The start of a new year is the perfect time to refresh your professional mindset and gather inspiration for the year ahead. The Business Canterbury team has rounded up their favourite books to help you start 2025 with insights, strategies, and motivation to thrive in business and beyond. Whether you’re leading a team, starting a venture, or seeking personal growth, there’s something here for everyone.
Our Staff Picks
Laura Hill
Laura’s bookshelf is packed with impactful reads, and her top recommendation is Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead, a game-changer for anyone looking to lead with vulnerability and courage. Another standout is Kim Scott’s Radical Candor, which explores how to balance caring personally while challenging directly to build stronger teams. For leaders, she highlights Patrick Lencioni’s classic The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team, a must-read for understanding and overcoming common team challenges.
Laura’s wildcard pick? Dr. Nicole LePera’s How to Do the Work. While it’s not strictly business-related, this book dives into self-healing and personal growth, which can have a profound ripple effect in professional life. And she can’t leave out Atomic Habits by James Clear, an “amazzzzing” guide to building habits that stick and drive meaningful change.
Daniel Thomson
Daniel champions foundational business knowledge with his recommendations. The Personal MBA by John Kaufman is his go-to guide for understanding key business principles without the formal coursework. He’s also a fan of Michael E. Gerber’s The E-Myth Revisited, which tackles the reasons many small businesses fail and provides actionable strategies for success.
Tait Dench
For those interested in the big picture of strategy, Tait recommends Richard Rumelt’s Good Strategy/Bad Strategy. This book delves into what separates effective strategies from the ones that miss the mark. Tait also draws inspiration from Jack: Straight from the Gut by Jack Welch, offering an inside look at the career and leadership insights of one of America’s most renowned CEOs.
Georgia Walker
Georgia’s choice is all about career exploration and finding your true calling, and her top pick is Richard N. Bolles’ timeless guide, What Color Is Your Parachute? This book is a comprehensive resource for meaningful career planning and achieving long-term success in your work life.
Mel Rushton
Mel’s standout recommendation is Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics: Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st-Century Economist. This innovative book challenges traditional economic models and introduces a fresh framework for balancing human prosperity with environmental sustainability, making it an essential read for forward-thinking leaders.
Kiley Charteris
For a heartfelt and customer-focused approach, Kiley recommends Lovability: How to Build a Business That People Love and Be Happy Doing It. This book explores how businesses can create meaningful connections and build brands that resonate with their audiences.
Share Your Favorites
We’d love to hear your top business book recommendations! Visit our LinkedIn page and join the conversation by sharing your must-reads for 2025. Whether it’s a book that changed your perspective, improved your skills, or simply inspired you, your insights could help others kick off their year with purpose and passion.
Happy reading and here’s to a successful 2025!
