This article showcases our top picks for the Business Books For Introverts. We reached out to industry leaders and experts who have contributed the suggestions within this article (they have been credited for their contributions below).
We are keen to hear your feedback on all of our content and our comment section is a moderated space to express your thoughts and feelings related (or not) to this article This list is in no particular order.
This product was recommended by Colin Toh from Headphonesty
This book is filled with advice on how to embrace being introverted and work with it, rather than trying to change who you are to fit into an extroverted mold. Kahnweiler shares a four step process to help you build on your strengths as an introvert, which she calls your Quiet Strength. The premise is that being introverted is a strength in itself, and once you learn to embrace it, you’ll be able to become a great leader and communicator, and be able to better manage and engage with people who are both introverts and extroverts.
This book is phenomenal as it breaks through the modern-day thought process that businesses *must* continue to grow into teams, corporations, entities, etc. As an introvert, that ideology put me off from starting my business for years. Reading about reputable companies such as CDBaby, WordPress, and Nomad List, it became clear how possible it is to build a successful business without a team. Although I occasionally enjoy working with people, the prospect of having to find the right people to get my business off the ground always stopped me before I could get started. Now I know that a business doesn’t have to scale beyond my needs and that serving the market is enough.
This product was recommended by John Li from Fig Loans
Vaynerchuck teaches young entrepreneurs how to build their brand early with the combination of new-school social media strategies and timeless branding principles. He covers the social giants like Twitter and Instagram while also addressing how best to approach brand-building on newer, smaller platforms like Soundcloud and Musical.ly, and everything in between. When you can create a brand early, you’ll naturally build a following that helps you forge toward professional success.
This product was recommended by Ruben Gamez from SignWell
This book can help you network your way to a stronger career, no matter your industry or goals. King helps introverts learn to overcome their fear of small talk and navigate everyday and professional interactions. Your goal is not simply to survive small talk but to thrive in it. *This book helps to improve persuasive speaking skills, network with new people, listen effectively, and use emotional intelligence in every social and professional setting.* It’s a must-read!
This product was recommended by John Li from Fig Loans
Cain’s book gives fantastic insights into how undervalued introverts are in the world and how many of the world’s greatest contributions have come from introverts that have harnessed their power. This is a good read for extroverts who want to better understand the introvert and for introverts who want to read inspiring stories that show them real-life examples of their superpowers in action.
This product was recommended by Amy Weiher from Weiher Creative
One of the biggest fears of introverts is being forced to speak to strangers, in strange settings. In Talking to Strangers, Malcolm Gladwell offers a new perspective on the things that we get wrong about communication with people we don’t know. By changing your thinking on the way you talk to strangers, you can avoid misunderstandings and even make yourself a more successful business person.
This product was recommended by Judah Longgrear from Nickelytics
Small Fish, Big Pond is a book that takes the principles learned from ocean life and teaches business executives how to outsmart, outsprint, and outlast their opponents by practicing their strengths. Smaller businesses are up against fierce competition from larger, more established firms. Small Fish, Big Pond deconstructs the Futureproof Strategic Framework, which provides innovators with a proven approach to developing a genuine brand that draws talented people, provides exceptional customer experiences, and beats the competition at every stage of its growth. I now better understand that small fish (SMBs and small enterprises) can make it through life in the water by capitalizing on their talents and capabilities.
This product was recommended by Jean Will from NiaWigs
As the founder of a company, I chose this book because it has greatly emphasized how the strengths of being an introvert such as wide curiosity about things, independence, and love for new knowledge, can be used in entrepreneurship. It has also given tips on the negative side of being introverted such as lack of networking and connecting skills, and how this could be addressed. Additionally, a variety of subjects are covered, including marketing, leadership, and community development, all of which are inspired by interviews with introverts who have built prosperous enterprises without sacrificing their true selves.
This product was recommended by Deepanshu Bedi from Exhalewell
Introverts hate social gatherings. This book teaches readers how to harness the power of quiet charisma to help them navigate the noisy world of networking events, business conferences, and even just a night out with coworkers.
