Hey, sports fans — I just learned this tidbit of news, and had to share it before I took my next breath!

At the end of the year the Washington Post selected the eight books that represented The Best Leadership Books for 2011, each one selected for the Post’s list by one or more leadership luminaries. Included were Great by Choice, by the legendary Jim Collins (picked by Wharton’s Michael Useem), Walter Isaacson’s epic biography Steve Jobs (picked by Harvard’s Bill George and Fast Company’s Alan Webber), Teresa Amabile and Steven Kramer’s The Progress Principle (picked by Barry Posner) … and (drum roll) …

Take the Lead, by Betsy Myers, coauthored with yours truly.

Take the Lead was hand-picked by Tom Peters of In Search of Excellence fame.

In explaining why he chose this book as his favorite for 2011, Peters said:

“For me, the defining difference in this superb book is Ms. Myers’ insistence that every day provides leadership opportunities for every one of us—from the most junior employee to the top of the organization.”

Thanks, Mr. Peters! And thanks to you, too, Washington Post!