For all managers, including those in HR and People Ops, Sales and Project Management, continuous learning is crucial. This list of books offers valuable insights into human behavior and effective communication, benefiting anyone in a management role or aspiring to be. Expand your knowledge, make informed decisions, and nurture a thriving workforce with these enriching reads!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Best Books on People Management
Best Books for Project Managers
Best Books on Managing Startups
Best Books on Personal Productivity and Time Management
Best Books on Leadership and Management Principles
Best Books on Startups and Entrepreneurship
Best Books on Communication and Team Building
Best Books on Project Management
Best Books on Business Strategy
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Books for HR Managers
Let’s start this list of 100+ management books off with something that Factorial is an expert in: Human Resource Management.
If you are still hungry for more human resource management knowledge after devouring this list of books, check out Factorial’s blog posts and YouTube videos. It’s a great way to learn about people ops and management in short bite-sized pieces.
This collection of books for HR managers covers a wide range of essential topics, from strategic HR management and analytics to fostering a fearless and innovative workplace. Each book offers valuable insights and practical tools to empower HR professionals in their roles as strategic leaders and talent developers within their organizations.
List of HRM Books
Human Resource Management – Gary Dessler
A comprehensive guide that covers all aspects of human resource management, providing valuable insights into recruiting, training, compensation, and employee relations.
The HR Scorecard – Brian Becker, Mark Huselid, Dave Ulrich
This book introduces a strategic approach to HR management, focusing on measuring HR’s impact on organizational performance through a balanced scorecard framework.
HR Rising!!: From Ownership to Leadership – Steve Browne
A practical and motivational read that helps HR professionals transition from being operational contributors to strategic leaders in their organizations.
HR Disrupted: It’s Time for Something Different – Lucy Adams
This book challenges conventional HR practices and offers innovative ideas for HR professionals to adapt to the changing workplace and create more impactful solutions.
The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth – Amy C. Edmondson
An essential read that explores the importance of psychological safety in fostering a culture of innovation, learning, and high-performance within teams and organizations.
The Practical Guide to HR Analytics: Using Data to Inform, Transform, and Empower HR Decisions – Shonna D. Waters, Valerie N. Streets, Lindsay McFarlane, and Rachael Johnson-Murray
This practical guide equips HR professionals with the skills to harness the power of data analytics for data-driven decision-making and strategic HR planning.
Strategic Human Resource Management: An HR Professional’s Toolkit – Karen Beaven
Offering practical tools and frameworks, this book helps HR managers align HR strategies with organizational goals to drive business success.
The Talent Delusion – Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic
Examining common myths around talent and potential, this book provides evidence-based insights to help HR professionals identify and develop true talent in their organizations.
Best Books on People Management
This collection of best books on people management offers valuable insights and strategies for leaders to foster a culture of growth, appreciation, and trust within their teams. From developing emotional intelligence to employing influential techniques, these books provide practical guidance for becoming effective and inspiring leaders.
List of People Management Books
Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter – Liz Wiseman
This book explores the qualities of “Multipliers” – leaders who amplify the intelligence and capabilities of their teams, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous growth.
The 5 Love Languages of Management by Scott M. Simpson
Drawing on the concept of love languages, this book reveals how managers can effectively communicate appreciation and recognition to their team members, leading to increased engagement and productivity.
Leadership and Self-Deception by the Arbinger Institute
A compelling story that delves into the concept of self-deception and its impact on leadership and relationships, providing valuable insights on how to break free from destructive patterns.
Leadership: The Power of Emotional Intelligence – Daniel Goleman
Building on the idea of emotional intelligence, this book emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, empathy, and social skills in effective leadership and team management.
Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change – Kerry Patterson
Offering a scientific approach to creating lasting behavioral change, this book equips leaders with practical strategies to influence and motivate their teams towards positive outcomes.
It’s Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy – Captain D. Michael Abrashoff
A captivating leadership memoir that shares Captain Abrashoff’s successful management techniques for fostering a highly engaged and motivated team.
