5 Must-Read Books for Small & Mid-Size Businesses to Grow Teams and Retain Talent
Running a small or mid-size business comes with unique challenges. You need leaders who take ownership, employees who feel engaged, and systems that help you attract and retain top talent. The right books can give business owners and managers practical strategies to lead effectively, hire smarter, and build a thriving workplace culture.
Here are five powerful reads every growing company should keep on their shelf:
1. Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
If you want to transform your leadership team, start here. Written by two former Navy SEALs, Extreme Ownership teaches leaders at all levels to take responsibility, eliminate excuses, and lead by example.
Why it matters for your business:
Leadership accountability drives organizational success. When leaders own outcomes—good or bad—it creates a culture where employees trust management and strive to perform at their best.
2. Self Leadership and The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard
Once leaders understand accountability, the next step is empowering employees. This book emphasizes self-leadership, personal responsibility, and quick, effective management techniques that help people grow.
Why it matters for your business:
A culture of self-leadership reduces micromanagement, increases employee engagement, and helps your workforce stay motivated—even without constant supervision.
3. Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard & Sheldon Bowles
Customer satisfaction is no longer enough—businesses need raving fans. This book outlines how to create unforgettable customer experiences by engaging and inspiring your employees to deliver excellence.
Why it matters for your business:
Happy employees lead to happy customers. When your team feels valued and excited about their role, they pass that energy to your clients—driving loyalty and long-term business growth.
4. Topgrading by Bradford D. Smart
Hiring the right people is one of the biggest challenges SMBs face. Topgrading provides a proven system for identifying A-players during the hiring process and avoiding costly mis-hires.
Why it matters for your business:
A single poor hire can impact productivity, culture, and customer experience. Topgrading helps you build a high-performance team from the start, reducing turnover and boosting retention.
5. Dealing with Difficult People (HBR Emotional Intelligence Series)
Even the best teams face conflict. This HBR guide helps leaders and employees recognize tough dynamics, manage conflict productively, and strengthen workplace relationships with emotional intelligence at the core.
Why it matters for your business:
Unresolved conflict leads to disengagement and turnover. Learning how to address challenging personalities constructively helps you keep teams focused, engaged, and resilient.
Final Thoughts
Small and mid-size businesses don’t always have the luxury of massive budgets or sprawling HR teams. But what you can have is a workforce that’s engaged, accountable, and committed to your company’s success.
These five books—Extreme Ownership, Self Leadership and The One Minute Manager, Raving Fans, Topgrading, and Dealing with Difficult People (HBR Emotional Intelligence Series)—offer strategies that help you build strong leadership, hire and retain top talent, and foster a culture where employees thrive.
Start with the one that aligns most with your current challenge, and use it as a roadmap for growth. A single shift in leadership, hiring, or team culture can make all the difference.