Best Kindle Reads

I will try to give a walkthrough of Best Management Literature available on Kindle in this page. I will add on to it as a rolling article. 

Management books in the market are not always original. Some of them do not have practical advices about management. The below list merely reflects my view as a student of the field. I tried to be selective and included the books that actually give advice in practical terms rather than dumping abstract views of management theory.

This does not mean I listed easy reads though. Actually, as I always do, I once again encourage the reader to reread these books listed below over time. I personally find different treasures hidden between the lines each time I reread these gems.

I also urge people with a technical background like myself to focus on “soft skills” immediately to be an effective executive in their careers. I use the term executive to emphasize the fact that you do not need to have a “manager” title.

Remember: titles are just titles and you are still exactly the same person with or without a title.

FUNDAMENTALS of MANAGEMENT with PETER F. DRUCKER

Why Drucker matters? Because:

– It was Drucker who introduced the idea of decentralization — in the 1940s — which became a bedrock principle for virtually every large organization in the world.

– He was the first to assert — in the 1950s — that workers should be treated as assets, not as liabilities to be eliminated.

– He originated the view of the corporation as a human community — again, in the 1950s — built on trust and respect for the worker and not just a profit-making machine, a perspective that won Drucker an almost godlike reverence among the Japanese.

– He first made clear — still the ’50s — that there is “no business without a customer,” a simple notion that ushered in a new marketing mind-set.

– He argued in the 1960s — long before others — for the importance of substance over style, for institutionalized practices over charismatic, cult leaders.

– And it was Drucker again who wrote about the contribution of knowledge workers — in the 1970s — long before anyone knew or understood how knowledge would trump raw material as the essential capital of the New Economy.

Tom Peters: “He was the creator and inventor of modern management. In the early 1950s, nobody had a tool kit to manage these incredibly complex organizations that had gone out of control. Drucker was the first person to give us a handbook for that… Our debt to Drucker knows no limit.”

Almost all management literature we see today refers back to Drucker in one way or the other simply because he was years ahead of his time. His books I list here should be required reading in all MBA programs which are not!

The Effective Executive Peter F. Drucker

This book is widely regarded as the best management book ever written. This is where Drucker defines “knowledge worker” for the first time. This is where he talks about managing yourself as an executive. If you want to select a single book from this list, this should be it.

The Essential Drucker (Collins Business Essentials) Peter F. Drucker

In Drucker’s words, ” a coherent and fairly comprehensive introduction to management” This book is a selection of Drucker’s most important writings selected by himself. A good start for his incredible body of work consisting 39 books and countless articles. He has probably written more than an average reader reads in his/her entire life.   

Management Rev Ed Peter F. Drucker

A true account of management as we know it updated by Jim Collins. Do not let the size discourage you. Take my word for it and get a copy ASAP.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship Peter F. Drucker

 There is no management without an entrepreneur.

Managing for Results Peter F. Drucker

 The title of this book is familiar isn’t it?

Inside Drucker’s Brain Jeffrey A. Krames

This is a lighter introduction to Drucker. It covers a lot of ground and it is  written well.

Harvard Business Review Harvard Business School Publishing

Drucker published his articles that defined management exclusively in Harvard Business Review. This is always a good read.

PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS:

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Stephen R. Covey

This book appears on every management, leadership, business and self-help surveys for the past 20 years. My in depth review of this book is here.  If you want a tweet of it here it is: “To be effective is not easy and there is no short-cut to it.”

How To Win Friends and Influence People Dale Carnegie

This book is still the classic on personal relations. It has been written with a lot of research over the years and the principles in this book were tested by millions over almost a century. My in depth review of this book is here.

Think and Grow Rich (Optimized for Kindle) Napoleon Hill

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.”
-Napoleon Hill

Love Is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends Tim Sanders

Another good read about personal relationships. My in depth review of this book is here.

Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time Keith Ferrazzi

This book deals with building actual relationships so deserves a place in our list. My in depth review of this book is here.

Making It All Work: Winning at the Game of Work and the Business of Life David Allen

Getting Things Done a.k.a GTD is the best book about personal productivity. However, it is no longer available as Kindle eBook for some reason. My in depth review of GTD is here. The above book is Allen’s latest book and also explains the GTD methodology.

COMMUNICATION:

Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High Kerry Patterson

This is a great book about conversations. I recommend this to everyone. My in depth review of Crucial Conversations is here.

Influence Robert B. Cialdini

“This marvelous book explains in clear, practical language the ways in which we become persuaded. It offers excellent insights for those who sell, but even more importantly for all of us who negotiate and buy.” —ROGER FISHER, Director, Harvard Negotiation Project, Co-author of “Getting to Yes.”
This is one of the greatest psychology books ever written. My in depth review of Influence is here.

Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In William Ury

5 step system for how to behave in winning negotiations.

Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone Mark Goulston M.D.

Listening is the most important portion of communications. This book fills a void in this area.

Writing That Works, 3e: How to Communicate Effectively in Business Kenneth Roman

“Elements of Style” for business writing. It is one of my secret finds. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery, ePub Garr Reynolds

“Please don’t buy this book! Once people start making better presentations, mine won’t look so good. (But if you truly want to learn what works and how to do it right, Garr is the man to learn from.)”
Seth Godin

Confessions of a Public Speaker Scott Berkun

“Scott Berkun tells it like it is. Whether you’re speaking to 10 people or 1000 people, you will gain insights to take your presentation skills to the next level. It’s a rare book that will make you think AND laugh.”
–Tony Hsieh, CEO, Zappos.com

Best book on Public Speaking.

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