Phil Treagus-EvansWe’ve put together a reading list of the best books for a new manager, because becoming a manager for the first time can be a daunting experience. Not only are you responsible for your own work, but you are also responsible for the work of others. This added responsibility can lead to feelings of stress and uncertainty. The added pressure of ensuring your team is productive and motivated, while also dealing with the demands of upper management can be overwhelming.
However, there are resources available to help new managers navigate this transition. One of these resources is reading books about management. These books can provide valuable insights and strategies for leading a team, communicating effectively, and making tough decisions. They can offer practical advice on how to handle difficult situations, such as managing poor performers or dealing with office politics. Additionally, many management books are written by experienced leaders and managers who have faced the same challenges and have successfully overcome them.
Whether you’re a new manager or an experienced one looking to improve your skills, picking up a good management book can be a great way to get ahead in your career. Reading books can also provide a broader perspective on the challenges and opportunities of management, helping you to identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and providing you with the tools you need to be a more effective leader. Reading books can also be a great way to stay informed and up-to-date with the latest management strategies and techniques.
Here are the best books for a new manager…
On Managing People
On Managing People by Harvard Business Review is a comprehensive guide to effective management. The book is a collection of 10 articles, each tackling different aspects of managing people and providing valuable insights and strategies for maximizing employee performance. The articles are curated from hundreds of Harvard Business Review pieces and are authored by experts in the field, making it a go-to resource for managers of all levels.
One of the key themes of the book is the importance of tailoring management styles to fit the individuals on a team. The book also delves into the topic of motivation and how to provide employees with more responsibility rather than simply offering more money. Additionally, the book offers guidance for first-time managers and teaches how to build trust by soliciting input, and how to teach smart people how to learn from failure.
The book is an excellent read for new managers as it provides a wealth of practical advice on how to handle the challenges that come with managing people. It covers topics such as how to save rookie managers from themselves, how to build high-performing teams, how to manage your boss and how to handle ethical dilemmas. The book is designed to help new managers navigate the transition and become more effective leaders. Overall, On Managing People by Harvard Business Review is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their management skills and lead a team to success.
The First-Time Manager
The First-Time Manager by Jim McCormick is a classic guide for anyone facing new responsibilities as a first-time manager. The book has been a trusted resource for nearly four decades, providing clear and candid advice on the nitty-gritty realities of managing people. The updated seventh edition of the book includes new information that helps managers navigate the challenges of managing across generations, using online performance appraisal tools, persuading with stories, overseeing remote employees, building a team dynamic, matching a boss’s style and more.
The book is designed to help new managers hit the ground running, and it covers a wide range of management skills, including leading meetings, hiring employees, motivating others, actively listening, staying calm under pressure, overcoming resistance, and more. The book is written in a clear, concise, and easy-to-read style that makes it accessible to managers of all levels.
The First-Time Manager is an excellent choice for new managers who are looking to improve their skills and lead their teams to success. The book provides practical advice that is relevant, actionable, and easy to implement. It is also a great resource for experienced managers who are looking to refresh their knowledge and learn new skills. Overall, The First-Time Manager is a comprehensive guide that will help new managers conquer every challenge like a pro.
The First 90 Days
The First 90 Days by Michael D. Watkins is a globally recognized guide for leaders in transition. The book has been named one of 100 Leadership & Success Books to Read in a Lifetime by Amazon Editors. The book provides practical strategies for conquering the challenges of transitions, no matter where you are in your career. It is aimed at helping managers navigate the crucial first three months in a new role, which is considered the most vulnerable and critical time for leaders.
The book addresses the increasingly demanding professional landscape that managers face today, where they not only face more frequent transitions but also steeper expectations once they step into their new jobs. The book offers a step-by-step approach to the transition scenario and identifies the most common pitfalls new leaders encounter. It provides the tools and strategies that are essential to avoid these pitfalls, such as securing early wins, which is an important first step in establishing oneself in a new role. Each chapter also includes checklists, practical tools, and self-assessments to help readers assimilate key lessons and apply them to their own situation.
The First 90 Days is a must-read for new managers who are about to embark on a new role. The book provides a comprehensive guide that will help them navigate the critical first few months in a new role. The book is also suitable for experienced managers who are looking to refresh their knowledge and learn new strategies to help them navigate transitions more effectively. Overall, the book is a valuable resource that will help managers succeed in their new roles and achieve their goals.
