When people hear the acronym “CEO” their mind tends to conjure up images of exotic sports cars, $60,000 watches, and luxury homes large enough to host Tomorrowland.
What makes these CEOs great?
Where they born this way? Is it the discipline? Maybe their network?
While those things may have something to do with it, according to most truly successful people, the real driver behind their success was their ability to absorb and rapidly implement new information.
Namely, books.
Here is a list of ten favorite books of top CEOs from around the world.
1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Dale Carnegie's time tested classic is heralded as a must read by nearly all top-notch businesses leaders.
Its message on how to effectively master relationship building is as important to our personal lives as it is to our successes in business.
Implementing the strategies taught by Carnegie will lead to more satisfying and successful personal and business relationships, and more networking opportunities than you ever thought possible.
2. Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill
This timeless book by Napoleon Hill has inspired many great leaders such as Anthony Robbins and Stephen Covey.
Hill interviews the most successful men of his generation on a quest to uncover the 13 secrets to wealth and personal fulfillment, and in the end, he creates a simple yet challenging path to riches that anyone can replicate.
3. Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
This powerful book by the Roman emperor, general and philosopher Marcus Aurelius is a series of private reflections that are just as relevant, if not more so, in our hectic modern world as they were at the time of their writing.
Similar to the book of Proverbs in the Bible, Meditations is a simple collection of worldly wisdom that has been used throughout the ages by countless world leaders and influencers. Bill Clinton admitted to reading Meditations by Marcus Aurelius at least once a year.
4. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Stephen R. Covey's The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People offers powerful lessons on leadership and life distilled into 7 simple habits (hence the name).
The 7 habits may be simple, but they are also profound and will absolutely transform your world if you dutifully apply them.
A book that can be read again and again, this is a book that should most definitely make it into your yearly reading rotation.
5. The Alchemist by Paolo Coelo
The Alchemist by Portuguese author Paulo Coelho is universally considered a must read for virtually anyone looking to find and master their life's purpose.
A fictitious tale about a spiritual quest, Paulo masterfully interweaves fiction and reality to create a blueprint for anyone looking to live a life of fulfillment and spiritual success.
The book has been translated in countless languages and has sold more than two million copies worldwide.
6. Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Ayn Rand has become the poster woman of contemporary libertarian thinking. This ground-breaking novel written in 1957 brought the philosophical debate between individualism and nationalism into the public spotlight for one of the first times in American history.
Far more popular in today’s world than it was when it was originally released, Atlas Shrugged is Rand's longest work focusing on the philosophical principles of objectivism -- the movement that has inspired the pursuit of more individual rights and laissez-faire capitalism.
Some critics view Rand's work as self-centered and cold, but whether you are a proponent or dissentient of her thinking, there is no doubt that her provocative sentiments are a popular concept in the modern business world.
7. The Art of War by Sun Tzu
Written in the 6th century by Chinese military strategist, Sun Tzu, this book can be seen as a “playbook” for business leaders holding the view that all aspects of life are essentially a war.
The principles and tactics laid out by Sun Tzu have been used in sports, business, dating, and basically any endeavour in which you seek to get the upper hand.
The rules of combat can be seen as analogous to anything in which people need to be motivated in an attempt at rendering a tactical advantage over an "opponent."
By reading and applying this book to your business, you will be able to march onto the “battlefield” of life with more confidence and success than you ever thought possible.
8. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
This classic book on "value investing" written in 1949 by legendary investment advisor, Benjamin Graham, is considered the bible of stock market investing.
A must read for anyone looking to master the markets, The Intelligent Investor gives its readers a firmer grasp on the financial realities of modern business.
9. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
The book that made author, Malcolm Gladwell, a household name. His masterpiece has changed the way leaders conjure and promote ideas and serves as the manual on how best to get those ideas to spread.
It is a testament to innovative thinking and marketing genius.
10. The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale
This is, perhaps, the most well known self help book of our time.
Norman Vincent Peale’s masterpiece has been translated in fifteen different languages and has sold a whooping seven million copies internationally.
Peale helps the reader channel the power of their mind towards more powerful and productive thinking.
The book champions the concept of mind over matter, and the age old adage that we are what we think.
Therefore, think positively.
Conclusion
No matter what your current lot in life, these books can help you to break out and achieve levels of success that you never thought possible.
High level executives, and effective business leaders have applied the teachings and advice within these pages to help propel them to higher levels of success, and you can too.
If you want to reap the benefits of being a winner, you must start thinking like a winner and any of these ten books will bring out the champion in you.
What books have transformed your thinking?