“Management Challenges for the 21^st Century” is one of the quintessential management books probably ever written. It is hard to imagine being at a cocktail party of C-level managers and not having read this book. It is not required reading for a promotion by any means, but for those looking to really want to know what problems managers will face in the future, it is highly recommended for the reading list.

Published in 1999, I personally thought I would find a slew of outdated information pertaining to a time before Facebook, the Cloud and other industries which appear to rule the world today, or are fighting to rule tomorrow. But the author, Peter Drucker, is no fool. I imagine his brain filled with so much information it would be impossible for him to lift his head off the pillow each morning. He is a great forward thinker and does not let one fact slip his theories, expectations and suggestions.

Drucker dives into what it really means to be a leader in such a globally competitive world. He points out the obvious shift from manual labor to “thinkers” in the workplace while looking ahead to point out how all the information the workforce is collecting today will need to turn into something of use in the future. He points out the importance of hiring people who managers won’t have to scowl upon as a wasted paycheck, but rather build up and train employees so they become company assets. It is all practical knowledge which can be applied the next work day or worked into long term goals and plans.

“Management Challenges for the 21^st Century” truly does address issues managers will face moving ahead in the day and age of information. Anyone who dreams of becoming a CEO should pick up this book and give it a read.