Taking some time off over the holidays to relax, rejuvenate, and plan for the new year. Here is a list of 20 must-read business books perfect for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals seeking to be inspired, educated and upskill to tackle 2025 with confidence. If you or someone you care about is looking for holiday gift ideas, now is the time to share this list and start organising your reading list.
Leadership and Personal Development
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
A game-changer for those seeking to build better habits and break bad ones. Learn actionable strategies to improve daily routines and achieve your goals in 2025. - Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Perfect for leaders who want to lead with vulnerability, courage, and authenticity. - The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
A timeless classic that provides a framework for personal and professional effectiveness. - Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
Understand what truly motivates people and how to harness that for personal and business success. - Grit by Angela Duckworth
Discover how perseverance and passion can help you achieve extraordinary things in 2025.
Marketing and Sales
- Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
Learn how to clarify your message to engage customers and grow your business. - Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini
Explore the science behind why people say “yes” and how to use that knowledge ethically. - Sell Like Crazy by Sabri Suby
An Australian-based guide packed with practical, proven strategies to skyrocket your sales. - Content Inc. by Joe Pulizzi
A guide for content creators and entrepreneurs looking to grow their audience and turn passion into profit. - The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
For anyone planning to launch a business or pivot in 2025, this book outlines how to do it effectively with minimal risk.
Business Strategy
- Good to Great by Jim Collins
Discover what separates good companies from truly great ones and apply these lessons to your business. - Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne
Learn how to create uncontested market space and make the competition irrelevant. - Measure What Matters by John Doerr
Dive into the power of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) to drive focus and accountability. - The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz
Honest insights on building and managing a business when there are no easy answers. - Zero to One by Peter Thiel
For innovators and startup founders, this book challenges you to think differently and build something truly unique.
Mindset and Productivity
- Deep Work by Cal Newport
Learn how to focus without distraction and achieve peak productivity. - Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
Discover the art of focusing on what truly matters and eliminating the non-essential. - Think Again by Adam Grant
A guide to embracing the power of rethinking and unlearning in a rapidly changing world. - Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
Uncover the power of a growth mindset and how it can transform your approach to challenges in 2025. - The One Thing by Gary Keller
Simplify your focus to achieve extraordinary results in your personal and professional life.
The holiday season is not just about relaxation—it’s a time to reflect and prepare for the exciting opportunities ahead. These books cover a wide range of topics, from leadership to marketing and mindset, ensuring you’re equipped with fresh perspectives and actionable strategies for 2025.
Which of these will you start with? Share your favourites in the comments below or let us know if there’s a must-read book that we missed!
