One happy exception to this rule is Ed O’Reilly, who helped build and co-found a successful software development business after several failures of his own. And while he learned a fair amount from his own missteps, he often found answers and lessons needed in the books he read.
The first thing he learnt to do was to pivot. His original career path was to become an actuary, but events conspired to interest him in programming. “I never used any of the complex maths from actuarial science in business, but because I was used to learning such complicated things, learning to code afterward was reasonably easy by comparison,” he explains.
O’Reilly made the switch after realising that he didn’t want to spend his life calculating pension fund profitability. He also knew he needed an outlet for his knowledge and creativity, so he got into software development.
With the constant need to improve himself and the business, books were a source of guidance on self and business development for him. This, combined with his eagerness to learn about marketing, automation and networking, meant that he often read and for many hours at a time. He still does.
When the business, Nona Digital, was acquired by Yoco, O’Reilly moved into the position of head of capability for the African FinTech company. Looking back at the books that helped him on his journey, he singled out five worthy of a special mention.
Traction by Gino Wickman
The first entry on his recommendation list is a book that is suitable for both early- and late-stage businesses. It is specific with actionable practices, rules and approaches to running a business and provides an entrepreneurial operating system.
“Implementing Traction took our business to the next level and forever changed the way I run companies and lead people,” says O’Reilly.
Wickman shows entrepreneurs many simple yet effective ways to run their companies with more focus, growth and enjoyment. It is certainly helpful for any entrepreneur at any stage of their business growth.
Multipliers by Greg McKeown and Liz Wiseman
In growing any business, you need not only the right leader(s) and team but also people who are open to learning more about themselves and how they can improve. This inspired O’Reilly’s second pick.
The core idea in this book is that brilliant people are either multipliers or diminishers of those around them. “Truly great individual performers can be bad for your business if they suppress the people around them rather than lifting them up. Focus on those that improve the people around them as the end effect will be massive,” he explains.
He reports that Multipliers taught him lessons about himself and others while reminding him to focus on raising those around him and making sure that he built a team willing to do the same.
It focuses on what leaders can do to inspire their teams to do and be better. This practical read by leadership expert Liz Wiseman and management consultant Greg McKeown expands on different leadership styles and how specific methods can drive new ideas, organisational changes and innovation.
After closing this book, you’ll know if you’re a multiplier or diminisher. But if you are a diminisher, you can still change by implementing the tips provided, says O’Reilly.
Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller
At this point, you might have the right business strategy and a team that can drive it home, but how will they do that? Knowing how to market what you’re selling takes us to his next recommendation.
He describes this as “the best book on marketing ever,” and here’s why: It is simply written yet powerful as it makes readers think about the narrative and positioning of their business. “After reading this, we fundamentally altered our course for the better, and I will apply the lessons therein in every business I’m ever involved in,” insists O’Reilly.
As it happens, Building a Story Brand is also recommended by Darrah Brustein, founder, author and life coach, in An Entrepreneur’s Book Guide for 2022.
Maps of Meaning by Jordan Peterson
In focusing on his journey and self-development, the next book resonated with him. It covers various topics from ancient cultures to neuroscience and modern Christianity.
While reading this, he learnt not to “casually dismiss the hard-fought lessons of the past and assume that I am an independent entity and not a product of the culture I’ve grown up in.” In doing so, he started appreciating historical efforts and approaches and used the lessons to build his own path.
It begs the question, “Why have people from different cultures and eras formulated myths and stories with similar structures? What does this similarity tell us about the mind, morality and structure of the world itself?” If you are also intrigued, Maps of Meaning might just answer a few questions you also have.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
It’s not often that a work of fiction makes a list of business book recommendations, but O’Reilly isn’t alone in this one. Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla, SpaceX and a few other companies, also named The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy a source of inspiration.
“Adams makes this point that it’s actually the question that is harder than the answer,” explains Musk.
For his part, O’Reilly says Adams’ classic – actually five or six books in one – provided a valuable lesson. “The world is a silly place. Don’t take things, or yourself, too seriously. Stop and laugh at all the ridiculous things around you and let your imagination run wild.”
You might also have difficult questions that you need to answer, and the first and best place to start looking for those answers is by opening a book, as great entrepreneurs do.
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