Here are the ten business books that have shaped my thinking most recently, a mix of bold ideas, sharp insights, and a few genuine game-changers

I’ve pulled together short reviews for each, and I hope they spark your curiosity as much as they did mine

And a small favour: if you read any of these books, please leave a review

It makes a bigger difference to us authors than you might imagine

If you want to follow the books I’m reading in real time (without waiting for the reviews), head over to the DLA Ignite LinkedIn page and hit follow

Plenty more ideas and inspiration waiting there

Resilient in Business is a refreshing departure from the toxic "grind" culture that permeates the startup world. Jad Atwe approaches entrepreneurship with a level of psychological depth and systemic thinking that is rare in the genre. He argues persuasively that a founder's internal state is the most important asset the company has, and then provides a rigorous framework for protecting and optimizing that asset. The book is less about "working harder" and more about "leading with discernment," teaching readers how to remain grounded and effective even when the market is in chaos.

I found the sections on "Hidden Energy Leaks" and the "Identity Trap" particularly resonant. Atwe has a gift for taking complex internal struggles, like the fear of uncertainty or the pressure of scaling, and turning them into actionable engineering problems with clear solutions. It’s a thoughtful, well-structured guide that challenges you to look inward before you look at your next P&L statement. For anyone tired of the "growth at all costs" narrative and looking for a sustainable way to win the long game, this is the roadmap you've been waiting for.

In CLICKING, Daria Rudnik offers a powerful antidote to the "Heroic Leadership" trap that so many high-achievers fall into. Rather than offering vague management platitudes, Rudnik provides a structured, systems-based approach to team architecture through her 5-pillar CLICK framework. As a former Chief People Officer, her expertise shines through in her ability to identify exactly why leaders become bottlenecks and how they can pivot from constant firefighting to strategic oversight. The book is refreshing in its honesty, it acknowledges the psychological difficulty of letting go while providing the tactical tools needed to build a team that actually functions better when the leader steps away.

What sets this book apart is its immediate applicability for the modern, often remote or hybrid, workplace. Rudnik doesn’t just focus on "trust" as a soft concept; she treats it as a measurable outcome of clear purpose, collaborative decision-making, and robust knowledge sharing. Whether you are a founder scaling a startup or an executive in a legacy corporation, CLICKING provides a clear roadmap to reclaiming your time without sacrificing results. It is an essential read for anyone who wants to stop managing tasks and start leading a self-sufficient, high-performing team.

Employee Experience Design is a masterclass in shifting the corporate paradigm from managing resources to empowering people. Dean Carter and his co-authors move beyond the surface-level "perks" of HR and dive deep into a design-led methodology that treats employees as genuine partners in success. Drawing on Carter’s legendary experience at organizations like Patagonia, the book provides a sophisticated yet accessible framework for building a culture where "putting more in than you take out" is a measurable business strategy. It’s a compelling argument for why the most successful companies of the future will be those that prioritize co-creation over top-down control.

What sets this book apart is its practical utility; it isn’t just a collection of high-minded ideals, but a tactical guide for the "Double Diamond" of EX design. By focusing on empathy, prototyping, and continuous listening, the authors provide a roadmap for any leader looking to reduce turnover and ignite innovation. Whether you are a CHRO, a founder, or a team lead, this book offers the tools to transform your workplace into a high-performance environment where both the people and the organization thrive. This is essential reading for anyone serious about the future of work.

If you’ve ever felt that traditional business education leans too heavily on theory and not enough on the "trench warfare" of growing a company, The Leader’s Toolkit is the corrective you’ve been looking for. Dave Berkus, the "Super Angel" himself, strips away the academic fluff to provide a high-velocity guide to what actually moves the needle. Drawing from over 50 years of experience and more than 200 investments, Berkus presents "Berkonomics" in its most practical form yet. This isn't a book you read once and put on a shelf; it’s a tactical manual filled with over 100 actionable insights on everything from finding "Teacher-Customers" to surviving the complexities of a corporate board.

