Best MBA Books for MBA Aspirants

Best MBA books offer a personal learning experience, connecting readers with authors' insights. They empower individuals to become more successful through informed and confident decisions. Many successful individuals credit their achievements to reading the best MBA books and staying updated in the field.

For those looking to succeed in their MBA applications, building your knowledge base and sharpening your critical thinking skills are essential. While preparing for the entrance exam you can sharpen your skills by reading the best books for CAT exam recommended time and time again by CEOs around the world.

If you're looking for the best MBA books to enhance your business knowledge then these top-rated books are a must-read.

The specific books included in the MBA syllabus can vary depending on the university or institution offering the program and the specific courses within the program. However, here are 15 MBA books that should be on the reading list of anyone who wishes to pursue  MBA course: 

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie  

Dale Carnegie's 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' is among the best MBA books. It's well-respected in the world of business and management. The book is split into six sections, and it's all about how to handle relationships with others. It gives practical advice that can help MBA students. 

This advice includes not criticising others, showing genuine appreciation, and understanding what people really need. The book also uses interesting stories and easy methods to help MBA students build strong relationships and succeed in their business careers.

The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

Ben Horowitz is a well-known venture capitalist and one of the authors of the best MBA books. He co-founded the famous venture capital firm, Andreeson Horowitz.

His book, 'The Hard Thing About Hard Things,' gives readers tips on handling tough situations in business. It talks about things like laying off employees, keeping your team loyal, managing customers, and getting potential investors. He uses real examples to explain his ideas and gives practical advice, even if it's tough to hear, for dealing with problems in business. 

The book gives you a good look at the business world and is a useful guide for making hard decisions and finding success

Scaling up Excellence by Robert I. Sutton and Huggy Rao

This book is an insightful guide on how to successfully manage both small and large-scale businesses. Written by two renowned professors from Stanford University, Robert Sutton and Huggy Rao, this book is based on their personal experiences in Silicon Valley. It explores the difficulties faced while trying to implement good practices and presents strategies that can be used to overcome these challenges. Through a series of stories, the authors provide readers with practical advice on how to become better employers and develop their management skills. With light yet informative writing, this book is perfect for MBA students who are looking to expand their knowledge on the subject.

The Innovator Dilemma by Clayton M. Christensen

The “innovator’s dilemma” is a concept that has become a pillar of business theory. It considers the disincentive to pursue new markets in established companies and the consequential decision of whether to make better products to make better profits or worse profits for people who are not customers. 

The Innovator’s Dilemma is a must-read for budding entrepreneurs and strategy consultants. It provides an in-depth look at the development of disruptive innovation, why success is hard to sustain, and how to systematise successful innovation. This book is sure to remain a business classic for years to come.

Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

The 2002 Nobel Prize in Economics Sciences was awarded to Psychologist Daniel Kahneman for his theories of economics and decision-making. In 2011, his bestselling book "Thinking Fast and Slow" was published to critical acclaim. This book is essential for MBA students looking to gain insight into human behaviour. Through practical steps and examples, Kahneman dives deep into the workings of the two systems of the mind that dictate how we behave: the fast and the slow. 

By understanding the differences between the two systems and learning how to identify when one is being used over the other, readers can develop better decision-making skills and make decisions that are more likely to be successful. 

Blue Ocean Strategy by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne

The 'Blue Ocean Strategy' by Kim and Mauborgne is one of the best MBA books. It's like a classic in the business world that's been a game-changer for many companies. This book first came out in 2005, and they made it even better in 2015. It's so popular that it's sold all around the world in 44 different languages.

This book gives you a bunch of tools and ways to do things that help managers break away from their competition and create a whole new space in their industry. It doesn't matter what kind of business you're in; you can use these ideas to make your business better.

The authors explain their strategy in a simple way, so it's easy to understand and use in your own business. People like this book because it's practical and makes it simple to do well in business.

The Lean Start-up by Eric Ries

The book is a great resource for entrepreneurs of all sizes, from start-ups to established companies. It provides a scientific approach to establishing and managing successful businesses in an age where innovation is key. Written for business professionals, the book introduces the concept of "validated learning", which entails constant testing and adjustment of plans based on the results. 