This amazing guide will restore your trust in networking if you’ve lost it. You can build meaningful connections with the most influential individuals in any environment with Matthew’s step-by-step direction. In fact, what I’ve discovered is that introverts naturally have an advantage when it comes to networking in the right way, which involves cultivating deeper relationships with a select group of the most appropriate individuals in the room rather than playing a numbers game and talking to everyone in the room. As Mathew Pollard puts it: By playing a totally different game. Matthew presents a method for networking that plays to introverts’ advantages. He never pushes you to fake it, be pushy, or develop techniques to sell oneself. As an introvert who has built his business from the bottom up and who has managed to connect with some of the greatest names from a variety of sectors, Matthew exemplifies what he preaches by demonstrating how to build genuine relationships that will endure and have an effect in any setting.
My former manager recommended this book to me. It consists of three parts. The first part of the article discusses who you are and what introverted strengths and obstacles you face. Part 2 discusses the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The third part discusses making your presence felt, public speaking, engaging in conflict resolution and speaking in meetings.
This product was recommended by Oscar Rodriguez from OssieRodriguez
If you’re an introvert, the thought of networking can be daunting. However, networking is an essential part of being an entrepreneur, and it’s important to have strategies for talking to people. That’s where How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes comes in. This book is full of great advice for introverts who want to learn how to network effectively. Lowndes provides tips on everything from how to start a conversation to how to keep it going. She also includes advice on how to read body language and what to do if you’re feeling nervous. With Lowndes’s help, you’ll be ready to tackle any networking situation with confidence.
What I love about this book is that it emphasizes the role of collaboration in making introverts thrive in the workplace. There is no sense in denying the fact that some introvert attributes aren’t exactly ideal in a business environment, where human interaction is essential and where extroverts typically have the edge. This book emphasizes the ways by which introverts and their extroverted colleagues can complement each other and lift each other up. Kahnweiler argues that introverts and extroverts have a lot to learn from each other and that history is full of examples of introvert-extrovert partnerships that prove that such a collaboration is more than the sum of its parts.
This book is ideal for introverts who wish to stand in their own strength rather than trying to survive by emulating extroverted energy. The temptation to get out there and be happy might lead individuals to believe that being inside is a problem rather than an opportunity. Helgoe demonstrates that the contrary is true: introverts may tap into this inner abundance of power. If you’re seeking self-confidence and introversion books, Introvert Power is a roadmap for how introverts can fully utilize this hidden power in everyday life and move more confidently. This book assists introverted leaders in pushing over their comfort zone, developing confidence, and developing positive client connections. This book will assist you in identifying the introvert’s actual self.
This product was recommended by Richard J. Brandenstein from FBR Law Partner
This book is ideal for an introvert and carries some interesting revelations on life that can help an introvert learn to break out of their shell in an empowering and positive way. Mar Manson points out the negative things in life, the negative facts we can;t ignore. The book is an antidote to the coddling of modern media that can make us into introverts and instead provides a new approach to these problems that allows us to prioritize the things that matter and embrace our own vulnerabilities in a way that allows us to enjoy life. TIf you want to challenge an introvert with a book – Manson is the author for you.
I recommend this book to help introverts align their goals with their behaviors. Zack explains that it’s okay to be an introvert, and you don’t need to fake your life to get along with extroverts and succeed in networking, which is why it is a must.
This product was recommended by Andreas Grant from Networks Hardware
The book can offer you a whole new perspective of how you can tackle every conversation like a negotiation. It’s not specifically about business but negotiation is a skill that’s required in every part of our lives. You get to learn a lot about how to prepare for any conversation, be it with a boss, a colleague, a potential investor or higher-ups in an organization. How you should keep a summary of every meeting, why you should have face-to-face meetings, how to ask for help every single thing is explained properly for introverts like us. As an introvert, I used to admire the character Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games. He had a way with words and would really outshine his presence everywhere. You do need a certain level of confidence when getting into the world of business. This book gave me a fresh start, to be honest. I managed to engage with people like I have never done before. I feel when you are prepared enough for a conversation, being an introvert won’t be an obstacle.
