Top Notch Business Literature Picks of 2024
It's time for one of my favorite festive traditions—my annual list of the best non-fiction books from the past year.
I've been on the lookout for engaging reads that offer valuable insights to help you navigate the complex world we live in. These books are perfect for some relaxing reading over the holidays.
Remember that this is a list, not a ranking. All the books included are excellent and I don't recommend any more highly than the others.
1 How to Become a Household Name: Identifying Hidden Einsteins, Unearth The Forgotten Stars, and Understand the Beatles' Success
by Cass R. Sunstein—The main argument of this book might be a bit disheartening. Success, according to the author, is primarily the result of unpredictable social processes, backing from famous patrons, and a perfect fit with the zeitgeist. Talent, they say, is just a starting point! The stories Sunstein tells to support his argument, however, are highly entertaining. His case is also supported by recent research on informational cascades, network effects, and group polarization. If you want to know why some people end up in history books and others are forgotten, give this a read.
2 The Art of Embracing Uncertainty: Managing Chance, Ignorance, Risk and Luck
by David Spiegelhalter—Uncertainty is a big topic and this is an appropriately big book. With 512 pages, written with students of statistics in mind, it requires some effort but you shouldn’t find it too overwhelming. Spiegelhalter is a great communicator and a basic grasp of math will suffice. What you stand to gain is a new perspective on uncertainty. This will help you to move away from an intuition-driven approach (which tends to over-estimate the likelihood of say plane crashes and underestimate the much more likely events like an accident on the way to the airport) towards fact-based assessments. How you use your new-found insight will be deeply personal. As the author explains, “uncertainty is a relationship between someone (perhaps you) and the outside world. ... Some might find a sense of excitement from unpredictability, while others may experience chronic anxiety.”
3 The Enduring Legacy of Family Businesses: Thriving in Challenging Conditions
by Devin DeCiantis and Ivan Lansberg—Stories of inspiration and success in the face of adversity are the focus of this book. From a Peruvian family building a soft drink giant during an active terrorist conflict, to a Syrian family business starting afresh in a neighboring country following a military coup, to an iconic Haitian family hotel prevailing through earthquake, crime, and economic collapse—if you’re interested in these kinds of stories and the lessons we can learn from them, this book is for you. DeCiantis and Lansberg explain that the rules of stable Western countries do not apply here. What looks like inefficiency to those of us in the West is often contingency and back-up that is vital to survival in other economies.
4 Making a Fortune on Main Street: Unlocking the Secrets to Extraordinary Wealth Genesis
by Codie Sanchez—The ideas behind this book are built on the success of Warren Buffet. Sanchez suggests investing in undervalued businesses with a history of strong and stable earnings, akin to what Buffet did. The focus is on small businesses that are often overlooked, such as plumbers, construction firms, cleaners, and electricians. Sanchez serves up a recipe for accessing reliable cash flow through these investments in a flamboyant yet refreshing manner.
5 Co-Labor with Artificial Intelligence: Partnering with AI as a Tutor, Coach, or Colleague
by Ethan Mollick—Given the increased use of artificial intelligence in our daily lives, this is a timely and important book. Mollick provides guidance on how to best use AI as a co-worker, tutor, or coach. It’s more than just a how-to manual, offering a profound and engaging exploration of the relationship between humans and AI. The author also regularly updates his audience on his experiences with emerging AI tools and their application through his blog.
6 Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling of Gender: A Journey to Dignity and Intersectional Belonging in the Workplace
by Layla McCay—This book shares the author's journey as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, detailing the isolation and lack of role models she encountered in her career. Stats back up her story—only three other Fortune 500 CEOs and no CEOs of the 100 largest London Stock Exchange companies have come out. This is a stark and thought-provoking statistic.
By Ludmila Praslova—I wouldn't suggest using hate crimes driven by xenophobia as a means to stimulate creativity, but each knock on my door seemed to push me further into considering comprehensive inclusivity. This book presents a no-nonsense approach from an autistic author who has both organized and conducted extensive academic research. It offers readers a distinct perspective on experiencing corporate life through the lens of a neurodivergent individual. As a leader, you'll come away with new strategies for constructing a more inclusive workplace. Not only is it the ethical choice, it also allows you to fully utilize the talent within your organization.
8 Never Lead Alone. 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship
by Keith Ferrazzi—If you're familiar with Never Eat Alone, you'll notice Ferrazzi's distinct style. Although the concept — that teams, not individuals, propel an organization — is not groundbreaking, the real charm of this book lies in its 20 practical suggestions. My favorite is radical candor. It's challenging to implement, but if delivered from the right place and with a pinch of empathy, it can drive an organization forward. This can prevent disgruntled employees from having late-night chats in bars, devoid of solutions.
9 The Divine Economy: How Religions Compete for Wealth, Power, and People
by Paul Seabright—The story of Grace, who earns a living selling water in Accra's streets and donates 10% of her earnings to a flashy pastor, opens this book. Seabright argues that despite her financial intelligence, Grace's actions display an economic logic. At church, she finds community, respect, and possibly even a husband. This, in a sense, is similar to purchasing a subscription. Seabright's main argument is that religious movements serve as platforms that enable individuals to form mutually beneficial relationships that they wouldn't be able to establish on their own. He presents this argument respectfully, providing a fresh perspective often overlooked in economics and business studies.
10 The Age of Outrage: How to Lead in a Polarized World
by Karthik Ramanna—People are typically upset for one of three reasons: they're frustrated about diminishing future prospects, past injustices, or an external threat. In the past, this anger was primarily directed at politicians, occasionally boiling over. But what if this ongoing frustration impacts corporate leaders as well? Ramanna's book explains how to manage these emotions and prevent them from escalating into conflict. The tone and pace of the book are calm and measured. This aligns well with a narrative that is not groundbreaking but comprehensive, and feels just right.
After sharing my list of the best non-fiction books from the past year, I'm excited to anticipate the release of the best business books of 2024. ['best business books 2024']
Some of the greatest business books offer more than just practical advice; they inspire us to question our perspectives and challenge the status quo. ['great business book'] One such book is 'How to Become a Household Name,' which delves into the unpredictable factors that contribute to success. ['best business books', 'books']
