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Managing for People Who Hate Managing: Be a Success by Being Yourself

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Professional success, more often than not, means becoming a manager. Yet nobody prepared you for having to deal with messy tidbits like emotions, conflicts, and personalities—all while achieving ever-greater goals and meeting ever-looming deadlines. Not exactly what you had in mind, is it?

Don’t panic. Devora Zack has the tools to help you succeed and even thrive as a manager. Drawing on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, Zack introduces two primary management styles—thinkers and feelers—and guides you in developing a management style that fits who you really are.

She takes you through a host of potentially difficult situations, showing how this new way of understanding yourself and others makes managing less of a stumble in the dark and more of a walk in the park. Her enlightening examples, helpful exercises, and lifesaving tips make this book the new go-to guide for all those managers looking to love their jobs again.

176 pages, Paperback

First published August 27, 2012

27 people are currently reading
224 people want to read

About the author

Devora Zack

27 books25 followers
Devora Zack is a nationally recognized expert in the field of leadership development. Her consulting, networking strategies, seminars, corporate retreats, coaching, and strategic plans consistently result in improved productivity and morale.

Ms. Zack consults to dozens of diverse organizations in private industry, federal agencies, and the public sector.

Ms. Zack holds an MBA from Cornell University where she was a full-tuition merit scholar. Her BA, magna cum laude, is from University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication. She is honored with active memberships in Phi Beta Kappa and Mensa.

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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Sergei_kalinin.
451 reviews178 followers
October 2, 2013
Несмотря на то, что название книги на русском - точная калька с английского, его смысл не совсем точно отражает суть текста :) Книга на самом деле не столько для тех, кто "не любит" (или "ненавидит") управлять другими, а для тех, кто не очень понимает, как это делать хорошо... Или в принципе не понимает, как это делается.

Т.е. у книги есть очень точная целевая аудитория - начинающие управленцы :) Причём, не те, которые "манагеры по диплому", а те, которые выросли "из низов", доросли с рядовых исполнительских позиций до управленческих.

Могу сказать, что у меня ежегодно набирается 10-15 "крестников" :) на индивидуальный управленческий коучинг. Как правило, обращается руководитель предприятия (т.е. топ-менеджер) и просит помочь "прекратить истерику" :))) у кого-нибудь из свежеиспеченных линейных или мидл-менеджеров.

"Истерика" - это обычно проблемы в коммуникациях со своими вчерашними товарищами, которые теперь стали подчиненными. Если раньше они вместе запросто перемывали кости "начальству", то теперь свеженькое "начальство" просто не понимает, как с ними разговаривать. Чтобы с одной стороны не сели на шею, а с другой стороны - чтобы не "передавить", и не испортить отношения.

Эта задачка (как мне руководить подчиненными, но при этом сохранять с ними нормальные отношения) имеет много решений. Девора Зак в своей книге предлагает один из классических рецептов: чтобы управлять другими, и делать это хорошо, надо знать, понимать и учитывать в общении их индивидуальные особенности.

Далее всё предельно просто. Вся книга посвящена двум противоположным типам людей: Думающим и Чувствующим. Если вы хоть как-то хоть что-то слышали про юнгианскую модель личности, и основанную на ней типологии MBTI (Майерс-Бриггс), то вы, конечно же, догадались, что это не что иное как классическая пара T - F (Thinking - Feeling).

Собственно, с Деворой Зак всё ясно :) У неё есть книга, посвященная экстравертам и интравертам ("Нетворкинг для интравертов"); "Управление..." посвящена мыслящим - чувствующим; осталось лишь дождаться ещё двух её книг :)) (по сенсорному - интуитивному, а также по логическому - перцептивному типам). Вот такой вот она популяризатор MBTI :) Хотя, IMHO, всегда лучше читать первоисточники ;)

Плюсы:

1) книга компактная, читается реально часа за 3-4

2) написана очень лёгким и понятным языком, с юмором и забавными кейсами. Читать было занятно, отдыхал мозгами :)

3) Если вы первый раз в жизни слышите про Юнга, MBTI и т.п. - то книгу, разумеется, читать! Различия между Думающими и Чувствующими расписаны чётко и ясно.

