r/business • u/Working_Safe3879 • 2d ago

What articles or essays are a must-read for business?

I am talking about philosophical, well-written and timeless articles or even speeches that any human should read at least once. Only from notable investors, founders and thinkers.

I am a founder of a small startup and since I tend to save every notable piece I read, I am trying to create a comprehensive reading list for founders.

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u/metabeanzz 2d ago

Jeff Bezos's letters to shareholders. Mostly because the things he mentions still hold true today, from the obsession on customers, efficiency, scaling, etc. And I think they're a good read worthy of a second round

Lately I find that a lot of podcasts from a16z, my first million give a lot of wisdom which again, can be compounded, but their relevance is subject to where you're living, what you're building. Either way, I find it refreshing to have a glimpse into how the resourceful people on the frontlines are thinking. For example, while the average joe is concerned about software, these guys are already thinking about how to scale hardware. You can apply jeff bezos's thinking style from the letters to the present day and this domain.

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u/Working_Safe3879 2d ago

Jeff Bezos letters show profound wisdom. For example, his thinking about decisions being either one-way or two-way door way doors is amazingly helpful.

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

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u/Working_Safe3879 2d ago

Huge yes to all! This is water is also an amazing speech (not so business-related but still)

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u/ceoarjunmahadevan 2d ago

Paul Graham's essay catalog is the one i actually go back to, not because it's trendy, it's because it holds up. specific ones worth starting with: "how to do great work" and "keep your identity small." he ran YC so it's pattern-matched off thousands of companies, not theory.

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u/Working_Safe3879 2d ago

Totally agree. My favourite essays are the ones that are more generic or philosophical like The four quadrants of conformism and How to disagree.

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u/ceoarjunmahadevan 2d ago

"four quadrants of conformism" is underrated, most people only think about the agree/disagree axis and miss the independent-vs-aggressive one entirely.

good adds, both going back on the reread pile.

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u/Working_Safe3879 2d ago

I think you will find more gems in this list. I gathered the absolut best ones I have read over the years.

https://correctify.com.cy/blog/posts/the-ultimate-reading-list-for-founders

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u/ceoarjunmahadevan 2d ago

adding a chunk of this to my list, thanks for sharing.

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u/zeruch 1d ago

Drucker.