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You – John Maxwell
John Maxwell presents 21 fundamental principles that serve as a roadmap for becoming an effective leader, inspiring followership and achieving personal growth.
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t – Simon Sinek
Exploring the biology of trust and cooperation, this book highlights the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for teams to thrive and collaborate effectively.
Best Books for Project Managers
This compilation of best books for project managers covers a range of topics, from fundamental project management concepts to strategic alignment and personal development. These books offer practical guidance and tools to help project managers excel in their roles and deliver successful projects that align with organizational goals.
List of Project Manager Books
Project Management JumpStart by Kim Heldman (4th Edition)
A comprehensive guide for beginners, covering the fundamental concepts and practices of project management to help readers initiate and manage projects effectively.
Project Management: Absolute Beginner’s Guide by Greg Horine (5th Edition)
Geared towards newcomers, this book provides a step-by-step approach to project management, offering practical tools and techniques for successful project delivery.
Project Management for Non-Project Managers by Jack Ferraro
Designed for professionals who are not project managers by title but still handle projects, this book offers practical advice on how to manage projects efficiently and achieve desired outcomes.
The Lazy Project Manager by Peter Taylor
Contrary to the title, this book introduces strategies for working smarter and achieving project success with minimal stress, making project management an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Project Management For You by Cesar Abeid
Combining personal development with project management, this book empowers readers to manage projects effectively by understanding their own strengths and leadership style.
Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager by Kory Kogon
Targeting professionals who take on project management responsibilities without formal training, this book provides essential tools and techniques to excel in project delivery.
The Plugged-In Manager by Terri L. Griffith
This book explores the role of technology in modern project management, offering insights on how to leverage technology for better project outcomes and team collaboration.
Strategic Project Management Made Simple by Terry Schmidt (2nd Edition)
Focused on aligning projects with strategic goals, this book introduces a strategic approach to project management, helping project managers deliver value and achieve organizational objectives.
Best Books on Managing Startups
This collection of best books on managing startups offers valuable guidance for entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of building and growing a startup. From embracing continuous innovation and addressing hard challenges to understanding disruptive technologies, these books provide essential knowledge and strategies to create successful and resilient businesses.
List of Startup Management Books
The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries
Offering a framework for building startups in uncertain environments, this book advocates for a scientific approach to entrepreneurship, emphasizing experimentation and iterative development.
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel, Blake Masters
Based on Peter Thiel’s lectures at Stanford University, this book provides unique insights into creating breakthrough startups and building monopolies in untapped markets.
The Startup Owner’s Manual: The Step-by-Step Guide for Building a Great Company by Steve Blank, Bob Dorf
Serving as a comprehensive guide, this book presents a step-by-step process for startup founders to validate their business ideas, find product-market fit, and scale their ventures.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz
Written by a seasoned entrepreneur, this book delves into the challenges of building and leading a startup, offering practical advice and real-world solutions for overcoming obstacles.
The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail by Clayton M. Christensen
A seminal work on disruptive innovation, this book explores how successful companies can be disrupted by innovative technologies and provides insights on how startups can seize such opportunities to grow and thrive.
Best Books for Recruiters
This list of best books for recruiters covers a range of topics, from HR analytics and financial impact assessment to talent development and hiring strategies for high-performance sales teams. Recruiters can gain valuable insights and tools to enhance their talent acquisition practices and build successful teams through data-driven decision-making and effective talent nurturing.
List of Talent Acquisition Books
Predictive HR Analytics: Mastering the HR Metric by Kirsten & Martin Edwards
Focused on HR analytics, this book equips recruiters with the knowledge and tools to use data-driven insights for effective talent acquisition and workforce planning.
Investing in People. Financial Impact of Human Resource Initiatives by KirsWayne Cascio, John Boudreau
This book explores the financial implications of HR initiatives, helping recruiters understand the value of human capital and make data-backed decisions for talent investment.
