Reading List

Books for product leaders

Books I recommend for product managers, leaders, and founders. Decades of working with product teams distilled into the titles that actually moved the needle.

48 Items
No. 01

About Face: The Essentials of Interaction Design

Ever felt like you're juggling art and science to create that perfect user experience? This book is your cheat sheet. It's a deep dive into interaction design, covering everything from wireframing to…

No. 02

Continuous Discovery Habits: Discover Products that Create Customer Value and Business Value

Unlock the secrets of what your customers truly desire. This book equips you with a set of habits for continuous discovery, turning you into a veritable customer whisperer. You'll learn to balance…

No. 03

Conversations cruciales (IX.HORS COLLECT)

Crucial Conversations is an essential guide for navigating high-stakes discussions with confidence and clarity. For product managers, it provides practical tools to handle tough conversations, build…

No. 04

Creativity, Inc. (The Expanded Edition): Overcoming the Unseen Forces That Stand in the Way of True…

Struggling to keep the creative juices flowing in a business setting? This book is your muse. It dives deep into the Pixar culture, revealing the secret sauce that makes creativity and profitability…

No. 05

Don't Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability (3rd Edition) (Voices That Matter)

If you're in product management, "Don't Make Me Think, Revisited" is your new bible for web usability. Steve Krug distills years of experience into common-sense principles that are as straightforward…

No. 06

Escaping the Build Trap: How Effective Product Management Creates Real Value

You're not just building features; you're crafting experiences. This book shifts your focus from mere outputs to meaningful outcomes. It's like a masterclass in breaking free from the 'build trap'…

No. 07

Financial Intelligence, Revised Edition: A Manager's Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean

This book is like a zen garden for your financial anxieties. It simplifies complex financial concepts into digestible insights, making you a wiser, more informed leader. Consider it your guide to…

No. 08

Good Strategy Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters

If you're a product manager seeking clarity in the maze of strategic planning, "Good Strategy Bad Strategy" by Richard Rume, it is your compass. This book strips away the jargon and fluff, offering…

No. 09

How to Measure Anything: Finding the Value of Intangibles in Business

Think measuring intangibles is like catching smoke with your bare hands? This book proves otherwise. It offers a robust framework for quantifying seemingly elusive metrics, turning them into…

No. 10

I'm Afraid Debbie from Marketing Has Left for the Day: How to Use Behavioral Design to Create Change in the…

I'm Afraid Debbie from Marketing Has Left for the Day by Morten Münchow and Steve Harrison is a compelling guide for leveraging behavioral design to drive real-world change. For product managers, it…

No. 11

Inspired: How to Create Tech Products Customers Love (Silicon Valley Product Group)

Marty Cagan's "Inspired" is a treasure trove of insights on how to create tech products that resonate. It's not just a book; it's a masterclass from a Silicon Valley veteran. As a product manager,…

No. 12

Invisible Solutions: 25 Lenses that Reframe and Help Solve Difficult Business Problems

This book is your backstage pass to the world of creative problem-solving. It's not just about finding solutions; it's about asking the right questions. Think of it as your cheat sheet for turning…

No. 13

Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men

Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez is an eye-opening book that highlights the systemic data biases that overlook women's experiences in product design and decision-making. For product managers,…

No. 14

Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs

Measure What Matters by John Doerr is a definitive guide to using OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) to drive focus, alignment, and measurable outcomes. For product managers, it’s an essential…

No. 15

Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

Moneyball by Michael Lewis is a fascinating exploration of using data and unconventional thinking to outperform the competition. For product managers, it’s an inspiring reminder of how leveraging…

No. 16

No Bullsh*t Leadership: Why the World Needs More Everyday Leaders and Why That Leader Is You

Who says you need a C-level title to lead? This book is for product managers who want to lead from the trenches. It offers practical advice on how to guide your team, align with stakeholders, and…

No. 17

Power and Love: A Theory and Practice of Social Change

Navigate the complex landscape of social change with a blend of power and love. Adam Kahane draws from his extensive experience in facilitating transformative processes across various sectors. For…

No. 18

Privacy in Context: Technology, Policy, and the Integrity of Social Life

Navigating the digital landscape while respecting privacy can feel like walking a tightrope. This book serves as your safety net. It delves into the nuances of privacy, arguing that the context in…

No. 19

Product Leadership: How Top Product Managers Launch Awesome Products and Build Successful Teams

Turn your product team into a well-oiled innovation machine. This book is your recipe for mixing the right ingredients: leadership, teamwork, and a dash of creativity. Think of it as your culinary…

No. 20

Product Management in Practice: A Real-World Guide to the Key Connective Role of the 21st Century

Matt LeMay’s Product Management in Practice is an excellent guide for product managers focused on real-world application. It breaks down the role into actionable frameworks, emphasizing…

No. 21

Pyramid Principle, The (Book)

The Pyramid Principle by Barbara Minto is a game-changing guide for clear, structured thinking and communication. For product managers, it provides a framework to craft compelling arguments, present…

No. 22

Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity

Navigating the tightrope between being a pushover and a tyrant just got easier. This book is your playbook for mastering the art of effective and empathetic leadership. It's a deep dive into the…

No. 23

Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter

Tired of iterating your way into mediocrity? This book argues that a clear vision, not endless iteration, is the key to truly revolutionary products. For product managers, it's a wake-up call to stop…

