According to CEOs and career coaches, these 3 "impactful" books can transform your life: They'll help you "thrive."

The right book can alter your career path and impart enduring lessons.

Bill Gates improved his interpersonal skills and communication abilities by reading the book "How to Know a Person" by David Brooks. Richard Branson's life was transformed by six different books, including memoirs and self-help novels, as he revealed in an interview with CNBC Make It in July.

Jasmine McCall, an entrepreneur earning $143,000 monthly in passive income, claims that books played a crucial role in launching her business, a career consulting company called PayBump.

"In March, McCall wrote for Make It that he lacked a mentor, a significant social media presence, and any startup funding. Instead, he relied on his determination to assist individuals in discovering fulfilling careers and guidance from his favorite literature."

Three successful CEOs, researchers, and career coaches were asked about the books that inspired them, either personally or professionally.

'Walk Through Fire: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Triumph'

By Sheila Johnson

In 1990, Deryl McKissack founded McKissack & McKissack, a construction firm based in Washington D.C., with only $1,000 in savings. Despite being a Black woman in a male-dominated industry, she faced challenges in attracting clients, as she shared in an interview with Make It in April.

After 10 years of building a portfolio and client base, she was able to pay herself a $100,000 salary. Now, her business generates between $25 million and $30 million annually, according to reviewed documents.

Sheila Johnson's memoir, published last year, drew McKissack in. Johnson, the billionaire co-founder of Black Entertainment Television and CEO of Salamander Hotel and Resorts, faced heavy sexism and racism while launching her TV network with her then-husband Robert.

Johnson's memoir recounts her struggle to establish herself as a CEO in a male-dominated field while her marriage and self-esteem deteriorated.

McKissack is thrilled about reading about Black women who have juggled life and major corporations, as she always carries an inspiring book with her.

'Getting the Life You Want: A Scientific Approach to Happiness'

By Sonja Lyubomirsky

Kortni Alston Lemon, a workplace wellness coach and happiness researcher, advises leaders on how to apply positive psychology in their work. She recommends a "meaningful" self-help book to anyone struggling to understand what happiness means to them, as she shared with Make It in 2022.

The book contains a quiz to assess your happiness level and provides strategies for enhancing your life, including mindfulness exercises, relationship nurturing, and prioritizing mental and physical health.

Lemon stated that happiness can be understood better by people, as it has numerous resources that can aid individuals in thriving.

'Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It'

By Chris Voss, with Tahl Raz

An executive coach and career development consultant, Joyce Guan West frequently assists clients in negotiating their salaries prior to beginning new roles.

In 2022, West praised "Never Split the Difference," a 2016 book written by former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss, for its effective breakdown of high-stakes negotiations and practical advice for everyday life, as reported by Make It.

The other person saying "no" doesn't always mean the negotiation is over. Sometimes, it means you need to strengthen your argument before trying again.

West stated that this book is excellent for comprehending how to exert influence and achieve one's goals, not only in salary negotiations but also in other aspects of life.

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