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Words of wisdom

Lessons on running a firm don’t always come from business books. We meet successful leaders and entrepreneurs who share the takeaways that have helped them to achieve their career goals.

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44.
Julien Durant
Co-founder of Picture Organic Clothing

Recommends — The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

“This book is about how to push yourself, about partnership, how to dream big, how to never give up, how friends are the key, how the team wins when you would lose alone, and how you can always adapt.”

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien with red cover and gold lettering.

45.
Horace Luke
Founder of mobility company Gogoro

Recommends — Designing Design by Kenya Hara

“Think patiently, and deeper, to reveal the extraordinary in the ordinary. Hara’s approach is to move beyond reduction to achieve simplicity by investing more meaning in the essential.”

Book cover of Designing Design by Kenya Hara published by Lars Müller Publishers

46.
Pip Jamieson
Founder of professional network The Dots

Recommends — Getting to Yes by Roger Fisher, William Ury and Bruce Patton

“I devoured this book before heading into one of the most important meetings of my life and it has transformed the way I negotiate. It’s full of useful tips.”

Getting to Yes book cover by Roger Fisher, William Ury and Bruce Patton about negotiating an agreement without giving in.

47.
Kathrin Hamm
CEO of blanket brand Bearaby

Recommends — Radical Compassion by Tara Brach

“I recommend it for anyone who wants to stop living life on autopilot, combat anxiety and take the leap into doing what they’ve always wanted to do. I’ve learnt to follow my intuition and it helped me start a new venture.”

Cover of Radical Compassion by Tara Brach, featuring turquoise and gold brushstroke design.

48.
Alex Bennett-Grant
Founder and CEO of brand consultancy We Are Pi

Recommends — Abundance: The Future is Better Than You Think by Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler

“This book helped me rediscover the possibility in every problem, which is, after all, my job as a brand consultant.”

Book cover of Abundance: The Future is Better Than You Think by Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler

49.
Sarah Paiji Yoo
CEO of sustainable cleaning and personal care brand Blueland

Recommends — Essentialism by Greg McKeown

“It’s about the disciplined pursuit of less, which is relevant since start-ups are always strapped for time, money and resources. Organisations must decide what’s essential in order to make an impact.”

Book cover of Essentialism by Greg McKeown showing scribbled lines transforming into a clean circle with the word 'THIS'

50.
Julietta Dexter
Founder of brand-building company The Communications Store

Recommends — The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope

“This book is a real gamechanger. For 25 years I’ve been banging a drum for the business world being about more than a making profit. It is for anyone who wants to find fulfilment.”

The Great Work of Your Life by Stephen Cope, a guide for finding your true calling.

51.
Seth Godin
Author of 19 business books

Recommends — Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

“If you want to understand culture, it’s important to see how it evolves. Wilkerson spent a decade chronicling institutional racism in the US. This book will help you see things you cannot unsee.”

Book cover of 'Caste: The Lies That Divide Us' by Isabel Wilkerson featuring a historical black and white photograph.

52.
Minkyu Kim
CEO of rice wine company Boksoondoga

Recommends — The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels

“I’m not trying to show my political persuasion; I am not a communist. But this book offers a good indication of capitalism, from which I learn what to be mindful of.”

The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels with red and orange geometric patterned hardcover.

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