Read a Book Day: 5 Books to Inspire & Motivate Business Leaders

Have you ever read a book that stayed with you well after you finished it? Something that motivated you to be not only a better business leader but person? In honor of Read a Book Day, we asked some of the leaders at Excellis Interactive to recommend books that drove them over the years.

From memoirs to fiction, you’ll find that inspiration can be found everywhere.

Read a Book Day | Inspirational & Motivational Books

1. Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time

by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz

CTO and SVP Pete Lagana was motivated by the book Never Eat Alone. It’s highly motivational approach makes it a must read for every business leader, according to Pete.

“You learn to network and talk to everybody. You never know what you’ll learn from someone and then be able to pass along into the world. It’s the ultimate pay it forward approach.â€

2. Five Point Someone: What Not to Do at IIT

by Chetan Bhagat

Solutions Architect Shashank Kamarushi was inspired by the book Five Point Someone. “I read this book few years back when I was a teenager. It tells the story of how young people struggle for education, and how three friends with different characters deal with it in a funny way to make it to the top. Even now, I recommend it – it’s a great book for all ages. Perfect for Read a Book Day.â€

3. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

by Michael Chabon

New York Times bestseller The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay captivated Design Director Todd Coleman.

“It’s the fictional story of two Jewish comic book creators and their lives and careers before, during, and after WW II. It’s such an expansive story, with fantastic characters, twists, and emotions. It grabbed me from the first chapter, and I was actually sad that the book had to end. I just wanted to keep reading it.â€

4. Bossypants

by Tina Fey

The sometimes awkward and often nerdy young girl grows up to be one of the most well-known and successful comediennes of our generation. Bossypants is the memoir of that girl – Tina Fey – and the book selected by Director of Marketing Stacey Panco in honor of Read a Book Day.

“Tina’s younger years were very relatable to me. Reading about someone who grew up in an area not that different from where I grew up – and coincidentally very close to where I live now – who was able to use her humor, wit and tenacity to survive childhood and then thrive as an adult – was really inspiring to me. And it taught me one thing every business leader should know – ‘You’re no one until someone calls you bossy.’â€

5. Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

by Dr. Seuss

When asked what book motivated or inspired him most, CEO and President Wayne Semisch answered simply and quickly.

“Easy….Oh, the Places You’ll Go!“

It doesn’t get much more inspiring than that.

What book inspired you? Or motivated you to be a better business leader? Let us know on this Read a Book Day!