The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
Although not specifically for recruiters, this book unveils the secrets of talent development, providing recruiters with valuable insights into identifying and nurturing exceptional talent.
Smart Sales Manager: The Ultimate Playbook for Building and Running a High-Performance Inside Sales Team by Josiane Feigon
While aimed at sales managers, this book offers valuable tips and strategies for recruiters to build high-performing sales teams and optimize the hiring process for sales roles.
The Sales Boss: The Real Secret to Hiring, Training and Managing a Sales Team by Jonathan Whistman
Another book primarily for sales managers, it contains practical advice on hiring and managing sales teams, which recruiters can adapt to improve their hiring practices for sales professionals.
Best Books on Team Management
This list of best books on team management covers a diverse range of topics, from building cohesive teams to adopting coaching approaches for effective leadership. These books offer practical strategies, timeless principles, and insights that empower managers to enhance team performance and foster a positive and conscious team culture for sustainable success.
List of Team Management Books
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
This book delves into the common dysfunctions that hinder team performance and offers practical strategies for building cohesive and effective teams.
Multipliers: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smarter by Liz Wiseman, Greg McKeown
Exploring the concept of multiplier leaders, this book provides insights on how exceptional leaders amplify the intelligence and capabilities of their teams.
The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier
Focused on coaching skills, this book empowers managers to become more effective leaders by adopting a coaching approach to improve team performance.
The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D, and Spencer Johnson, M.D.
A classic management book that offers practical and straightforward techniques to enhance team productivity and motivation.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
While not specifically focused on team management, this influential book provides timeless principles and habits that can be applied to foster a positive and effective team culture.
The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done by Peter F. Drucker
Geared towards individual effectiveness, this book provides valuable insights for managers on how to prioritize and optimize their own performance, which can positively impact their teams.
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp
This book introduces a new approach to leadership that fosters conscious and authentic communication, creating a more connected and empowered team environment.
Best Books for Sales Managers
This list of best books for sales managers covers a range of valuable topics, from fundamental sales management principles to data-driven strategies and coaching techniques. Each book offers actionable insights and guidance to help sales managers drive team success and achieve exceptional results in their roles.
List of Sales Management Books
Sales Management. Simplified. by Mike Weinberg
This book offers a straightforward and practical guide to sales management, focusing on essential principles to drive sales team success.
The Accidental Sales Manager: How to Take Control and Lead Your Sales Team to Record Profits by Chris Lytle
Geared towards new or accidental sales managers, this book provides valuable insights and strategies for effectively managing a sales team and achieving exceptional results.
Sales Management for Dummies by Butch Bellah
A comprehensive resource for sales managers, this book covers a wide range of topics, from leadership and coaching to sales performance analysis.
Cracking the Sales Management Code: The Secrets to Measuring and Managing Sales Performance by Jason Jordan and Michelle Vazzana
This book introduces a data-driven approach to sales management, helping managers make informed decisions and optimize their team’s performance.
Nuts and Bolts of Sales Management: How to Build a High-Velocity Sales Organization by John Treace
Focused on creating high-velocity sales teams, this book provides practical strategies to streamline sales processes and drive productivity.
Coaching Salespeople into Sales Champions: A Tactical Playbook for Managers and Executives by Keith Rosen
As the title suggests, this book emphasizes coaching skills and offers a tactical playbook to transform salespeople into high-performing sales champions.
The Sales Acceleration Formula: Using Data, Technology, and Inbound Selling to go from $0 to $100 Million by Mark Roberge
Targeted at tech-oriented sales managers, this book explores how data and technology can accelerate sales growth and achieve significant results.
Sales Manager Survival Guide: Lessons From Sales’ Front Lines by David Brock
Drawing from real-world experiences, this book provides practical advice and strategies for sales managers to overcome challenges and achieve sales success.
Best Books on Personal Productivity and Time Management
These books offer valuable strategies and techniques to help individuals enhance their productivity, time management skills, and overall effectiveness in both personal and professional domains.
