5 min

Golden State Warriors Coach Steve Kerr Recommends: "These 5 Books Will Change How You See the World"

NBA champion coach Steve Kerr shares the books that expand perspective beyond the basketball court.
2026-01-02

Let's start with the question, how does one become a championship-winning leader like Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr?

Well, it often involves a lot of dedication to studying and learning—not just about basketball, but about life itself. If we don't put the time in, we risk experiencing something psychologists call the "Dunning-Kruger effect", a situation where people with limited knowledge of a given topic significantly overestimate their understanding.

Unfortunately, the average person doesn't have time to dedicate hours to research, which is why modern leaders are turning to an app called Blinkist.

Even Apple recommends Blinkist for those who are lifelong learners, naming it one of the best apps in the world. Blinkist also appears to be one of the most important apps for everyday use with the new iPhone 17. With iPhone 17's new features, Blinkist is now an even better experience for curious minds.

At Blinkist, we gather the key insights from nonfiction books into 15-minute reads and listens. There are over 9,000 titles across 27 categories including entrepreneurship, management and leadership, and personal development. More than 40 million people, among them Apple CEO Tim Cook, are now expanding their horizons with Blinkist. Tim Cook even stopped by the Blinkist office to get a glimpse of the hype, and the app is loved by everyone from The New York Times to Forbes.

"Blinkist encourages you to read more nonfiction books. The app contains cleverly written digests called blinks where books are broken down into their main arguments." – The New York Times

So, what exactly is it that championship leaders like about Blinkist?

1. Kerr's Picks and So Much More In 15 Minutes

It takes the average person 10 hours to read a book, which is a lot of time many of us don't have. With Blinkist, the most powerful ideas are shared in short audio and text explainers. The best bit? It only takes 15 minutes to read or listen to them, so you can fit learning in while eating breakfast, commuting to work, or walking the dog. Plus, there are 40 new titles added to the app every month, so even the most voracious reader will never run out of great content.

2. It's Backed By Science

At Blinkist, there's a dedicated team of experts who sift through the millions of books published each year to find the best ones out there. We don't just want bestsellers—we want the hidden gems, the timeless classics, the books written for leaders, by leaders.

'When we started most apps were for social media or gaming. We wanted to do something different and build an app that would add genuine value to someone's life' — Holger Seim, Blinkist co-founder.

Once the books are selected, our specialist editors identify the key insights in each book and turn them into bite-sized explainers. The best part? All of the content is created using neuroscientific principles making all the information easy to understand and remember.

3. It Transforms Mindless Scrolling And Replaces It With A Good Habit

You know those moments when you catch yourself endlessly swiping through social media? It's something an alarmingly high amount of people suffer from and it's called "doom-scrolling", a phenomenon that leaves people feeling tired and angry.

One of the many reasons leaders love Blinkist is because it turns those wasted minutes into valuable learning opportunities. Whether it's on the subway, a quick break or before bed: Instead of getting lost in time-wasting apps, all the curious minds are now engaging in focused and insightful learning sessions.

It's a game-changer! 80% of the Blinkist users say that they are more likely to spend time on Blinkist than scroll through social media. Here's what some of them are saying:

"This app should be in Essentials category: One of the best app purchased. I have been a member for 6+ years and I don't think I will ever stop. This is a learning experience that truly enhances my life." – 5 star review on the Apple Store

So, say goodbye to mindless scrolling and hello to a new habit that'll feed your curiosity, spark personal growth, and help you become a better you. No wonder Apple and many of its users recommend it:

"This has been the biggest boost to my productivity / lifelong learning ever. Honestly, I can't think of a better habit to start than Blinkist." – 5 star review on the Apple Store

4. Leaders Love to Learn by Listening

The app became particularly popular with leaders when the audio feature was introduced. It made it possible for big thinkers to listen to every title in the app, which means learning never has to wait until you have time to sit down.