How to Be a Great Boss
How to Be a Great Boss by Gino Wickman and Rene Boer is a comprehensive guide that provides a straightforward and practical approach to help bosses at all levels of an organization get the most from their people. The book is based on time-tested tools that have worked for more than 30,000 bosses in every industry, and it is designed to help managers become great bosses, and dramatically improve both the organization’s performance and the team’s excitement about their work.
The book provides insights on how to surround yourself with great people, make more effective use of your time, understand the difference between leadership and management and why they’re equally important. It also shares the five leadership practices and five management practices of all great bosses, how to create accountability and how to develop productive relationships with each of your people, and how to deal with direct reports that don’t meet your expectations.
The book is an excellent read for new managers, as it provides practical tools that can be applied immediately with the team, allowing them to focus on improving and growing the organization and truly enjoy their role. It can help new managers understand the importance of leading and managing people and provide them with the strategies to do it effectively. Additionally, it addresses the common challenges that new managers face, such as managing disengaged employees and dealing with direct reports that don’t meet expectations. Overall, How to Be a Great Boss is a valuable resource that will help new managers navigate the challenges of leading and managing a team.
The Making of a Manager
The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhou is a comprehensive guide that provides practical advice and insights for new managers, as well as experienced leaders looking to improve their skills. The book was an instant Wall Street Journal bestseller and provides a modern field guide packed with everyday examples and transformative insights.
The book is written by the author’s own experience as a rookie manager at the age of 25, she was faced with a long list of logistics from hiring to firing, from meeting to messaging, from planning to pitching, and faced a thousand questions and uncertainties. She shares her own journey and the lessons she learned along the way. The book is designed to help new managers navigate the challenges of leading and managing a team, and provide them with the tools and strategies they need to be successful.
The book covers a wide range of topics such as how to tell a great manager from an average manager, when to look past an awkward interview and hire someone anyway, how to build trust with your reports, how to lead with confidence in new and unexpected situations and where to look when you lose faith and lack the answers. It also includes illustrations and checklists to help readers apply the lessons and insights to their own situation.
Overall, The Making of a Manager is a must-read for new managers, as well as experienced leaders looking to improve their skills. The book provides practical advice and insights that will help managers navigate the challenges of leading and managing a team and become the kind of manager they wish they had.
Welcome to Management
Welcome to Management by Ryan Hawk is a comprehensive guide that provides practical, actionable advice and tools for newly promoted managers. The book is written by the creator and host of The Learning Leader Show, which is considered as the most dynamic leadership podcast by Forbes. The book is designed to help new managers navigate the transition from top performer to manager and ensure that it is a successful one. Daniel Pink describes the book as, “The ultimate all-in-one guide to becoming a great leader.”
The book presents a new actionable three-part framework distilled from best practices drawn from in-depth interviews with over 300 of the most forward-thinking leaders around the world, as well as the author’s own professional experience. The three-part framework includes leading oneself, building a team and leading the team. The book covers various topics such as how to build skills and earn credibility, develop a healthy and sustainable culture of mutual trust and respect, effective hiring and firing practices, setting a clear strategy and vision for the team, communicate effectively and drive results.
The book is an excellent read for new managers as it provides practical, actionable advice and tools that will help them make the leap from individual contributor to manager with greater ease, grace, courage, and effectiveness. The book is filled with case studies, hundreds of interviews, and personal stories that will help new managers to better understand the challenges and opportunities that come with a new management role. Overall, Welcome to Management is a valuable resource that will help new managers become effective leaders and achieve their goals.
It’s Okay to Be the Boss
It’s Okay to Be the Boss by Bruce Tulgan is a comprehensive guide that provides practical advice and strategies for managers who want to become more effective in their roles. The book addresses a significant problem in corporate America, which is the reluctance of managers to take responsibility and provide clear direction to their employees. The book aims to show managers how to get things done by solving this problem with simple and effective management techniques.
The book makes a clear distinction between managers who interfere with the work at hand and managers who are simply afraid to take charge by setting clear goals and evaluating work. It opens the reader’s eyes to the undisciplined workplace that is frustrating workers at every level. It provides a clear 8-step path to becoming a strong manager, which includes setting clear goals, creating a clear plan, communicating effectively, and evaluating work.