List of Time Management and Productivity Books
Getting Things Done by David Allen
A classic productivity book that offers a comprehensive system for organizing tasks, projects, and information to increase efficiency and reduce stress.
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg
Exploring the science behind habits, this book provides insights on how to create positive habits and break unproductive ones to improve personal and professional life.
Eat Sleep Work Repeat: 30 Hacks for Bringing Joy to Your Job by Bruce Daisley
Focused on workplace culture and happiness, this book presents practical tips for fostering a positive work environment and increasing productivity.
Time Management in 20 Minutes a Day: Simple Strategies to Increase Productivity, Enhance Creativity, and Make Your Time Your Own by Holly Reisem Hanna
Offering quick and actionable tips, this book helps readers manage their time effectively and make the most of each day.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
A timeless classic that delves into seven essential habits for personal and professional effectiveness, emphasizing principles of character and integrity.
The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done by Peter F. Drucker
Geared towards business professionals, this book provides valuable insights on how to prioritize tasks and make effective decisions to achieve organizational goals.
The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins
Based on a simple yet powerful concept, this book encourages readers to take action and make positive changes using the 5-second rule.
Best Books on Leadership and Management Principles
These books offer valuable lessons and perspectives on leadership and management, providing readers with essential principles to enhance their effectiveness as leaders and create successful organizations.
List of Leadership Books
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
Investigating what sets exceptional companies apart, this book explores strategies and principles that lead to long-term success.
First, Break All the Rules: What the World’s Greatest Managers Do Differently – Marcus Buckingham, Curt Coffman, and Jim Harter
Based on extensive research, this book challenges conventional management practices and provides insights into effective leadership.
The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done by Peter F. Drucker
A timeless classic on management principles, this book offers practical advice for executives to improve their decision-making and productivity.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Focusing on personal and interpersonal effectiveness, this book presents seven habits that lead to meaningful and successful lives.
The Speed of Trust: The One Thing that Changes Everything by Stephen M.R. Covey
Emphasizing the importance of trust in leadership and business, this book outlines how trust can significantly impact organizational performance.
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek
Drawing on biological and anthropological insights, this book explores the key elements of great leadership that create strong, cohesive teams.
The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success by William N. Thorndike
Examining the approaches of successful CEOs, this book provides unconventional yet effective management strategies.
Best Books on Startups and Entrepreneurship
These books offer valuable guidance and wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs and startup founders. They explore innovative approaches, challenges, and strategies to help entrepreneurs build and grow successful ventures in today’s dynamic business landscape.
List of Startup books
The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries
This book introduces the Lean Startup methodology, emphasizing iterative development and validated learning to build successful startups.
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel, Blake Masters
Providing unique insights, this book challenges entrepreneurs to create entirely new and valuable innovations rather than copying existing ideas.
The Startup Owner’s Manual: The Step-by-Step Guide for Building a Great Company by Steve Blank, Bob Dorf
Targeted at startup founders, this comprehensive guide covers the key components of building and scaling a successful startup.
The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz
Offering practical advice, this book addresses the challenges and tough decisions that entrepreneurs face while building a business.
The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail by Clayton M. Christensen
Analyzing the impact of disruptive technologies, this book provides insights into how established companies can navigate innovation challenges.
The Halo Effect: . . . and the Eight Other Business Delusions That Deceive Managers by Phil Rosenzweig
Examining common management misconceptions, this book challenges prevailing business theories and offers a fresh perspective.
The Amazon Management System: The Ultimate Digital Business Engine That Creates Extraordinary Value for Both Customers and Shareholders by Ram Charan, Julia Yang
Focusing on Amazon’s success, this book uncovers the management principles that drive the company’s extraordinary performance.
Best Books on Communication and Team Building
These books delve into the art of effective communication, team dynamics, and leadership strategies. They equip readers with valuable tools to enhance team collaboration, build strong relationships, and cultivate a positive and productive work environment.
