10 great reads for aspiring Project Managers & Business Professionals:

From Project Management specific to the most popular business & productivity topics

Here are ten great reads for aspiring Project Managers & Business Professionals:

By Allen, David

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1. "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries: This book introduces the concept of the Lean Startup methodology, emphasizing the importance of agile development, minimum viable products (MVPs), and validated learning. It's beneficial for business professionals and project managers as it guides how to launch products efficiently, adapt to changing market needs, and reduce wastage of time and resources.

2. "Agile Estimating and Planning" by Mike Cohn: This book delves into the agile approach to estimating and planning projects. It's particularly useful for project managers in understanding how to plan more flexibly and responsively, focusing on delivering value to customers and adapting plans as projects evolve

3. "Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time" by Jeff Sutherland: Jeff Sutherland, one of the creators of Scrum, outlines how this framework can increase productivity and efficiency. It's beneficial for professionals seeking to implement or improve their understanding of Scrum, leading to more effective project management and team collaboration.

4. "Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)" by Project Management Institute: This guide is a fundamental resource for standards in project management. It covers the key knowledge areas and processes needed for effective project management, making it essential for professionals to understand the best practices and methodologies in the field.

5. "Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us" by Daniel H. Pink: Pink explores the factors that truly motivate us, including autonomy, mastery, and purpose. This book can help business professionals and project managers in understanding and harnessing intrinsic motivation, both for themselves and their teams.

6. "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't" by Jim CollinsCollins examines what makes companies excel. This book is beneficial for understanding the qualities that differentiate great companies from good ones, providing insights that can be applied to manage projects and lead teams more effectively.

7. "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. CoveyCovey’s book focuses on personal development and effectiveness. It's useful for professionals looking to improve their leadership and organizational skills, with habits that can be applied both personally and professionally to manage projects more effectively.

8. "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick LencioniThis book explores the common dysfunctions that can hinder a team's performance. Understanding these dysfunctions can help project managers in building stronger, more cohesive teams, crucial for successful project outcomes.

9. "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity" by David Allen Allen's methodology for personal productivity can benefit business professionals by providing a framework to organize tasks, manage workloads more effectively, and reduce stress, leading to more efficient project management.

10. "The Innovator's Dilemma: When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail" by Clayton M. Christensen Christensen discusses how even successful companies can fail if they don't adapt to changing technologies. This book is particularly relevant for project managers in tech-focused industries, highlighting the importance of innovation and adaptability in business strategy.