Swap “ballplayers” for “creatives,” and a lot of it still holds: Know people’s strengths and weaknesses; put the right people on the right assignments; and remember that great work usually takes longer than anyone wants it to. This is the book I return to when a team looks good on paper, but still isn’t quite clicking.

No book will magically make you a great leader. But if you’re a creative person who just got handed the keys and no manual, these five will at least give you a start.