The best 100 Innovation books

Innovation is a driving force behind business growth, technological advancements, and societal progress. Cultivating an innovative mindset can help you identify opportunities, solve complex problems, and create lasting impact. That's why we've curated a list of insightful books to inspire and guide you through the world of innovation.

Our selection covers various aspects of the innovation process, providing you with the knowledge to unleash your creative potential and make a difference. So, let's spark your innovative spirit with these transformative reads!
The best 100 Innovation books
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1
Innovation Books: Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson

Where Good Ideas Come From

Steven Johnson
The Natural History of Innovation
4.2 (208 ratings)
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What's Where Good Ideas Come From about?

Where Good Ideas Come From (2011) examines the evolution of life on Earth and the history of science. This New York Times bestseller highlights many parallels between the two, ranging from carbon atoms forming the very first building blocks of life to cities and the World Wide Web fostering great innovations and discoveries.

In addition to presenting this extensive analysis, replete with anecdotes and scientific evidence, Johnson also considers how individual and organizational creativity can be cultivated.

Who should read Where Good Ideas Come From?

  • Anyone interested in the history of science and innovation, especially tantalizing anecdotes of great discoveries.
  • Anyone who wishes to be more creative and innovative, or hopes to foster such traits on an organizational level.
  • Anyone interested in the evolution of life on Earth.

2
Innovation Books: The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

The Tipping Point

Malcolm Gladwell
How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
4.2 (596 ratings)
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What's The Tipping Point about?

The Tipping Point discusses why certain ideas, products and behaviors spread like epidemics and what we can do to consciously trigger and have control over such epidemics.

Who should read The Tipping Point?

  • Anyone who is interested in the way ideas spread
  • Anyone who wants to learn how social epidemics break out
  • Anyone who works in marketing, advertising or a related field

3
Innovation Books: A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink

A Whole New Mind

Daniel H. Pink
Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future
4.4 (191 ratings)
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What's A Whole New Mind about?

In an age where computers and well-trained workers from low-paid countries are taking over even white-collar jobs, what can you do to stand out? As we move out of the Information Age and into a new Conceptual Age, the answer is to start embracing the aptitudes associated with the right side of your brain, which were previously thought of as less valuable than analytical left-brain skills.

Who should read A Whole New Mind?

  • Anyone who wants to discover the difference between 20th-century work and 21st-century work
  • Anyone interested in the concept of “right-brain” thinking
  • Anyone who wants to develop the right skills to succeed at work in the modern age

4
Innovation Books: Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Peter Drucker

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Peter Drucker
4.2 (94 ratings)
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What's Innovation and Entrepreneurship about?

Innovation and Entrepreneurship (2006) demonstrates how to be innovative and reveals strategies that create customers for your innovation. It shows how entrepreneurship can be learned and implemented by anyone and how entrepreneurial skills can be used not just in new ventures but in established corporations.

Who should read Innovation and Entrepreneurship?

  • Entrepreneurs and anyone interested in entrepreneurship
  • Senior managers in large companies
  • Anyone with a great idea for a new product or service

5
Innovation Books: The Myths of Creativity by David Burkus

The Myths of Creativity

David Burkus
The Truth About How Innovative Companies and People Generate Great Ideas
4.4 (100 ratings)
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What's The Myths of Creativity about?

The Myths of Creativity debunks our common misconceptions of how creativity works. It provides practical insight and valuable advice on how to generate new ideas and let them flourish, and it gives real-world examples from history and recent well-known creatives.

Who should read The Myths of Creativity?

  • Anyone who would like to increase his or her creativity
  • Anyone running a business or organization

6
Innovation Books: Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

Steal Like an Artist

Austin Kleon
10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative
4.4 (387 ratings)
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What's Steal Like an Artist about?

Steal Like an Artist (2012) will help you unlock the secret to creating great art: theft. No artist creates their work in a vacuum: all art is influenced by the art that came before it. Steal Like an Artist teaches you how to “steal” from the work of your heroes, and use it to create something new and unique. It also provides important advice on using the internet to launch your career, so others can enjoy your creativity!

Who should read Steal Like an Artist?

  • Artists or other creative types
  • Anyone struggling to find inspiration
  • Any artist who needs advice on launching their career

7
Innovation Books: The Gamification Revolution by Gabe Zichermann and Joselin Linder

The Gamification Revolution

Gabe Zichermann and Joselin Linder
How Leaders Leverage Game Mechanics to Crush the Competition
4.0 (28 ratings)
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What's The Gamification Revolution about?

The Gamification Revolution shows us why games are the answer to many of contemporary business’s major problems. From engaging customers in the age of social media, to inspiring employees to be more innovative, every business needs to add a little game play to its arsenal.

Who should read The Gamification Revolution?

  • Managers and entrepreneurs
  • Anyone interested in consumer psychology
  • Anyone who wants to improve their business by turning it into a game

8
Innovation Books: Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky

Making Ideas Happen

Scott Belsky
Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision and Reality
4.2 (122 ratings)
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What's Making Ideas Happen about?

Making Ideas Happen deals with the obstacles that lie between your ideas and their implementation. It offers insight into the ways in which successful individuals and creative departments overcome these obstacles, by offering real-life examples from some of the world’s leading brands and creative minds.

Who should read Making Ideas Happen?

  • Anyone working in the creative industry
  • Anyone who runs a start-up
  • Anyone who has had awesome ideas that never became a reality

9
Innovation Books: The Gen Z Effect by Thomas Koulopoulus and Dan Keldsen

The Gen Z Effect

Thomas Koulopoulus and Dan Keldsen
The Six Forces Shaping the Future of Business
4.2 (43 ratings)
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What's The Gen Z Effect about?

The Gen Z Effect (2014) shines a light on the changes that we face in a hyperconnected world, both as individuals and in business. By embracing the mind-set and innovations of Generation Z, we can manage these changes and unite to create a brighter future for a world that no longer divides itself into generations.

Who should read The Gen Z Effect?

  • Companies looking to lead their market in a hyperconnected world
  • Managers who want to learn more about which future technologies will boost their teams‘ productivity
  • Those interested in the employment and education opportunities that Generation Z will bring

10
Innovation Books: Change by Design by Tim Brown

Change by Design

Tim Brown
How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations and Inspires Innovation
4.2 (178 ratings)
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What's Change by Design about?

Change by Design (2009) presents a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to designing solutions to address any sort of innovation challenge. In following this step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to more creatively develop the stories and inspirations that will lead to tomorrow’s innovations.

Who should read Change by Design?

  • Anyone whose job requires creativity and innovative thinking
  • Anyone interested in finding a better way to address problems in society
  • Business leaders who want to inspire creativity and innovative thinking

11
Innovation Books: Walmart by Natalie Berg and Bryan Roberts

Walmart

Natalie Berg and Bryan Roberts
Key Insights and Practical Lessons from the World's Largest Retailer
4.4 (87 ratings)
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What's Walmart about?

In Walmart (2012), authors Natalie Berg and Bryan Roberts share key insights and business principles from the company that reveal how it became the biggest retailer in the world. Examining the retailer’s unprecedented success, the authors also discuss Walmart’s future challenges.

Who should read Walmart?

  • Anyone interested in business innovation
  • Anyone who wants to learn about how to run a successful retailer
  • Anyone wondering how Walmart carved its path to success

12
Innovation Books: Strategy Rules by David B. Yoffie and Michael A. Cusumano

Strategy Rules

David B. Yoffie and Michael A. Cusumano
Five Timeless Lessons From Bill Gates, Andy Grove and Steve Jobs
4.1 (145 ratings)
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What's Strategy Rules about?

Strategy Rules (2015) explores the business strategies and leadership styles of three hyper-successful tech CEOs: Bill Gates of Microsoft, Andy Grove of Intel and Steve Jobs of Apple. These blinks break down the strategic expertise necessary to build a competitive business and ensure long-term success.

Who should read Strategy Rules?

  • Businesspeople who want to learn from the success of Microsoft, Intel and Apple
  • CEOs looking for a strategic boost
  • New entrepreneurs looking to develop a vision for their ideas

13
Innovation Books: Moore’s Law by Arnold Thackray, David Brock and Rachel Jones

Moore’s Law

Arnold Thackray, David Brock and Rachel Jones
The Life of Gordon Moore, Silicon Valley’s Quiet Revolutionary
4.3 (101 ratings)
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What's Moore’s Law about?