Today, listening is the most popular way to consume the packs of actionable insights with around 70% of users opting to listen to Blinkist. This is no surprise as over 30% of people learn and retain information better when it's heard as opposed to reading.

5. Over 94 Thousand 5-Star Ratings

Blinkist isn't just loved by leaders, but by everyone who is eager to learn more. Today, there are over 94K five-star ratings across iTunes and Google Play stores.

What some users enjoy most about Blinkist is how the learning experience can fit around their lives. Just take a look at what some users are saying:

"Perfect for populating your mind with smart thoughts and the latest research. I use the audio format while in transportation." – 5-star review
"Very informative and insightful. I can cook dinner and enjoy the knowledge over audio." – 5-star review

6. Buy Only the Books You'll Love

With 15-minute explainers, busy people can take books for a test drive. If they like what they hear in those 15 minutes, they can buy the full thing to learn more.

"I've found that if a book is still interesting after reading the highlights I end up buying the book anyway. I now buy half as many, the ones I do buy are higher quality and more impactful." – @DaleyErvin

Not only does this save people money buying books they never read, but it saves them time, too, as every book they do buy is one they know they'll get a lot out of.

"Blinkist has helped me read more — period. I love that I can get the key learnings from 10+ books a week, and immediately implement them in my own life. Blinkist has also helped me filter the books I purchase — if I couldn't get enough of the Book-in-Blinks, I buy it." – Hitha Palepu, entrepreneur, author and Blinkist user

7. One of the Best Apps in the World

"Blinkist is one of the world's best apps." – Apple

Blinkist has won numerous major awards from Apple, Google, and even the United Nations. It's loved by everyone from The New York Times to Forbes, along with its millions of users.

What's more, Apple recommends Blinkist for those who love to learn. The tech giant named Blinkist one of the top 20 apps for lifelong learners.

The app is a favorite among leaders who use Blinkist to keep their minds sharp and discover new titles.

8. The Right Knowledge at the Perfect Time

Like championship coaching, Blinkist is all about having the right information when you need it. People are drawn to Blinkist because they know they can quickly access the knowledge they want—exactly when they need it. This no-fuss, no-stress approach to learning removes the time and strain that might otherwise go into research.

This way, people can keep up-to-date on the latest ideas, fill gaps in their knowledge, and easily integrate learning into their everyday lives.

"Blinkist is a lens to kick off thinking, a surveying tool. I can, for example, quickly review a few of the best books on negotiation." – Adam Gries, Founder of OKpanda

9. Blinkist Treats its Employees Well

Founder-450x345 (1).png
Die Gründer von Blinkist (von links): Niklas Jansen, Tobi Balling und Holger Seim (nicht auf dem Foto: Sebastian Klein)

Many people find out about Blinkist by hearing about the inner workings of the company itself. It's proven itself a great place to work with a unique company culture. LinkedIn named Blinkist the best startup employer in Germany and 95% of its employees on Glassdoor would recommend the company to a friend.

Employees love the startup's culture and feel like they're taken care of. This has led to a low attrition rate where staff has stuck around for the long run to help make the app even better.

"I moved to Berlin after living in New York City for ten years to work at Blinkist. I knew I would be working alongside some amazing people, building a revolutionary product. This, mixed with an exciting new culture and the way of life Berlin offers, made the move an easy decision." – Carlos Alvarado, Country Manager at Blinkist

10. Global Success and the Stamp of Approval

We're proud of what we do—we believe in our product because it has meaning, purpose, and intention. Our aim is to help people learn, to allow them to grow, and to better themselves in whatever way they would like.

This was recognized and praised by the United Nations, who acknowledged Blinkist as a Global Leader in Learning and Education.

"With Blinkist you can boost your knowledge and gain new perspectives so that you can be a better professional, a better partner, or a better you—and finally get through your book list or make sense of the increasingly big and busy world of ideas." – United Nations

With a community of 40 million people located across the world—from championship coaches to full-time parents to wellness seekers—Blinkist has a loyal fanbase of users who are all discovering powerful ideas in nonfiction books on the app.

