Summer reading for business leaders: six books worth your holiday time

A good book is the perfect travel companion for any business leader wanting to make the most of their invaluable summer break. So whether you’re on a beach, a flight or just relaxing at home, these books will help provide entertainment, insights and a healthy dose of inspiration.

Be More Strategic by Charlie Curson

Sometimes when you’re running a business you can be so busy clearing your to-do list each day that you simply cannot find the time for the thinking that could really allow you to reach your full potential. In this book, Charlie Curson argues that the ability to think and act strategically is not only the secret ingredient that sets world-class leaders and organisations apart, but could also have a profound impact on your personal life too.

As you reflect on how you spend your time, you will be guided through a roadmap of tools and exercises that will develop your ability to make bold decisions and see the big picture so you can return to work armed with a fresh mindset.

World War Trade by Richard Baldwin

If you’re interested in geopolitics and how international events are impacting businesses, this book offers some fascinating insights. World-leading economics expert Richard Baldwin offers a sharp and highly accessible analysis of how tariffs and export controls have now become weaponised, but avoiding alarmism, he unpacks the political motivations driving these changes and explores the opportunities the new trade alliances could create. If you’re leading one of the many small businesses currently navigating supply chain uncertainty, sourcing issues and rising costs, this is a really timely read. What’s more, if you enjoy reading e-books, it is available to download for free.

The Rules of Leadership by Richard Templar

Richard Templar’s straightforward, conversational style has built a loyal global following, with millions of people now living by his ‘Rules’. Now in this new book he distils the habits and mindsets of effective leaders into a simple, highly readable guide. The book is broken down in bitesize practical ‘rules’ for communication, decision-making, resilience, motivation and many other real-world business challenges, making it perfect to dip into for easy holiday reading. Rather than get weighed down in management theory and corporate jargon, it offers practical wisdom, common sense, memorable takeaways and a healthy amount of wry humour.

World Competitiveness by Stephane Garelli

As you travel and experience different countries and cultures, it can be interesting to reflect on what makes some nations, economies and international businesses thrive while others stall, especially in an increasingly uncertain global landscape. Combining decades of hands-on experience with fascinating historical backstory and real-world case studies, Stephane Garelli delivers a wide-ranging and thoroughly engaging guide that makes complex economic ideas feel relevant and accessible. World Competitiveness is a thoughtful and eye-opening guide for anyone looking to better understand the bigger picture and the changing rules of global business.

Forget Normal, I Want Magic by Claire Brumby

As you recharge your batteries over your summer break, this book will invite you to move beyond the conventional to build a business, and a lifestyle, that is driven by creativity, confidence and purpose. The author’s style will leave you feeling energised and uplifted, blending practical leadership advice with some personal insights that will make you reassess what success really looks like for you. The book champions authenticity and vision over corporate jargon and performance metrics, and offers a refreshing reminder that exceptional results in business and life very rarely come from playing it safe.

The Easy Way to Overcome Anxiety by Allen Carr, Robin Hayley and Persia Hayley

If you have ever felt nervous before a big meeting, lost sleep over a potential deal or worried about having uncomfortable conversations at work, this book will make you rethink your unhelpful behaviours and thought patterns. Best known for helping millions quit smoking and change destructive habits, the enduring appeal of the bestselling Allen Carr series lies in the way it makes complex emotional struggles feel manageable, logical and solvable. If you find you are constantly balancing pressure, uncertainty, and responsibility, this book will offer a calm and practical reset, ideal for when you are switching off and prioritising wellbeing, mindset and sustainable leadership.

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