Top Executive-Recommended Books On Networking

According to a LinkedIn report, 80% of business professionals believe networking is indispensable in personal and career development. However, growing your network is an important skill not necessarily taught in schools; you have to learn it yourself.

Luckily, reading the top executive-recommended books on networking is a quick way to do this. 

The Best Books On Networking You Should Definitely Read

1. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

We can’t start our list without mentioning this 90-year classic book by Dale Carnegie. This timeless bestselling book is perhaps the top-rated read on professional networking, having sold over 15 million copies to date with over 600,000 ratings on Google. 

Dale Carnegie’s tried and tested advice has propelled many people up the personal and corporate development ladder.

The book is divided into four main chapters and will give you practical and specific guides on:

• Making yourself more likable to people
• How to win people over to your way of thinking
• How to change people without sparking conflict and more

2. Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success by Adam Grant

In this book, Adam Grant stresses that exchanging value is essential in networking. Grant begins this book by grouping networkers into three types:  givers, takers, and matchers. The author then elaborates on the benefits and drawbacks of each type of person, supporting his claims with several case studies. He then rounds up by giving advice that can enhance your best attributes, irrespective of the type of networker you are.

This book was a nominee for best nonfiction in 2013 and has received recommendations by bestselling authors such as Susan Cain, Gretchen Rubin,  Dan Pink, and Tony Hsieh, as well as corporate leaders from NASA, Nike, Google, and McKinsey.

3. Superconnector: Scott Gerber and Ryan Paugh

The book introduces a new type of professional called the Superconnector, skilled at connecting different groups and creating mutual value. 

The authors Scott and Ryan share instructive insights from global achievers to help you become a Superconnector.

The book teaches you:

• How to manage your professional network and harness its maximum potential.
• The art of generosity gives you the skills to put other people’s needs ahead of yours in the knowledge that your goodness will return to you.
• The Art of Selectivity equips you with the ability to focus on the most promising relationships and maintain them over time.

You’ll find this book essential in mastering the art of communicating. We recommend this book to anyone who is after personal and business development.

4. Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz

This book should be a must-have for anyone wanting to ante up their networking skills to become more efficient or those looking to develop new business. Ferrazzi and Raz also emphasize the importance of building relationships using content and why it’s vital to “ping” your contacts often. 

Never Eat Alone was first printed in 2005 and has been reprinted several times. The book has received over 1,500 reviews and 41,000 ratings on Goodreads.

 What you’ll learn:

• How to do your homework when preparing for a networking event
• How to map out where you want to take your business 
• How to follow up or fail: Proper follow-ups elevate you above 95% of other networkers.

Conclusion

If you want to take your networking game to the next level, you can find inspiration in any of these books. There are many other excellent books about professional networking, but these four books are the holy grail recommended by top honchos. Happy reading!