Harry Truman said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” We think the same is true of entrepreneurs. If you want to be good at what you do, it helps to take a cue from the best. Here, we’ve collected a short list of books written for entrepreneurs, business leaders, creatives, innovators, and employees in any sector.

On this list you’ll find books written by leaders for leaders. You’ll learn why what you do at work matters. And you’ll hear story after story of success, failure, and everything in between. We hope this list enlightens you, challenges you, and helps you along your entrepreneurial journey.

Here is our Top 10!

For a few more, check out our full list of 25 Books in the Resources section.

#1 RULE OF LIFE

by Praxis Labs

Before beginning any venture, leaders must ask certain questions: What are my motives for leadership and entrepreneurship? How do I understand my identity, vision, and mission? What is the source of my creativity and what shapes my imagination? How do I internalize the pursuit of power, prestige, and wealth?

We thought so highly of this content that we invited Andy Crouch to talk about this book and why it matters on his podcast with FDE.

#2 EVERY GOOD ENDEAVOR

by Tim Keller

With deep conviction and often surprising advice, Keller shows readers that biblical wisdom is immensely relevant to our questions about work today. In fact, the Christian view of work—that we work to serve others, not ourselves—can provide the foundation of a thriving professional and balanced personal life. Keller shows how excellence, integrity, discipline, creativity, and passion in the workplace can help others and even be considered acts of worship—not just of self-interest.

If you’ve been around our podcast, you know that we have the utmost respect for Tim and his wisdom in this conversation. You can hear Tim Keller talk about faith, work, and identity in his podcast with FDE.

#3 MY, MYSELF, AND BOB: A TRUE STORY ABOUT DREAMS, GOD, AND TALKING VEGETABLES

by Phil Vischer

This is a story of dreaming big and working hard, of spectacular success and breathtaking failure, of shouted questions, and, at long last, whispered answers. With trademark wit and heart, Phil Vischer shares how God can use the death of a dream to point us toward true success.

Phil has delivered what has come to be known as one of our most popular podcasts. Hear Phil Vischer share the emotional side of his entrepreneurial journey on his podcast with FDE.

#4 WORK MATTERS: CONNECTING SUNDAY WORSHIP TO MONDAY WORK

by Tom Nelson

Work. For some this word represents drudgery and the mundane. For others work is an idol to be served. In either case, a biblical understanding of work as godly activity and a means of spiritual formation is lost. 

You can hear more from our good friend Tom Nelson on his podcast episode with FDE (to be released July 16).

#5 CALLED TO CREATE

by Jordan Raynor

In this energizing book, serial entrepreneur and bestselling author Jordan Raynor helps artists, entrepreneurs, writers, and other creatives reimagine our work as service to God and others.

Raynor shares compelling stories from an eclectic group of 40+ Christian entrepreneurs, including the founders of TOMS Shoes, Charity: Water, Chick-fil-A, In-N-Out Burger, Guinness, HTC, and Sevenly, as well as nontraditional entrepreneurs such as C. S. Lewis, Johann Sebastian Bach, and J. R. R. Tolkien. Raynor's "show" rather than "tell," story-driven style makes you feel as if you are sitting at the feet of some of the godliest and most successful entrepreneurs of all time.

#6 MISSION DRIFT: THE UNSPOKEN CRISIS FACING LEADERS, CHARITIES, AND CHURCHES

by Peter Greer and Chris Horst

Slowly, silently, and with little fanfare, organizations routinely drift from their purpose, and many never return to their original intent. Harvard and the YMCA are among those that no longer embrace the Christian principles on which they were founded. But they didn't drift off course overnight. Drift often happens in small and subtle ways. Left unchecked, it eventually becomes significant. 

We invited our good friend Peter Greer on our podcast to share more about this topic. Listen to his podcast with FDE here.

#7 THE TECH WISE FAMILY

by Andy Crouch

Making conscientious choices about technology in our families is more than just using internet filters and determining screen time limits for our children. It's about developing wisdom, character, and courage in the way we use digital media rather than accepting technology's promises of ease, instant gratification, and the world's knowledge at our fingertips. And it's definitely not just about the kids.

As entrepreneurs, we’re all somewhat terrified by what technology might be doing to us and our families. If you’re interested in this topic and how it relates to you, listen to Andy Crouch talk more about it on his podcast with FDE.

#8 ENTRELEADERSHIP

by Dave Ramsey

EntreLeadership is Dave Ramsey’s championship playbook with step-by-step guidance to take your business where you want it to go.

Dave has grown his company to a winning national brand with more than 800 team members who have impacted millions of lives. EntreLeadership is how he did it, mistakes and all. This is 20 years of real-world experience with all the sweat, tears and prayers. This is how his company has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Nashville seven times. It’s proven. It’s practical. And it’s how you can do it too.

Whether you lead a team of two or 200, you can grow your business to where you want it to be. Reaching your dream is no longer a question of "What if we could?" You can. EntreLeadership is how.

#9 THE REDEMPTIVE NONPROFIT

by Praxis Labs

In the century since its invention, the nonprofit organization structure has powered immense social good, by enabling countless entrepreneurial leaders to address problems not adequately served by the market. But when it comes to delivering that social good today, many nonprofits fall short of the durable impact they hope to deliver. Our friends at Praxis proposes that there is a higher horizon of opportunity for the redemptive nonprofit—one that seeks the renewal of the larger society as well as all the stakeholders involved in the work.

In the coming weeks, we’ll have Jena Nardella on our podcast, so stay tune to hear more from her!

#10 THE IDEAL TEAM PLAYER

by Patrick Lencioni

In The Ideal Team Player, Lencioni tells the story of Jeff Shanley, a leader desperate to save his uncle’s company by restoring its cultural commitment to teamwork. Jeff must crack the code on the virtues that real team players possess, and then build a culture of hiring and development around those virtues. 

In all our interviews with entrepreneurs this is the top book people point to when it comes to building a team and beginning to set culture. See why in this video series.

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[Special thanks to Clay Banks on Unsplash for the cover photo]