5 Books for New Managers
August 8, 2008 by Phil Gerbyshak
Filed under Business
After 20 some years as an individual contributor, one of my friends is taking on his first management job. He came to me and asked what resources I would recommend for someone like him in a new management position. I thought I’d start the resource list with a few of my favorite management books and work my way from there.
First Break All the Rules by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman
This is always the first book I recommend all managers read. It’s all about how to lead from strengths instead of weakness, and it debunks some of the more prevalent management ideas. This book shaped the way I lead and the way I work. If you’re a manager or leader and don’t have a copy of this in your leadership library, you are doing your team and yourself a disservice. Pick up a copy of First Break All the Rules.
Crucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, et al
If you can’t handle tough conversations, you can’t lead very well. This book will help you deal with the most difficult conversations. It offers tips and tools on how to keep conversations from escalating, and when they do escalate, you have the tools to help you get back in control and out of your own way. Pick up a copy of Crucial Conversations.
QBQ by John G. Miller
The “question behind the question” is one of my favorite management books, because it helps me think about what the REAL question I’m asking is, and why I’m asking it. It’s an incredibly easy read, and yet is one of the most powerful books I’ve ever owned. It’s all about being accountable for your thoughts and your questions, and it’s a must have for your readership library. This book was recommended to me by Kirk Weisler. Pick up a copy of QBQ.
Growing Great Employees by Erika Andersen
Erika takes the time to explain how to be a better gardener for your team, and how to treat each person the way THEY want and need to be treated, instead of how YOU want to be treated, to name just one of her principles. This book is a little longer read than you might want as a first book, but it’s one you can read a chapter at a time, implement the suggestions, and then move on to the next. Pick up a copy of Growing Great Employees.
3 Signs of a Miserable Job by Pat Lencioni
Lencioni’s book is great for helping you understand your role in creating a positive environment for your team. I reviewed 3 Signs of a Miserable Job when it first came out, and I still think about the lessons taught in this fantastic fable. Pick up a copy of 3 Signs of a Miserable Job.
So that’s my 5 books for new managers. I covered leading by strengths, communication, the power of questions, a general management job, and a metrics fable. That should be enough to last at least the first 180 days or so, at least if my friend implements a few of the principles as he learns them.
What books do you recommend for new managers?
Photo credit to Andrei_Z
Phil,
A great list of books. I love everything by Marcus Buckingham and appreciate his book: The One Thing You Need to Know too.
I teach Crucial Conversations. I have taught the course about 30 times and I keep learning.
QBQ is short simple and leads to great questions for accountability.
I have the other two books but have not read them in detail yet.
Thanks for the list Phil.
David
Phil,
I’m honored to be on this list! I certainly wrote Growing Great Employees partly with newly- minted managers in mind, since the vast majority of new managers get thrown into the deep end of the pool with little support beyond their boss saying, “good luck – I’ll be here if you need me!”
A brand-new manager might first want to read my ChangeThis manifesto (which is a kind of Reader’s Digest version of the book), just to get clear on the core principles and practices, and then – as you say – read the book a chapter at a time over the first six months or so. Here’s the url for the manifesto: http://www.changethis.com/33.02.GrowingGreat
Warmly,
Erika
Another favorite of mine is Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em, Getting Good People to Stay by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordon-Evans. An easy read, great advice and even entertaining. I know the 1st 3 books will have to check out the other 2.
Kathy
David – Glad to introduce you to some new books, and reinforce some of your favorites too.
Erika – Your book ROCKS! Thanks for sharing your manifesto. I should have included that one.
Kathy – Love ‘em or Lose ‘em is another winner! Thanks for sharing it. Definitely check out the other 2 books. You won’t be disapppointed.
Thanks, Phil! – hope to see you at the Pow-wow.
xox
E
Great books I will agree and I would definitely add a few to the list for a new manager:
Lead Well and Prosper – Nick McCormick
The Future of Management – Gary Hamel
The Dream Manager – Matthew Kelly
The Goal – Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox
5 Dysfunctions of a Team – Lencioni
The Effective Executive – Drucker
Phil:
Thank you for the list of books. I knew you would be able to help me out. I already downloaded the Changethis manifesto. I will pick up the other books and let you know what I learned.
Thank you again for all of the help over the years.
Todd
Mike – Glad to share some good ones. Thanks for adding more to the mix!
Todd – You are very welcome my friend. I’m VERY glad to have been your friend for all these years. You’ve been a great friend and mentor to me over the years too.
Phil –
An excellent list — some I’ve read, and some are new to me, and I always like to get book recommendations!
I’d add the “Winning with the Boss (Employee, Customer…) From Hell” series by Shaun Belding. Easy to read and full of specific examples of what to do (and not to do) for different, and difficult, personality-types.
Pleased to see Marcus Buckingham and Matthew Kelly mentioned.
I would also add Ken Blanchard, Leading At A Higher Level.
Andrew