Options to Reading Peter Drucker

Every financial leader should read Drucker. But many will not because you don’t read Drucker, you study his writings carefully. You don’t read him fast, you go slowly taking notes. Reading Drucker requires work, but the reward is worth the effort.

My go-to suggestion for a first Drucker book is The Effective Executive. When I work closely with COOs, I show them a passage in the Introduction that they should take to heart.

I still find people including CEOs who just can’t get into Drucker. That’s because they read too many pop business books that are heavy on fads and tactics but lacking in depth. If that’s the case, I have a few ideas that will give you a strong dose of Drucker without reading any of his books.

Books by a Student of Peter Drucker

In 2017, I got hooked on the works of Dr. William Cohen, a student of Peter Drucker. Below are the three I’ve read. The first two, I recommend. The third is okay, but not strong enough to suggest that you read it:

1. A Class With Drucker: The Lost Lessons of the World’s Greatest Management Teacher.
2. The Art of the Strategist: 10 Essential Principles for Leading Your Company to Victory. This one is my favorite and I’ll be re-reading.
3. Drucker on Marketing: Lessons from the World’s Most Influential Business Thinker. I had to read this because Drucker has stated many times that it’s the purpose of a business to innovate and to create a customer. Drucker viewed marketing as a critical function of the firm. However, I’d give the book a 3 on a 5 scale.

I have not read it, but I’ve ordered Peter Drucker on Consulting by the same author, and I’m looking forward to going through it.

Managing Oneself

If you are still not convinced, at least read a short essay on managing yourself. It’s actually an HBR article which is available for purchase electronically. I read this little gem annually.

Final Words of Advice

I dropped a small hint earlier what you should do when you read Drucker. You should do so with pen and paper at your side. Take notes. Keep them in a safe place. Internalize what he wrote. I promise you that Drucker will not disappoint. As Cohen has stated in his books:

• You won’t be reading about the latest fads
• You’ll be called on gathering much information to study a problem, but then to think for yourself
• Take nothing for granted, question everything (one of my personal guiding principles)

When you read that first Drucker book or Cohen, let me know what you think.

Title Photo by Banter Snaps