The Ultimate Summer Reading List for the Female Entrepreneurs

Jul. 20

In the pursuit of success, every discerning female entrepreneur understands that knowledge is power. As the saying goes, "knowledge is power," and it can often be found in the pages of a well-chosen book. That’s why I’ve gone all-out to put together The Ultimate Summer Reading List for Female Entrepreneurs!

These books aren’t just any old picks. They are bursting with wisdom, inspiration, and practical advice to keep in mind on your entrepreneurial journey. Get ready to embrace a summer of growth (and fun, because hopefully you’re at the beach) as you dive into these must-reads:

1. “Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity” by Kim Scott

In 'Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity' by Kim Scott, you'll discover the ultimate guide for leaders who want to revolutionize their approach. Drawing from her experience leading top teams as a former executive at Google and Apple, Kim Scott spills the secret to keeping your team laser-focused. Here’s what you can expect to learn:

The concept of “Radical Candor”: Radical Candor is about finding the balance between being kind and clear. It creates a productive and harmonious work environment.
How to create a culture where feedback is welcome: Feedback is key to personal and professional growth. This book will help you master the art of giving and receiving praise and criticism.
How to build a tight-knit team: This book shares practical tips on keeping the team focused on goals and achieving results that everyone can be proud of.

2. “No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram” by Sarah Frier

“No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram” reveals Instagram’s journey from a simple photo-sharing app to the cultural powerhouse it is today. It offers juicy behind-the-scenes stories and a sneak peek into the world of Silicon Valley. In this book, you will learn about:

Instagram’s origin story: Instagram started as a simple photo-sharing app. Now, it has transformed into a platform that has become a game-changer in how we share and consume content.
The other side of Instagram: Instagram has reality-adjusting filters that have changed how users see themselves and their lives.
The corporate drama with Facebook: The book shares about the app’s struggle to maintain its unique identity after Facebook took over.

3. “Own It: The Power of Women at Work” by Sallie Krawcheck

True to its title, “Own It: The Power of Women at Work,” Sallie Krawcheck’s Wall Street Journal and Washington Post bestseller inspires women to take control in the business world. She pulls from her experiences and offers advice on thriving in your career. This playbook will teach you about:

The role of women in business: We women have innate strengths and power, and we can leverage these to make it big in the modern business world.
Women empowerment: We have the power to redefine the business landscape. We can start our own ventures and shape our careers.
Women, money, and impact: We can leverage our economic power to create a meaningful impact on a larger scale.

4. “The Myth of the Nice Girl: Achieving a Career You Love Without Becoming a Person You Hate” by Fran Hauser

Holding onto the “nice girl” persona can create challenges in your career or business. Kindness and empathy can be seen as weaknesses, which means you can easily be taken advantage of.

In "The Myth of the Nice Girl: Achieving a Career You Love Without Becoming a Person You Hate," you'll find the key to unlocking your true potential without sacrificing your genuine self. It’s a guide for ambitious women like you who aspire to succeed without compromising their authenticity. Here’s what you'll discover:

How to embrace your “niceness”: Being nice isn’t a sign of weakness. Instead, it’s a strength that can help boost your career.
Striking a balance: In the business world, empathy and decisiveness can go hand in hand. This guide will help you navigate these double standards.
Cultivating authentic confidence: This book shares strategies to build a genuine, powerful confidence that can light up any room.

5. “Work It: Secrets for Success from the Boldest Women in Business” by Carrie Kerpen

If you want to make your dreams a reality, “Work It: Secrets for Success from the Boldest Women in Business” is an absolute must-read. It’s filled with advice and inspiring stories from 50 high-profile women across various industries. Throughout her book, Carrie Kerpen emphasizes that you don’t have to fit a certain mold to have your dream career and live a life you love. From this book, you’ll learn more about:

The art of saying no: Turning down opportunities can be tough, but learning to say no creates space for the right opportunities that align with your goals.
Find the balance between career and family: Remember, you have the power to take control of your professional and personal life. Instead of letting your career dictate your life, learn how to make it work for you and your family instead of the other way around.
Build your FAB PAB: Don’t rely on a single mentor. Establish instead a Fabulous Personal Advisory Board (FAB PAB), a network of supportive women, who can help you grow professionally.

6. “The Power of Onlyness: Make Your Wild Ideas Mighty Enough to Dent the World” by Nilofer Merchant

Have a great idea, but you feel “too small” or unimportant to make it happen? “The Power of Onlyness: Make Your Wild Ideas Mighty Enough to Dent the World” can help you crush those lingering doubts. This book reminds you that your ideas can change the world because of your “onlyness.” Here’s what to expect from the book:

Discover your “onlyness”: Your “onlyness” is your position in the world defined by your history, experiences, visions, and hopes. It shapes your ability to influence the world.
Find your “co-denters”: Look for and connect with those who share your passion and can help you amplify your voice.
See the power in being you and working with others: You can make a significant impact in the world, no matter who you are or where you come from.

