The Rookie Manager: A Guide to Surviving Your First Year in Management

by Joseph T. Straub

You've been promoted! Are you happy, excited, perhaps even a little (or a lot) anxious and stressed out--wondering how you're going to handle all your new responsibilities? If so, stop worrying and start reading THE ROOKIE MANAGER. It's the perfect stress-reducer--the next best thing to a Swedish massage. This indispensable guide prepares inexperienced managers for the realities of today's fast-paced business environment and provides useful, real-world information that will help you relax comfortably into your new managerial position. Topics covered * understanding the manager's role * managing former peers * choosing a management style * daily planning * leadership and coaching * building and managing a team * motivating people to do their best * making tough decisions * delegating work * hiring and orienting new employees * conducting performance appraisals * disciplining and terminating employees * building effective communication skills--both up and down the hierarchical ladder, and much more. Filled with informative anecdotes, exercises, self-quizzes, worksheets, and examples, THE ROOKIE MANAGER will give you all the skills, confidence, and knowledge you need to shift seamlessly into your new role.

Genres: Self Help, Management, Nonfiction

167 pages, Paperback

First published October 12, 1999

Reviews

[Mark Muckerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Must Read 101 for all new managers or people leaders in business.

I first read this back in 1999 as a new manager and found it an excellent primer of thoughtful do's & don'ts that has been a foundational component of my leadership perspective ever since. 20 years later I've just promoted a team member to first-time management and I pulled this off the shelf and blew the dust off. . . other than some some smile-inducing references to "your inbox for correspondence", "having your assistant manage your calendar" and "should be able to do research on the world wide web", The Rookie Manager holds up well and after a quick re-read, I've passed it on to my new team member.

Highly recommended for ALL first time people leaders, and an easy refresher even for those of us who have long since "been there, done that". Good ideas and solid principles never decay.

[Gwen Tolios · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned, and that's the important part.

[Brian Rast · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the most hands on book of all the books that require reports for the Level II requirement, although probably the lowest as a good choice to present the subject. The subject is one that I had a very thorough experience with in my M.S. degree in Engineering Management, specifically Personal Development for the Engineering Manager. Straub covers basic manager responsibilities that a freshman manager should bone up on: time management, planning schedules, leading people, team building, decision making, delegating authority, hiring, motivation, appraising performance, disciplining employees, grievances, terminations, and communication. Although Straub writes for the manager that is still a novice, several tips he presents should be heeded by veteran managers, whether supervisors or project managers (PMs).
Several of the chapters were very helpful in addressing some of the needs that the Leatherman Leadership Questionnaire identified during my experience in the Planning Associates Program. They included making improvements to how I delegate and addressing better ways to handle discipline, grievances, and terminations. Many of these I do not necessarily have the authority for. The book seemed more appropriate for someone in the Corps who might have accepted a temporary roll as a line manager or Section Chief. The book uses the term line manager. One thing the author focuses on is a chapter called Communicating For Success. He touches on how useful highlighting techniques are, but I did not think Straub’s figures were helpful. The figures, characterized by boxes and wires, were supposed to summarize the text, though the text already had good bulleting techniques, use of spacing, and font changes for headings that provided enough emphasis- his figures added nothing. He really needs to put better figures in and use circles or whatever actually adds value- the current figures are a waste of space. And they do not support him being an expert writing about better communication tips. I think the Corps could recommend better sources, such as the Covey Style Manual, the book Interpersonal Communication for Technically Trained Managers, by Jackson, or maybe Dr. Steven Gertz, who put on an excellent writing techniques class for a consulting firm I worked for. I think this book is not the best selection for a PM with as much experience as I have. I think the Corps should move this book to the Level I list and find something better for the Level II list of requirements.
20% Summary – 60% Application – 20% Critique

[S]

658.4 S

[Lori Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read book new managers, executives, and entrepreneurs.

[Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

good nuts and bolts book for someone entering management