Moore's Law (2015) tells the story of Gordon Moore, a chemist from San Francisco who helped revolutionize the technology industry. Over the years, Moore’s innovations have fundamentally changed all kinds of electronic technology, from digital watches and personal computers to the internet and Facebook.

Who should read Moore’s Law?

  • Enthusiasts of technology or Silicon Valley
  • Anyone interested in the history of computers
  • People curious about the life of Gordon Moore

14
Innovation Books: The Customer Service Revolution by John R. DiJulius III

The Customer Service Revolution

John R. DiJulius III
Overthrow Conventional Business, Inspire Employees, and Change the World
4.3 (77 ratings)
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What's The Customer Service Revolution about?

The Customer Service Revolution (2015) reveals the real secrets of brilliant customer service. These blinks provide a practical guide for taking your customer service to the next level, helping to create an extraordinary experience for your customers and forge an enthusiastic vision-driven workforce.

Who should read The Customer Service Revolution?

  • Managers who want to boost their team’s customer service
  • Employees looking to improve their people skills
  • Leaders curious about why customer service is so important

15
Innovation Books: Platform Scale by Sangeet Paul Choudary

Platform Scale

Sangeet Paul Choudary
How an emerging business model helps startups build large empires with minimum investment
4.4 (60 ratings)
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What's Platform Scale about?

A new kind of business has emerged during the last decade. Facebook, Airbnb, YouTube, Twitter have exploded in popularity – but what do these companies have in common? They’re all platforms: they gather millions of users and achieve billion-dollar valuations, but instead of products, they offer something very different. Platform Scale (2015) offers an insightful analysis of the mechanisms that drive this new platform business model, and how it achieves skyrocketing growth.

Who should read Platform Scale?

  • Business students eager to learn about the new economy
  • Aspiring entrepreneurs, interested in the do’s and don’ts of a platform strategy
  • Social media users curious about the secrets of their favorite platforms

16
Innovation Books: The Elements of Scrum by Chris Sims and Hillary Louise Johnson

The Elements of Scrum

Chris Sims and Hillary Louise Johnson
4.1 (131 ratings)
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What's The Elements of Scrum about?

The Elements of Scrum (2011) explains how outmoded software development processes are holding companies back in an ever-changing market. Today’s successful teams need to be agile and flexible; and the best companies do this by adopting a methodology called scrum. This book gives you everything you need to know to start a scrum-based process in your own organization.

Who should read The Elements of Scrum?

  • Project managers
  • Software developers and designers
  • Anyone interested in agile organizational processes

17
Innovation Books: F.I.R.E. by Dan Ward

F.I.R.E.

Dan Ward
How Fast, Inexpensive, Restrained, and Elegant Methods Ignite Innovation
3.9 (59 ratings)
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What's F.I.R.E. about?

This book (2014) outlines the F.I.R.E. method to jumpstart innovation, a guaranteed process that will stimulate you and your team by streamlining resources and creativity. At its core, F.I.R.E. is about setting restrictions so you can produce much greater results.

Who should read F.I.R.E.?

  • Project managers or team leaders
  • Start-ups looking to jumpstart innovation
  • Entrepreneurs seeking the latest in team management

18
Innovation Books: Meaningful by Bernadette Jiwa

Meaningful

Bernadette Jiwa
The Story of Ideas That Fly
4.1 (82 ratings)
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What's Meaningful about?

Meaningful (2015) is a guide to making customers central to your business. These blinks, by teaching you how to produce a product that truly matters to and empowers your customers, will perfectly align your brand with the demands of the twenty-first century.

Who should read Meaningful?

  • Entrepreneurs looking to boost business
  • Innovators
  • Marketing managers who want a broader perspective

19
Innovation Books: Originals by Adam Grant

Originals

Adam Grant
How Non-Conformists Move the World
4.3 (478 ratings)
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What's Originals about?

In Originals (2016), Adam Grant taps into the field of original thinking and explores where great ideas come from. By following unconventional rules, Grant gives us helpful guidelines for how we can foster originality in every facet of our lives. He also shows that anyone can enhance his or her creativity, and gives foolproof methods for identifying our truly original ideas – and following through with them.

Who should read Originals?

  • Creatives struggling to find support for their ideas
  • Employees looking to change their workplace for the better
  • Anyone interested in what it takes to make genius solutions a reality

20
Innovation Books: The Box by Marc Levinson

The Box

Marc Levinson
How the Shipping Container Made the World Smaller and the World Economy Bigger
4.5 (44 ratings)
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What's The Box about?

The Box (2006) tells the tale of modern transportation’s poster child, the container, and how it revolutionized the shipping industry and enabled globalization. These blinks will take you on a detailed journey through this seemingly simple but revolutionary change in global systems of trade.

Who should read The Box?

  • Professionals in logistics, transportation or trading
  • People interested in globalization
  • Every economics and business student

21
Innovation Books: 21 Days to a Big Idea by Bryan Mattimore

21 Days to a Big Idea

Bryan Mattimore
Creating Breakthrough Business Concepts
4.2 (174 ratings)
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What's 21 Days to a Big Idea about?

21 Days to a Big Idea (2015) is your guide to rekindling playful creativity and discovering the countless bright ideas your brain is capable of producing. These blinks share the secrets behind simple yet effective techniques to get your creative juices flowing, and provide helpful tips for turning your wild ideas into a viable business.

Who should read 21 Days to a Big Idea?

  • Entrepreneurs who feel stuck in a creative block
  • Product developers seeking simple creative techniques to incorporate into their routines
  • Business-savvy readers looking for inspiration for a new project

22
Innovation Books: Business Model Generation by Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur

Business Model Generation

Alexander Osterwalder and Yves Pigneur
A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers
4.3 (117 ratings)
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What's Business Model Generation about?

Business Model Generation (2010) is a comprehensive guide to building innovative business models. From empathizing and connecting with customers to finding inspiration for products and learning from some of today’s most game-changing platforms, these blinks will help you kick-start your business thinking.

Who should read Business Model Generation?

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs
  • Business people seeking an introduction to business models
  • Readers curious about the core elements of businesses

23
Innovation Books: Move Fast and Break Things by Jonathan Taplin

Move Fast and Break Things

Jonathan Taplin
How Facebook, Google and Amazon Cornered Culture and Undermined Democracy
3.7 (83 ratings)
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What's Move Fast and Break Things about?

Move Fast and Break Things (2017) takes a look at the grim reality of how giant tech companies are harming society in ways both big and small. By dodging taxes, they’re keeping money from government programs that have been behind some of our greatest innovations, and in their desperate hunt for data and profits, they’re invading our privacy while fleecing the creators of art and high-quality entertainment. Author Jonathan Taplin offers some light at the end of this dark tunnel, suggesting there may be better ways of negotiating with this technology.

Who should read Move Fast and Break Things?

  • Anyone concerned about the ethics of modern technology
  • Creative types interested in the economics of art
  • Socially conscious artists interested in alternative distribution methods

24
Innovation Books: The Upstarts by Brad Stone

The Upstarts

Brad Stone
How Uber, Airbnb and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley are Changing the World
3.4 (41 ratings)
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What's The Upstarts about?

The Upstarts (2017) is about the new generation of start-ups in tech, in particular, Airbnb and Uber, and the impact they’ve had on the world. It takes a deep look at the people behind the companies and how they got to where they are today, as well as where they might go from here.

Who should read The Upstarts?

  • Entrepreneurs
  • Business students
  • Anyone interested in the new tech economy

25
Innovation Books: Bad Blood by John Carreyrou

Bad Blood

John Carreyrou
Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
4.2 (136 ratings)
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What's Bad Blood about?

Bad Blood (2018) is the harrowing inside story of a how a tech start-up rooted in Silicon Valley’s fake-it-till-you-make-it culture risked the lives of millions with a blood-testing device that proved too good to be true. Written by Pulitzer-winning journalist John Carreyrou, who broke the story and pursued it to its end, this is the account of Theranos and its wunderkind CEO Elizabeth Holmes’ meteoric rise and epic fall from grace.

Who should read Bad Blood?

  • Anyone working in a start-up
  • Fans of true stories that you just can’t make up
  • Professionals in the medical industry

26
Innovation Books: The Future of Humanity by Michio Kaku

The Future of Humanity

Michio Kaku
Terraforming Mars, Interstellar Travel, Immortality, and Our Destiny Beyond Earth
4.4 (141 ratings)
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What's The Future of Humanity about?