What sets this book apart is its brutal honesty and focus on speed. Berkus understands that for a modern leader, time is the scarcest resource. Each strategy is delivered with the precision of a seasoned venture capitalist, focusing on risk reduction, strategic positioning, and the art of the exit. Whether he’s breaking down his world-famous "Berkus Method" for startup valuation or explaining how to navigate a liquidity event, his advice remains grounded in the reality of tight resources and high stakes. For any founder, CEO, or aspiring manager, this collection offers the "scars of experience" without the actual pain of making the mistakes yourself. It is, quite simply, the missing manual for effective leadership.

In a marketing landscape increasingly cluttered with automated noise and "hustle-harder" tactics, Fab Giovanetti’s The Customer-Driven Marketing Handbook arrives as a much-needed breath of fresh air. Moving beyond the cold metrics of clicks and impressions, Giovanetti presents a compelling argument for a "relationship-first" approach. The book isn't just about theory; it provides a highly practical, flexible framework for building marketing plans that prioritize human connection and psychological safety. By analyzing real-world success stories from brands like Gymshark and Notion, she proves that the most sustainable way to grow a business is by obsessing over the community you serve rather than the algorithms you're trying to outsmart.

What truly sets this handbook apart is its accessibility and empathy. Giovanetti’s signature "Big Labrador Energy" shines through every page, making complex strategic concepts feel achievable for marketers at any career stage. Whether you are struggling to move away from "sleazy" sales tactics or you're a seasoned pro looking to inject more purpose into your campaigns, this book offers a clear roadmap to "market to hearts, not just brains." It is a vital resource for anyone ready to trade "vibing anxiously" with data for a strategy that delivers genuine belonging and long-term loyalty. Highly recommended for the modern, conscious marketer!

In Getting To Better, Stephen de Groot manages to do what many leadership experts fail to achieve: he translates complex behavioral science into a practical, repeatable framework. Unlike many self-help books that rely on vague inspiration, de Groot introduces the CORE Algorithm, a systematic approach to understanding what actually drives human effort and energy. Drawing from his 30 years of experience coaching everyone from F-35 pilots to corporate executives, he provides a roadmap for "elevating potential" that feels both grounded in reality and incredibly aspirational. It’s a refreshing take that moves past the "motivation myth" and focuses on the structural foundations of how we think, lead, and connect.

What sets this book apart is its universal applicability. Whether you are a CEO looking to revitalize a stagnant team, a parent trying to better support your family, or an individual feeling stuck in a plateau, the CORE 4 Dimensions offer immediate clarity. De Groot’s writing is accessible yet intellectually rigorous, replacing guesswork with a clear formula for personal and professional thriving. Getting To Better isn't just a book you read; it’s a toolkit you’ll find yourself returning to every time you face a new challenge. It is, quite simply, the definitive guide for anyone committed to the success of others and themselves.

Part technical post-mortem and part high-stakes thriller, Locked Up pulls back the curtain on the world’s most notorious ransomware cartel. Lewis manages to turn a catastrophic migration error into a masterclass in resilience, walking readers through the 4:30 AM wake-up calls and the tense "customer service" chats with threat actors who operate like Fortune 500 CEOs. What makes this book stand out is its vulnerability; Lewis doesn’t hide behind jargon or "perfect" security frameworks. Instead, he shares the scars and the "war stories" that actually move the needle for modern defenders. It’s a fast-paced, insightful read that proves the best security lessons aren't learned in a classroom, but in the trenches of a real-world response.

The Mirror Effect is a powerful, timely roadmap for any woman looking to redefine what it means to lead in today’s high-pressure world. Dr. Sheila Gujrathi masterfully blends her professional expertise with a deeply empathetic understanding of the unique psychological hurdles, like perfectionism and the "good girl" narrative, that often hold female leaders back. Rather than just offering standard corporate platitudes, the book introduces a transformative framework of self-reflection. By teaching readers how to look into the "mirror" to identify and heal internal blockers, Gujrathi provides a path to leadership that is rooted in authenticity and inner peace rather than external validation.

What makes this book truly stand out is its practical application for the next generation of trailblazers. The chapters are filled with actionable insights and relatable anecdotes that make the transition from self-doubt to self-assurance feel entirely attainable. Dr. Gujrathi’s voice is both authoritative and nurturing, acting as a seasoned mentor for those navigating the complexities of career growth. Whether you are an aspiring executive or a seasoned professional seeking a more sustainable way to thrive, this book is an essential guide to reclaiming your power and leading with a renewed sense of purpose. It’s not just a leadership book; it’s a manual for personal evolution.

