Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, is known for his entrepreneurial insight and influence in the tech world. His recommendations in this article highlight 20 life-changing books that are must-reads for anyone looking to excel in business, leadership, or personal growth. From cutting-edge technology insights to timeless lessons on building strong connections, these books provide a wealth of knowledge, making them essential for navigating today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving world. Here are the 20 books Hoffman swears by.
Also Read: 20 Life-Changing Books Recommended by Ray Dalio
1. The Startup Way by Eric Ries
‘The Startup Way’ continues where ‘The Lean Startup’ left off, offering insights into how established companies can implement startup principles to remain competitive. Ries outlines methods for driving innovation in any organization by focusing on continuous experimentation, rapid learning, and a culture of entrepreneurship, making this a must-read for entrepreneurs and corporate leaders alike.
2. Measure What Matters by John Doerr
This book introduces the powerful concept of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), which has been used by companies like Google to achieve phenomenal success. John Doerr provides actionable advice on how to use OKRs to drive performance, alignment, and clarity in businesses of all sizes, making it a key book for goal-setting enthusiasts and leaders.
3. High Growth Handbook by Elad Gil
A playbook for scaling startups, ‘High Growth Handbook’ is an indispensable guide for entrepreneurs looking to grow their companies from small to massive. Gil shares invaluable insights from his time advising high-growth tech companies, with practical advice on hiring, product strategy, and navigating the challenges of rapid expansion.
4. The Airbnb Story by Leigh Gallagher
This captivating book traces Airbnb’s meteoric rise from a struggling startup to a global hospitality giant. Leigh Gallagher reveals how the founders’ willingness to disrupt the hospitality industry with an innovative idea turned into a worldwide movement, providing lessons on persistence, innovation, and business strategy.
5. The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman
Suleyman, co-founder of DeepMind, explores the future of artificial intelligence and how the upcoming wave of technological innovation will reshape industries, governments, and society. ‘The Coming Wave’ is a visionary look at the opportunities and challenges ahead as AI continues to transform the world, urging readers to think critically about its impact.
6. Tools and Weapons by Brad Smith and Carol Ann Browne
Co-authored by Microsoft’s president Brad Smith, this book dives into the ethical implications of technology in our lives today. ‘Tools and Weapons’ explores how tech giants, policymakers, and society can balance innovation with responsibility, especially in an age of privacy concerns, cybersecurity threats, and digital transformation.
7. So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport
Contrary to popular advice to “follow your passion,” Newport argues that developing rare and valuable skills is the real key to building a fulfilling career. His pragmatic approach urges readers to focus on skill mastery and excellence, rather than chasing passion blindly, making it a refreshing and thought-provoking read.
8. Essentialism by Greg McKeown
‘Essentialism’ advocates for a disciplined pursuit of less, teaching readers how to focus on what truly matters by eliminating unnecessary tasks and distractions. McKeown’s approach to time and energy management has helped countless leaders streamline their priorities, reduce burnout, and achieve meaningful success with greater clarity.
9. Alpha Girls by Julian Guthrie
‘Alpha Girls’ follows four women who made significant contributions to Silicon Valley’s tech industry, despite being in a male-dominated field. This inspiring book showcases how grit, talent, and determination helped them break barriers, making it an empowering read for anyone interested in women’s role in shaping the tech world.
10. Lady Justice by Dahlia Lithwick
In ‘Lady Justice’, Lithwick presents an inspiring account of women lawyers who fought against injustice, including landmark cases of social and political importance. Through personal stories, the book demonstrates how these women made significant changes to the legal landscape, inspiring readers to fight for justice and equality in their own spheres.
11. Recoding America by Jennifer Pahlka
This thought-provoking book explores how government systems can be revamped to become more efficient in the digital age. Drawing from her experience in tech and government, Pahlka discusses the bureaucratic challenges that slow down progress and offers practical solutions for modernizing public institutions for better outcomes.
12. The Second Machine Age by Erik Brynjolfsson and Andrew McAfee
This insightful book looks at how digital technology is changing industries and the workforce. Brynjolfsson and McAfee explore the profound implications of artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation, and how these innovations will shape the future of work, the economy, and society.
13. Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Harari’s bestseller traces the evolution of Homo sapiens from prehistoric times to the modern era. Combining history, science, and philosophy, ‘Sapiens’ delves into how human beings have shaped the world, for better and worse, offering a broad perspective on humanity’s future in an increasingly interconnected world.
14. The Seventh Sense by Joshua Cooper Ramo
In ‘The Seventh Sense’, Ramo argues that the ability to understand and navigate networks—whether social, economic, or digital—is the defining skill of our time. He presents a compelling case for developing this “seventh sense” to succeed in a world where connectivity shapes everything from politics to business.
15. Connected Strategy by Nicolaj Siggelkow and Christian Terwiesch
This book explores how businesses can harness the power of connections—both digital and human to deliver continuous, personalized customer experiences. Through real-world examples, Siggelkow and Terwiesch show how companies can create “connected strategies” to drive growth and innovation in a rapidly changing marketplace.
16. New Power by Jeremy Heimans and Henry Timms
‘New Power’ contrasts the old, top-down power structures with the emerging “new power” model, characterized by collaboration, transparency, and widespread participation. Heimans and Timms explore how this shift is reshaping industries, activism, and leadership, offering strategies for harnessing the power of collective action in a hyperconnected world.
17. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Tolkien’s epic fantasy needs little introduction. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is not just a tale of adventure but a profound exploration of friendship, courage, and the struggle between good and evil. Its timeless themes and richly imagined world continue to resonate with readers and leaders alike.
18. Conscious Business by Fred Kofman
Kofman’s ‘Conscious Business’ focuses on integrating personal values with professional success. He presents a guide for developing a leadership style that is both effective and ethical, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, empathy, and integrity in creating a successful and sustainable business.
19. Backable by Suneel Gupta with Carlye Adler
Gupta’s ‘Backable’ offers strategies for persuading others to support your ideas, whether you’re pitching a startup or seeking leadership opportunities. Drawing from personal experience and interviews with successful innovators, Gupta breaks down the traits that make people “backable” and provides actionable tips for becoming more persuasive and confident.
20. Connect by David Bradford and Carole Robin
‘Connect’ delves into the art of building meaningful relationships, both personally and professionally. Bradford and Robin provide practical tools for fostering trust, communication, and emotional intelligence, making it a valuable read for leaders, team members, and anyone looking to deepen their connections in today’s fast-paced world.
Read More: 20 Life-Changing Books Recommended by Eric Schmidt
Reid Hoffman’s book recommendations span across leadership, technology, and personal development, offering readers a wealth of knowledge on how to thrive in a rapidly changing world. These 20 books provide invaluable insights for anyone looking to innovate, grow, and make an impact, whether in business or life.