The Future of Humanity (2018) explores the challenges we face finding new homes on other, potentially hostile, planets. As physicist Michio Kaku shows us, this scenario is no longer science fiction, but rather a very pressing concern for scientists and future-minded entrepreneurs. Kaku presents the options currently being explored as well as the many problems that are on the verge of being solved.

Who should read The Future of Humanity?

  • Fans of speculative science
  • Students of physics and planetary science
  • Astronomy enthusiasts

27
Innovation Books: Out of Our Minds by Ken Robinson

Out of Our Minds

Ken Robinson
Learning to be Creative
4.4 (72 ratings)
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What's Out of Our Minds about?

Out of Our Minds (2001) shines a light on a fast-paced and constantly changing business world. In particular, it examines how technology has advanced and changed the way we do business, while our public education system has remained stuck in the days of the industrial revolution. It takes a look at what changes need to be made so that schools can prepare the next generation for the creative challenges that lie ahead.

Who should read Out of Our Minds?

  • Individuals facing creative blocks
  • Business leaders and innovators who want to build creative teams
  • Parents worried about the current education system

28
Innovation Books: Scale by Geoffrey West

Scale

Geoffrey West
The Universal Laws of Growth, Innovation, Sustainability and the Pace of Life in Organisms, Cities, Economies and Companies
3.9 (76 ratings)
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What's Scale about?

Scale (2017) is a glimpse into the hidden and fascinating world of the mathematical relationships that tie the world together. The blinks describe how such laws connect everything from microscopic organisms to international metropolises, and what they can tell us about the behavior of complex systems.

Who should read Scale?

  • Physicists, biologists, mathematicians and economists
  • City planners, company owners and innovators
  • Environmentalists and anyone interested in sustainable development

29
Innovation Books: The One Hour Content Plan by Meera Kothand

The One Hour Content Plan

Meera Kothand
The Solopreneur’s Guide to a Year’s Worth of Blog Post Ideas in 60 Minutes and Creating Content that Sells and Hooks
4.1 (164 ratings)
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What's The One Hour Content Plan about?

The One Hour Content Plan (2017) is a strategic guide to creating engaging, attention-grabbing and profitable blog content. The fruit of years of hands-on experience in online marketing, Meera Kothand’s actionable advice for would-be content creators is focused squarely on the how. Full of useful tips and strategies, these blinks will help you get your brilliant ideas off the ground.

Who should read The One Hour Content Plan?

  • Bloggers
  • Marketers
  • Content jugglers

30
Innovation Books: Poke the Box by Seth Godin

Poke the Box

Seth Godin
When Was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time?
4.3 (87 ratings)
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What's Poke the Box about?

Poke the Box (2015) dives deep into today’s connected economy, where initiative and innovation are more important than financial capital or prestige. If you want to embrace innovation and be the first to stick your neck out with a new idea, you must overcome your fear of failure and keep bouncing back when you get knocked down. This is a handbook for those who need a push to take their ideas off the drawing board and into the real world.

Who should read Poke the Box?

  • Creative types and marketing executives
  • Entrepreneurs and advertisers
  • Anyone with a great idea or dream project that they wish to pursue

31
Innovation Books: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Yuval Noah Harari
4.4 (1,555 ratings)
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What's 21 Lessons for the 21st Century about?

21 Lessons for the 21st Century (2018) is a hard-hitting investigation of civilization’s most pertinent challenges. Humankind is moving deeper into uncharted technological and social territory. These blinks explore how best to navigate our lives in this century of constant change, using fascinating examples from current affairs along the way.

Who should read 21 Lessons for the 21st Century?

  • Current affairs enthusiasts
  • History buffs looking for fresh insights
  • Big-picture thinkers wanting a new perspective on the world’s challenges

32
Innovation Books: WTF? by Tim O’Reilly

WTF?

Tim O’Reilly
What’s the Future and Why It’s Up to Us
3.9 (53 ratings)
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What's WTF? about?

WTF? (2017) documents the recent history and developments of modern digital technologies, and explains why, far from being harmful in and of themselves, these technologies only do damage to business and society when misunderstood by humans. Instead of fearing for the future, we should embrace it and use the attendant technological developments in ways that bring society up rather than push costs down.

Who should read WTF??

  • Business leaders seeking to understand and implement digital technologies
  • Technophobes who want their fears pacified
  • People interested in the recent history of technology

33
Innovation Books: Adaptability by Max McKeown

Adaptability

Max McKeown
The Art of Winning in an Age of Uncertainty
4.2 (152 ratings)
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What's Adaptability about?

Adaptability (2012) examines a skill that’s becoming ever more important in today’s fast-paced and highly fickle business environment: the ability to adapt. It’s what makes the difference between successful innovators who go on to thrive and stick-in-the-muds who struggle to survive – or simply go under. Packed with illuminating portraits of both, these blinks analyze adaptability in action everywhere from the golf course to the battlefield and the boardroom.

Who should read Adaptability?

  • Entrepreneurs and self-starters
  • Managers and strategists
  • Marketplace Machiavellis

34
Innovation Books: Loonshots by Safi Bahcall

Loonshots

Safi Bahcall
How to Nurture the Crazy Ideas That Win Wars, Cure Diseases, and Transform Industries
4.5 (226 ratings)
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What's Loonshots about?

Loonshots (2019) explores a subject that’s as important to the success of the US military as it is to companies duking it out on the metaphorical battlefield: innovation. Drawing on a host of illuminating historical examples, Safi Bahcall shows that path-breaking discoveries and inventions aren’t the product of isolated geniuses plowing their lonely furrows but rather a result of organizational structures which foster out-of-the-box thinking.

Who should read Loonshots?

  • Tinkerers with an idea so crazy it might just work
  • Managers struggling to keep their companies ahead of the curve
  • Anyone who’s ever wondered how the Allies won World War Two

35
Innovation Books: The Loop Approach by Sebastian Klein, Ben Hughes

The Loop Approach

Sebastian Klein, Ben Hughes
How to Transform Your Organization from the Inside Out
3.8 (103 ratings)
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What's The Loop Approach about?

The Loop Approach (2019) presents a systematic approach to the transformation of organizations. Its toolkit of ideas and methods is designed to help even the largest organization change its bad habits, thus enabling it to adapt to the challenges of the future. 

Who should read The Loop Approach?

  • Business leaders looking for ways to update their company structures
  • Teams aiming to work more effectively as a group
  • Entrepreneurs wishing to establish organizations that are forward-looking

36
Innovation Books: The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger

The Ride of a Lifetime

Robert Iger
Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
4.4 (191 ratings)
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What's The Ride of a Lifetime about?

In The Ride of a Lifetime (2019), Robert Iger charts his career from the backrooms of an American TV network to CEO of Disney. As Iger himself emphasizes, reaching the top wasn’t always smooth sailing – in fact, Disney’s future was anything but secure when he landed his dream job back in 2005. So how did he turn things around? Well, that’s what we’ll be exploring in these blinks as we look at the strategy, vision, and leadership style of one of the world’s most innovative CEOs. 

Who should read The Ride of a Lifetime?

  • Insight-hungry leaders
  • Tech-heads fascinated by innovation 
  • Movie-goers interested in what happens behind the scenes

37
Innovation Books: Unlocking Creativity by Michael Roberto

Unlocking Creativity

Michael Roberto
How to Solve Any Problem and Make the Best Decisions by Shifting Creative Mindsets
4.3 (297 ratings)
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What's Unlocking Creativity about?

Unlocking Creativity (2019) is a guide to unleashing creativity in the workplace. Starting with the premise that all people are innately creative, it argues that the best way to unlock employee creativity isn’t to hire all-star creatives or restructure your businesses. Instead, the key is to dismantle the workplace mind-sets that are stifling the creativity of the people already in your midst.  

Who should read Unlocking Creativity?

  • Leaders striving to boost employee creativity 
  • Workers wondering how to become more creative
  • Creatives who want to empower their coworkers

38
Innovation Books: The Rule of Logistics by Jesse LeCavalier

The Rule of Logistics

Jesse LeCavalier
Walmart and the Architecture of Fulfillment
4.3 (59 ratings)
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What's The Rule of Logistics about?

The Rule of Logistics (2016) delves into the intricate and extensive network of the infrastructure that makes your local Walmart come to life. Pulling in elements of history, economics, and architectural theory, this intriguing account traces how a retailer from Arkansas became one of the largest corporations in the world and transformed the American landscape in the process.