4) Книга действительно будет ОЧЕНЬ полезна для менеджеров-новичков (особенно не имеющих серьезного образования). Кроме увлекательных описаний Думающих и Чувствующих :), в книге много заданий по самоанализу, и по работе менеджера над развитием своих сильных качеств (опираясь на которые и можно стать хорошим управленцем).

5) В книгу вкраплены различные тренинговые упражнения по "прокачке" управленческих компетенций "для чайников". Упражнений немного - около десятка, но они все довольно толковые. Можно брать, и пробовать на себе или на окружающих ;)

Минусы:

Собственно, один главный минус - книга ОЧЕНЬ простая! В смысле - очень упрощает работу управленца. Её основные идеи можно свести к трём тезисам:

- познай себя (чтобы правильно использовать свои сильные стороны во взаимодействии с окружающими)
- познай своих сотрудников (в данной книге: относятся они к Думающим или Чувствующим? ...и всё :))
- научись действовать гибко, т.е. таким образом, чтобы в тех ситуациях, когда необходимо "управление" (постановка задач, обратная связь, мотивация и т.п.), руководитель бы ловко менял свой стиль в соответствии со стилем подчиненного.

Собственно, идея не нова :) В книге "Нетворкинг для интравертов" г-жа Зак советует то же самое - интравертам надо научиться симулировать экстраверсию, хотя бы на время, и тогда с их нетворкингом всё будет ОК.
Та же история и здесь: чтобы, например, Чувствующий сотрудник смог воспринять обратную связь от Думающего руководителя, последнему надо изобразить Чувствующего... И все дела :) И вы уже управленец))))

Резюме: книга - своего рода "букварь" для начинающего руководителя (нижнего уровня, без серьёзного управленческого образования). Руководителям с опытом будет не особо интересна.

Не сочтите за иронию, но после прочтения первых 20-30 страниц, у меня перед глазами стали возникать знакомые мне персонажи (парень, который из рядового продавца стал администратором магазина; девушка, которая из работниц стала бригадиром на своём предприятии и т.д. и т.п.), которым просто-таки захотелось подарить эту книгу :) Потому что в ней прям черным по белому ответы на многие вопросы "про отношения" руководителя и подчиненных, которые они мне задавали.
Profile Image for Broken Lifeboat.
207 reviews6 followers
September 1, 2025
"When did you wake up and suddenly become a therapist, mediator, and cruise director?"

YAAAAASSSSS Devora Zack, I've been asking myself and Human Resources that same question.

"Managing for People ...." is a helpful guide to establishing managerial responses based on authenticity and understanding feeling and thinking responses in the workplace.

There's some wonderful, hard truths for the new manager and for the manager who has done everything except look inward at their own approach.

This could have been half as long and a better read without all the dumb jokes and asides.
Profile Image for Andi Dirgantara.
33 reviews
June 8, 2018
This book focus on giving advice to manage people based on their personality (mostly influenced by MBTI), which are thinkers vs feelers in particular and cover some introverted vs extroverted at the last chapters. However for me, which is non native english speaker, I rather hard understanding some of its content because of the chosen diction. Sure, managing people are hard, I'm not mentioning that this book is bad, but I need to read more references and practicing on day to day work.
Profile Image for Teena in Toronto.
2,463 reviews79 followers
October 1, 2012
I received a copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review.

As an employee, I found it interesting and enjoyed it.

According to the author, there are two reasons for managerial angst:

1. When you manage people, you have less time to do what stimulates you.
2. You've got to deal with people's stuff ... as therapist, mediator and cruise director

One of the things the author focuses on is the Thinker-Feeler continuum, one of the dimensions of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. There is a quiz in the book to determine if you are a feeler or a thinker. I did the quiz assuming I was a feeler ... but I'm actually right in the middle which indicates I have a solid dose of both thinker and feeler attributes. Apparently I can relate to and manage a range of personalities and I come equipped with a natural ability to establish rapport, build coalitions and mediate conflict. The chapters that follow let you know how to deal with thinkers and feelers.