It’s Okay to Be the Boss is a must-read for new managers as well as experienced managers who want to improve their skills. The book provides practical advice and strategies that will help managers navigate the challenges of leading and managing a team and become more effective leaders. It empowers managers to take charge and become the best bosses they can be. Overall, the book is a valuable resource that will help managers achieve their goals and create a more productive and efficient workplace.
The New One Minute Manager
The New One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson is an updated edition of the timeless business classic that offers a way for readers to succeed sooner with less stress in today’s rapidly changing world. This new edition is based on the original book and is updated to help today’s readers succeed more quickly in a world that has changed drastically since the book’s publication.
The book addresses the exponential rise of technology, global flattening of markets, instant communication, and pressures on corporate workforces to do more with less, including resources, funding, and staff, which have all revolutionized the world in which we live and work. The book teaches readers three practical secrets about leading others and explains why these techniques continue to work so well.
The New One Minute Manager is an excellent read for new managers as well as experienced managers who want to improve their skills. The book provides practical advice and strategies that will help managers navigate the challenges of leading and managing a team in today’s rapidly changing world. The book is written in a concise and easy-to-read story format that makes the concepts easy to understand and apply. Overall, The New One Minute Manager is a valuable resource that will help managers achieve their goals and create a more productive and efficient workplace.
From Bud to Boss
From Bud to Boss: Secrets to a Successful Transition to Remarkable Leadership is a practical guide for anyone making the shift to their first leadership position. Written by Kevin Eikenberry and Guy Harris, two expert consultants who work with leaders at all levels, this book is tailored to the specific needs of new managers who are faced with the challenges of supervising friends and former peers.
The book addresses the growing number of people who will become first-time supervisors in the next decade as Baby Boomers retire. It highlights the difficulties that new leaders experience and provides practical information on how to adopt the mindset of a leader. The book covers essential topics such as communicating change, giving feedback, coaching employees, leading productive teams, and achieving goals. It also uses the best leadership and management thinking to help new leaders navigate the change and uncertainty that comes with a new job.
From Bud to Boss is an essential read for anyone who wants to make a successful transition to leadership. It helps new leaders get beyond the stress and fear that comes with a new role and focus on becoming the most effective leader they can be – starting right now. With its practical advice and real-world examples, this book is a valuable resource for anyone who wants to excel in a leadership position.
Say Thank You For Everything
Say Thank You for Everything by Jim Edwards is an essential guide for new managers and business leaders, drawing on the author’s experience of transforming a small unread blog into a business with 200 million readers and hundreds of employees that sold for $442 million. This book is a no-nonsense approach to management, providing practical and actionable advice on how to lead a business effectively.
The book covers key topics such as decision-making, hiring, productivity, team management, and idea generation. The author presents a unique “whales and fails” method of decision-making that systematically improves team results, the power of being slightly better than average, and why good hiring is 80% of everything. Additionally, the author delves into the importance of taking care of your team, reducing burnout, and maintaining your humanity while climbing the corporate ladder.
The book also covers the dark arts of successful management, including the importance of taking your enemies to lunch, and the surprising places great ideas actually come from. Whether you’re a brand-new boss unsure where to start, a struggling supervisor thinking of giving up, or someone who wants to maintain their humanity while ascending to the executive suite, Say Thank You for Everything will provide you with valuable insights and practical advice to help you look after your people, achieve results, and be the kind of boss you always wanted to have.
Peer Today, Boss Tomorrow
In Peer Today, Boss Tomorrow, author Laura Bernstein provides a comprehensive guide for individuals transitioning into a management role for the first time. Whether you are a newly promoted manager or preparing for a future leadership position, this book will help you navigate the challenges and responsibilities that come with being a boss.
The book is filled with practical advice and actionable strategies for building and leading effective teams, managing and motivating employees, and developing the skills and mindset necessary for success as a manager. Bernstein covers a wide range of topics including effective communication, decision-making, goal-setting, and problem-solving, all of which are essential for any new manager.
With its clear, concise and easy-to-follow style, Peer Today, Boss Tomorrow is an excellent resource for anyone looking to take their management skills to the next level. The book is a great read for new managers who want to be effective in their role while keeping their humanity intact. It provides actionable advice and strategies to help new managers build and lead successful teams, manage and motivate employees, and develop the skills and mindset necessary for success as a manager. The author’s practical approach makes it easy to apply the information in the book, making it a valuable resource for any new manager.