Who should read The Rule of Logistics?

  • Big-picture thinkers interested in global systems
  • Entrepreneurs curious to super-size their businesses
  • Anyone who has ever shopped at a big-box store

39
Innovation Books: Human/Machine by Daniel Newman and Olivier Blanchard

Human/Machine

Daniel Newman and Olivier Blanchard
The Future of Our Partnership With Machines
4.1 (105 ratings)
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What's Human/Machine about?

Human/Machine (2019) argues that machines will continue to empower us, instead of stealing our jobs. At the workplace and at home, automation will free up time that we can use to do the things that fulfill us as human beings. However, tech giants will need to ensure that their technology benefits society – otherwise, the delicate balance between humans and machines might tip.

Who should read Human/Machine?

  • Employees who fear that a robot might take their jobs
  • Managers steering big and small companies through innovation processes
  • Parents who wonder whether AI will soon teach their children

40
Innovation Books: Superhuman Innovation by Chris Duffey

Superhuman Innovation

Chris Duffey
Transforming Business with Artificial Intelligence
4.1 (200 ratings)
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What's Superhuman Innovation about?

Superhuman Innovation (2019) explores the impressive breadth of possibilities that artificial intelligence (AI) offers to all fields of business, from healthcare to fashion. Rather than cause a robotic takeover, it argues, human-machine collaboration will empower businesses and consumers alike to set and achieve greater goals than ever before. 

Who should read Superhuman Innovation?

  • Business students looking for a rundown on the impact of AI across various industries
  • Entrepreneurs who want to incorporate AI into their future company 
  • Business owners seeking to better leverage the power of AI

41
Innovation Books: Amazon by Natalie Berg & Miya Knights

Amazon

Natalie Berg & Miya Knights
How the World’s Most Relentless Retailer will Continue to Revolutionize Commerce
4.4 (176 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Amazon about?

Amazon (2019) investigates the rise of the most disruptive online retailer of the twenty-first century, from humble online bookstore to global business empire. Drawing on industry data and insider knowledge, retail experts Natalie Berg and Miya Knights explain why Amazon dominates today’s e-commerce market, how it will continue to revolutionize retail, and what other businesses can do to keep up.

Who should read Amazon?

  • Aspiring business strategists and marketing experts
  • Anyone wondering how their business can thrive in an Amazon world
  • Online shoppers interested in the future of retail

42
Innovation Books: Think Like a Rocket Scientist by Ozan Varol

Think Like a Rocket Scientist

Ozan Varol
Simple Strategies You Can Use to Make Giant Leaps in Work and Life
4.4 (449 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Think Like a Rocket Scientist about?

Think Like a Rocket Scientist (2020) reveals the strategies that rocket scientists use to innovate, problem-solve, and bring the unimaginable into fruition. By learning the techniques that scientists use every day, you’ll gain powerful tools that will help you fulfill both your professional and personal dreams.

Who should read Think Like a Rocket Scientist?

  • Seekers of original thought
  • Business managers looking for cutting-edge solutions
  • Victims of fear who hold themselves back

43
Innovation Books: They Ask You Answer by Marcus Sheridan

They Ask You Answer

Marcus Sheridan
A Revolutionary Approach to Inbound Sales, Content Marketing, and Today's Digital Consumer
4.4 (177 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's They Ask You Answer about?

They Ask You Answer (2017) describes a transformative new marketing philosophy. Rather than relying on flashy ads and keyword-stuffed articles, author Marcus Sheridan encourages companies to embrace quality online content that truly seeks to educate customers and win their trust.

Who should read They Ask You Answer?

  • Online content creators
  • Company owners who need to improve their sales
  • People interested in the world of advertising

44
Innovation Books: How Innovation Works by Matt Ridley

How Innovation Works

Matt Ridley
And Why It Flourishes in Freedom
4.3 (120 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's How Innovation Works about?

How Innovation Works (2020) presents a provocative view of history in which innovation takes center stage. This detailed account of human ingenuity explains how innovation happens and why it is important.

Who should read How Innovation Works?

  • History buffs interested in the roots of today’s technology
  • Futurists eagerly anticipating the next big invention
  • Anyone curious about how and why the world changes

45
Innovation Books: Unlearn by Barry O’Reilly

Unlearn

Barry O’Reilly
Let Go of Past Success to Achieve Extraordinary Results
4.4 (134 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Unlearn about?

Unlearn (2019) proposes a radical concept. To achieve ongoing results in the workplace, you need to abandon the methods that brought you success in the past. These methods often don’t account for changes in the environment, making them ineffective and redundant. Instead, by following the Cycle of Unlearning, you can adopt a system that will consistently deliver innovative outcomes.

Who should read Unlearn?

  • Leaders whose success has stagnated
  • Managers needing to inspire innovative thinking
  • CEOs of companies on the brink of failure

46
Innovation Books: The Serendipity Mindset by Christian Busch

The Serendipity Mindset

Christian Busch
The Art and Science of Creating Good Luck
4.3 (259 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Serendipity Mindset about?

The Serendipity Mindset (2020) offers a practical guide to welcoming more positive and fortuitous outcomes in your life. It explains how subtle shifts in your attitude and perception can lead to dramatic differences in your ability to persevere and get positive results.

Who should read The Serendipity Mindset?

  • People eager for more “luck” in their lives
  • Managers and executives who want to create a better company culture
  • Anyone who’d like to get the most out of life

47
Innovation Books: The Creator Mindset by Nir Bashan

The Creator Mindset

Nir Bashan
92 Tools to Unlock the Secrets to Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability
4.1 (143 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Creator Mindset about?

The Creator Mindset (2020) is a comprehensive guide to incorporating creativity into everything you do. Far from being something that only artists possess, creativity is in fact an essential ingredient in any successful career or business. Unfortunately, most of us squander our full creative potential by not realizing we have it to begin with. Get ready to unlock the latent creative talent that’ll give you and your business an edge over the competition.

Who should read The Creator Mindset?

  • Professionals who want to improve their careers and businesses
  • Leaders who want to inspire their employees to be more creative
  • Anyone who wants to think and act more creatively

48
Innovation Books: Conscious Leadership by John Mackey, Steve McIntosh and Carter Phipps

Conscious Leadership

John Mackey, Steve McIntosh and Carter Phipps
Elevating Humanity Through Business
4.4 (139 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Conscious Leadership about?

Conscious Leadership (2020) reveals what it takes to lead a purpose-driven business that sees beyond the bottom line. Drawing on his experience as CEO of one of the largest supermarket chains in the United States, John Mackey shows how leaders can shape their businesses to become more innovative, competitive, and socially responsible.

Who should read Conscious Leadership?

  • Organizations seeking their purpose
  • Business coaches who want to help strengthen leaders, teams, and enterprises
  • HR departments looking to improve their hiring practices

49
Innovation Books: The Scrum Fieldbook by J.J. Sutherland

The Scrum Fieldbook

J.J. Sutherland
A Master Class on Accelerating Performance, Getting Results, and Defining the Future
4.5 (155 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Scrum Fieldbook about?

The Scrum Fieldbook (2019) is a practical, hands-on guide to the scrum organizational framework within the Agile mindset. This concise manual recaps how scrum works to increase work velocity and to ensure any team delivers the right impact for the business. It also explains how to implement Scrum in any organization across all industries from software to home renovation and even to the military.

Who should read The Scrum Fieldbook?

  • Small companies looking for big results
  • Managers aiming to streamline their team
  • Anyone interested in cutting-edge organizational techniques

50
Innovation Books: Resilient by Sevetri Wilson

Resilient

Sevetri Wilson
How to Overcome Anything and Build a Million Dollar Business With or Without Capital
4.1 (81 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Resilient about?

Resilient (2021) is an intimate account of entrepreneur Sevetri Wilson’s journey from self-funding her first company to securing ongoing capital for her second. It provides early-stage founders insight into every step of building a business – from initial concept to securing the finances needed to scale.

Who should read Resilient?

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs
  • Innovators looking to turn their ideas into marketable solutions
  • Startup founders who need to raise capital

51
Innovation Books: Solving the Productivity Puzzle by Tim Ringo

Solving the Productivity Puzzle

Tim Ringo
How to Engage, Motivate and Develop Employees to Improve Individual and Business Performance
3.8 (154 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Solving the Productivity Puzzle about?

