What books would you recommend to a first-time manager?

[tekkie]

Somebody suggested Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Successful People"; I already have Sun Tzu's "Art of War" (but I don't like the "48 Laws of Power" -- too Machiavellian for me!), any other books for this newly-minted manager? or, if not books, any advice on how to be a good manager? :) TIA.

[exGS]

Somebody suggested Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Successful People"; I already have Sun Tzu's "Art of War" (but I don't like the "48 Laws of Power" -- too Machiavellian for me!), any other books for this newly-minted manager? or, if not books, any advice on how to be a good manager? :) TIA.

Heres my take / opinion - as someone who has been managing people since 2000 and was fortunate enough to join a company where books are encouraged as part of developing the management team:

Covey's 7 Habits are more for personal development (e.g., integrity, direction, etc.) than practical management - but its nonetheless a good foundation (e.g., being a better person doesn't hurt in making you a better manager). I recently took the "7 Habits for Managers" course - and they did a good job of adapting the habits and making them more applicable to managers - not sure if its available as a book though.

When I first read Sun Tzu, he made perfect sense but for some reason his lessons didn't stick. However, I found the "Art of War" to get better as you gain more management experience - the lessons just become more valuable and applicable. Its similar to how Dilbert wasn't funny when I was in college - but overnight became downright hilarious when I became a corporate animal ;)

Anyway, back to your main question: For first time managers, I recommend (in this order - I hope the links work!):


Developing the Leader Within You (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0785266666?v=glance) (by John C. Maxwell)
First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0684852861?v=glance) (by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman)
The Leadership Pill: The Missing Ingredient in Motivating People Today (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/074325001X?v=glance) (by Ken Blanchard and Marc Muchnick)
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0787960756?v=glance) (by Patrick Lencioni)
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0066620996?v=glance) (by Jim Collins)


Why these 5? The first 4 are pretty easy or fast reads (at least based on my experience - which others have verified / confirmed) but pack quite a punch. You also get a healthy dose of motivational stories or anecdotes from Maxwell, Blanchard, and Lencioni - as well as some actual research findings on management practices from Buckingham and Collins.

Anyway, happy reading - and I hope these help you as much as it did me *okay*

[froshie1]

1.) How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
2.) Books of John Maxwell
3.) Art of War - Sun Tzu

[omeng]

One Minute Manager

[Krakista]

The Effective Executive (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060833459/sr=1-2/qid=1154124483/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-9913135-9959902?ie=UTF8&s=books) by Peter Drucker

[carlogabriel]

dare to fail by billie lim. :)

one minute manager is a good start.

[brooklyn2103]

Do the following first rather than looking for books to read:

1. Define and agree with your boss your quantitative and qualitative goals for your job.
2. Read the total company business plan, ensure that you understand how the company plans to succeed, and ensure that your goals are aligned with the total company goals.
3. Document your plan on how you are going to accomplish your goals. Discuss this with you boss and gain your subordinates commitment to this plan.
4. Ensure that your team member's job expectations are aligned with your departmental plan.

These activities alone, together with learning about how the department operates, will keep you tied up for six months. After that, you may start looking for books to read. I would recommend Drucker's Management: Tasks and Responsibilities, if you are working for a profit-oriented organization.

HTH.

[rabbaddal]

"The McKinsey Mind: Understanding and Implementing the Problem-Solving Tools and Management Techniques of the World's Top Strategic Consulting Firm" by Ethan M. Rasiel

"Say It with Presentations: How to Design and Deliver Successful Business Presentations" by Gene Zelazny

BussinessWorld newspaper is also recommended for daily reading, or if you're willing to spend a little more, The Wall St. Journal - Asia.

[cho_ree]

"das kapital" by Karl Marx

[woofers]

One Minute Manager.

[Ice Burn]

Stanley Bing's

1.) Sun Tzu was a Sissy
2.) What would Machiavelli Do?

:up: :lol:

[zerone]

Get most books by John Maxwell. galing to. I would also recommend Winning by Jack Welsch. :)