The list below represents our picks for the best leadership books of 2006. These books are not always the most popular in terms of sales. Yet those listed below—in no particular order—we believe, have added something unique or a useful restating of important insights that we all need to be reminded of as we develop our leadership skills.

It's true, as Michael Silverblatt wrote, "The art (as opposed to the technology) of reading requires that you develop a beautiful tolerance for incomprehension. The greatest books are the books that you come to understand more deeply with time, with age, with rereading."

Because we only see what we believe, it's through time, experience and personal growth, that we are able to draw insight and connections we didn't see before.