Solving the Productivity Puzzle (2020) is a guide for people management professionals. It covers topics such as learning and development, motivation of the workforce, and planning strategies. It’s essential reading for HR professionals who want to build a culture in which people can thrive.

Who should read Solving the Productivity Puzzle?

  • HR managers interested in change programs
  • Those looking for the perfect job
  • Managers who want to improve their employee productivity

52
Innovation Books: Radical Product Thinking by R. Dutt

Radical Product Thinking

R. Dutt
The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter
4.1 (367 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Radical Product Thinking about?

Radical Product Thinking (2021) lays out a step-by-step approach to developing game-changing products. Taking aim at the iteration-led approaches to product development that have become popular in recent years, it provides an inspiring, vision-driven alternative. 

Who should read Radical Product Thinking?

  • Product developers 
  • Entrepreneurs 
  • Change-makers

53
Innovation Books: Why Design Matters by Debbie Millman

Why Design Matters

Debbie Millman
Conversations with the World’s Most Creative People
3.6 (144 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Why Design Matters about?

Why Design Matters (2022) is a collection of some of the best interviews from Debbie Millman’s long-running podcast of the same name. It collects over 50 interviews from over 15 years’ worth of conversations. These talks not only explain why design matters, they also show how the principles of design extend to creativity in general and the ways in which we communicate and express ourselves.

Who should read Why Design Matters?

  • Anyone interested in the creative process
  • People fascinated by design and marketing
  • Artists looking for inspiration

54
Innovation Books: Self-Made Boss by Jackie Reses and Lauren Weinberg

Self-Made Boss

Jackie Reses and Lauren Weinberg
Advice, Hacks, and Lessons from Small Business Owners
4.4 (161 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Self-Made Boss about?

Self-Made Boss (2022) is a practical starter kit for anyone looking to start a small business. It’s packed with advice and case studies looking at small businesses from across the United States, with step-by-step instructions for turning your great idea into a successful business. 

Who should read Self-Made Boss?

  • Small business owners
  • Aspiring entrepreneurs
  • Anyone curious about how brands are built from the ground up

55
Innovation Books: Super Founders by Ali Tamaseb

Super Founders

Ali Tamaseb
What Data Reveals About Billion-Dollar Startups
4.5 (260 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Super Founders about?

Super Founders (2021) offers an in-depth analysis behind the success of billion-dollar startups. After crunching over 30,000 data points, it unravels the multitude of false notions surrounding tech unicorns and reveals what it really takes to make it in Silicon Valley. 

Who should read Super Founders?

  • Investors seeking to sharpen their eye for opportunities
  • Entrepreneurs looking for actionable advice
  • Startup veterans hoping to learn from their mistakes

56
Innovation Books: The Innovator’s Dilemma by Clayton Christensen

The Innovator’s Dilemma

Clayton Christensen
When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail
4.3 (637 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Innovator’s Dilemma about?

The Innovator’s Dilemma explains why so many well-established companies fail dismally when faced with the emerging markets they create. This Blink focuses on one of the book’s central themes: disruptive innovation.

Who should read The Innovator’s Dilemma?

  • Anyone interested in why big companies are so vulnerable to disruptive technologies
  • Business executives
  • Anyone who wants to take advantage of technological innovations

57
Innovation Books: The Journey Beyond Fear by John Hagel III

The Journey Beyond Fear

John Hagel III
Leverage the Three Pillars of Positivity to Build Your Success
4.1 (310 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Journey Beyond Fear about?

The Journey Beyond Fear (2021) is a guide to overcoming fear and reaching your full potential. During his 40-year career in Silicon Valley, Hagel has identified three practical tools that anyone can benefit from. Here, he explains exactly how to use them, so you can make the most of exciting new opportunities in your professional and personal life.

Who should read The Journey Beyond Fear?

  • Business people looking for motivation, inspiration or direction
  • People who want to overcome fear to achieve their full potential
  • Anyone interested in the opportunities offered by learning platforms

58
Innovation Books: The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety by Timothy R. Clark

The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety

Timothy R. Clark
Defining the Path to Inclusion and Innovation
4.3 (315 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety about?

The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety (2020) is a practical handbook for creating and maintaining psychological safety in the workplace. In order for employees to take risks, ask questions, challenge the status quo, and make mistakes – all while learning and growing – they have to feel included and safe. This book shows how leaders can reduce social friction while encouraging collaboration and innovation.

Who should read The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety?

  • Managers and CEOs trying to boost employee well-being and productivity
  • Leaders tired of dusty corporate hierarchies
  • Anyone interested in practical approaches to workplace inclusion

59
Innovation Books: Awaken Your Genius by Ozan Varol

Awaken Your Genius

Ozan Varol
Escape Conformity, Ignite Creativity, and Become Extraordinary
4.5 (517 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Awaken Your Genius about?

Awaken Your Genius (2023) is a straightforward yet philosophical guide to releasing the aspects of yourself that don’t suit your growth. Through a five-step process, it shows readers how they can find their way back to their unique and authentic genius selves.

Who should read Awaken Your Genius?

  • Anyone who feels stuck in a rut
  • People contemplating a major life change
  • Those looking to live more creative lives

60
Innovation Books: The Devops Handbook by Gene Kim, Jez Humble, Patrick Debois & John Willis

The Devops Handbook

Gene Kim, Jez Humble, Patrick Debois & John Willis
How to Create World-Class Agility, Reliability, & Security in Technology Organizations
4.1 (182 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Devops Handbook about?

The DevOps Handbook (2016) offers a roadmap on how to catapult your technology operations into a realm of world-class agility, reliability, and security. Dive deep into the heart of the DevOps philosophy, equipping you with insights to bridge gaps between development and operations, while fostering unmatched efficiency.

Who should read The Devops Handbook?

  • Technology professionals seeking to enhance organizational efficiency
  • Business leaders navigating digital transformation initiatives
  • Aspiring IT managers and DevOps enthusiasts

61
Innovation Books: When the Heavens Went on Sale by Ashlee Vance

When the Heavens Went on Sale

Ashlee Vance
The Misfits and Geniuses Racing to Put Space Within Reach
3.7 (122 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's When the Heavens Went on Sale about?

When the Heavens Went on Sale (2023) is a trip into the wild new Space Age sparked by Elon Musk and accelerated by like-minded space geniuses. Buckle up for a mind-blowing journey through space tech innovation and the future of humanity.

Who should read When the Heavens Went on Sale?

  • Aspiring cosmic entrepreneurs 
  • Rocket mavericks
  • Researchers of space governance

62
Innovation Books: Disruptive Thinking by T. D. Jakes

Disruptive Thinking

T. D. Jakes
A Daring Strategy to Change How We Live, Lead, and Love
3.5 (347 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Disruptive Thinking about?

Disruptive Thinking (2023) is a guide to unlocking your potential and turning adversity into opportunity. By learning to understand and leverage disruption, you can kickstart your most profound personal and professional metamorphosis yet.

Who should read Disruptive Thinking?

  • Leaders seeking to pave the way with care
  • Community champions doing God’s work
  • Trailblazers looking to grow their career

63
Innovation Books: Strategy Sprints by Simon Severino

Strategy Sprints

Simon Severino
12 Ways to Accelerate Growth for an Agile Business
4.1 (43 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Strategy Sprints about?

Strategy Sprints (2022) is a deep-dive into the world of strategic innovation and accelerated business growth. The focus is on out-of-the-box methods for making your business stand out, mastering your time, nurturing customer relationships, and ensuring steady growth. It’s an inspiring journey that empowers you to break free from the ordinary and make your mark in the business realm.

Who should read Strategy Sprints?

  • Forward-thinking entrepreneurs seeking rapid business growth
  • Aspiring strategists looking for modern, effective methodologies
  • CEOs desiring to innovate and streamline their business operations

64
Innovation Books: Play Nice But Win by Michael Dell

Play Nice But Win

Michael Dell
A CEO's Journey from Founder to Leader
3.8 (199 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Play Nice But Win about?

Play Nice But Win (2021) takes you into the thrilling world of tech entrepreneurship, offering a front-row seat to a saga of innovation, resilience, and reinvention. From humble beginnings to industry-shaping breakthroughs, you'll uncover invaluable lessons within the rollercoaster journey of one of technology's biggest disruptors. It's a riveting exploration that strikes the perfect balance between playing nice and winning big in business, and in life.

Who should read Play Nice But Win?

