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The Little Black Book of Human Resources Management
The Little Black Book of Human Resources Management is loaded with lessons not learned in a book. Instead, it is the product of over 20 years of scraped knuckles and attaboys earned while leading HR in public and private organizations. The book shares hard-won advice on what works in a wide range of HR topics,from reductions in force to paying for performance to managing workers compensation to leadership training. But readers will also benefit from experience in the often surprising aspects of HR work that are rarely discussed but are invaluable to success in the role, such as - What all organizations expect from the HR leader, like it or not - The one thing above all else that the company President really wants from the HR leader - How an HR leader can spot the A players and the problem children in the first month on a new job - How to answer the employee who asks if layoffs are coming – and they are Written in a conversational, often humorous style, The Little Black Book of Human Resources Management will shave a few points off the learning curve of anyone looking to advance in the field of human resources management.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 11, 2020
Holy fucking shit.
This is one of the funniest, most irreverent, most money as fuck books I have read in a long time.
If you’re in HR, or management.
This book is a GODSEND.
It just cuts through the bullshit and gets right to it.
And, as previously mentioned, it’s LOL funny.
There’s something MAGICAL about saying the truth.
And this guy is a WIZARD by this standard.
I feel SO MUCH MORE INFORMED now.
It’s a HUGE relief.
Fuck yeah!!!!
Five BIG twinklers 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
This is one of the funniest, most irreverent, most money as fuck books I have read in a long time.
If you’re in HR, or management.
This book is a GODSEND.
It just cuts through the bullshit and gets right to it.
And, as previously mentioned, it’s LOL funny.
There’s something MAGICAL about saying the truth.
And this guy is a WIZARD by this standard.
I feel SO MUCH MORE INFORMED now.
It’s a HUGE relief.
Fuck yeah!!!!
Five BIG twinklers 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
November 27, 2018
‘A good HR leader is a business partner’
Pennsylvania author Barry Wolfe has written over twenty books on his field of expertise – Human Resources. He has been the go to source for 25 years in engineering and manufacturing companies both public and private. He lives near Pittsburgh
Very typical of the relaxed manner in which Barry shares his knowledge of human resource management is obvious in part of his Introductory comment – ‘So then what is this book about? It’s about the stuff you learn when you’ve worked for a boss you’d swear jumped out of a Dilbert cartoon; worked in a business whose performance careened up and down like a runaway clown car; when you’ve faced legal or ethical problems that needed the wisdom of Solomon to sort out while they roiled your guts at night; when you’ve sat on the stand across from some third-rate Perry Mason, or tried to be one yourself. It’s about what you learn when you’ve knocked yourself out to put measurable six-figure savings back on the company’s bottom line; or when an employee pleads for her job with tears in her eyes as she lies through her teeth to your face, or when you’ve faced down an employee who was spoiling for any chance he could get to sue your organization crippled; or maybe when you’ve dealt with the employee who told his supervisor he’s going to shoot himself. Like most everyone else, whenever I’ve cleaned up some HR mess – or made one of my own – I would learn something that I tucked in my back pocket, to pull out as needed when something similar popped up. Some people call this their bag of tricks, or wisdom. I’ve always thought of it as my little black book.’
Barry divides his little black book on HR into the following chapters - Writing Policies Working for the President RIFs and Restructuring Training Performance Appraisals Paying For Performance My Nominations for the HR Canon Interviewing & Recruiting Dealing With the Problem Children HR Metrics What I’ve Learned About Leadership Communication Workers Compensation A Little Career Advice Playing Junior Lawyer at Unemployment Compensation Hearings Information Technology My Experience With Substance Abuse in the Workplace (Wait, That Didn’t Come Out Right…) Culture Change, and The Compassion Trap. Even the titles of his chapters prove intriguing, but the real grit of reading and absorbing this book is the impact it makes on the importance of Human Resources. He closes his book of facts and knowledge with another self-effacing comment – ‘HR leaders have it in their power to make that a reality. Get serious on how your company manages performance – how it formulates and communicates expectations, how it evaluates performance, and how it responds to performance problems. And then maybe someday, when you can make the boss confident that the organization is consistent and effective in performance management, you can convince him that he can stop hanging that employment at will statement over everyone’s head. I haven’t gotten there yet, but I’m working on it. Really, I am. I’m confident we’re going to get there, and the day I do I’ll consider it among the very best of my career.’
