The business world of books can be a maelstrom of confusion, especially if you are looking for a business advice.
It seems like everybody is trying hard to get your attention, and you have to sift through all the so-called gurus (or even worse, “LinkedIn ninjas”) peddling their latest lame ebook. This stuff is rarely helpful, and it often exists just to make money for self-professed experts.
We are overwhelmed with junk, and it can be hard at first to tell the difference between hard-won knowledge and half-baked horseplay.
We are going to point you in the direction of some unconventional but high-quality material that will help any entrepreneur get a leg up on understanding the business world, and a CEO to expand horizon of acquired knowledge from offbeat lore.
Some of them are not written by business people per se — but do you really want to hear somebody tell you for the umpteenth time that you need to buy low and sell high?
True entrepreneurs generally value creativity, so approach this list with an open mind.
1. The Freaks Shall Inherit the Earth by Chris Brogan
As the book has a unique name, “Entrepreneurship for Weirdos, Misfits, and World Dominators” it should give you an idea of the idiosyncratic ride you are in for here.
“Freaks” was written to appeal the people who do not fit into the typical mold of a business owner. As the author, Chris Brogan, posits that they may truly be the best suited to develop revolutionary businesses.
Of course, in a time where startups are cropping up all over and even some of the most respectable companies have a history of oddball CEOs, this is not really radical wisdom.
The author's wit and sense of style will keep you riveted, and you will definitely come away with at least a few helpful ideas and tools.
One of the key points is the importance of connecting with like-minded weirdos — not just to further your business, but to sustain your own sense of community.
2. The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer
The music world is such a powerful place to draw inspiration from because, for a while there, it looked like the industry would not survive at all.
Streaming nearly killed the business, but creative people working in the music world, constantly developing and adopting new paradigms to make money and get their art out there.
Amanda Palmer, one-half of the band Dresden Dolls.
In 2012, she spearheaded her own solo project and became famous for raising $1.2 million on Kickstarter to make her album. Until very recently, it was the most successful music crowdfunding campaign ever.
“The Art of Asking” details Palmer’s philosophy about asking for help, which basically boils down to good networking and customer care — crucial lessons for any budding entrepreneur.
3. Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Graves
"First, people just don't understand it. They often mistake emotional intelligence for a form of charisma or gregariousness. Second, they don't see it as something that can be improved."
- Emotional Intelligence 2.0, page 3
You may know what is Emotional Intelligence is, but do you know how to use it to improve your life?
This book provides step-by-step program that will help you on improving your emotional intelligence using the main emotional intelligence skills. It can also help you to see where are your current strengths and weakness in terms of emotional intelligence.
With a numerous amount of strategies, you will be able to raise your EQ levels to a point that you would be capable using it to your advantage and improve your professional and social life. For a serious upgrade in the emotional intelligence game, other emotional intelligence book treasures are to be recommended.
4. There is a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem by Wayne W. Dyer
This enlightening book from Wayne Dyer proposes that we hold the keys to solving any problems we face within us.
With his trademark wit, wisdom and humour, the author sets out basic principles and foundations we can understand and practice in order to access spiritual solutions to any problems we are experiencing. Be it a health issue, financial worries, or relationship difficulties, we all often depend on our intellect to solve it.
The book is in two sections: the first sets out the theory, the second enables you to put the wisdom into practice. The first part has a theory that
"Everything in the Universe is nothing more than energy. Light and though, spiritual energy, vibrates very quickly. Physical energy, and problem areas, vibrate more slowly. When the highest/fastest frequencies of spirit are brought to the presence of lower/slower frequencies, they nullify and dissipate those things we call problems. We all have the ability to increase our energy and access the highest/fastest energies to eradicate problems in our lives."
In carefully structured chapters, Dyer draws on both ancient wisdom and firsthand accounts, and shows how to stop by giving energy to people of circumstances that do not bring you positive energy to maintain your spiritual energy pure.
In the second part of the book, Dyer shows how we can transform any negative energy into positive energy, for instance, to turn hate into love, hurt into forgiveness, doubt into faith, despair into hope, sadness into joy...
To summarize the book, we only have problems because we think we have problems. When we have a problem with someone, we often are taking something personally. What author is trying to tell, is that if someone is rude to you, they are probably rude to everyone and ultimately it is all about them, about what they are going through. Turn your problems into to spirit. Have a faith that a solution will materialize without too much effort on our part. The book is profound and thought provoking, yet filled with pragmatic advise that any CEO should tap into.
5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
You must be wondering how an American novel about love can be useful to an entrepreneur and what could be your 'take home' from this portrayed in 20's novel?
Well, Fitzgerald's take on the American dream and how the desire for success influences the decision-making process is a valuable lesson for any business leader today.
The main character, Gatsby is a fortunate entrepreneur and through that he has an opportunity to be around highly successful people (influence and success usually goes hand-in-hand) and learn from their success.
However success can blind one, which makes it easy to lose sight of your core values if you are not careful and conscious about your environment and inner balance.
This book is a good reminder to always be true to yourself and retain your values.
To take home
All these books represent something of a different take on business than what we are used to hearing in conversation with other entrepreneurs.
This unique take is highly valuable: Innovators should not be looking for answers in the same well-worn places, they should be searching in weird, fresh places for the next big disruption.
If these books do not take you there, I am confident that they will point you in the right direction.
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