In the modern "hustle-at-all-costs" culture, Harland Merriam’s Profit Seeks Purpose arrives as a much-needed breath of fresh air and a stern reality check. Merriam masterfully dismantles the myth that financial success and spiritual integrity are mutually exclusive, drawing from his unique dual perspective as a seasoned real estate investor and a devoted pastor. Instead of offering dry business theory, he provides a soulful roadmap for the "lonely leader," showing how to transform profit from a cold end-goal into a powerful tool for significance. It is a rare read that manages to be both deeply convicting and practically actionable, challenging you to examine not just your bank statement, but the legacy you are leaving behind.

What sets this book apart is Merriam's emphasis on the "inner work", the intentional slowing down and reflection required to keep one's soul intact during the climb to the top. He speaks candidly about the isolation of leadership and the hollow victory of achieving wealth without a "why." By the final chapter, you aren’t just left with a better business strategy; you’re left with a clearer sense of calling. Whether you are a CEO at a crossroads or an aspiring entrepreneur, Profit Seeks Purpose is an essential guide for anyone who wants to win in the marketplace without losing themselves in the process.

Sheri Jacobs’ The Unexpected Power of Boundaries completely flips the script on traditional business advice. For years, we’ve been told that groundbreaking creativity requires an absolute absence of rules, a concept Jacobs thoroughly dismantles using data-driven insights from nearly one million people. By introducing the "sandbox effect," she brilliantly illustrates how clear constraints and well-defined guardrails actually provide teams with the psychological safety they need to take bold, calculated risks. Packed with fascinating case studies ranging from polar expeditions to Pixar, this book proves that knowing exactly where the "box" ends is the ultimate catalyst for repeatable, predictable innovation.

What makes this book a must-read for any leader or manager is its immense practicality. Jacobs doesn’t just theorize about structure; she hands you the keys to execute it, most notably through her brilliant framework of separating the "what" from the "how." Her background as an award-winning wildlife photographer brings a unique, refreshing lens to corporate risk and timing, making the prose as engaging as it is informative. If you are tired of stagnant team cultures, brainstorming sessions that lead nowhere, or the exhaustion of chasing "lightning-in-a-bottle" ideas, this book offers the exact roadmap you need to turn limitations into your greatest competitive advantage. Highly recommended!

And now a little bit about my books ....

This is my 3rd book on social selling and my 4th book overall, “Social Selling - Using Social Media for Cold Outreach and New Business sales”. Written by hand (and not AI) over Christmas 2025, it uses the latest research and builds on a decade of client work. The book is based entirely on what we know works for our clients; from our own benchmarks, we know the average SDR gets 5x high-quality ICP meetings a week, and we have an AE at Salesforce who gets 7x high-quality ICP meetings a week. If you want to replicate those sorts of results, then this is the book for you. It's self-published, meaning I was free to write exactly what you need to hear. I've kept it short enough to read over a weekend, and in every territory, it’s less than a tenner.

For those searching for an AI answer, there is a whole chapter on the subject written by our AI SME, Bertrand Godillot. Based on our own experiences implementing an AI Agent / Teammate, it will help guide your sales AI journey, not to automate you, but to make you more human and help scale yourself. The book is available on Amazon worldwide.

In my second book, "Smarketing - How to achieve competitive advantage through blended sales and marketing" published through Kogan Page, we looked at the age old problem of marketing and sales working together. At the time there was a lot of conversations on social media about how on earth do we get sales and marketing to be one team?

The book, takes a case study, which we cannot mention, it works through the strategy, how to implement a program to implement sales and marketing, the political risks and measures and governance. The book finishes with a look into the future of sales and marketing.

I would admit that if we wrote the book today, we would probably call it Rev-ops (revenue operations).

For those that have got this far, just so you know, there is a fourth book from me on its way.

Please note that some reviews (but not all) I had Chat GPT or Google's Gemini to help me.