This is definitely the most realistic and genuinely helpful book on HR available. Highly recommended.
Pennsylvania author Barry Wolfe has written over twenty books on his field of expertise – Human Resources. He has been the go to source for 25 years in engineering and manufacturing companies both public and private. He lives near Pittsburgh
Very typical of the relaxed manner in which Barry shares his knowledge of human resource management is obvious in part of his Introductory comment – ‘So then what is this book about? It’s about the stuff you learn when you’ve worked for a boss you’d swear jumped out of a Dilbert cartoon; worked in a business whose performance careened up and down like a runaway clown car; when you’ve faced legal or ethical problems that needed the wisdom of Solomon to sort out while they roiled your guts at night; when you’ve sat on the stand across from some third-rate Perry Mason, or tried to be one yourself. It’s about what you learn when you’ve knocked yourself out to put measurable six-figure savings back on the company’s bottom line; or when an employee pleads for her job with tears in her eyes as she lies through her teeth to your face, or when you’ve faced down an employee who was spoiling for any chance he could get to sue your organization crippled; or maybe when you’ve dealt with the employee who told his supervisor he’s going to shoot himself. Like most everyone else, whenever I’ve cleaned up some HR mess – or made one of my own – I would learn something that I tucked in my back pocket, to pull out as needed when something similar popped up. Some people call this their bag of tricks, or wisdom. I’ve always thought of it as my little black book.’
Barry divides his little black book on HR into the following chapters - Writing Policies Working for the President RIFs and Restructuring Training Performance Appraisals Paying For Performance My Nominations for the HR Canon Interviewing & Recruiting Dealing With the Problem Children HR Metrics What I’ve Learned About Leadership Communication Workers Compensation A Little Career Advice Playing Junior Lawyer at Unemployment Compensation Hearings Information Technology My Experience With Substance Abuse in the Workplace (Wait, That Didn’t Come Out Right…) Culture Change, and The Compassion Trap. Even the titles of his chapters prove intriguing, but the real grit of reading and absorbing this book is the impact it makes on the importance of Human Resources. He closes his book of facts and knowledge with another self-effacing comment – ‘HR leaders have it in their power to make that a reality. Get serious on how your company manages performance – how it formulates and communicates expectations, how it evaluates performance, and how it responds to performance problems. And then maybe someday, when you can make the boss confident that the organization is consistent and effective in performance management, you can convince him that he can stop hanging that employment at will statement over everyone’s head. I haven’t gotten there yet, but I’m working on it. Really, I am. I’m confident we’re going to get there, and the day I do I’ll consider it among the very best of my career.’
This is definitely the most realistic and genuinely helpful book on HR available. Highly recommended.
July 6, 2017
A recent business graduate, I was recommended this book by a coworker of mine. Just starting out I am trying to figure out my place and this was an enjoyable way to do some research outside the office. The author presents the information in a clear and funny way. It also did not seem to be information that would be exclusively for HR. I can see everyone from staff to upper management gaining something from this book.
It is also interesting to get a peek at how things may work in the upper ranks. Obviously not every organization has these great ethics or motives in mind, but I enjoyed learning about what I should be looking for in great leaders.
Even if I do not plan on pursuing a career in HR I am glad to have read the book. The book is useful for so many audience and really does not seem to be specific to one industry / field. There are plenty of tools I personally enjoyed reading about and I find students or people entering business would enjoy learning about these tools as well.
It is also interesting to get a peek at how things may work in the upper ranks. Obviously not every organization has these great ethics or motives in mind, but I enjoyed learning about what I should be looking for in great leaders.
Even if I do not plan on pursuing a career in HR I am glad to have read the book. The book is useful for so many audience and really does not seem to be specific to one industry / field. There are plenty of tools I personally enjoyed reading about and I find students or people entering business would enjoy learning about these tools as well.
November 29, 2018
Written in a self deprecating style, The Little Black Book of Human Resources Management by Barry Wolfe opens up the doors to understanding the Human Resource profession and much more. With a wealth of experience in said profession, Wolfe has a lot to say about understanding people, employees and the challenges that are there every single day when running an HR department. Some of his best advice is the most simple, learn everyone's name, even if this means memorizing their name and looking at their photo at the same time. Secondly, Wolfe espouses the need to simply acknowledge people when you see them, smile and look people in the eye. This advice would work just about anywhere in life, not just in HR. Truly though, this is a thorough look at the underbelly of working in HR, not really a how to guide on success, but building your skills and knowledge to make yourself indispensable. Wolfe makes the career choice of HR sound interesting, exciting, and most of all fulfilling. Highly recommend.
