If you’re driven to succeed in business or life, check out these 11 inspirational books about winning to give you a leading edge.
“It’s not all about winning.” Ever balked at that line? From ancient times to the animal kingdom, winning is part of our culture, history and DNA. Getting the leading edge over your competitors—whether in business, sport or entrepreneurship—is critical in an age that just seems more competitive and cut-throat than ever.
But maybe you’re just looking for motivation, you’re just looking to put a fire behind you, in order to succeed at your next venture, project or goal. This selection of books about winning will inspire and ignite the desire to win.
Learn from the best, the winners who’ve outperformed the rest, with these 11 inspiring books about winning:
Winning
by Jack Welch
Jack Welch, former CEO of GE, lays out his timeless and essential principles for winning in business. For Welch, winning is a product of good leadership, strategy and building a winning culture.
No matter if you’re a lowly graduate or a CEO, Winning is a must-read if you want to dominate in the corporate world. But beyond the lessons on success, it includes brilliant chapters on work-life balance and how to start from scratch. It’s a longer read, with 700 pages of timeless advice from a business juggernaut.
Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable
by Tim Grover
Tim Grover trained legendary athletes like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. So you’ll want to listen to what he has to say. In Relentless, he breaks down the ironclad mindset needed to go beyond great and become unstoppable.
If you thrive on competition and want the killer mindset of the sporting greats, Grover’s intense advice on mental toughness is seriously motivating. This is a favorite on our list of books on winning.
The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure
by Grant Cardone
To win big, you need to take massive action—ten times more than what others are doing. That’s what Grant Cardone teaches in The 10X Rule, a book about thinking big and acting bigger.
This is perfect for entrepreneurs or business leaders looking to dominate their industries by outworking the competition. A great reminder that ideas are nothing without action.
Moneyball
by Michael Lewis
The true story of how the Oakland A’s baseball team, with one of the lowest budgets in the game, outsmarted their richer opponents… through numbers. Using data and ignoring appearances, they put together a list of low-cost players to shock the world of baseball. A true battle of brains over budget.
I’ve watched the movie close to ten times. Billy Beane’s courage to rip apart the player selection model and make data-backed decisions is the out-of-the-box thinking so many of us could learn from. After reading this, business-minded readers will appreciate how innovative thinking and strategy can help you win—even when the odds are stacked against you.
The Winner’s Brain
by Jeff Brown and Mark Fenske
The Winner’s Brain dives into the science of how your brain can be wired for success. It uses neuroscience to explain where motivation, focus and achievement truly comes from, and offers eight practical strategies to think like a winner.
This is an addictive read, even if you’re not scientifically-minded. For alpha-driven readers interested in optimizing mental sharpness, this evidence-backed book about winning will give you a scientific edge to stay ahead of the game.
Relentless Success
by Todd Stottlemyre
Todd Stottlemyre, MLB pitcher-turned-high performance business coach, gives you his nine-point system for major league achievement. Using lessons from his incredible sports career (which includes two MLB world championships), Stottlemyre gives you the tools to help you find the champion that lives within.
Perfect for those sporting buffs who thrive on pushing limits—whether in sports or business—and want to master their mental game.
The Score Takes Care of Itself
by Bill Walsh
In The Score Takes Care of Itself, Hall of Fame NFL coach Bill Walsh breaks down the importance of preparation, process and leadership to build a winning culture in any field.
For business leaders looking to succeed, this is not just a book that’ll help you win—it’ll help you build a winning team.
Think and Grow Rich
by Napoleon Hill
A classic that finds its way onto most business people’s shelves, Think and Grow Rich distills the success principles of the most powerful business leaders in history. It’s about mindset, belief and strategy for achieving big wins.
The lessons here are timeless and fewer books on this list have helped win-seekers around the world than this one.
You Win in the Locker Room First
by Jon Gordon and Mike Smith
Another inspiring book that uses the incomparable lessons from NFL coaching to drive your success. With first-hand examples and experience, You Win in the Locker Room First shows how successful teams are built by solid culture and strong leadership.
A great read if you want to enhance your leadership toolbox, motivate your team and dominate in a competitive environment.
The Art of War
by Sun Tzu
An ancient Chinese military text, The Art of War outlines strategies for winning in warfare. But its lessons—ranging from attack formations to energy management to spy games—have been used in contemporary circles to better the minds of those in business, sport and entrepreneurship.
See your work as a battlefield? Sun Tzu’s advice on strategy, timing and leadership will be incredibly relevant to you.
The Wolf of Wall Street
by Jordan Belfort
A fast-paced, semi-autobiographical novel about Belfort’s rise and fall as a high-powered stockbroker in the cutthroat world of Wall Street. Blunt, controversial and at times chauvinistic, there are lessons on winning here that you won’t find in well-mannered self-help books.
Packed with adrenaline and very entertaining anecdotes, you won’t forget The Wolf of Wall Street anytime soon. This book is about winning at all costs in a high-stakes business world, and it’s perfect for readers with a competitive mindset.