7. “The Disruption Mindset: Why Some Organizations Transform While Others Fail” by Charlene Li

Disruption is often seen as the secret to growth, but Charlene Li’s “The Disruption Mindset: Why Some Organizations Transform While Others Fail” reveals that it’s actually the other way around. This book shows how developing a disruptive mindset is key to sustainable growth. Here are the key takeaways:

How to cultivate a disruption mindset: Focusing on your customers and creating a culture of transformation can help you develop a disruptive mindset.
How to focus on the right customers: When it comes to catering customers, thinking beyond the present is important. You need to learn how to focus on future customers, and that involves learning how to adapt your products, services, and business model.
The importance of leadership and culture: Leadership that creates a movement and a culture that embraces disruptive change can help transform your business.

8. “Purposeful Brands: How Purpose and Sustainability Drive Brand Value and Positive Change” by Sandy Skees

To run a successful business, purpose is everything. That’s exactly what Sandy Skees’ “Purposeful Brands: How Purpose and Sustainability Drive Brand Value and Positive Change” is about. It offers a blueprint for shaping a successful brand with a positive impact. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect from this book:

Find your brand’s purpose: In this competitive business landscape, you need an impactful way to stand out. One way to do that is to create a purpose-driven brand. This involves more than just creating a catchy tagline; it’s about communicating your value and the soul of your business.
Align your brand: Every decision and action you take should be connected to your brand’s purpose. This includes your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Engage your stakeholders: To connect with your customers and win the support of stakeholders, master the art of storytelling and presenting data in a compelling way.

9. “Emotional Labor: The Invisible Work Shaping Our Lives and How to Claim Our Power” by Rose Hackman

Ever found yourself cheering up a coworker while subsequently dealing with your own work stress? Or maybe you’re the peacekeeper the peace in the office at the expense of your own? If this is sounding familiar, then “Emotional Labor: The Invisible Work Shaping Our Lives and How to Claim Our Power” is a must-read for you.

This book shines a light on the emotional labor that women and people of color often shoulder every day to keep their workplaces, families, and social circles running smoothly. In this book, you’ll learn about:

What is emotional labor: Emotionally draining work is common in the workplace and personal interactions, and it’s high time we start recognizing this.
The role of race, gender, and class: The burden of emotional labor isn’t the same for everyone. Our society makes certain people do more of these tasks than others.
The norm: Now that you know how emotional labor is often dismissed or exploited, you’ll gain more insights into ensuring emotional work is seen and appreciated.

10. “Closing the Confidence Gap: Boost Your Peace, Your Potential, and Your Paycheck” by Kelli Thompson

According to a survey, 66% of women identify as perfectionists, and 81% always agree to tasks, even unreasonable ones. This over-commitment isn’t a sign of strength; it’s a reflection of a lack of confidence.

If this sounds like you, it’s time to build confidence in approaching your career and ambitions. “Closing the Confidence Gap: Boost Your Peace, Your Potential, and Your Paycheck” is for you, especially if you feel stuck in self-doubt at work. In this book, you’ll discover how to:

Boost your confidence: Confronting and overcoming your feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome is key to achieving your full potential.
Break systemic barriers: Issues that affect women, like gender equity, can make work a real challenge. This book will guide you in confidently navigating these obstacles.
Assess your worth: Advancing your career involves expressing your value and overcoming the fear of charging what you’re worth. You simply don’t just demand what you’re worth—you have to believe it.

11. “When Women Lead: What They Achieve, Why They Succeed, and How We Can Learn from Them” by Julia Boorstin

As a leader, crisis management is one of the most important skills to master. If you want to learn the secrets to becoming a skilled innovator yourself, “When Women Lead: What They Achieve, Why They Succeed, and How We Can Learn from Them” is a must-read this summer. It gives a glimpse into the professional lives of remarkable women and lets you discover lessons, such as:

Adaptability: Being a leader who embraces change and stays ahead of the curve is crucial.
Diversity: Embracing diverse viewpoints and incorporating them into your strategies drives innovation and growth.
Empathy: Leading with empathy can transform your leadership style. It empowers you to understand and connect with your team on a deeper level and foster strong relationships.

So there you have it—my pick of top business books for your summer reading! Whether you’re looking to level up your leadership skills or boost your confidence, there’s something on this list that will fuel the fire to keep going and growing. Happy reading and happy summer!

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