  • Aspiring entrepreneurs and technology enthusiasts
  • Business students and academics
  • Tech industry professionals and corporate leaders

65
Innovation Books: Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation by John Manners-Bell, Ken Lyon

Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation

John Manners-Bell, Ken Lyon
A Practical Guide to Disruptive Technologies and New Business Models
4.1 (131 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation about?

Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation (2021) maps the current pain points and inefficiencies in global supply chains while charting the innovations and new technologies poised to transform the system. It provides an insider's perspective on the practical challenges facing warehouses, ports, and logistics networks, along with realistic ideas for how leaders can leverage emerging tools like Internet of Things sensors and AI to make supply chains sustainable, resilient, and responsive. 

Who should read Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation?

  • Supply chain professionals
  • Logistics company leaders
  • Tech innovators

66
Innovation Books: The Young Entrepreneur by Swish Goswami & Quinn Underwood

The Young Entrepreneur

Swish Goswami & Quinn Underwood
How to Start a Business While You're Still a Student
4.0 (24 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Young Entrepreneur about?

The Young Entrepreneur (2022) unveils the heart of the entrepreneurial journey for the next generation. Merging audacity with actionable insights and world-shaping vision, it invites young minds to navigate the business maze, tap into resilience, and become the force of change our world craves.

Who should read The Young Entrepreneur?

  • Aspiring young business visionaries
  • Students exploring entrepreneurial pathways
  • Innovators seeking impactful change

67
Innovation Books: Ideaflow by Jeremy Utley & Perry Klebahn

Ideaflow

Jeremy Utley & Perry Klebahn
The Only Business Metric That Matters
4.1 (73 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Ideaflow about?

Ideaflow (2022) introduces the concept of ideaflow – the rate at which original ideas can be generated – as a key business metric. It also shares practical strategies for optimizing ideaflow at the personal and professional level.

Who should read Ideaflow?

  • Frustrated creatives who can’t seem to get their ideas flowing
  • Busy professionals who just don’t have time to be creative
  • Founders and CEOs seeking tools to drive corporate innovation

68
Innovation Books: Jobs to Be Done by Stephen Wunker, Jessica Wattman & David Farber

Jobs to Be Done

Stephen Wunker, Jessica Wattman & David Farber
A Roadmap for Customer-Centered Innovation
4.1 (50 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Jobs to Be Done about?

Jobs to Be Done (2016) offers an up-to-date look at one of the most respected strategies for creating sought-after, innovative products. This methodology is laser-focused on customer research and understanding what they need in order to get jobs done.

Who should read Jobs to Be Done?

  • CEOs looking for new ideas
  • Marketing and design fanatics
  • Research and development teams

69
Innovation Books: Leadership on the Line by Ronald A. Heifetz & Marty Linsky

Leadership on the Line

Ronald A. Heifetz & Marty Linsky
Staying Alive Through the Dangers of Change
3.5 (31 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Leadership on the Line about?

Leadership on the Line (2002) explores the challenges and risks inherent in leadership roles, with a focus on leading through significant and often contentious change. Through numerous examples and metaphors, it offers strategies for leaders to enact meaningful change, practice adaptive leadership, and maintain resilience in any scenario.

Who should read Leadership on the Line?

  • Managers seeking to implement transformative change within their teams 
  • Emerging leaders looking to develop strategic insights into handling new leadership roles
  • Educators aspiring to instill leadership principles and adaptive problem-solving skills in their students

70
Innovation Books: Competing Against Luck by Clayton M. Christensen, Taddy Hall, Karen Dillon & David S. Duncan

Competing Against Luck

Clayton M. Christensen, Taddy Hall, Karen Dillon & David S. Duncan
The Story of Innovation and Customer Choice
4.2 (220 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Competing Against Luck about?

Competing Against Luck (2016) challenges you to rethink innovation and growth through what is known as the jobs to be done theory. This transformative concept invites you to understand on a deeper level why customers make the choices they do, thereby helping you shape how you develop and market your products or services. Dive into a world where success hinges not on luck but on a profound comprehension of your customer’s true needs and desires.

Who should read Competing Against Luck?

  • Business leaders seeking innovative growth strategies
  • Entrepreneurs exploring customer-centric product development
  • Marketing professionals interested in consumer behavior insights

71
Innovation Books: Mind Shift by Erwin Raphael McManus

Mind Shift

Erwin Raphael McManus
It Doesn't Take a Genius to Think Like One
3.9 (568 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Mind Shift about?

Mind Shift (2023) describes how intentionally structuring your mental frameworks is the key to unlocking personal fulfillment and success. It encourages you to make courageous choices and optimize your performance by discarding self-limiting beliefs and actualizing your dreams. 

Who should read Mind Shift?

  • People seeking inspiration to make changes in their lives
  • Those who feel held back by self-doubt and limiting beliefs
  • Leaders aiming to foster empowering mindsets and greater possibility in their organizations

72
Innovation Books: LIT by Jeff Karp

LIT

Jeff Karp
Using Nature's Playbook to Spark Energy, Ideas, and Action
4.2 (121 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's LIT about?

LIT (2024) is a guidebook for anyone looking to ignite their inner potential and make a positive impact on their lives and the world around them. It’s designed to help people snap out of their rut, find inspiration, cultivate humility, and harness the transformative power of curiosity and compassion. 

Who should read LIT?

  • Anyone interested in personal growth
  • People curious about productivity and inspiration
  • Distracted minds looking for some calm and focus

73
Innovation Books: Emotional Design by Donald A. Norman

Emotional Design

Donald A. Norman
Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things
3.4 (281 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Emotional Design about?

Emotional Design (2003) delves into how emotions influence our interactions with everyday objects. It explores the three levels of design – visceral, behavioral, and reflective – and how they affect our perceptions, use, and memories of products. This book reveals the importance of these elements in creating designs that not only function well but also create emotional connections with users.

Who should read Emotional Design?

  • Design enthusiasts
  • Marketing professionals
  • Product developers

74
Innovation Books: Make Possibilities Happen by Grace Hawthorne, Stanford d.school

Make Possibilities Happen

Grace Hawthorne, Stanford d.school
How to Transform Ideas into Reality
4.1 (314 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Make Possibilities Happen about?

Make Possibilities Happen (2023) is filled with practical strategies to turn your dreams into realities through hard work, vision, and perseverance. Through approachable storytelling and actionable advice, it empowers you to take control of your life and pursue your biggest goals and ambitions.

Who should read Make Possibilities Happen?

  • Dreamers who want practical advice on getting their ideas off the ground
  • Do-ers who leap into new projects but struggle to finish them
  • Anyone who wants to reach their full creative potential

75
Innovation Books: All-in On AI by Tom Davenport & Nitin Mittal

All-in On AI

Tom Davenport & Nitin Mittal
How Smart Companies Win Big with Artificial Intelligence
3.1 (119 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's All-in On AI about?

All-in On AI (2018) unpacks the critical interplay between human skills and artificial intelligence in driving successful business transformation. It contends that organizational culture, leadership, and talent are equally, if not more, crucial as technology.

Who should read All-in On AI?

  • Business transformation leaders 
  • AI enthusiasts 
  • People interested in organizational culture

76
Innovation Books: Power And Prediction by Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans & Avi Goldfarb

Power And Prediction

Ajay Agrawal, Joshua Gans & Avi Goldfarb
The Disruptive Economics of Artificial Intelligence
3.2 (77 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Power And Prediction about?

Power And Prediction (2018) explores the impact of AI's advancements in prediction on decision-making processes, where AI handles the predictive elements and human judgment is important in their interpretation and application.

Who should read Power And Prediction?

  • AI enthusiasts
  • Business leaders
  • Career strategists

77
Innovation Books: Brave Together by Chris Deaver & Ian Clawson

Brave Together

Chris Deaver & Ian Clawson
Lead by Design, Spark Creativity, and Shape the Future with the Power of Co-Creation
3.9 (59 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Brave Together about?

Brave Together (2024) explores the transformative potential of cocreation for sparking innovation and driving leadership success. Through practical advice and insights, it demonstrates how to harness collective creativity to shape a visionary future and foster a culture of collaborative achievement.

Who should read Brave Together?

  • Corporate leaders and management teams
  • Creative professionals and innovators
  • Anyone interested in enhancing creativity and collaboration

78
Innovation Books: The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction by Walter Benjamin
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction about?