Radical Candor
Radical Candor by Kim Scott is a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, translated into 20 languages, with more than half a million copies sold worldwide. It has been embraced around the world by leaders of every stripe at companies of all sizes and is considered a cultural touchstone. The book teaches the concept that you don’t have to choose between being a pushover and a jerk in leadership. By using Radical Candor, you can be kind and clear at the same time, avoiding the perils of Obnoxious Aggression, Manipulative Insincerity, and Ruinous Empathy.
The author, Kim Scott, was a highly successful leader at Google before joining Apple, where she developed and taught a management class. Since the original publication of Radical Candor in 2017, Scott has earned international fame with her vital approach to effective leadership and co-founded the Radical Candor executive education company, which helps companies put the book’s philosophy into practice.
Radical Candor is about caring personally and challenging directly, about soliciting criticism to improve your leadership and also providing guidance that helps others grow. It focuses on praise but doesn’t shy away from criticism, to help you love your work and the people you work with. This book is essential reading for managers who want to create a culture of Compassionate Candor, build a cohesive team, and achieve results collaboratively. It has raised the bar for management practices worldwide and is recommended by leading figures like Shona Brown, Rachel Hollis, Jeff Kinney, Daniel Pink, Sheryl Sandberg, and Gretchen Rubin.
10 Must Reads for New Managers
10 Must Reads for New Managers by Harvard Business Review is a comprehensive guide for individuals transitioning from being an outstanding individual contributor to becoming a great manager of others. The book is a collection of 10 articles, curated from the vast archive of Harvard Business Review, that are essential for new managers to read. It covers a wide range of topics that will help new managers develop the mindset and presence to successfully manage others for the first time.
The articles in this book will inspire new managers to develop their emotional intelligence, influence their colleagues through the science of persuasion, assess their team and enhance its performance, network effectively to achieve business goals and for personal advancement, navigate relationships with employees, bosses, and peers, get support from above, view the big picture in their decision making, and balance their team’s work and personal life in a high-intensity workplace.
The book includes articles such as “Becoming the Boss,” by Linda A. Hill; “Leading the Team You Inherit,” by Michael D. Watkins; “Saving Your Rookie Managers from Themselves,” by Carol A. Walker; “Managing the High-Intensity Workplace,” by Erin Reid and Lakshmi Ramarajan; “Harnessing the Science of Persuasion,” Robert B. Cialdini; “What Makes a Leader?” by Daniel Goleman; “The Authenticity Paradox,” by Herminia Ibarra; “Managing Your Boss,” by John J. Gabarro and John P. Kotter; “How Leaders Create and Use Networks,” by Herminia Ibar.
Bringing Up The Boss
Bringing Up the Boss is the ultimate guide for new managers, providing practical advice and actionable tips to help them navigate the complex and challenging world of management. Written by Rachel Pacheco, a seasoned expert in the field of management and culture, this book is based on years of research and experience working with CEOs and managers to build the skills necessary to lead a rapidly scaling organization.
The book covers a wide range of topics that are essential for new managers, including how to give effective feedback, how to motivate team members, how to hire and fire effectively, and how to navigate the often awkward and challenging situations that arise in a new management role. Pacheco also provides valuable insights into what makes a great manager and shares anecdotes, research, tools, and how-to’s that can help new managers quickly become experts in their field.
Whether you’re a new manager looking to gain a deeper understanding of your role, or an experienced manager seeking to improve your skills and become a more effective leader, Bringing Up the Boss is an essential read. It offers practical, actionable advice that can help you build the skills and confidence you need to lead your team to success and achieve your goals.
Drive
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink is a thought-provoking and insightful book that challenges the traditional belief that rewards and incentives are the key to motivation. Instead, Pink argues that the true motivators are autonomy, mastery, and purpose. He draws on four decades of scientific research on human motivation to reveal the mismatch between what science knows and what business does, and how this affects every aspect of life.
The book provides practical and actionable strategies for managers and leaders to tap into the power of autonomy, mastery and purpose to motivate their employees and teams. It delves into the science of motivation and how to foster a work culture that values creativity, autonomy and self-direction. It also offers valuable insights on how to create an environment that encourages learning, growth and mastery, and how to align individual and organizational goals with a sense of purpose.
