20 Must-Read Business Classics to Reshape Your Career Mindset

1. Good to Great by Jim Collins

This book deeply explores why some companies are able to transition from mediocrity to greatness, while others stall. Through extensive case studies, the author summarizes several fundamental principles for achieving excellence, such as "getting the right people on the bus" and focusing on the core business, providing insightful guidance for business leaders.

2. The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Lohr and Tony Schwartz

Our energy is often more precious and scarce than time itself. This book provides effective strategies for managing our energy, allowing us to better concentrate and unlock our full potential. It teaches us how to develop the right lifestyle to avoid burnout and work more efficiently.

3. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

For startups, this is a must-read pioneering work on lean philosophy. The book introduces the concept of "lean startup," emphasizing how to iterate, innovate, experiment, and find a viable business model in a fast and cost-effective manner with limited resources.

4. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

Widely regarded as a classic in self-management, the author proposes seven habits, such as "putting first things first" and "beginning with the end in mind," to help people develop the right life philosophy and effective habits to become elite individuals.

5. Execution by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan

"Getting bogged down in slow progress" is a common ailment for many organizations and teams. This book deeply analyzes the various factors affecting execution, such as strategy formulation, business decisions, and organizational culture, guiding readers on how to improve execution.

6. The Fifth Discipline by Peter Senge

A classic work on learning organizations and systems thinking, it elucidates how organizations can confront challenges and establish a culture of continuous improvement through constant learning and shared learning—highly insightful for companies seeking transformation and innovation.

7. The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

This book depicts a new lifestyle of working and living by automating and outsourcing to achieve financial freedom, escape constraints, and live freely. The author himself is a successful lifestyle entrepreneur whose creative mindset is worth learning from.

8. The Discipline of Market Leaders by Michael Treacy and Fred Wiersema

This book explores the secrets to maintaining market leadership. Experts argue that success does not guarantee sustained leadership; the key lies in having lasting discipline to solidify your advantages. It is an excellent thought-provoking read for entrepreneurs and investors.

9. The Innovator's Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen

Why do some great companies disappear in the tide of innovation? This is the core theme explored in this book. The author points out that companies tend to focus on existing markets and customers while overlooking disruptive innovations from the outside, providing a warning for companies facing innovation challenges.

10. The Leverage Principle by Al Ries

This award-winning work discusses numerous high-efficiency innovation methods, invaluable for any individual or organization seeking a competitive edge. Through vivid and interesting cases, the author illustrates how to achieve great returns with small investments.

11. The Hub and Spoke Model by J.C. Larreche

This book explains a new business model design mindset—the "hub and spoke" thinking, which is how to build a powerful platform-based company by leveraging network effects. In the digital age, this is undoubtedly a must-take course for corporate transformation.

12. Reinventing Organizations by Frederic Laloux

As times change, organizations should also keep up with the times. This book introduces a brand-new "evolutionary organization" model that breaks free from traditional hierarchies, giving employees more autonomy to unleash organizational vitality. This evolutionary model has been adopted by some pioneering companies.

13. The Innovation Roadmap by Bill Henrich

Innovation has become a key factor for the survival and growth of modern enterprises. This book maps out a clear roadmap for business innovation, explaining how to conceive innovative ideas, assess their value, and ultimately translate them into concrete actions and returns—highly insightful for those seeking to advance innovation.

14. Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne

Rather than fiercely competing in the "red ocean" with numerous rivals, why not explore a brand-new "blue ocean" market? This book proposes a strategic approach to creating new market spaces, helping companies differentiate from the homogenized red ocean and embrace blue ocean opportunities.

15. The Lean Analytics by Ben Yoskovitz and Alistair Croll

Data analysis is crucial for any modern enterprise. But how do you grasp the key points in the ocean of data and formulate strategies accordingly? This book will teach you the methods of lean data analysis.

16. The Millionaire Mind by Thomas J. Stanley

This book explores the differences in mindsets and lifestyle habits between the wealthy and the ordinary. Through in-depth surveys and analyses of thousands of wealthy and ordinary individuals, the author concludes that the wealthy possess a "millionaire mindset."

17. Zero to One by Peter Thiel

The author, a co-founder of PayPal and later one of Silicon Valley's most renowned investors, shares his invaluable entrepreneurial experiences and unique insights on technological innovation. If you aspire to embark on an entrepreneurial journey or hope to make an impact in the tech industry, this book is an absolute must-read.

18. Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur

Finding a good business model is more important than having a good idea. This book guides readers to systematically conceptualize, design, discover, and transform business models, providing a series of tools and methods to help companies turn ideas into viable, profitable models.

19. The Innovator's Solution by Clayton M. Christensen

A sequel to The Innovator's Dilemma, this book further deepens Christensen's theory of "disruptive innovation." The author analyzes effective ways to avoid the innovator's dilemma, providing a blueprint for entrepreneurs and executives on how innovative companies can succeed.

20. The Entrepreneurial Journey by Jeremy Bowles

This book compiles interviews with over 100 business leaders and renowned entrepreneurs, who candidly share their entrepreneurial journeys, lessons learned, and secrets to success. These lively and interesting cases will guide you on the path to a successful business adventure.

In summary, these 20 outstanding business books cover a wide range of topics, from personal growth and corporate management to innovation and entrepreneurship, offering you fresh insights and inspiration. It is hoped that by reading these classics, you can reshape your career mindset and fearlessly scale new heights in your work and career. Of course, in addition to book knowledge, diligent effort and a willingness to put ideas into practice are equally crucial. During the reading process, be sure to think critically and internalize the wisdom from these books. Wishing everyone a steady and prosperous journey in their careers!