The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction (1935) is a pioneering examination of how mechanical reproduction – particularly via photography and film – transformed the nature, value, and perception of art. It explores the concept of the "aura" of a work of art and how this aura diminishes in a reproduced work.

Who should read The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction?

  • Art history students
  • Modern artists and critics
  • Scholars interested in media theory

79
Innovation Books: Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

Elon Musk

Walter Isaacson
3.8 (270 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Elon Musk about?

Elon Musk (2023) chronicles the life and work of one of the most influential tech entrepreneurs of the twenty-first century. Covering Musk’s ambitious ventures in electric cars, space exploration, and renewable energy, it provides a rare detailed look into Musk’s unique approach to innovation, as well as the private and professional challenges he’s faced along the way.

Who should read Elon Musk?

  • Entrepreneurs and startup founders seeking inspiration
  • Students of technology and innovation management
  • Fans of Tesla, SpaceX, and Elon Musk

80
Innovation Books: Escaping the Build Trap by Melissa Perri

Escaping the Build Trap

Melissa Perri
How Effective Product Management Creates Real Value
3.8 (9 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Escaping the Build Trap about?

Escaping the Build Trap (2018) highlights how companies often become fixated on delivering features instead of addressing real customer problems, resulting in wasted resources and missed opportunities. It advocates for a shift toward a product-led approach, where the focus is on creating value and driving meaningful business outcomes. Through the strategies and frameworks presented, organizations can better align product development with customer needs and long-term company goals, fostering sustainable growth and innovation.

Who should read Escaping the Build Trap?

  • Product managers wanting to build smarter, not just faster
  • Leaders looking to boost team effectiveness
  • Anyone frustrated by wasted effort on non-essential features

81
Innovation Books: Brave New Words by Salman Khan

Brave New Words

Salman Khan
How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That's a Good Thing)
4.0 (56 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Brave New Words about?

Brave New Words (2024) delves into the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on various aspects of our lives, from education and work to healthcare and scientific research. It navigates the ethical challenges surrounding advanced AI while presenting an optimistic outlook on its potential to drive innovation and improve the human condition.

Who should read Brave New Words?

  • Curious minds interested in the future of learning and the potential impact of AI on education
  • Those pondering how AI may reshape the job market, and what skills are needed to thrive
  • Anyone interested in the potential  long-term impacts of AI on humanity

82
Innovation Books: Anatomy of a Breakthrough by Adam Alter

Anatomy of a Breakthrough

Adam Alter
How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most
4.3 (84 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Anatomy of a Breakthrough about?

Anatomy of a Breakthrough (2024) uncovers the secrets to overcoming obstacles and creative blocks by looking at human nature and the habits of successful performers, thinkers, and creatives. It offers practical strategies that will break through barriers and transform your own habits by mastering the balance between experimentation and action.

Who should read Anatomy of a Breakthrough?

  • Anyone suffering from a creative block
  • Individuals seeking practical strategies to overcome career obstacles
  • Those interested in developing resilience and finding innovative solutions to life's greatest challenges

83
Innovation Books: What's Next Is Now by Frederik Pferdt

What's Next Is Now

Frederik Pferdt
How to Live Future Ready
3.7 (49 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's What's Next Is Now about?

What's Next Is Now (2024) presents a transformative mindset to help you navigate uncertainty with purpose. It offers a motivational guide to creating a future you desire through optimism, curiosity, and experimentation, offering practical exercises and real-world insights to foster a future-ready perspective.

Who should read What's Next Is Now?

  • Professionals navigating rapidly changing industries
  • People experiencing major life transitions
  • Those seeking motivation and optimism in the face of the future

84
Innovation Books: The Curious Advantage by Paul Ashcroft, Simon Brown, Garrick Jones

The Curious Advantage

Paul Ashcroft, Simon Brown, Garrick Jones
Harness Curiosity to Thrive in Today’s Digital World
4.0 (45 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Curious Advantage about?

The Curious Advantage (2020) explores the role of curiosity in the digital age, examining its impact from historical, neuroscientific, and business-focused perspectives. It offers practical tools and insights for individuals and organizations to harness curiosity as a strategic advantage, promoting innovation and adaptability in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Who should read The Curious Advantage?

  • Learners aiming to deepen their curiosity
  • Innovative leaders driving organizational curiosity and creativity
  • Anyone with an ounce of curiosity wanting to unleash its power

85
Innovation Books: Do Bigger Things by Dan McClure, Jennifer Wilde

Do Bigger Things

Dan McClure, Jennifer Wilde
A Practical Guide to Powerful Innovation in a Changing World
3.5 (11 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Do Bigger Things about?

Do Bigger Things (2024) explores the concept of ecosystem innovation, emphasizing the need to rethink entire systems and processes to address complex challenges in a rapidly evolving world. It provides a structured approach to achieving large-scale innovation by combining ambitious thinking with actionable strategies, helping individuals and organizations make a significant impact through systematic, disciplined efforts.

Who should read Do Bigger Things?

  • Entrepreneurs looking to scale and innovate their businesses
  • Business leaders navigating complex industry disruptions
  • Change-makers tackling global challenges like climate change

86
Innovation Books: The Innovation Mindset by Lorraine Hudson Marchand, John Hanc

The Innovation Mindset

Lorraine Hudson Marchand, John Hanc
Eight Essential Steps to Transform Any Industry
4.8 (12 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Innovation Mindset about?

The Innovation Mindset (2022) provides a strategic framework for transforming creative sparks into market-ready products – challenging the notion that groundbreaking ideas alone guarantee success. Exploring the critical elements of innovation, from cultivating a problem-solving culture to supporting diverse voices in entrepreneurship, it offers a practical roadmap for navigating the complex journey from concept to market breakthrough.

Who should read The Innovation Mindset?

  • Entrepreneurs and start-up founders looking to turn their ideas into successful products
  • Product developers and designers seeking a structured approach to innovation
  • Business students wanting to understand the realities of bringing new ideas to market

87
Innovation Books: The Upside of Disruption by Terence Mauri

The Upside of Disruption

Terence Mauri
The Path to Leading and Thriving in the Unknown
4.2 (93 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Upside of Disruption about?

The Upside of Disruption (2024) explores how rapid technological advancements and shifts in corporate models are reshaping industries and societies. It delves into the opportunities created by disruption, highlighting how organizations and leaders can adapt to thrive in an unpredictable, fast-evolving world. The best way for businesses and individuals to unlock innovation and create competitive advantages can be summed up in two words: embrace change. 

Who should read The Upside of Disruption?

  • Business leaders and entrepreneurs  
  • Consultants focused on future-proofing organizations 
  • Individuals interested in trends shaping the future of work

88
Innovation Books: Non-Obvious Thinking by Rohit Bhargava, Ben DuPont

Non-Obvious Thinking

Rohit Bhargava, Ben DuPont
How to See What Others Miss
4.2 (88 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Non-Obvious Thinking about?

Non-Obvious Thinking (2024) introduces a practical four-step method designed to help you break free from conventional thinking and uncover hidden opportunities. The SIFT framework – Space, Insight, Focus, and Twist – teaches you how to become more observant, creative, and flexible in your approach to problem-solving. Through engaging stories and actionable lessons, it shows how shifting your perspective can unlock the potential of your best ideas.

Who should read Non-Obvious Thinking?

  • Creative thinkers looking to break away from conventional ideas
  • Professionals seeking innovative solutions to everyday challenges
  • Problem-solvers interested in spotting hidden opportunities

89
Innovation Books: Pivot or Die by Gary Shapiro

Pivot or Die

Gary Shapiro
How Leaders Thrive When Everything Changes
4.2 (24 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Pivot or Die about?

Pivot or Die (2024) offers a framework for leaders to navigate rapid changes and challenges in the technology and business world. It explains how embracing different types of pivots – whether in response to failure, success, or unforeseen circumstances – can help organizations stay agile and competitive. Through case studies and lessons, it highlights the critical role of adaptability in achieving long-term success.

Who should read Pivot or Die?

  • Technology entrepreneurs looking to withstand industry disruptions
  • Startup founders seeking strategies for growth and pivoting
  • Professionals involved in change management or strategic planning

90
Innovation Books: 24 Assets by Daniel Priestley

24 Assets

Daniel Priestley
Create a Digital, Scalable, Valuable and Fun Business That Will Thrive in a Fast Changing World
4.2 (42 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's 24 Assets about?