The book is broken up into three key sections: vision, steer, and accelerate. 

Ries' book is recommended by top CEOs around the world and provides entrepreneurs with invaluable insight into how to develop a successful start-up. 

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight

This is one of the best MBA books, and it was a big hit, even making it to the New York Times best-seller list. It gave us a new look at the person behind the famous 'swoosh' logo. Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, even said it's a great story that honestly shows what it's really like to succeed in business.

The journey to success wasn't easy at all. There were lots of mistakes, tough times, and things people had to give up. But in the end, it was all worth it, and now Nike is one of the most powerful brands in the world. In this book, Phil Knight, the guy who started Nike, tells us how he did it and why it's important to keep going, be determined, and work hard.

The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

The late Benjamin Graham, often referred to as the ‘dean of Wall Street’, profoundly impacted investing and finance in the 20th century. His concept of ‘value investing’, which was outlined in detail in his seminal work The Intelligent Investor, is widely regarded as one of the most effective strategies for achieving financial success.

The Intelligent Investor is considered to be the stock market bible, and it is an essential read for those seeking to grow their financial portfolio. Graham’s insights and timeless advice continue to be relevant and inspirational to a new generation of investors looking to achieve their financial goals.

Zero To One by Peter Thiel

Peter Thiel's book 'Zero to One' is a must-read for any aspiring business leader or entrepreneur. It is especially popular amongst MBA students and is an essential guide for those wanting to build their own innovative technologies and businesses. In 'Zero to One', Thiel explains his journey from founding PayPal to becoming a billionaire by the age of 35 and shares his experiences and learnings from being a successful entrepreneur. He outlines his business philosophy and strategy, emphasising the importance of having an independent mind and developing creative ways to build future-proof technologies. With valuable insights from an experienced business leader, 'Zero to One' provides the essential guide for anyone wanting to take their business to the next level.

Outliers: The Story of Success by  Malcolm Gladwell

In "Outliers," Gladwell argues that success is not solely the result of individual talent or hard work but a combination of several factors, including opportunity, cultural background, and family upbringing. He challenges the traditional notion of the "self-made" individual and shows how successful people often had access to unique opportunities and were surrounded by supportive and influential individuals who helped shape their careers. Gladwell's 10,000-Hour Rule states that it takes approximately 10,000 hours of dedicated practice to become an expert in a particular field.

Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely

Dan Ariely's "Predictably Irrational" explores the concept that humans often make decisions that are not based on rational thinking but are instead influenced by emotional, psychological, and social factors. Ariely argues that systematic biases and limitations often shape our behaviour in our review, which can lead us to make decisions that are not in our best interest. 

The book provides numerous examples and experiments demonstrating how we consistently make irrational decisions. Ariely shows how fundamental principles of human psychology can explain these predictable patterns of behaviour and how we can use this knowledge to make better decisions in our daily lives. 

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

Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" is a classic self-help book that has had a significant impact on the personal development industry. The book presents a holistic approach to personal and professional effectiveness based on seven habits that can help individuals achieve their goals and lead fulfilling lives. These habits are presented systematically and easily and are supported by numerous real-life examples and practical exercises. The book has been widely praised for its simple yet powerful message and has inspired millions of readers to make positive changes in their lives.

Connect the Dots by Rashmi Bansal

"Connect the Dots" is a great book for aspiring entrepreneurs and MBA students. The book is a great source of inspiration and motivation for those who believe that a formal education or background is not a prerequisite for success in business. The book's message that one's mindset, passion, and hard work are more important than external factors is a valuable lesson for anyone looking to start their own business. 

The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman

The 'Personal MBA' is one of the best MBA books, offering practical advice for business success. Author Josh Kaufman simplifies business concepts and provides valuable insights. It covers various topics like marketing, finance, and operations. It's a must-read for aspiring entrepreneurs and anyone looking to improve their business skills.

Conclusion

Reading can provide valuable insights into the latest business trends, market research, and consumer behaviour, helping students stay ahead of the curve and stay informed on the latest industry developments. 

Learning new job-focused skills can increase one's chances of landing a good job opportunity. Sunstone offers training programs to help individuals acquire job-ready skills. It also provides 200% placement assistance and interview guarantees to its students, which can be helpful in securing job offers.