The humble bookshelf often reveals more about business leaders than their polished LinkedIn profiles. This fall, as MBA students settle into campus life, we asked prominent business school professors to share the books that shaped their thinking and might offer fresh perspectives for today’s professionals.
“Books remain the most concentrated source of ideas and wisdom,” says Wharton’s Adam Grant, whose own recommendation focuses on challenging conventional leadership approaches. “The right book at the right moment can transform how you see the world.”
At Harvard Business School, finance professor Mihir Desai suggests that fiction offers uniquely valuable insights for business students. “Literature develops empathy and understanding of human motivation in ways case studies simply cannot,” Desai explains. His top recommendation, “The Remains of the Day” by Kazuo Ishiguro, explores dignity, regret, and the cost of unwavering professional dedication through the eyes of an English butler.
The professors’ recommendations span economics, psychology, history, and fiction – revealing how interdisciplinary thinking shapes business education today. London Business School’s Lynda Gratton points students toward demographic research with “The 100-Year Life,” arguing that increased longevity fundamentally changes career planning. “Students need to prepare for careers that might span 60 years across multiple industries,” Gratton notes.
Columbia’s Rita McGrath challenges students with “The End of Competitive Advantage,” which argues that sustainable competitive advantages are increasingly rare. Instead, businesses must develop “transient advantages” they can quickly exploit before moving to new opportunities. “The pace of change means traditional strategic planning often fails,” McGrath says. “Students need more dynamic approaches.”
Several professors emphasized books addressing technological disruption. Stanford’s Erik Brynjolfsson recommends “Competing in the Age of AI” for understanding how artificial intelligence reshapes competition. “Students who can’t articulate how AI impacts their industry will be at a disadvantage,” he warns. Meanwhile, MIT’s Andrew McAfee suggests “The Second Machine Age” to help students understand automation’s societal implications.
For those seeking personal effectiveness, INSEAD professor Erin Meyer recommends “Deep Work” by Cal Newport. “In our distracted world, the ability to focus intensely becomes increasingly valuable,” Meyer explains. The book offers practical strategies for developing this skill, particularly relevant to students juggling multiple commitments.
Interestingly, most professors included at least one literary classic among their recommendations. Yale’s Jeffrey Sonnenfeld suggests Shakespeare’s “Henry V” for leadership insights, while IMD’s Howard Yu points to Machiavelli’s “The Prince” for understanding power dynamics. “These works have endured for good reason,” Yu notes. “They capture timeless truths about human nature and leadership.”
Books focusing on ethical leadership also featured prominently. Northwestern Kellogg’s Leigh Thompson recommends “Moral Mazes” to help students navigate organizational ethics. “The ethical challenges in corporations often come not from clear right
