OK. Full disclosure. I wrote this one--but here is why it has changed me. Chapter 4 is "The Drucker Bucket." At age 40, I had the privilege of being in the room with Peter Drucker and 30 CEOs for five days, twice over two years. It changed my life--and the Drucker theme runs throughout "Mastering the Management Buckets," especially his clarion call to "lead from your strengths." It's a fad now. But, as always, the "father of modern management" knows best.

Chapter 5 is "The Book Bucket" with this warning, "Avoid management-by-bestseller syndrome." I write that management gimmick-of-the-month whiplash can be fatal. That's the cautionary word for wise leaders and managers: when you recommend a book to your team members, ensure that you create the context to show how this book aligns with the other books you've recommended. Few leaders do this well.

Leaders are readers. I'm a cheerleader for helping managers create their own Top-100 list. You can download a word document to start your own list on the Book Bucket page at http://www.managementbuckets.com.
- John Pearson