The author also focuses on introverts and extroverts. I'm a combination of both. As an educator, my style is definitely extroverted. Plus I'm very social and love being out and about. But I do need my Teena-time. At times, nothing makes me happier than being all alone.

The writing style is extremely casual, not what I'd expect from such a book. The author admits she's a feeler and that definitely comes through in her writing.

My blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2012/09...
Profile Image for Book Him Danno.
2,399 reviews78 followers
November 25, 2012
This is a fast, quick, little book to read. I found it funny and quirky. Many of the things it said made me think about the times I have had to manage people and how much I hated it. I found managing others to be uncomfortable and stressful. This book cleared a few things up and let me know that the kind of management I was doing was not really working for me or for those I managed.

If you are managing others or will be in the future, this is a great book to get your hands on and read. You will find out what kind of manager you are and how to best make the best manager out of who you are deep down inside.
Profile Image for Chris.
790 reviews10 followers
September 10, 2018
I listened to the audio book and I loved it. Devora Zack gives the listener a matter of fact primer on managing people and adds witty and sarcastic humor that throughout that I thoroughly enjoyed.

You begin in Chapter 2 by taking an assessment to determine if you are a Thinker or a Feeler, based on Myers-Briggs, or a combination of both. I was strongly between both T&F and a low propensity for each.

You then need to flex your style based on who you are interacting with. Learning how to flex your style takes practice.

Some key notes that I took away, I actually paused the audio book and made these notes on my phone as I was listening, are: 1) The only way to get people to do what you want is to make them want to do it 2) Use CCC or Change, Consequence and Contract e.g. Changing my behavior would be beneficial for these reasons...the Consequences of making this change include...and The Contract I am making with myself for working on this behavior for 30 days is... 3) ERSA = set Expectations...Reliquish control...Support the person...and hold them Accountable 4) PROD = a) state the Problem b) clarify the desired Result c) say what you Objectively Observed and d) what would you like to be Different and finally 5) Everyone in the world is seeking happiness and there is one sure way to find it...CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS and Happiness depends on your inner conditions.

I highly recommend this book and this is one that should be listened to again and again and again.
Profile Image for Ines.
560 reviews31 followers
May 31, 2020
I try to avoid this type of books like the plague, but it turns out my equal aversion to management is something I really need to work on. This was the first book I ever read on the subject and I have to say I am impressed. I have no idea if the psychology behind "Thinkers and Feelers" is sound, but this book made me giggle a lot and my expectation of "rolling my eyes at every page" did not materialise. I found the activities interesting (and funny), the message is based on a lot of good sense that sometimes someone else needs to point out to you, and in the end I was encouraged by it, which I believe is the best possible outcome. I gave it 4/5 stars because dragons are never mentioned.
2 reviews
July 11, 2017
I love the title of this book, it what attracted me to it. Managing is not everyone's forte so a book for people who fit into that category seemed perfect. The book itself is a quick read. I read it through in an hour forty five minutes. The author emphasizes a few things that stood out: Be yourself, know if your a thinker or feeler and learn how to manage thinkers and feelers by flexing your management style. Not mind-blowing stuff, but given her humorous method of delivery, I'd say its worth it to read or at least skim through for some tips.
Profile Image for Eric Hearn.
2 reviews
October 28, 2017
If you are abT