No. 24

Red Teaming: Past and Present

This book is a deep dive into the world of red teaming, a practice that challenges conventional thinking to improve decision-making. It explores historical and modern applications, from military…

No. 25

Remote: Office Not Required

Ditch the cubicle and embrace the freedom of remote work. This book is your guide to navigating the new landscape of flexible workspaces and schedules. It's a treasure trove of best practices for…

No. 26

Solving Product: Reveal Gaps, Ignite Growth, and Accelerate Any Tech Product with Customer Research (Lean B2B)

Navigating the B2B landscape? This book is your guide to assessing markets, building MVPs, and assembling the right team. It's like having a mentor who helps you focus on the right things at each…

No. 27

SPIN Selling

This book is a game-changer for anyone in the business of selling, offering the SPIN (Situation, Problem, Implication, Need-payoff) methodology as a new playbook. It turns the traditional sales…

No. 28

Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days

"Sprint" by John Zeratsky is a game-changer for anyone in product management. Imagine solving your biggest challenges in just five days—this book shows you how. It's like finding the cheat codes to…

No. 29

Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well

"Thanks for the Feedback" serves as a guidebook for navigating the complex world of receiving feedback. Sheila Heen combines science and art to offer a comprehensive approach to understanding,…

No. 30

The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever

Tired of being buried under work? This book offers a coaching habit that can help you and your team reconnect with the work that matters. It's a guide for product managers who want to focus on what…

No. 31

The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business

The Culture Map by Erin Meyer is a must-read for product managers working in global or cross-cultural teams. It offers insights into navigating cultural differences, improving communication, and…

No. 32

The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter, Updated and Expanded

Transitions are a critical time for leaders at all levels. Missteps made during the crucial first three months in a new role can jeopardize your success. In this updated and expanded version of the…

No. 33

The Four Steps to the Epiphany: Successful Strategies for Products that Win

This book is a cornerstone in understanding how startups differ from established companies. It introduces the four-step Customer Development process, offering a practical approach to discover flaws…

No. 34

The Gervais Principle: The Complete Series, with a Bonus Essay on Office Space (Ribbonfarm Roughs Book 2)

Navigate the treacherous waters of office politics with Venkatesh Rao's insights. The book categorizes your co-workers into Sociopaths, Clueless, and Losers, offering a fresh lens to understand…

No. 35

The Great Mental Models Volume 1: General Thinking Concepts

Ever felt like you're navigating through a maze of decisions? This book is your map. It offers you a set of mental models that act as your compass, guiding you through the complexities of product…

No. 36

The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers

If you're a product manager navigating the labyrinth of startup challenges, "The Hard Thing About Hard Things" is your survival guide. Ben Horowitz, a Silicon Valley veteran, serves unfiltered wisdom…

No. 37

The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation To Create Radically Successful…

The Lean Startup by Eric Ries is a must-read for product managers looking to build impactful, customer-driven products with speed and efficiency. This book introduces the MVP (Minimum Viable Product)…

No. 38

The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York

"The Power Broker" is a masterclass in understanding the dynamics of power, essential for any product manager. Robert Caro delves into the life of Robert Moses, the man who shaped New York, revealing…

No. 39

The Product Momentum Gap: Bringing together product strategy and customer value

A fantastic resource for aligning product, marketing, and sales teams around delivering real customer value. The Product VCP (Value Creation Plan) is a game-changer for building momentum and driving…

No. 40

The Product-Led Organization: Drive Growth By Putting Product at the Center of Your Customer Experience

A playbook for putting your product at the core of your customer experience. This book is essential for those seeking to build product-led strategies and create delightful, growth-driving experiences.

No. 41

The Staff Engineer's Path: A Guide for Individual Contributors Navigating Growth and Change

The Staff Engineer's Path by Tanya Reilly is a valuable guide for senior engineers balancing technical leadership and individual contribution. For product managers, it offers insights into the…

No. 42

The Uncertainty Mindset: Innovation Insights from the Frontiers of Food

This book is your sous-chef in the kitchen of innovation. It explores how elite culinary R&D teams embrace uncertainty as their secret ingredient, turning it into a catalyst for creativity. It's a…

No. 43

Transformed: Moving to the Product Operating Model (Silicon Valley Product Group)

Marty Cagan's Transformed is a must-read for product managers seeking to drive impactful change. It offers practical strategies for adopting a product-led model, real-world case studies, and expert…

No. 44

Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps: How to Thrive in Complexity

Unlocking Leadership Mindtraps" is a must-read for product managers seeking to navigate the complexities of modern organizations. Jennifer Garvey Berger, with her rich background in adult development…

No. 45

User Story Mapping: Discover the Whole Story, Build the Right Product

Imagine having a GPS for your product development journey. That's what User Story Mapping offers. It's a hands-on guide to visualizing your product's user experience, helping you see the forest and…

No. 46

Waltzing With Bears: Managing Risk on Software Projects

Waltzing with Bears reframes risk as information rather than threat. Its lessons apply directly to modern product management, where uncertainty lives in every roadmap, dependency, and executive…

No. 47

Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned: The Myth of the Objective

This read challenges the conventional wisdom of goal-setting by arguing that objectives can actually hinder progress toward greater achievements. The authors use scientific evidence and real-world…

No. 48

Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon

Unlock the vault of Amazon's success with this insider's guide. It's a deep dive into the company's unique principles and processes, straight from the executives who lived it. For product managers,…