Spring is finally here! In the Midwest, the snow is melting, and the sun is shining—a perfect reminder of growth, both in nature and business. As you look ahead, it’s a great time to focus on personal and professional growth.One of the best ways to do that is by learning from successful entrepreneurs. Business development books offer valuable insights, practical strategies, and inspiration to help you navigate challenges and achieve success. Whether you’re refining your mindset or scaling your business, the right book can be a game-changer.
In this post, get our top business development books for entrepreneurs and small business owners (that’s you!) that combine actionable strategies with engaging storytelling to fuel your growth this season.
Our Top Business Development Books for Growth
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Overview: James Clear’s Atomic Habits simplifies the concept of habit formation. He compares habits to atoms, small but essential building blocks that shape our actions and, ultimately, our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Recognize the power of small, consistent improvements rather than making drastic changes overnight.
- Try shifting systems rather than just behaviors, which means true transformation happens when habits become a natural part of one’s identity. The goal is to make good habits so ingrained in your identity that they stick effortlessly
- Challenge the idea that breaking or maintaining good habits should feel exhausting. Instead, try to make a sustainable change that is more manageable and thus more rewarding.
Atomic Habits is a must-read for building better routines and creating lasting success through minor, strategic adjustments.
Get A Grip: An Entrepreneurial Journey by Gino Wickman and Mike Paton
Overview: Get a Grip is a practical, story-driven introduction to the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a business framework designed to help companies overcome stagnation and gain traction. Told through the story of “Swan Services”—a struggling company on the brink of collapse—the book illustrates how EOS can bring clarity, accountability, and structure to any business.
Key Highlights:
- The book highlights the importance of clearly defined roles, structured meetings, and strong leadership.
- It introduces key EOS principles, such as the Accountability Chart for role clarity, the Level 10 Meeting format for productive discussions, and the Identify, Discuss, Solve (IDS) method for resolving issues effectively.
- Successful businesses are built on vision, people, data, problems, process, and traction—six essential components that EOS helps strengthen.
At GreenCup, EOS has played a vital role in streamlining operations and fostering alignment across the team. Thanks to our EOS implementer, Barb, we’ve experienced firsthand how this system transforms decision-making and execution.
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Overview: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team takes a storytelling approach to uncovering the core challenges that hold teams back from success. Through the fictional company DecisionTech and its newly appointed CEO, Kathryn, Patrick Lencioni illustrates the common pitfalls that lead to dysfunction—many of which will feel familiar to anyone who has worked in a team environment.
Key Takeaways:
- The book outlines five key dysfunctions that prevent teams from reaching their full potential:
- Absence of Trust – When team members don’t feel safe being vulnerable, they avoid honesty and collaboration.
- Fear of Conflict – Teams that avoid difficult conversations create artificial harmony instead of addressing real problems.
- Lack of Commitment – Without clear alignment, decisions become ambiguous, leading to uncertainty and slow progress.
- Avoidance of Accountability – When expectations aren’t upheld, standards slip, and teams underperform.
- Inattention to Results – Personal status and egos take priority over team goals, derailing success.
- By identifying these dysfunctions, Lencioni provides a roadmap for fostering trust, encouraging healthy conflict, building commitment, reinforcing accountability, and keeping the team focused on collective results.
Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You by John Warrillow
Overview: Built to Sell is a great read for business owners who want to create a company that not only runs—but thrives—without being dependent on them. Through the fictional story of Alex Stapleton, a business owner struggling to make his company self-sufficient, John Warrillow illustrates the power of delegation, systemization, and building a scalable business model.
Key Takeaways: A truly valuable business isn’t one that relies on its owner—it’s one with repeatable processes, a clear niche, and a structure that allows it to grow independently. Warrillow breaks down essential concepts like developing a specialized service, creating a standard operating system, and building a strong management team. He also highlights the importance of recurring revenue and predictable cash flow, making a business more attractive to potential buyers—even if selling isn’t the immediate goal.
With a practical approach and actionable takeaways, Built to Sell is a good read for business owners, even if they never plan on selling their business.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
Overview: Renowned psychologist Carol S. Dweck explores how our beliefs about intelligence and ability shape our success in every area of life. She introduces the concept of the fixed mindset where people believe their talents are set in stone, versus the growth mindset, where individuals see abilities as something that can be developed through effort and learning.
The growth mindset leads to, whether in business, leadership, education, or personal development:
- Greater resilience
- Adaptability
- Achievement
This shift in perspective impacts everything from workplace culture to relationships and even leadership styles.
Key Takeaway: Success isn’t about innate talent—it’s about continuous improvement and the willingness to embrace challenges. This book is an essential read for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone looking to cultivate a culture of innovation, learning, and long-term growth.
Use These Business Development Books to Help You Spring Into Growth
Each of these business development books come personally recommended by members of the GreenCup Digital team! After almost 7 years (our birthday is coming up soon!) in business, we’ve learned a few things about growth and sustainability.
The insights in these business development books are actionable—meaning you can apply their lessons immediately to drive meaningful change in your business. From refining daily habits to improving leadership strategies, each book is a practical guide to building a stronger, more sustainable business.
As you reflect on your business journey, choose the book that aligns most with your current challenges and start putting its lessons into action. Growth happens one step at a time—so why not take the first step today? Let us know how we can help!
