9 Influential Books Social Entrepreneurs Should Read In 2017
Social Entrepreneurship is something we all pursue in some way or another. While there are countless different avenues in the quest to do something impactful, these books will touch on many different key aspects of what it means to be or aspire to become a social entrepreneur. From marketing, to development, stories, and strategy, the following authors will help you in your approach to create something amazing. If you want to get some deeper perspective on what is possible and what is needed to provide sustainable impact and answers, these influential books are a must-read.
1. NOT IMPOSSIBLE: THE ART AND JOY OF DOING WHAT COULDN’T BE DONE
BY: Mick Ebeling
SYNOPSIS: Film producer by trade and optimist by nature Ebeling set out to perform a simple act of kindness that ended up turning into a lifelong mission. In the process he discovered that he could, indeed, change the world and through this fascinating book shows how you can do the same.
2. BECOMING A CONSCIOUS LEADER: HOW TO LEAD SUCCESSFULLY IN A WORLD THAT’S WAKING UP
BY: Gina Hayden
SYNOPSIS: Hayden says there’s a new kind of leader emering who see themselves, their employees, their competition and the world completely differently. They run their companies uniquely and they are flourishing in a world that’s increasingly interconnected and waking up. Her book will teach you how to practise conscious self-mastery, consciously relate to others, ensure your team are bringing their full selves to work, and to generally increase your positive impact on the world. This book aims to guide curious readers towards adopting conscious leadership, and to develop an attitude of generosity in a universe of possibility.
3. THE RISE OF THE RELUCTANT INNOVATOR
BY: Ken Banks
SYNOPSIS: Despite the tens of billions spent each year in international aid, some of the most promising and exciting social innovations and businesses have come about by chance. Many of the people behind these projects didn’t consciously set out to solve anything, but rather stumbled into ideas that changed the lives of millions. In his book, Banks accumulates the marvelous stories of some of the people he calls “reluctant innovators,” proving that you can change the world without being having an MBA, money, influence, a carefully laid out five-year master plan, or all of the above.
4. CLAY WATER BRICK: FINDING INSPIRATION FROM ENTREPRENEURS WHO DO THE MOST WITH THE LEAST
BY: Jessica Jackley
SYNOPSIS: Drawing on her vast experience running successful businesses in the world’s poorest countries, Jackley, best known as a co-founder of Kiva, the world’s first and largest P2P microlending website, will motivate you to more deeply appreciate the incredible entrepreneurial potential that exists in every human being on this planet, including you.
5. CHAPTER ONE: YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE STUFF
BY: Daniel Flynn
SYNOPSIS: Chapter One is the story of three kids from Australia, with zero experience in business, who had an idea and the crazy belief that we all have the power to change stuff. What began with finding a solution to the world water crisis, developed into an award-winning consumer goods brand called Thankyou, which empowers millions of people to fight poverty with every munch of muesli, sip of water, or pump of hand wash. The book doubles as a fundraiser for the social enterprise and potential readers can pay as much or little as they like for this inspiring book.
6. GOOD IS THE NEW COOL: MARKET LIKE YOU GIVE A DAMN
BY: Afdhel Aziz
SYNOPSIS: Good Is the New Cool aims to define a new business model for the twenty-first century and a call to action for anyone committed to building a better tomorrow. Aziz offers insights and interviews from a new generation of marketers, social entrepreneurs, and leaders of such brands as Zappos, Citibank, The Honest Company, as well as the culture creators working with artists like Lady Gaga, Pharrell, and Justin Bieber.
7. THE BILLIONAIRE WHO WASN’T: HOW CHUCK FEENEY SECRETLY MADE AND GAVE AWAY A FORTUNE
BY: Conor O’Clery
SYNOPSIS: In 1988, Forbes Magazine named Chuck Feeney the twenty-fourth richest American alive. Only over 9 years later, people found out that Feeney had secretly transfered all of his wealth to his foundation, Atlantic Philanthropies. Since founding Atlantic in 1982, it has invested over $8 billion to advance opportunity and promote equity and dignity, making Feeney one of the greatest and most mysterious American philanthropists in modern times with. After disappearing from the public for many years, he agreed to work with O’Clery on a biography to promote his initiative Giving while Living. Now in his mid-seventies, Feeney is determined his foundation should spend down the remaining 4 billion in his lifetime.
8. GETTING BEYOND BETTER: HOW SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP WORKS
BY: Roger L. Martin
SYNOPSIS: Getting Beyond Better dives deep into social entrepreneurship, explaining in depth how and why meaningful change actually happens in the world and how successful social entrepreneurs actually go about producing transformative change. A host of concrete lessons and a well-explained practical model makes this the go-to book for anyone who seeks to transform our world for good.
9. GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY: 21 LEADING CEOS SHOW HOW TO DO WELL BY DOING GOOD
BY: Mark Lefko
SYNOPSIS: Lefko spoke to dozens of top-industry leaders to understand how the concept of Global Sustainability fits into today’s profit-driven business world. His book shows the way leaders can create sustainable businesses all over the world and how in doing so will ensure that everyone on Earth has what they need to survive and thrive.
