(You Should Read Them Before Your Next Big Career Move)

In my 27 years of corporate life working with some of the world’s largest MNCs and leading multimillion-dollar projects, I’ve had many mentors. Some were living, breathing human beings. Others sat quietly on my bookshelf.

Yes, books have been my secret career accelerators.

They’ve sharpened my thinking, challenged my limiting beliefs, and given me the mental models to navigate both boardroom politics and personal growth. Today, I want to share 12 books that genuinely transformed the way I approach career strategy and how they can do the same for you.

1. “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill

This is not a book about money, it’s a book about mindset. Hill’s principle of “Definiteness of Purpose” shaped how I plan every career move with clarity and conviction.

2. “Awaken the Giant Within” by Tony Robbins

Robbins’ strategies on emotional mastery helped me lead teams under intense pressure without letting stress cloud my judgment.

3. “The Art of Exceptional Living” by Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn taught me that “success is something you attract by the person you become.” This changed how I viewed skill-building — it’s not optional; it’s oxygen.

4. “Goals!” by Brian Tracy

Tracy’s practical system for setting and achieving goals became my project management bible long before agile frameworks became popular.

5. “See You at the Top” by Zig Ziglar

Ziglar’s optimism is contagious. This book reminded me that confidence is a skill, not a personality trait.

6. “The Strangest Secret” by Earl Nightingale

A simple truth: We become what we think about. I’ve applied this daily, especially when dealing with difficult stakeholders.

7. “Deep Work” by Cal Newport

If you want to produce meaningful results, this book is a masterclass in focus in an era of distractions.

8. “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek

Sinek’s work on trust and safety in teams reshaped how I ran high-stakes, cross-cultural projects.

9. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey

Covey’s “Begin with the End in Mind” is more than habit, it’s my career compass.

10. “Principles” by Ray Dalio

This book gave me the courage to document my own leadership principles and stick to them, even when they weren’t popular.

11. “Drive” by Daniel H. Pink

Understanding what truly motivates people (autonomy, mastery, purpose) made me a better leader and mentor.

12. “Good to Great” by Jim Collins

The “Hedgehog Concept” clarified the importance of focusing only on what you can be the best in the world at.

📌 My Advice:

Don’t just read these books but study them, apply them, and revisit them every few years. Your perspective changes and so will the lessons you take away.

If I could go back 27 years and give my younger self a career playbook, these books would be it.

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