List of Team Building Books
The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier
This book provides practical coaching techniques to become a more effective leader and build stronger relationships with team members.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Exploring the challenges faced by teams, this book offers strategies to overcome dysfunction and build cohesive, high-performing teams.
The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D, and Spencer Johnson, M.D.
A classic management book that emphasizes simple yet powerful techniques to improve communication and productivity.
Leadership Is Language: The Hidden Power of What You Say and What You Don’t by L. David Marquet
Focusing on the language of leadership, this book shows how communication impacts team dynamics and organizational culture.
The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done by Peter F. Drucker
Providing timeless principles, this book offers insights into effective leadership, decision-making, and team management.
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp
This book introduces conscious leadership principles to foster trust, collaboration, and success within teams.
Best Books on Project Management
These books offer valuable insights into project management methodologies, techniques, and best practices, catering to both aspiring and seasoned project managers.
List of Project Management Books
Project Management JumpStart by Kim Heldman (4th Edition)
A comprehensive guide for beginners and experienced project managers, covering essential project management principles and practices.
Project Management: Absolute Beginner’s Guide by Greg Horine (5th Edition)
Designed for newcomers to project management, this book provides practical advice and step-by-step instructions to manage projects successfully.
Project Management for Non-Project Managers by Jack Ferraro
Aimed at professionals who are not dedicated project managers but find themselves managing projects, this book offers practical strategies for effective project management.
The Lazy Project Manager by Peter Taylor
Focusing on maximizing productivity and efficiency, this book introduces innovative project management techniques to achieve better results with less effort.
Project Management For You by Cesar Abeid
A practical guide that emphasizes the human aspects of project management, helping readers to lead successful projects with a people-centric approach.
Project Management for the Unofficial Project Manager by Kory Kogon
Providing practical tools and advice, this book is designed for professionals who frequently find themselves handling project management tasks without formal training.
The Plugged-In Manager by Terri L. Griffith
This book explores the use of technology in project management and how managers can leverage it to enhance team collaboration and project outcomes.
Strategic Project Management Made Simple by Terry Schmidt (2nd Edition)
Focused on strategic project management, this book presents a step-by-step process to align projects with organizational goals and achieve strategic success.
Best Books on Business Strategy
These books delve into various aspects of business strategy, innovation, and success, providing valuable insights for entrepreneurs, executives, and business leaders seeking to thrive in competitive markets.
List of Business Strategy Books
The Lean Startup: How Today’s Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries
Exploring the principles of lean startup methodology, this book offers insights into creating innovative and successful business ventures with minimal waste and maximum impact.
Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future by Peter Thiel, Blake Masters
Addressing the journey of startups from inception to becoming industry leaders, this book presents valuable insights on building groundbreaking companies and creating new markets.
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
Analyzing why certain companies outperform others, this book identifies key factors that transform good companies into great ones, and provides valuable lessons for sustainable success.
The Innovator’s Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail by Clayton M. Christensen
Examining disruptive innovation, this book explores how established companies can be surpassed by innovative technologies and strategies and how to address such challenges.
The Amazon Management System: The Ultimate Digital Business Engine That Creates Extraordinary Value for Both Customers and Shareholders by Ram Charan, Julia Yang
Focusing on the management practices of Amazon, this book provides insights into creating a customer-centric and efficient business system.
The Outsiders: Eight Unconventional CEOs and Their Radically Rational Blueprint for Success by William N. Thorndike
Profiling eight successful CEOs who adopted unconventional approaches to achieve outstanding results, this book offers alternative perspectives on business leadership.
The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement – 30th Anniversary Edition by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox
Using a fictional story, this book introduces the Theory of Constraints and offers valuable lessons on optimizing processes and achieving business goals.
These best books for managers are a great starting point if you’re aspiring to begin a journey into management. Likewise, they’re essential references if you are looking to brush up on your own management practices.Â