24 Assets (2017) presents a roadmap for building a business that holds lasting value by identifying and cultivating 24 critical assets across key categories like intellectual property, branding, and systems. It emphasizes creating a scalable and enjoyable enterprise that thrives in today’s fast-changing digital landscape. With a focus on long-term growth and resilience, it provides actionable steps to help businesses become valuable, impactful assets in themselves.

Who should read 24 Assets?

  • Entrepreneurs seeking to scale their businesses effectively
  • Investors interested in asset-based business growth strategies
  • Startup founders looking for sustainable business frameworks

91
Innovation Books: Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray

Liminal Thinking

Dave Gray
Create the Change You Want by Changing the Way You Think
4.0 (54 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Liminal Thinking about?

Liminal Thinking (2016) shows how you can create lasting change by understanding and reframing your beliefs. Drawing from interviews with experts in various fields, it offers six principles and nine practices to help you shape your reality and take control of your life.

Who should read Liminal Thinking?

  • People looking to grow by challenging their limiting beliefs
  • Leaders wanting to create change through new perspectives
  • Problem solvers seeking fresh approaches to difficult situations

92
Innovation Books: Rebel Talent by Francesca Gino

Rebel Talent

Francesca Gino
Why It Pays to Break the Rules at Work and in Life
4.1 (35 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Rebel Talent about?

Rebel Talent (2018) dives into why the rule-breakers and innovators – the rebels – are the ones who’ll thrive in today’s super competitive world. Encouraging a bit of rebellion can spark growth and innovation, and not just at work. By seeing the value in challenging the norm and thinking differently, life can become more exciting and fulfilling.

Who should read Rebel Talent?

  • Business leaders seeking innovative management and culture strategies
  • Professionals aiming to boost creativity and job satisfaction
  • Anyone interested in personal and professional growth

93
Innovation Books: Never Play It Safe by Chase Jarvis

Never Play It Safe

Chase Jarvis
A Practical Guide to Freedom, Creativity, and a Life You Love
4.6 (48 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Never Play It Safe about?

Never Play It Safe (2024) explores the idea that playing it safe can hinder personal growth and creativity, advocating instead for embracing risk and uncertainty. It provides practical tools like leveraging intuition, managing failure, and fostering play to unlock potential and live authentically. Through relatable stories and actionable strategies, it inspires a bold, creative approach to achieving fulfillment and success.

Who should read Never Play It Safe?

  • Aspiring creatives seeking inspiration and actionable strategies
  • Professionals aiming to overcome fear of failure
  • Students interested in unlocking their creative potential

94
Innovation Books: Buoyant by Susie deVille

Buoyant

Susie deVille
The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Becoming Wildly Successful, Creative, and Free
4.3 (32 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Buoyant about?

Buoyant (2023) is a guide for entrepreneurs and creators to overcome burnout and self-doubt by embracing creativity, curiosity, and self-trust as foundational practices for success. The book introduces art-focused tools and strategies to reconnect with one’s unique vision, voice, and genius, fostering authentic self-expression and innovation.

Who should read Buoyant?

  • Entrepreneurs ready to overcome burnout and unlock creativity
  • Leaders ready to embrace authenticity and inspiration
  • Perfectionists ready to open up to experimentation and play

95
Innovation Books: A Year of Creativity by Kathryn Jacob, Sue Unerman

A Year of Creativity

Kathryn Jacob, Sue Unerman
52 Smart Ideas for Boosting Creativity, Innovation and Inspiration at Work
3.5 (41 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's A Year of Creativity about?

A Year of Creativity (2024) shows how to bring more creativity and fresh ideas into professional life with practical strategies. It provides 52 weekly lessons to help spark innovation, improve teamwork, and tackle challenges in dynamic business environments. By encouraging a shift from routine methods to creative thinking, it inspires readers to create meaningful change and achieve lasting success. 

Who should read A Year of Creativity?

  • Ambitious professionals seeking to enhance workplace creativity
  • Dynamic teams looking to improve collaboration skills
  • Curious learners exploring practical approaches to innovation

96
Innovation Books: The Money Trap by Alok Sama

The Money Trap

Alok Sama
Lost Illusions Inside the Tech Bubble
4.1 (8 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Money Trap about?

The Money Trap (2024) is a gripping memoir that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the high-stakes world of global business and technology investing. It recounts Alok Sama’s journey from veteran Morgan Stanley banker to chief dealmaker at SoftBank, navigating mega-deals, billionaire CEOs, and the visionary but eccentric leadership of Masayoshi Son.

Who should read The Money Trap?

  • Finance professionals interested in high-stakes tech dealmaking
  • Tech enthusiasts curious about transformative tech investments
  • Entrepreneurs ready to learn about scaling and disruption

97
Innovation Books: The Net and the Butterfly by Olivia Fox Cabane

The Net and the Butterfly

Olivia Fox Cabane
The Art and Practice of Breakthrough Thinking
4.3 (7 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's The Net and the Butterfly about?

The Net and the Butterfly (2017) offers a fresh perspective on creativity, revealing how to unlock your brain's full potential for groundbreaking ideas. It contains actionable strategies that can help you overcome mental blocks and spark innovation. If you're ready to take your creative thinking to new heights, this is the guide for you.

Who should read The Net and the Butterfly?

  • Creative thinkers
  • Professionals seeking innovation
  • Personal growth enthusiasts

98
Innovation Books: Creativity Rules by Tina Seelig

Creativity Rules

Tina Seelig
Get Ideas Out of Your Head and into the World
4.5 (26 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Creativity Rules about?

Creativity Rules (2015) explores how creative thinking can be systematically developed by understanding core frameworks, mindsets, and environments that foster innovation. The book demystifies the creative process, showing how anyone can learn to generate breakthrough ideas and bring them into the world through a combination of imaginative thinking, practical experimentation, and focused implementation. 

Who should read Creativity Rules?

  • Creative professionals seeking a more structured approach to their creative process
  • Career changers and people looking to bring fresh thinking to their field
  • Anyone who has great ideas but struggles to bring them to life

99
Innovation Books: Invention and Innovation by Vaclav Smil

Invention and Innovation

Vaclav Smil
A Brief History of Hype and Failure
4.4 (7 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Invention and Innovation about?

Invention and Innovation (2023) examines the complex history of human invention, offering a sober analysis that distinguishes between genuine innovation and overhyped promises. It explores various categories of inventions – those that failed to dominate as promised, those that turned disastrous, and those long-promised but not yet realized – along with a pragmatic wish list of inventions urgently needed to address 21st century challenges.

Who should read Invention and Innovation?

  • Cautious technology investors seeking realistic market assessments
  • Curious historians studying technological development patterns
  • Anyone interested in technology’s past and future

100
Innovation Books: Pivot to the Future by Omar Abbosh, Paul Nunes, Larry Downes

Pivot to the Future

Omar Abbosh, Paul Nunes, Larry Downes
Discovering Value and Creating Growth in a Disrupted World
4.5 (15 ratings)
Listen to the Intro
00:00

What's Pivot to the Future about?

Pivot to the Future (2019) explores how companies can achieve sustainable growth by reinventing their existing businesses while embracing new technologies. It introduces the concept of “wise pivots,” strategic shifts that help organizations balance legacy operations with future innovation. Through real-world examples, it demonstrates how businesses can unlock hidden value and stay competitive in an era of constant disruption.

Who should read Pivot to the Future?

  • Forward-thinking business executives seeking sustainable growth strategies
  • Innovation-driven entrepreneurs navigating digital transformation challenges
  • Curious professionals interested in business innovation and adaptation

Related Topics

Innovation Books
 FAQs 

What's the best Innovation book to read?

While choosing just one book about a topic is always tough, many people regard Where Good Ideas Come From as the ultimate read on Innovation.

What are the Top 10 Innovation books?

Blinkist curators have picked the following:
  • Where Good Ideas Come From by Steven Johnson
  • The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
  • A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink
  • Innovation and Entrepreneurship by Peter Drucker
  • The Myths of Creativity by David Burkus
  • Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
  • The Gamification Revolution by Gabe Zichermann and Joselin Linder
  • Making Ideas Happen by Scott Belsky
  • The Gen Z Effect by Thomas Koulopoulus and Dan Keldsen
  • Change by Design by Tim Brown

Who are the top Innovation book authors?

When it comes to Innovation, these are the authors who stand out as some of the most influential:
  • Steven Johnson
  • Malcolm Gladwell
  • Daniel H. Pink
  • Peter Drucker
  • David Burkus