18 Books All Founders Need to Read
Let’s get real for a second. As a startup founder, I read everything I could get my hands on to learn about how to build and grow a company but it was hard to find books for womxn in tech without all of the cutesy, infantilizing “girl-boss” content. I was searching for real stories of people going through a similar journey to me without the fluff. That was a few years ago.
I’ve since discovered that there are many authors and thinkers who provide actual substance and professional content for womxn without forfeiting personality. These 18 books are perfect reads for all founders, but especially for womxn in business. No fluff, no pandering. Just real, helpful information.
What’s more: 6 are written by Black womxn, 6 by womxn and people of color, and 6 by men. Why does this diversity matter? Because they all have a unique viewpoint about the American workforce. It’s important to focus on many different voices to better understand the challenges faced as entrepreneurs and in the wider business world.
Diversify your bookshelf with these 18 killer reads.
Minda Harts doesn’t sugarcoat the realities of being a woman of color in business. She offers straight-talk advice in her book The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table and faces many of the ugly truths that Black women so often face when just trying to be heard and taken seriously.
It’s About Damn Time by Arlan Hamilton
Arlan Hamilton has had an impressive Silicon Valley career so far. In her book It’s About Damn Time, she shares her experiences being a Black, gay womxn and continually underestimated, and inspires others to find their own path and to keep working until you get where you want to be. She shows just how possible it is.
Drop the Ball is a memoir by Tiffany Dufu, a female leader who figured out that letting go was the solution to achieving everything she wanted in her life and career. She talks about freeing up space and developing more meaningful relationships and offers expert advice on how womxn can embrace challenges and put energy in the right places.
Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall
Mikki Kendall expertly reveals how feminism is connected to social issues, and how feminists have left a gap in the movement. She shows how some feminists are actually oppressing other womxn and draws from her own experiences to make her unapologetic point.
More Than Enough by Elaine Welteroth
Journalist Elaine Welteroth provides memoir, advice, and observation in her book More Than Enough, which has become a must-read for working womxn. She shows how females can claim space and work their way toward their goals by accepting the fact that they are enough on their own.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
Written by a woman who needs no introduction, Becoming instantly made top-ten lists and filled shelves of Americans all over the country. Michelle Obama gives us a glimpse into her past on the South Side of Chicago and how she dealt with challenges that are still faced by many womxn of color today.
In Supermaker: Crafting Business on Your Own Terms entrepreneur Jaime Schmidt walks you through starting and growing a business, covering everything from social media to branding to product development. She uses her own experiences to help readers overcome common startup obstacles.
Kim Scott shows readers that you don’t have to be rude or cruel to be an effective boss in Radical Candor. By being kind, authentic, and sincere, leaders can still be direct and clear. It’s possible to do both and lead with care while avoiding becoming a pushover.
Edge: Turning Adversity into Advantage by Laura Huang
What gives certain people that edge? Laura Huang helps you grasp the concept in her book Edge. She walks through how successful people are able to shape the perceptions of others, showcasing their strengths and assets.
Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
Professor and best-selling author Brené Brown outlines how leaders can harness empathy, connection, and courage to become more effective and mindful. She provides tons of research and stories to deliver answers to many questions leaders face about the best ways to incite action and change.
The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo
If you’re just beginning life as a manager, this book is for you. Julie Zhuo delivers invaluable insight and advice about hiring, building trust, and finding answers to the biggest challenges that will come across your desk.
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
Researcher and professor Angela Duckworth mixes personal experience with advice in Grit, a New York Times bestseller. She shows how blending passion and perseverance can help business owners and leaders see long-term success.
Lost and Founder by Rand Fishkin
The startup world is complex and hard to break into. But author Rand Fishkin breaks it down in Lost and Founder, his memoir and field guide for entrepreneurs. He talks about the difficult subjects so that founders will know the truth about what they’re getting into with hacks to help them succeed.
Without Their Permission by Alexis Ohanian
Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of reddit.com, shares his experiences and guidance for other founders in his book Without Their Permission: How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed. Read his powerful work to start following in his footsteps in becoming a successful business owner.
Venture Deals by Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson
Venture Deals provides entrepreneurs with a guide to the venture capitalist process. It was written by the founders of Foundry Group, Brad Feld and Jason Mendelson, and gives advice and guidance for managing the stressful and complicated practice of generating capital for a startup.
High Growth Handbook by Elad Gil
Are you ready to take your startup global but have no idea where to start? In his book High Growth Handbook, entrepreneur Elad Gil brings what he’s learned to help support founders in their efforts to grow long into the future.
In Reboot: Leadership and the Art of Growing Up, executive coach Jerry Colonna gets real with CEOs about how to continually improve themselves to ensure they can always grow as leaders. He encourages compassion and boldness and stresses the importance of holding ourselves responsible.
Our daily habits can have major impacts on our long-term success. Author and entrepreneur James Clear tells how to develop good ones and get rid of the bad in his book Atomic Habits. He helps leaders of all kinds understand how to completely change their systems of thinking so that they can reach their life goals with the right everyday steps.
