5 Company Culture Books You Need to Read

When building a company culture, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
What direction should you go in?
How are the culture and vision going to impact business growth?

But as many businesses have been there and done it before, looking at what’s already out there is a great way to understand what you want to create in your own culture and what you’re truly passionate about building. 

After all, when you build a strong company culture it will enable your business to grow and your people to thrive.

If you’re at the start of your company culture journey, or even just looking to refresh your existing company culture; these books are the ones I would highly recommend.

Let My People Go Surfing is perhaps an unintentional company culture book. By Founder of International Clothing Brand Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard writes about the inspiration behind his business, and the choices he made to stay true to his vision.

While it’s not full of practical insights or step-by-steps, I have found this to be one of the most inspirational books around company culture. And I’m yet to read a book that didn’t want me to start saving the planet in the same way Yvon is so passionate about.

This is a book all leaders should read because it truly shows the length and determination a leader engaged with his mission will go to ensure that the core values of the company are followed through the organisation.

Hiring people with diverse backgrounds brings in a flexibility of thought and openness to new ways of doing things, as opposed to hiring clones from business schools who have been taught a codified way of doing business. – Yvon Chouinard

When it comes to company culture Simon is a renowned advocate for the impact of culture on business, and his inspirational talks can be found across the internet.

For any leader who wants to build a strong culture, Leaders Eat Last discusses what it means to be a real leader in an organisation, and if you’ve got what it takes to put your people first.
Throughout the book, Simon provides real-life case studies and examples of leaders in action and the impact they have created with their often self-less leadership.

You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him. – Simon Sinek

While not a predominantly focussed company culture book, Robert Sutton’s, ‘The No Asshole Rule’ provides evidence of the trouble toxic people can cause company culture.

As a problem many organisations often have to manage, the book is bold and provides data-led insight into the detrimental effects on people and businesses when ego rules and poor managers are in power.

If you’ve ever wondered how to deal with that toxic employee or even colleague, this is a must-read.

Many organisations amplify problems by constantly rating people. Handing out the goods to a few stars and then treating the rest like second-class citizens. – Robert Sutton.

It may be last on the list, but this book is the one I would recommend every business leader and HR director read.

If you want to step your company culture out of the dark ages, ‘Reinventing Organisations’ reveals the future of company cultures, and why the existing structures are not supporting true growth.

The concepts on company culture discussed by Federic are already in action around the world. And while they may seem alien, he proves that the future of company culture will transform our society.

When organisations are built not implicit mechanisms of fear but on structures and practices that breed trust and responsibility, extraordinary and unexpected things start to happen. – Frederic Laloux

If you want to read a company culture book that includes step-by-steps, real-life examples and inspiration, download my ebook – How to Build The Company Culture You Really Want.