Skills for New Managers

by Morey Stettner

Skills for New Managers will include hands-on information on the following key hiring new employees by asking the right questions; delegating work efficiently; dealing with the stress that comes with a management position; communicating effectively with your employees; how to master mentoring, leadership, and coaching styles. These books will be rich in practical techniques and examples, each book will supply specific answers to problems that managers will face throughout their careers. Skills for New Managers will detail specific techniques and strategies that managers can use to smooth their way into a management position, from hiring to delegating. The series will also continue its user-friendly, icon-rich format, which is designed to be easily digested for managers at all levels of the organizational hierarchy. Books in the series will also feature short, snappy chapters, bulleted lists, checklists and definition of terms as well as summaries at the end of every chapter.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Management, Leadership, Psychology

174 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2000

Reviews

[Pyrate Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read for those in a management or a leadership position, no matter what the office/work environment. Has excellent tips and tricks and ideas to help new managers/leaders transition into the role and succeed.

[Tiffany Zhao · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible, do not recommend. There are much better management books out there. Complete waste of time.

[Bob Selden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like the approach the author Morey Stettner takes with this book for new managers. As one would expect, it covers most of the topics a new manager would need – and they are handled in a clear and practical way that make it easy to absorb and apply. In addition to that, Stettner is a realist. He doesn’t presume to “know it all” and that his suggestions will fit every new manager’s style or needs. He asks new managers to try them out and adjust to suit. This is an unusual and unpretentious approach for a management “how to” book.

The book starts with asking the new manager to develop his or her personal credo by thinking about the qualities of good managers he/she has previously known or worked for. There’s a practical exercise, “My favourite manager”, that makes this task easy. Once again, the realistic approach comes into play with Stettner making sure that the new manager adjusts his/her ideal to account for their current organisational culture.

I particularly liked his advice on how to start one’s first meeting with new staff to create that all important first impression. I also liked the chapter on “listening” which gives some excellent, practical tips such as the three step tactic of how to avoid becoming defensive – Patience-Ask-Confirm.

The many practical examples made it easy to see how the author’s ideas might work in practice. However, it was a little frustrating when some chapters started with a case study to illustrate the problem, but did not finish the case with examples of how the manager solved the problem (I expected this to happen later in the chapter). I also found some examples a little dated (e.g. “type out your answers”) and there was no mention of a 360 degree tool when discussing how the new manager might seek feedback.

I would have also liked to see more emphasis given to planning and running meetings. There was no mention of how to manage emails. For most new managers these two tasks take a lot of time and focus.

However, overall these are minor criticisms. It’s nice to read a book written by a true professional who understands social psychology and how businesses work, but who doesn’t need to elaborate or preach about either. It’s just full of good, plain, workable advice. Highly recommended for any new manager.

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some great little nuggets of wisdom, and I appreciate it's down-to-earth presentation. It's easy to get bogged down when you read about the psycology of managing people, but this book managed to keep it interesting while providing some useful hints on how to deal with difficult personalities under trying circumstances.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sixth grader could read this book. That being said, it was a welcomed change from my other dreary textbooks. If I bought this book on my own, I would have been disappointed that it didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, but since it was a required reading, I appreciated that it didn't tax my brain too much.

[Andrew · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't really care for the authors style of management. Of course this is a book on management,not leadership. So,if you aspire to only be a manager,not a leader... This is your book.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful, very and very hands-on.