The challenges faced by managers today are certainly the most complex of any time in history. The sometimes-conflicting expectations of shareholders and stakeholders alike must be equally met, resources, material as well as human, are less plentiful, competition is more global, technology is changing faster, customers are better educated and the quantity and quality of information and knowledge has never been higher or easier to attain. The role of the manager is changing too. Here are a few authors and their books that have tremendously helped my understanding (and hopefully ability as well) of what it takes to be a successful manager today.

Charles Handy-The Age of Unreason, The Age of Paradox

Peter Senge-The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of the Learning Organization

Thomas Friedman-The World is Flat

Scott Adams-The Dilbert Principle

Robert Kaplan/David Norton-The Balanced Scorecard: Translating Strategy into Action

Warren Bennis-On Becoming a Leader

And, last but not least, the timeless and increasingly relevant classic;

Sun Tzu-The Art of War

Learn more about this author, Lao Ke.
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