If you are a strong 'thinker' type. Read the book from a tactical perspective. Use it as insight into the those who are the 'feel-y' types. The author portrays a strong T personality to hook you in the beginning and the flips to her true self a feel-y. She's a tricky one. I found this book vastly informative! First book I've ever reread and took notes... willingly!
Profile Image for Jenny.
126 reviews
July 4, 2023
Enjoyable book about managing people through figuring out your own personality. Are you a thinker or a feeler? An introvert or extrovert? How to assess personalities in your staff and how to communicate with different personalities. Includes myers-briggs assessment for you to take, as well as team building exercises for staff. Decent read, some humor thrown in throughout.
Profile Image for Jeremy Hilden.
52 reviews
March 6, 2020
I liked this book, and I felt it had a lot of practical advice. It spent a bit too much time on personality profiles for my taste, though.
All in all, worth the read and it was funny. I recommend it.
Profile Image for Arun Narayanaswamy.
475 reviews6 followers
June 25, 2024
Though some sections of this book is interesting (introvert vs extrovert) , others are a bit boring. Causes a lot of confusion when the T and F leaders are used almost throughout the book. Not because we don’t understand the terminology but more because it’s used overly in each concept. Avoidable.
Profile Image for Nick Maslov.
6 reviews
August 24, 2018
Overly simplistic book - although written with good share of humor - and I still hate management and want to go to a real work :)
Profile Image for Rebekah.
362 reviews1 follower
February 10, 2023
Solid management book, a little more on the surface than I was looking for but an easy read so I kept at it. 3.5 rounded up
Profile Image for Nurmuhammad.
12 reviews1 follower
April 16, 2024
I don't know why but I hate this book. Did not give any solutions to the matter.
Profile Image for Chris Struble.
12 reviews
August 23, 2024
I was attracted to this book by its title. I took my first management job a year ago and it has been a struggle for me. I read another book by the same author which I found helpful and was hoping to find some tips for surviving my new role.

The author's style is quirky and conversational, using the same words I imagine she would use in a workshop. That makes it hard to follow sometimes. The illustrations are fun.

Many of the ideas in this book are based on the idea of personality types, especially the thinker-feeler dichotomy. One observation from doing one of the exercises in the book is that I am the opposite personality (feeler) as a manager than I am as an individual contributor (thinker), and yet that feels completely authentic to who I am. This makes me question the thesis somewhat.

Overall an enjoyable read compared to most books I've read on management, which tend to assume the reader wants to climb the corporate ladder and rule the world.
Profile Image for Justin Hill.
213 reviews1 follower
October 26, 2013
It was ok. The author has a goofy grandpa sense of humor that is sometimes funny and sometimes tiring. I learned a few things. It's mostly about thinkers vs. feelers (Myers-Briggs) with a chapter on introverts and extroverts.
Profile Image for Angela.
234 reviews
December 23, 2013
I read this book fast, without any intent to truly study it. It was a quick read, which surprised me for a type of book I am not usually drawn to read. However, the subject was interesting and presented in a very understandable way, with humor peppered throughout.
Profile Image for Laura.
416 reviews26 followers
January 18, 2015
Hahaha yeah. Useful perspective on working with people at different points along the thinker/feeler and introvert/extrovert spectrums, and adapting yourself to them rather than expecting them to adapt to you. Also lots of goofy humour.
1 review
November 3, 2016
Слишком центрируется на делении думающий/чувствующий. При этом больше со стороны чувствующего человека. Про деление интроверт/экстраверт сильно меньше. Не нашел про свои проблемы. Многие вопросы не применимы в российской специфике.
Profile Image for Alex Memus.
456 reviews43 followers
August 4, 2017
Супер неструктурированная и пустая книга. Автор по сути пользуется MBTI как религиозным способом упралять людьми и объясняет его так неумело, что стыдно читать. Короче, еле дочитал. Из полезного: только повторение фреймворка для обратной связи.
Profile Image for Ana Sh.
3 reviews1 follower
January 15, 2023
Книга показалась скучной и кажуальной. Последние 4 главы просто пролистала.
Но главный вывод, который я для себя вынесла: нет идеального образа руководителя, не надо никому подражать и будучи просто собой, я смогу добиться всего.
Profile Image for Cara.
Author 21 books101 followers
Read
July 11, 2018
Apparently I don't care that much--I've checked this out twice on Kindle, and I still haven't finished it. However, there's one point that I found useful. The main premise seems to be that some people are thinkers and some people are feelers (in the Myers-Briggs sense), and that's why it's so hard for people to communicate, understand each other, and motivate each other. That's nothing new, but something about the way the author explained feelers to thinkers made me "get it" on a deeper level. I spend a ton of effort trying to take the sting out of things I say, because I'm a feeler and don't want to hurt people's feelings. But apparently thinkers genuinely don't get their feelings hurt by blunt talk, AND they genuinely don't mean any offense when they speak bluntly. What a relief that is! This book makes me want to go find only thinkers for clients from now on, ha ha.
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