Steve Kerr's 5 Book Recommendations

Like many great leaders, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr is a voracious reader. But you won't find basketball books on his reading list. Instead, Kerr uses reading to remind himself—and his players—that there's more to life than the game. Here are the five books he's recommended that can expand your perspective:

1. Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Man’s Search for Meaning

Man’s Search for Meaning


von Viktor Frankl
  1. 17 Minuten Lesezeit
  2. Audioversion verfügbar
Steve Kerr's take: "If you're looking for a good book these days, read Viktor Frankl's Man's Search For Meaning. Incredibly inspiring."

Based on his own experience in Nazi concentration camps, psychiatrist Viktor Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering, but we can choose how to cope with it and find meaning in it. This book is essential reading for anyone searching for significance in the act of living.

2. The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander

The New Jim Crow

The New Jim Crow


von Michelle Alexander
  1. 17 Minuten Lesezeit
  2. Audioversion verfügbar
Steve Kerr's take: "My friend recommended that I read this book. If you're like me and you want to understand our country and why things are the way they are, this is the book."

This groundbreaking book examines mass incarceration in the United States and argues that it functions as a contemporary system of racial control. With citations in judicial decisions and over 250 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list, this book has won prestigious prizes and inspired the creation of the Marshall Project and the Art for Justice Fund.

3. The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey

Steve Kerr's take: "I read a great book, recommended by Phil Jackson, called 'The Inner Game of Tennis', and it became my Bible in the NBA."
The Inner Game of Tennis

The Inner Game of Tennis


von W. Timothy Gallwey
  1. 13 Minuten Lesezeit
  2. Audioversion verfügbar

Master the mental game that determines peak performance. This classic book reveals how to overcome self-doubt, anxiety, and mental obstacles that prevent you from performing at your best—whether in sports, business, or life. Kerr credits this book as transformative to his playing career and keeps multiple copies to give away to players and coaches.

4. Begin Again by Eddie S. Glaude Jr.

Begin Again

Begin Again


von Eddie S. Glaude, Inc.
  1. 22 Minuten Lesezeit
  2. Audioversion verfügbar
Steve Kerr's take: "If you're looking for a great book, check out Begin Again by @EddieGlaude. Beautifully written and very timely given the state of our country."

Explore the struggle for racial justice in America through the lens of James Baldwin's life and writings. Glaude delves into the challenge of confronting America's lies about race and how Baldwin's journey offers guidance and hope through disillusionment and despair.

5. Educated by Tara Westover

Educated

Educated


von Tara Westover
  1. 32 Minuten Lesezeit
  2. Audioversion verfügbar
Steve Kerr's take: "Add this to your summer reading list. Great book."

This powerful memoir follows Tara Westover's journey from growing up in a strict survivalist family in rural Idaho with no formal education to eventually earning a PhD from Cambridge University. It's a stunning story about the transformative power of education and the price of self-invention.

Why Steve Kerr Reads Beyond Basketball

According to Warriors general manager Bob Myers, Kerr "likes to remind the players that there's more to life than basketball." It's a way for Kerr to model work-life balance to his team and keep them grounded.

This approach has clearly worked. Since Kerr took over as head coach in 2014, the Warriors have won multiple NBA championships and set records. His leadership philosophy—which includes encouraging his team to be well-rounded, curious individuals—has made him one of the most successful coaches in NBA history.

Ready to expand your perspective like Steve Kerr?

Join the 40 million people who are discovering powerful ideas from the world's best nonfiction books—15 minutes at a time.

👉 Download the Blinkist app now and start learning today.

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Was ist Blinkist?

Blinkist ist eine App, die wichtige Erkenntnisse aus tollen Sachbüchern in schnelle, leicht verständliche Highlights verwandelt. Die Realität ist – jeder liebt das Lesen, aber niemand hat die Zeit dafür. Blinkist füllt diese Lernlücke und macht den Erwerb neuen Wissens mühelos.

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