June 29, 2017
Although I am interested in Human Resources, many of the principles in this book apply to most jobs. Barry Wolfe stresses the importance of knowing your co-workers and smiling at them when you look them in the eye. This instills trust and camaraderie when they realize you take an interest in them.
Those in HR have to deal with the problems in the workplace without giving up the facts to other workers. I love how Wolfe pushes for integrity in the work place, not dictatorship. Make the rules clear so you don’t have to judge each situation. This would appear like you many favor one worker over another. And don’t make exceptions, just one opens a dam of excuses from everyone who feels their circumstance is excusable.
I love when Wolfe explains how to deal with bosses who try to push their ideas through without thinking of the consequences. He is kind, but the wisdom and humble attitude he shows helps to defuse the situation.
Those in HR have to deal with the problems in the workplace without giving up the facts to other workers. I love how Wolfe pushes for integrity in the work place, not dictatorship. Make the rules clear so you don’t have to judge each situation. This would appear like you many favor one worker over another. And don’t make exceptions, just one opens a dam of excuses from everyone who feels their circumstance is excusable.
I love when Wolfe explains how to deal with bosses who try to push their ideas through without thinking of the consequences. He is kind, but the wisdom and humble attitude he shows helps to defuse the situation.
June 11, 2018
Insightful and informative
The Little Black Book of Human Resources Management by Barry Wolfe is a pretty short guide for those who already work in HR, those who are looking to get into HR, executives, company owners, and even employees, as they will all benefit somehow from reading this quick little book. Wolfe provides insight into the world of HR sharing his experiences, and helping others navigate the difficult situations through humor and well written advice. I think this book would help not only those in HR to do a better job but it will help employees be better employees if they have a better understanding of what HR must do and the decisions and choices they have to enforce within the company to keep things fair for all employees. You may not agree with everything he says but Wolfe definitely shares a wealth of information and knowledge. Take what works for you now and file the rest for a later date.
The Little Black Book of Human Resources Management by Barry Wolfe is a pretty short guide for those who already work in HR, those who are looking to get into HR, executives, company owners, and even employees, as they will all benefit somehow from reading this quick little book. Wolfe provides insight into the world of HR sharing his experiences, and helping others navigate the difficult situations through humor and well written advice. I think this book would help not only those in HR to do a better job but it will help employees be better employees if they have a better understanding of what HR must do and the decisions and choices they have to enforce within the company to keep things fair for all employees. You may not agree with everything he says but Wolfe definitely shares a wealth of information and knowledge. Take what works for you now and file the rest for a later date.
November 24, 2018
Who knows the sphere of HR as well as author Barry Wolfe knows it, who has worked for 20 years in this field?! Probably few who can. To begin with, I am very respectful to people who have given most of their lives to their profession. I believe that they are professionals in their field, this case is no exception. I purchased the book “The Little Black Book of Human Resources Management” being interested in what the author can write about a work with such experience.
I was surprised and a bit shocked in some places, because thanks to the author it is as if you can get into this HR world, where you need to know how to communicate with employees and the director, and how to solve problems. Barry Wolfe fairly describes all aspects of the work that attracted me, that is, sweet words for it was not specifically used. I recommend reading not only to people working in this field, but also to ordinary people.
I was surprised and a bit shocked in some places, because thanks to the author it is as if you can get into this HR world, where you need to know how to communicate with employees and the director, and how to solve problems. Barry Wolfe fairly describes all aspects of the work that attracted me, that is, sweet words for it was not specifically used. I recommend reading not only to people working in this field, but also to ordinary people.
May 1, 2018
This was a great book for the working individual, not just for anyone in the HR realm. It was interesting to see how HR operations work i the upper levels (which I didn't know about). The book offers advice and examples of situations that can occur. I found this useful and plan to apply certain aspects of the advice offered in my job, even though I am not in HR. I love the "no exceptions" advice. I have seen an exception made for one employee and it lead to a disastrous situation and many unhappy employees as well as employers. The book is written in a fairly humorous yet enlightening manner - not condescending or dictating at all. The author offers some great tools for HR employees as well as things like how to politely and properly address people that all employees can use. Overall an educational and useful book!
