When it comes to building a thriving business, our CEO, Todd Watson, believes in one key principle: learn from the best. To that end, Todd has returned time and again to a powerful collection of business books—each one shaping the way he leads, makes decisions, and grows the company. In fact, these aren’t just one-time reads. Rather, they’re must-read business books that continue to impact our team’s culture, strategy, and success.

Whether you're just starting out or well into your leadership journey, this list has something for you. So, whether you're an entrepreneur scaling your startup, a leader developing your team, or someone simply passionate about personal growth and business strategy, this list is packed with valuable insights to help guide and inspire your journey.

Category	Title	Author
Business	Small Giants	Bo Burlingham
Leadership	EntreLeadership	Dave Ramsey
Strategy	The Advantage	Patrick Lencioni
Culture	The Power of Moments	Chip & Dan Heath

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1. Small Giants by Bo Burlingham

Best for: Leaders who want to grow a purpose-driven, people-first company

I received this book as a gift years ago and really enjoyed it then, but after big transitions within my company I really came to lean on it as the path toward where I want to go. It’s so encouraging to see other companies that chose a path that didn’t just go build a company to be big and sell, but instead focused on being a great company for their community and employees. I re-read it again this year and still continue to be inspired by the stories that Bo shares in this book.” – Todd Watson

This book highlights companies that chose greatness over growth. Instead of scaling quickly, they stayed small on purpose. Their focus? Excellence, strong communities, and a healthy company culture.

Author Bo Burlingham calls them “small giants”—businesses that ignore the pressure to grow fast and, instead, build lasting legacies based on their values.

Key Takeaways:

• Success doesn’t always mean scaling fast
• Purpose-driven business models build lasting impact
• Keeping control within the company can be a strategic advantage

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2. EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey

Best for: Entrepreneurs and small business owners looking for a practical, values-driven approach to leadership

“This is my business Bible, the source I go back to for guidance in so many areas of how to run a company. When anyone asks my how to build a company, I tell them to start here. I make it a practice to listen to it each year and my leadership team has all read it. I use many of the rhythms from this book and I can’t thank Dave enough for the encouragement and challenge this book has been to our business.” – Todd Watson

In EntreLeadership, Ramsey blends entrepreneurship and leadership into one clear, actionable guide. With personal stories and practical tools, this book empowers leaders to take ownership of their businesses—and themselves.

“If you're the problem, you're also the solution.”

Key Takeaways:

• Strong leadership starts with self-awareness and growth
• Business success is driven by intentional culture and clear systems
• Leadership rhythms can build consistency and trust

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3. The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni

Best for: Leaders focused on long-term success through team alignment and communication

“After EntreLeadership, “The Advantage” is next on my most influential books on how to operate a company. He cites “organizational health” as the key to success in a business and then works through the areas that create this health. Lencioni’s six critical questions are the foundation of how we structure our leadership and vision communication and what we come back to over and over in our team. It’s simplicity breathes life into what could be a stale process and is also a strong reminder in the importance of communicating things over and over again. This is the third book that I “re-read” this past year but just like good communication, it takes multiple times to really sink in.” – Todd Watson

Lencioni outlines six critical questions every organization must answer to build trust, clarity, and alignment. Simple in concept but powerful in practice, this book offers a framework that transforms how leaders communicate vision, strategy, and values.

“The single greatest advantage any company can achieve is organizational health.”

Key Takeaways:

• Alignment at the leadership level impacts every layer of the business
• Clear, consistent communication is vital to culture and execution
• Repetition is key: say the important things over and over again

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4. The Power of Moments by Chip & Dan Heath

Best for: Anyone looking to create memorable, meaningful experiences for customers and teams

While not a traditional business operations book, The Power of Moments explores how to intentionally create standout moments in life and work. It’s a reminder that success is often built in small, powerful experiences that leave a lasting impression.

Key Takeaways:

• Moments matter—especially in leadership, culture, and customer service
• You can engineer moments that inspire, connect, and elevate
• Great companies don’t just provide products—they create experiences

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Final Thoughts: Start With One, Build From There

If you’re looking to grow as a leader, build a healthier company, or inspire your team, these books are a powerful place to start. Each one has played a meaningful role in shaping how Todd leads—and how our company shows up for our clients and community every day.

Ready to grow your business through better leadership?
Start with one of these titles and let it challenge the way you think, lead, and build.

Our team has put together a list of fun Creative Curations of all the things we've really enjoyed listening, reading, and watching! Check them out!