Learning at the feet of experts is one of the best ways to expand your perspective of the financial world. But with so many experts out there, how can you know where to turn?

We’ve done the hard work for you by choosing ten of the most influential books launched in 2021. These authors are all experts who focus on teaching the actionable steps needed to get to the next level. Whether you’re looking for advice on standing out, expanding your horizons, embracing the unknown, or just love the insection of science and business, you’re sure to find a new favorite here. 

Ten Influential Business Books from 2021

Run to Win: Lessons in Leadership for Women Changing the World by Stephanie Schriock with Christina Reynolds

Written by the president of EMILY’s List, an essential guide for women who are looking to get into politics, Run to Win is full of lessons and advice for women who want to excel in predominately male-driven fields. 

Keep Sharp: Build a Better Brain at Any Age by Sanjay Gupta

Neurosurgeon and CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta uses his experience and research to dive into how to keep your brain “young, healthy, and sharp” with science-based strategies. 

Huddle: How Women Unlock Their Collective Power by Brooke Baldwin

Author Brooke Baldwin looks to how women have begun to cluster (or huddle) as a means of support, empowerment, and inspiration to help problem solve and bring meaningful change. If you’re looking for a way to cultivate community to help your professional career, this book is a must-have. 

What We Owe Each Other by Minouche Shafik

A moving book written by former World Bank vice president Minouch Shafik that looks at the responsibilities we have to one another in our society. What We Owe Eachother uses the turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to show what it’s taught us about compassion, business, and our place in the world. 

How to Change: The Science of Getting From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Katy Milkman

“Change comes most readily when you understand what’s standing between you and success and tailor your solution to that roadblock.” Wharton professor Katy Milkman looks at cases and scientific data to help give her readers an objective look into how to make a significant change for the better. 

A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload by Cal Newport

Computer Sciences professor Cal Newport gives actionable advice in this book to eliminate digital distractions and get more work done. A World Without Email details his bold vision for how to get rid of the “tyranny of the inbox.”

How to Avoid a Climate Disaster: The Solutions We Have and the Breakthroughs We Need by Bill Gates 

Microsoft founder and uber-philanthropist Bill Gates does a deep dive into the consequences of climate change for everyone and how businesses of any size can make a positive impact to reduce their eco-footprint. 

Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant

Organizational psychologist Adam Grant investigates how people can better embrace the “joy of being wrong” to help bridge communities, schools, and workplaces that were previously divided. “If knowledge is power, knowing what we don’t know is wisdom.”

Work Won’t Love You Back: How Devotion to Our Jobs Keeps Us Exploited, Exhausted, and Alone by Sarah Jaffe

Many of us have learned the “do what you love” approach is riddled with holes. Author Sarah Jaffe turns this concept on its head by giving an alternative approach to finding a fulfilling career without burning out. 

Change Your World: How Anyone, Anywhere Can Make a Difference by John C. Maxwell and Rob Hoskins

This actionable book is full of advice and tips for how to enact social change and making an impact from day one. 

Ready to Take the Next Step?

We’ve got even more reading materials to take your financial education to the next level! Join us with our Chartered Investment Banking Analyst™ course to help develop a complete set of desk-ready skills. This self-paced course will give you the tools needed to help gain a competitive edge in the corporate finance and investment banking worlds. 

Related Courses: Chartered Investment Banking Analyst™

The CIBA program develops the complete set of desk-ready skills to succeed in the competitive world of corporate finance and investment banking. Candidates will develop familiarity with US GAAP and IFRS accounting standards, learn how to value investment projects under conditions of uncertainty, acquire essential financial modeling skills, be able to assess the credit quality of companies, and gain a thorough understanding of the M&A process from target company identification to funding strategies and deal structuring.

About The New York Institute of Finance

The New York Institute of Finance (NYIF) is a global leader in professional training for financial services and related industries. NYIF courses cover everything from investment banking, asset pricing, insurance and market structure to financial modeling, treasury operations, and accounting. The New York Institute of Finance has a faculty of industry leaders and offers a range of program delivery options, including self-study, online courses, and in-person classes. Founded by the New York Stock Exchange in 1922, NYIF has trained over 250,000 professionals online and in-class, in over 120 countries.

See all of NYIF’s training and qualifications here.