The challenges on today’s leaders have never been greater. With the recent economic downturn, leaders are being called on to make some tough decisions. Retaining your key talent and optimizing their performance requires you to be on top of your game, no matter what you’re facing. This means staying current with your skill development and education.

As a start, let us recommend a book that provides a great deal of research-based insight into the areas of management and retention: First Break All The Rules (Buckingham and Coffman). This book should be required reading for all leaders. It will help you realize the importance of managing individuals instead of groups and provide you with practical ways to do so. By applying some of the principles of this book, you will develop your leadership style in a direction that will have a positive lasting impact on your people and organization.