Lisa Haneberg is one of the best management authors there is when it comes to writing short, practical, helpful books. 10 Steps to be a Successful Manager is one of them.
Management is not about easy or universal answers. It is about intelligent choices that lead to action. So, the way to judge almost any management book is to ask: "Will this book help me?"
This book will help you if you are a new manager, trying to find your sea legs in a world that's very different from being an individual contributor. It will also help you if you're a seasoned manager, looking for ways to improve your performance.
Like most writers on the subject, Lisa has her own way of defining the distinction between leadership and management. She says that everyone who's responsible for the performance of a group will do both leadership things and management things. Here's a quote.
"Management is a set of methods and practices – a regimen – that enables us to run a business or a piece of a business. It's a job. Leadership is not a job; it's the way we do the job."
That quote tells you how she approaches management. It's a set of methods and practices. She lists ten that are important steps to management success.
Clarify, negotiate and commit to your role.
Understand your expected results.
Know your piece of the business.
Build a great team.
Choose employees wisely.
Define and model excellence.
Plan the work and work the plan – flexibly.
Obliterate barriers.
Proactively manage change and transition.
Leave a legacy of capacity to produce.
Lisa suggests that you do the first two steps in order, then skip around as much as you want. There are several different types of work aids scattered throughout the book to help you get the most out of it. They include advice, tools, worksheets, and tables.
The book is well organized and clearly written. What's the downside? This is not a book that you read, slap shut and figure you've got it.
You won't get much from the book unless you're willing to dig in and work at the exercises, answer the questions and fill in the forms. If you want to just think you've learned how to be a better manager, this is not the book for you. But if you really want to do better, there's a lot here to help you.
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