SSBM recommends: 5 short business books to read before the summer ends - Swiss School of Business and Management Geneva

Looking for quick yet impactful reads to boost your leadership and management skills before summer wraps up?

Whether you’re a seasoned executive or an emerging team leader, SSBM recommends five short business books that offer you powerful insights with lasting value.

Drive by Daniel H. Pink
Pink explores the truth about what motivates us in the modern workplace—autonomy, mastery, and purpose—rather than traditional rewards like money. Drawing on decades of behavioural science, Drive challenges outdated notions of motivation and offers practical advice for inspiring high performance.
Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson
This simple yet profound read follows four characters navigating a maze in search of cheese, a metaphor for the things we want in life. It offers timeless lessons on dealing with change, embracing flexibility, and not fearing the unknown.
The Dip by Seth Godin
Godin explains why winners are the best quitters, why they quit fast so they can focus on what truly matters. The Dip teaches you to recognize when perseverance will pay off and when it’s time to cut your losses.
The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
Ries presents a new approach to building businesses by focusing on rapid experimentation, validated learning, and agile development. Get knowledge on how to reduce risk and increase chances of startup success.
The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo
Based on her experience rising through the ranks at Facebook, Zhuo offers a practical guide for new managers stepping into leadership for the first time. The book is filled with relatable stories, actionable insights, and useful tools to help you lead with confidence and clarity.

Each of these books delivers big ideas in a compact format—perfect for busy professionals looking to grow before the season ends.

At SSBM, we believe in continuous learning and practical leadership development, and these books align perfectly with our commitment to professional growth. Pick one (or a few) to power up your leadership toolkit and finish the summer stronger than you started.

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