This product was recommended by Melissa Kwan from eWebinar
Every founder should learn how to sell, including introverted founders! This book gives you an easy to follow presentation structure that anyone can learn to guide your prospects to a desired outcome. Not everyone is a born great salesperson, but everyone can learn to be. This book is a great tool to help you until you became natural at delivering great pitches.
This product was recommended by Camila Henderson from FastPaydayLoans
Introverts often feel like pariahs as most businesses require an aggressive and public individual. However, Lisa Petrilli took on a business as an introvert and shaped it within a decade into a competitive enterprise. In this book, she explains the differences between extroverts and introverts in the market. She then teaches strategies to stand out in business while being comfortable with the level of exposure you are in. She proceeds to give introverts the necessary principles for creating successful businesses and being leaders. She concludes with a guide on being extroverted within your comfort zone. It is a remarkable collection of strategies that give introverts opportunities to shine without feeling awkward about the exposure and developments.
This product was recommended by Tim Absalikov from Lasting Trend
The book makes it clear that you don’t have to change your worldview to become a successful businessman. There are many examples of businessmen-introverts. To succeed, you just have to strengthen your positive character traits. The author presents many useful pieces of advice. They range from how to boost your confidence up to how to communicate more and talk less. With the help of the book, you will learn how to improve your relationships with co-workers, partners, friends, relatives, and much more. The book contains valuable information about how to benefit from your introverted worldview.
This product was recommended by Brett Robinson from Wired Clip
I loved how this book didn’t try to convince introverted people to become extroverted in order to succeed in the business world. Instead, it highlights the importance of introverts in entrepreneurial positions, and that these ‘quiet strengths’ are the reason why they are so successful. My favorite element of this book was the ‘Your Next Steps’ section, found at the end of each chapter. It is intended to help you put these strengths into action in your workplace.
Something I found very interesting about this book was all of the angles that Gerth approaches in relation to being an introvert. She discusses the personality type from a biological perspective, a social perspective, and even a spiritual perspective – all of which are used to explain why introverts are so powerful in business settings. I love how this book celebrates the people who may be considered too reserved to be successful – and it fully contradicts this outdated myth too!
This product was recommended by Jessica Kantor from Bell + Ivy
The indispensable guide to developing a personal brand, building an audience, and nurturing followers, by digital marketing thought-leader Cynthia Johnson. In the modern world, influence is everything and personal branding equals influence. Platform is the why-to, how-to handbook by top expert Cynthia Johnson for everyone who wants to develop and manage a personal brand. In Platform, Johnson explains the process of going from unknown to influencer by achieving personal proof, social proof, recognition, and association. Johnson herself went from an on-staff social media manager to social media influencer, entrepreneur, and marketing thought-leader in just three years using her process of accelerated brand development, continuous brand management, and strategic growth. Fans of #GirlBoss and #AskGaryVee, who wonder how their favorite influencers found their voices and built their audiences, will find the answers here and discover that the process is technical, creative, tactical, and much easier than they might have expected.
The perfect book if you’re struggling with how to interact with people is How to Win Friends and Influence People. It leans towards a self-help book, but it’s more than that. This book will help you and your business. If you’re an introvert who wants to achieve success for their business, don’t read books about introverts – that will only help you understand yourself. You should read about how to adapt to this extroverted world, from an extrovert’s perspective; How to Win Friends and Influence People helps you with that. You need to learn from the extroverts and not people like me and you – introverts.
This product was recommended by Manuel Hernandez from Appleverse
The book Why we buy is a must-read for anyone who wants to get into retail. As an introvert and a consumer, I found this book to be both insightful and inspiring. It contains many examples of business successes and failures that will help you understand consumer behavior, no matter what industry you are in. If you are involved in retail or if you are just interested in understanding how consumers think about shopping, then this book is for you!