Celebrated on April 23rd, World Book Day is more than a tribute to literature—it’s an invitation to reflect on the transformative power of reading. In the corporate world, it becomes a strategic ally, helping leaders make more assertive decisions, stimulate creativity, and build more innovative business visions.
For many executives, reading is part of their continuous development routine, as is the case with Bill Gates, who has stated he reads about 50 books a year, a habit he considers essential for his personal and professional growth. On this special date, we’ve gathered the titles that have shaped the way of thinking, leading, and entrepreneurship of major market figures. These are works that go beyond theory and offer practical lessons on management, organizational behavior, innovation, and purposeful leadership. Check out the recommendations:
João Victorino is the founder of the channel A Hora do Dinheiro, a business administrator, MBA professor at Ibmec, and financial educator
“The book Thinking, Fast and Slow, written by Daniel Kahneman, opened my eyes to how often our decisions are influenced by external factors and could be better. It debunks the belief that humans are rational animals. Sometimes, small situations can create biases that deeply impact us.”
Maria Fernanda Antunes Junqueira is the founder of CUPONATION, Brazil’s largest platform for deals, savings, and shopping inspiration
“The book The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg, deeply impacted me by showing how small daily choices shape big results—both in personal and professional life. As a company leader, woman, and mother, I have an intense and demanding routine. I learned that creating good habits and consistent routines is the key to balancing priorities, leading with focus, and making space for what matters most. The book helped me understand that real change happens in the details of daily life—and that’s what I seek to apply in my leadership style.”
Pedro Signorelli is the founder of Pragmática and one of Brazil’s top management experts, specializing in OKRs.
“A book that changed my perspective was The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey, which I read in 2001 during my final year of college. There’s a chapter that covers spheres of control—what’s within and beyond your control, what you can or cannot influence, and how much concern you place on each. This was very important to me! I’ve suggested many people reflect on these themes, as it would greatly help them.”
Rafael Rojas is co-founder and CTO of Budz, a Brazilian pet tech company that uses artificial intelligence to empower pet owners.
“The book Skin in the Game, by Nassim Nicholas Taleb, explores the importance of taking real risks when making decisions that affect others. In my view, this means leadership isn’t enough—you must be exposed to the consequences of your choices. Having ‘skin in the game’ aligns interests, generates more accountability, and strengthens the company’s long-term vision. This reading helped me build this business perspective: those who lead must be willing to truly commit to the impact of strategic decisions.”
Rodrigo Vitor is founder and CEO of Fito, an agency specialized in events and live marketing
“I chose the book Reinventing Organizations, by Frederic Laloux, because it presents a profoundly innovative approach to how companies can be more human, evolutionary, and purpose-driven. At a time when Fito is undergoing expansion and consolidation, the lessons from this work resonate directly with what we seek to build: a collaborative organization with autonomous teams and a strong culture. The reading made me rethink leadership—seeing it more as facilitative than directive—and reinforced the importance of active listening, ownership mindset, and freedom with responsibility. Since then, strategic decisions have been guided by this more organic vision, connected to who we are: a brand that creates meaningful, memorable experiences.”
