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Recommended Reading for Startup Operators and Builders

A curated list of must-read books written by people who’ve been in the trenches—leaders, operators, and team members who’ve faced hard problems with tough people. Each title offers real insights for those navigating early-stage chaos, scaling teams, or leading through uncertainty. Whether you’re building culture, managing conflict, or making hard calls, these books share the hard-earned lessons worth learning.

Get Backed: Craft Your Story, Build the Perfect Pitch Deck, and Launch the Venture of Your Dreams By Evan Baehr Evan Loomis

Get Backed

Get Backed: Craft Your Story, Build the Perfect Pitch Deck, and Launch the Venture of Your Dreams

By: Evan Baehr & Evan Loomis

* As an Amazon Associate, Startup Anthology earns from qualifying purchases.

Kindle Edition
The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team By Patrick Lencioni

The 6 Types Of Working Genius

The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team

By: Patrick M. Lencioni

* As an Amazon Associate, Startup Anthology earns from qualifying purchases.

Kindle Edition
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It Michael Gerber

The E-Myth Revisited

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It

By: Michael E. Gerber

* As an Amazon Associate, Startup Anthology earns from qualifying purchases.

Kindle Edition
The Hard Thing About Hard Things By Ben Horowitz

The Hard Thing About Hard Things

The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers

By: Ben Horowitz

* As an Amazon Associate, Startup Anthology earns from qualifying purchases.

Kindle Edition
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection By Charles Duhigg

Supercommunicators

Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection

By: Ben Horowitz

* As an Amazon Associate, Startup Anthology earns from qualifying purchases.

Kindle Edition
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, 20th Anniversary Edition By Patrick Lencioni

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team

The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable, 20th Anniversary Edition

By: Patrick M. Lencioni

* As an Amazon Associate, Startup Anthology earns from qualifying purchases.

Kindle Edition

Own Your Career. Unlock Your Equity.

Startup Anthology empowers startup employees to take control of their careers and equity. 

We educate startup talent with clear, expert content on stock options, ISOs, NSOs, and compensation strategy—plus podcasts, assessments, and a growing library of tools. We equip professionals with real-world insights, equity calculators, and benchmarking data to navigate every stage from pre-seed to late-stage growth.

And we elevate careers through personalized guidance and our Collective Equity Platform, making equity liquidity more accessible than ever. It’s everything you need to understand your worth, build leverage, and turn startup work into lasting value.

 

  • Educate
  • Equip
  • Elevate
  • Educate

    Startup Anthology gives startup employees the knowledge they need to confidently navigate their careers and equity. We break down stock options, (ISOs vs. NSOs, vs. RSUs), equity grants, and total comp structures in real terms—so you’re never guessing at what your offer’s really worth.

    Our flagship podcast brings candid conversations with founders and operators who reveal how startups really work, while our upcoming Resource Library will house step-by-step guides, expert templates, and explainers for every stage of the startup journey.

    We also help you understand yourself with our Thrive Zone Assessments, so you can align your strengths and values with the right roles and growth paths. It’s not just information—it’s preparation for action.

  • Equip

    We don’t just inform—we arm you with actionable insights for navigating startup life from pre-seed to “no longer a startup.” Startup Anthology offers tools to understand your Thrive Zone, benchmark compensation, calculate equity, and make sense of career moves in real terms.

    Whether you’re evaluating an offer or eyeing your next jump, we give you what you need to move smart. Our Collective Equity Platform at MakeEquityAccessible.com even unlocks liquidity options once out of reach for startup employees.

  • Elevate

    Startup Anthology Logo [Light Background] PNG

    Startup Anthology turns knowledge into career trajectory with momentum.

    With a clear understanding of your Thrive Zone, equity, and compensation, you move through the startup world with purpose and leverage. From negotiating offers to planning exits, we help you make strategic moves—and when it’s time to unlock your equity, our Collective Equity Platform at MakeEquityAccessible.com gives you access to liquidity once out of reach. This is how you build power, own your path, and turn work into real value.