Drive is an essential read for new managers and leaders who want to understand the true drivers of motivation and performance. It provides a fresh perspective on how to lead and manage in a way that inspires and empowers employees to achieve their full potential. Whether you are a new manager trying to navigate your first leadership role, or an experienced leader looking to improve your leadership skills, Drive is a book that will change the way you think about motivation and performance.
What to Know Before Becoming a Manager
Becoming a manager is a big step in one’s career and it comes with a lot of responsibilities and expectations. It’s important to understand the role and what it entails before taking on the position. One of the key responsibilities of a manager is to lead and guide their team to achieve their goals and objectives. This requires strong communication skills, the ability to delegate tasks, and the ability to make decisions that will benefit the team and the organization as a whole.
Another important aspect of being a manager is developing and maintaining a positive work culture, which includes fostering a sense of teamwork, promoting open communication, and being a supportive leader. It’s also important to understand the importance of setting clear goals and expectations for team members, and providing regular feedback and recognition for their efforts.
Additionally, it’s essential for managers to stay up to date on industry trends and changes, and to continuously look for ways to improve processes and increase efficiency. Being a manager also means being accountable for the performance of the team and making difficult decisions, such as hiring and firing employees. It’s a challenging role, but it can be extremely rewarding for those who are willing to put in the work and have the right mindset and skills.
How to Become a Manager
Becoming a manager is a significant step in one’s career, and it comes with a lot of new responsibilities and challenges. Before taking on the role of a manager, it’s important to understand what the job entails and what skills you will need to be successful. Here are some key things to keep in mind when considering becoming a manager:
First, it’s important to understand the role of a manager. Managers are responsible for leading and directing a team, setting goals and objectives, and ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. They also need to be able to motivate and inspire their team, resolve conflicts, and make important decisions.
It’s also essential to have good communication skills as a manager. You will need to be able to clearly communicate your expectations and goals to your team and also be able to effectively listen to and respond to the concerns and ideas of your team members.
Another key skill for managers is the ability to delegate tasks effectively. As a manager, you will be responsible for a lot of tasks and projects, and it’s essential to be able to trust your team members to take on responsibilities and complete them successfully.
In addition to these core skills, it’s also important for managers to have a deep understanding of the industry and the business they are working in. This includes having knowledge of the company’s products or services, the market, and the competition.
Lastly, it’s important to remember that being a manager is not just about having the right skills, but also having the right mindset. Managers need to be able to think strategically and make important decisions that will impact the overall success of the team and the company.
Becoming a manager is a big step in one’s career, but with the right skills, mindset, and knowledge, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling role. It’s important to be aware of the responsibilities and challenges that come with the job, but with the right preparation, it can be a great opportunity to lead and inspire a team to achieve great things.
Becoming a Manager to your Peers
Becoming a manager of your peers can be a challenging transition. Not only are you now responsible for the performance and development of your former colleagues, but you must also navigate the complex dynamics of leading a team that includes individuals you have previously considered friends or equals.
One of the first challenges in this transition is earning the respect and trust of your team. It can be difficult for your peers to see you as a leader when you have previously been on the same level as them. It’s important to clearly communicate your expectations and goals, and to be consistent in your decision-making and management style. You may also need to set boundaries and establish your authority in order to be taken seriously as a manager.
Another challenge is balancing your relationships with your team members. As a manager, it’s important to maintain professional boundaries and not let personal relationships interfere with your ability to make tough decisions or give constructive feedback. However, it can be difficult to strike this balance, especially if you have a close relationship with certain team members.
Additionally, managing your peers may require you to give feedback and criticism that may be uncomfortable or difficult to deliver. Giving feedback to your friends and former colleagues may be a sensitive and delicate task, but it is an important part of being a manager. You must learn to give honest, direct feedback that helps team members improve and grow.
Another challenge is dealing with conflicts and disagreements that may arise among team members. As a manager, it’s important to be a neutral and fair mediator, and to find solutions that are in the best interest of the team and the organization.
Overall, becoming a manager of your peers can be a challenging transition, but it’s an important step in your career development. With the right mindset, communication, and leadership skills, you can successfully navigate the dynamics of leading a team of your peers and become an effective and respected manager.