The Must-Read Books Shaping Company Culture, According to Experts
The influential books that shaped the culture and values behind today’s thriving companies.
Ever wonder what books shape the minds behind successful companies?
We asked industry experts to reveal the titles that have influenced their company’s culture and values the most.
From leadership strategies to fostering teamwork, these 15 must-read books offer insights into the philosophies driving some of today’s top businesses.
“What is one book that has inspired your company’s culture or values?”
Know What You’re For by Jeff Henderson
This book was a game-changer. Henderson shares how you change the world (and your local area) by sharing what you’re for, not against.
Too many organizations fall into the trap of being against something.
FOR helped us realize that we must be willing to show who and what we’re for, whether that’s our community, local non-profits, or our employees.
Joseph Lalonde, Leadership Coach and Author, Reel Leadership
Tribal Leadership by Dave Logan, Halee Fischer-Wright, and John King
The book helped me see the power of moving beyond individual goals and instead fostering a team-driven by shared values.
One key concept was elevating teams into “tribes” by aligning them around a common purpose, which has led to better engagement and stronger results.
It reinforced that when a team is united by a shared mission, their performance reaches new heights.
Nirmal Gyanwali, Founder and CEO, WP Creative
The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle
“The Culture Code” by Daniel Coyle highlights the importance of building psychological safety, vulnerability, and purpose within teams, all of which align with our values at my life coaching company.
It emphasizes that a strong culture is built on trust and open communication and encourages us to create an environment where employees feel supported, empowered, and connected to a shared mission.
Bayu Prihandito, Psychology Consultant, Life Coach, Founder, Life Architekture
The People Plan by Rachel Ellison
There are many books that tell you how to improve company culture, but few that explain how to maintain it.
This is the strength of “The People Plan” by Rachel Ellison and why it played a big part in inspiring our company’s values.
Many of these types of books will talk about how to create the necessary structures to build a positive culture but lack the finer and less noticeable skill sets that are required to keep them going.
Ellison’s book does a masterful job in explaining how to practice the soft skills like communication, collaboration, trust-building, and collective problem-solving that are necessary to move beyond just the structural elements of building a great company culture.
Robert Applebaum, CEO & Plastic Surgeon, ApplebaumMD.com
168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam
Our culture and values are all about finding balance, making the most of our time, and being as productive as possible. Laura Vanderkam’s 168 Hours has been a major influence on those.
In the book, she argues that we have 168 hours each week — and that even though we never think it’s enough time; it is.
She offers practical ways to balance work, relationships, and well-being without burning out, which allows us to work smarter, not harder.
Carey Bentley, CEO, Lifehack Method
The Score Takes Care of Itself by Bill Walsh
The Score Takes Care of Itself by Bill Walsh. I learned that if you do the right things consistently, obsess over getting better, and are consistent, results will come.
It’s super helpful in creating a culture that chases excellence without burnout.
Sean Johnson, CEO, Madison
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
One book that has profoundly inspired Wanderlover’s culture is Dare to Lead by Brené Brown.
Her insights on vulnerability, courage, and empathy resonate deeply with our mission to empower creators and coaches.
This book encourages open communication and fosters a safe space for collaboration, which is essential for building trust within our community.
Danielle Hu, Founder, The Wanderlover
The Trusted Advisor by David H. Maister
The Trusted Advisor by David H. Maister has been a favorite at our firm because it really drives home the point of building genuine relationships with clients.
I’ve seen firms treat clients like a checklist, but we believe in listening and understanding their needs deeply.
We’ve seen it time and time again — when clients see us as trusted advisors rather than just service providers, it transforms the entire experience.
It allows us to collaborate more effectively, anticipate their needs, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for every case.
Riley Beam, Managing Attorney, Douglas R. Beam, P.A.
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
The book ‘Leaders Eat Last’ by Simon Sinek has profoundly inspired our company’s culture.
It emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where everyone feels trusted and valued, which resonates with our commitment to exceptional customer service and teamwork.
It’s a reminder that leadership is about placing others first to drive collective success.
David Zhang, CEO, Kate Backdrops
LeadLearnLeap made this animated book summary for another insightful Simon Sinek’s book, Find Your Why.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
One book that has significantly influenced my approach to company culture and values is “Good to Great” by Jim Collins.
Its focus on disciplined leadership, the importance of having the right people in the right roles, and maintaining a strong, purpose-driven ethos aligns well with the values I aim to instill in my professional practice.
The book reminded me to prioritize both strategic thinking and the development of a resilient team to achieve lasting success in a complex legal landscape.
Kalim Khan, Co-founder & Senior Partner, Affinity Law
The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
One book that’s had a lasting impact on our company’s culture is “The Art of Possibility” by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander.
It’s all about reframing challenges into opportunities, which resonates with how we approach web development.
Instead of seeing obstacles as setbacks, we view them as chances to innovate and grow.
This mindset has shaped our collaborative spirit and commitment to creative problem-solving, helping us push boundaries and deliver solutions that truly stand out for our clients.
Harmanjit Singh, Founder & CEO, Website Design Brampton
Shoes Dog by Phil Knight
Shoes Dog by Phil Knight is a powerful story of resilience and passion. Knight didn’t follow trends — running wasn’t even mainstream at the time.
Instead, he believed in his vision and stayed true to it, even when others couldn’t see the potential.
His approach to building a team was equally unique. He fostered a culture of trust, where people felt empowered to take risks and think creatively. This trust led to incredible loyalty and innovation.
Knight’s story shows how purpose and passion can drive success, proving that real growth comes from a shared vision, not just chasing profits.
Win Without Pitching Manifesto by Blair Enns
As a creative business owner, the “Win Without Pitching Manifesto” by Blair Enns was instrumental in creating a profitable direction for my business.
Some of the values and principles of my business were garnered from this book as well as the podcast hosted by Blair himself.
It is a book I highly recommend any service industry entrepreneur to read.
Rajendra Deonarine, Designer, Synth Gy
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
At Raise3D, ‘The Lean Startup’ by Eric Ries has greatly influenced our company’s culture.
It emphasizes innovation through iterative processes, encouraging us to constantly test, learn, and adapt.
This approach allows us to stay agile and focused on delivering value to our customers, fostering a mindset of continuous improvement and collaboration.
Olivia Tian, Marketing and Innovation Manager, Raise 3D
Explore more book recommendations by experts:
Breadnbeyond is an animated explainer video company that brings authenticity and high quality to the table.
We specialize in crafting engaging animated explainer videos that can elevate your marketing campaigns.
Check out our portfolios to see examples of our creativity, or reach out to us with any questions you have.
Also, we have free marketing resources to help you stay ahead in the dynamic industry. Check it out here!
