If I Had to Define Management…
If I had to give management a definition, it would go something like this:
“The process of making sense of the never-ending stream of information coming your way, in order to manage it as best you can in a constantly shifting environment—without completely screwing it all up.”
Not the most elegant definition, I know. But real.
At some point, I realized it would be smart to work on my management skills. Yes, taking responsibility is the number one trait of any solid manager or leader—but there’s a whole ecosystem underneath that. Especially when you’re the CEO, CFO, COO, and every other “C” in your own small business.
10 Books That Helped Me Manage Work (and Myself)
Here are 10 books that have helped me level up—not just in managing my business, but also in managing myself. Some of them are about money. Some about people. Some about time. And a few are about leadership—perhaps the trickiest job of all.
💰 Money & Mindset
1. The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
2. The Richest Man in Babylon – George Clason
These two aren’t about budgeting or spreadsheets. They’re about the deeper stuff—our beliefs, habits, and emotional relationship with money. Practical, timeless, and much-needed perspectives.
🧠 Communication & Empathy
3. Who Moved My Cheese? – Jason Spencer
4. Never Split the Difference – Chris Voss
5. Crucial Conversations – Multiple Authors
Working with people? You’ll need these. Whether it’s negotiating, giving feedback, or just trying not to lose your mind during a meeting—these books offer real, actionable tools to communicate better and build empathy.
⏳ Time Management
6. Four Thousand Weeks – Oliver Burkeman
The best book I’ve read on time. Period.
Not about doing more—but about choosing wisely, accepting limitations, and living meaningfully. A beautiful reminder that time management starts with values, not to-do lists.
🧭 Leadership & Strategy
7. The Art of War – Sun Tzu
8. The Prince – Niccolò Machiavelli
9. Start With Why – Simon Sinek
10. Principles – Ray Dalio
Leadership is hard. Staying a good leader? Even harder.
These four books tackle it from different angles. The classics (Art of War, The Prince) focus on power and strategy. The modern ones (Start With Why, Principles) look inward—asking what drives us, what values guide us, and how we can build something bigger than ourselves.
The Book List:
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The Psychology of Money, Morgan Housel // Iris Publications
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The Richest Man in Babylon, George Clason // Key Books
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Who Moved My Cheese?, Jason Spencer // Kleidarithmos
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Four Thousand Weeks, Oliver Burkeman // Kleidarithmos
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Never Split the Difference, Chris Voss // Key Books
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Crucial Conversations, Collective Work // Kleidarithmos
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Start With Why, Simon Sinek // Kleidarithmos
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The Art of War, Sun Tzu // Minoas Publications
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The Prince, Niccolò Machiavelli // Minoas Publications
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Principles, Ray Dalio // Key Books
xoxo
Fani
