5 Books I’ve Read This Year That Changed How I Think About Business and Growth
Selected must-read books for business, leadership, UX, and career growth.
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As the year comes to a close, I like to reflect on the ideas, stories, and lessons that stuck with me. Reading has always been one of the most reliable ways to sharpen thinking, challenge assumptions, and discover practical strategies that actually work.
This year, I focused on books that weren’t just popular or trending. I looked for titles that could genuinely shift how I think about business, leadership, customer experience, and personal growth.
Here are five books I’ve read in 2025 that had a real impact, and reasons why I think they’re worth your time. I’ve linked each book through Amazon in case you want to grab a copy for yourself.
1. The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett
A deep dive into the mindset behind success, exploring what truly drives people. If you’re curious about how leaders think, make decisions, and navigate challenges in real life, this is a fascinating read.
2. Grit by Angela Duckworth
Talent opens doors, but grit keeps you walking through them. It’s a powerful reminder that consistency often beats brilliance. Grit is about showing up, staying disciplined, and pushing through obstacles over the long term.
For anyone building a product, managing a team, or growing a business, this book is a strong reminder that persistence matters as much as skill.
3. Main Street Millionaire by Codie Sanchez
A practical guide to building real wealth through small, cash-flowing businesses. It shows how buying a boring business can often be the smartest strategy in a noisy world.
4. The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick
Essential reading for anyone testing ideas, building products, or conducting user research. It teaches how to ask better questions and uncover the truth behind polite answers from your target customers (or even your mom, hence the title).
Whether you’re a designer, product manager, or founder, this book gives practical advice on validating ideas without falling into common traps. It’s really short, easy to read, actionable, and full of examples you can implement immediately.
5. Power by Robert Greene
Understanding influence is one of the most underrated skills in any career. Greene’s book explores how power really works in organizations and how it shapes careers, decisions, and outcomes.
It’s not about manipulation. It’s about seeing the system clearly, understanding dynamics, and making smarter moves — lessons every professional can use, whether you’re leading a team, designing customer experiences, or building your own business.
Key Takeaways
These five titles didn’t just give me insights. They gave me perspectives and frameworks I started applying immediately, whether in UX, business, leadership, or personal career growth. They emphasize the idea that learning doesn’t stop after work; it’s continuous, and sometimes the best lessons come from a few pages or even one powerful sentence.
If you want to read smarter this year, these are the books I recommend starting with.
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