In today’s fast-paced world, mental health professionals and social justice advocates must balance their mission to help others with the demands of managing their work like savvy entrepreneurs. Whether you’re running a startup, growing a small business, or building a nonprofit, the right books can provide the tools and insights to keep you on track.
That’s why I’ve curated a must-read list of the best business books for 2025—ones that combine practical strategies, mindset shifts, and real-world examples to help you create a successful business while making an impact.
1. Atomic Habits by James Clear
If you want to create lasting change, Atomic Habits is your go-to guide. Clear breaks down how small, consistent actions can lead to massive life changes. For business owners and advocates alike, this book is a roadmap for building habits that improve productivity, decision-making, and daily effectiveness. It can also help you motivate your team effectively.
I reread Atomic Habits in 2024 for the third time after meeting Blake Atwood, who worked with Clear on the project, in a roundtable discussion about ghostwriting. On this read, I was struck by chapter 18, The Truth About Talent, and how it paralleled my second book recommendation.
2. The Creative Curve by Allen Gannett
In the Creative Curve, Gannett challenges the idea that creativity is an innate talent reserved for a lucky few. Instead, he offers a framework to demystify creativity, proving it’s a skill anyone can develop with the right approach.
Creativity is critical in business and nonprofit success. Whether you’re a startup co-founder, a therapist designing new programs, or a social justice advocate crafting campaigns, creativity is essential for standing out in today’s crowded landscape.
Gannett does what all the best nonfiction authors do and weaves storytelling into his message so you walk away with new ideas and ways to implement these practices into your life to spark your own bouts of creative genius.
For mental health professionals and social justice advocates, this book is especially powerful. Your work often demands thinking outside the box—whether it’s engaging your audience on social media, launching impactful initiatives, or finding innovative solutions to systemic challenges. Gannett’s strategies make creativity feel accessible, empowering you to amplify your impact while staying true to your mission.
3. The Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Too often, we measure ourselves against where we wish we were rather than celebrating how far we’ve come. The Gap and The Gain teaches you to focus on the gain (your progress) instead of the gap (your unmet goals). It’s a transformative mindset shift for co-founders and leaders seeking to avoid burnout and find fulfillment in their work.
After discussing the book in a recent Business Words Podcast recording with my co-host, Stephen Deutzmann, I reread it as I prepared for 2025. Rather than focus on what I want to accomplish first (the gap) I wrote a 2024 year in review to celebrate all I’ve accomplished (The gain). I got a rush of dopamine from that list that’s fueled some rapid innovation as we enter 2025.
4. Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg
Complementing Atomic Habits, Tiny Habits by Fogg focuses on the power of incremental change. Whether you’re designing systems for a startup or coaching clients toward healthier routines, this book offers actionable insights into why small steps often lead to big breakthroughs.
I read this book based on a recommendation from my mentor, Nick Pavlidis. I used several of Fogg’s principles to create a Writing Habit Masterclass offered as part of my Reader First Course launching in January of 2025. Tiny habits, tiny celebrations, and the link between action and motivation are all huge takeaways from this book.
5. Drive by Daniel H. Pink
Motivating people (including yourself) is one of your biggest roles if you’re a business leader. In Drive, Daniel H. Pink explores what really motivates people. Pink reveals that intrinsic drivers like autonomy, mastery, and purpose are more powerful than external rewards. This book is ideal for those in entrepreneurship or advocacy roles, helping you inspire your team and stay motivated.
As I build the nonprofit Journey 2 Success, I’m keeping these principles in mind and using them to motivate people with disabilities to start and scale businesses with the help of coaching and capital infusions.
6. Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Brown’s insights on vulnerability and courage make this book essential for anyone leading a team or driving systemic change. Dare to Lead is packed with strategies for fostering trust, building meaningful connections, and leading with authenticity.
The first time I read Dare to Lead was in 2019. Brown’s books were the first to propel me into entrepreneurship while authentically and vulnerably sharing my story (warts and all). This year, it will be my first re-read as I pivot into an additional role as a nonprofit director and publish my own books, all while keeping Connected Ghostwriting as my heart-centered business.
7. Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
I’m wrapping up 2024 and starting 2025 by reading Malcolm Gladwell’s Revenge of The Tipping Point. Gladwell’s prose is, as always, spectacular, and his messaging is timely given the current social climate. In his introduction, Gladwell explains how revisiting his 2000 book, The Tipping Point felt. This made me think deeply about how it feels to reread early writing I published.
When I comb back through blogs and articles published all over the web, I have to resist the urge to over-edit and update them. I don’t because those writings represent who I was when I wrote them. I’ve changed, and I am sure you have too. But, rather than erase the ideas we once held, we can take a page out of Gladwell’s book and create new content that represents who we are today.
Why These Business Books Matter
These best books go beyond traditional business advice. They provide insights into decision-making, leadership, and innovation that are crucial for professionals in mental health and social justice. Whether you’re seeking strategies for business growth, inspiration for tackling tough challenges, or frameworks for creating lasting impact, these titles have something for everyone.
I’d love to hear from you if you’ve read one of these books. Reach out and let me know what you think.
What’s Next?
Want to take your thought leadership to the next level? Writing a book is one of the best ways to clarify your mission, amplify your voice, and connect with your audience.
Download my free guide, “Thought Leadership 101: How to Write a Book,” and start building your legacy today.
