your hard work and persistence that’ll get you through the finish line. The book includes interviews with high achievers relating what they had to do to succeed.
It’s not only about reaching the top, but it’s also about maintaining your position there. Hard work and long term perseverance are key factors to reach your goals. Duckworth teaches you that if you’re not born with grit, you can learn it along the way. Always remember that practice makes perfect.
‘How To Win Friends And Influence People’ By Dale Carnegie
This book is another timeless classic. It has been around for over 38 years, imagine that? That’s why we consider it a must-read for every business professional out there. It teaches you how to have a go-getter attitude, especially when it comes to dealing with other people.
In ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’, Dale Carnegie talks you through improving your emotional intelligence and using it to win people over. The pieces of advice presented here are applicable to both personal and professional situations. It’s guaranteed to give you a lot of aha moments once you’re done reading it. Dale also promises that his book is going to help you reach your maximum potential.
If you’re interested, you can read our summary of ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’.
‘The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team: A Leadership Fable’ By Patrick Lencioni
Patrick Lencioni uses a compelling style in delivering his message by combining fact and fiction. He tells the story of a newly-appointed CEO struggling to manage a dysfunctional team. He analyzes her situation and starts pointing out the ways in which her team is failing. Then, right when we think there’s no hope, he explains how the team’s shortcomings can be turned around.
This book is definitely an engaging read. It teaches you the ABC’s of leadership in a smart and simple way. Even if you’re still years away from your first leadership role, the tips in this book can help you navigate your way in any team. It can even help you showcase your leadership skills and speed up your ride to a more managerial role.
Check out the reviews and latest prices on Amazon.
To Sum Up
Although all the books on our list are valuable, we highly recommend that you start with ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey’. It’s one of the best books for young business professionals. It has invaluable advice on how to turn your life around and become a more productive individual.
However, if classic best-sellers aren’t your thing and you don’t mind war stories, ‘Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss’ is your book. It’s sure to teach you some hardcore negotiation skills. Coming from a former FBI hostage negotiator, the tips in this book can come in handy when negotiating with extra difficult people.