October 24, 2025
For it’s purpose, I can’t see how it’s not 5 stars. This book gives you an entertaining and witty author who has been in the field for decades and “keeps it real.” I can’t think of a better way to word it. By the title including “little,” you should be able to see that this isn’t going to be an in depth fix-all solution.
To posit an analogy: this is a long, blunt letter that a father would give a son who is entering a field the father has life experience in. It has that kind of brutal honesty that may offend some. This book isn’t politically correct, and the author isn’t apologetic about his perspective.
I never thought an HRM book could be this readable. Highly recommend, even for those not particularly in the HR field.
To posit an analogy: this is a long, blunt letter that a father would give a son who is entering a field the father has life experience in. It has that kind of brutal honesty that may offend some. This book isn’t politically correct, and the author isn’t apologetic about his perspective.
I never thought an HRM book could be this readable. Highly recommend, even for those not particularly in the HR field.
November 20, 2018
A great guide for HR folks
This little black book is a comprehensive collection of some of the best tips and strategies from industry leaders and game changers. Imagine having access to some of the best advice from your industry leaders, this is that guide for HR. This book will give incite into what all companies want from HR manager's and leaders as well as how to handle the tough situations like lay offs and new hires. This is a very useful tool to any HR member at any level. I recommend getting a copy and taking the lead in your industry with the knowledge of those who have lead before you.
This little black book is a comprehensive collection of some of the best tips and strategies from industry leaders and game changers. Imagine having access to some of the best advice from your industry leaders, this is that guide for HR. This book will give incite into what all companies want from HR manager's and leaders as well as how to handle the tough situations like lay offs and new hires. This is a very useful tool to any HR member at any level. I recommend getting a copy and taking the lead in your industry with the knowledge of those who have lead before you.
May 13, 2020
Like getting advice from a seasoned mentor over a cold beer
Very refreshing to read a management book that eschews ten-step processes, overly refined models, and recycled theories for a candid conversation about the issues that happen in real, everyday management life. Great for both up-and-coming HR professionals and anyone else who is in the business of managing people. A lot of interesting and insightful information scattered through this little manifesto. I did not agree with everything, but so what. That made it seem all the more genuine; more attuned to the actual messiness and impreciseness that accompanies regulating other human beings.
Very refreshing to read a management book that eschews ten-step processes, overly refined models, and recycled theories for a candid conversation about the issues that happen in real, everyday management life. Great for both up-and-coming HR professionals and anyone else who is in the business of managing people. A lot of interesting and insightful information scattered through this little manifesto. I did not agree with everything, but so what. That made it seem all the more genuine; more attuned to the actual messiness and impreciseness that accompanies regulating other human beings.
May 30, 2018
This book is filled with tips at how to work in Human Resources in a successful and positive way.
The author worked as a HR leader for over 20 years and in that time obviously learnt a thing or two about what often goes on and the best way to deal with it.
They also obviously have a real passion for the job and convey that in their writing. You can feel the love they have at solving problems in the best possible ways and sharing that with others is just a great thing to do.
Humorous at times, for a serious book it’s quite a fun read.
The author worked as a HR leader for over 20 years and in that time obviously learnt a thing or two about what often goes on and the best way to deal with it.
They also obviously have a real passion for the job and convey that in their writing. You can feel the love they have at solving problems in the best possible ways and sharing that with others is just a great thing to do.
Humorous at times, for a serious book it’s quite a fun read.
April 11, 2021
This is a great book and I highly recommend it.
Still one piece of advice : if you're looking for HR management theory, this is not for you.
What makes this book great is that it shares the opinion, documented and explained, of an HR director. Not the standard non-committed theoritical vision of HR management. No. An experience. A vision coming from a life in HR.
Absolut must-read if you're ready for the cynical point of view and no-nonsense talk
Still one piece of advice : if you're looking for HR management theory, this is not for you.
What makes this book great is that it shares the opinion, documented and explained, of an HR director. Not the standard non-committed theoritical vision of HR management. No. An experience. A vision coming from a life in HR.
Absolut must-read if you're ready for the cynical point of view and no-nonsense talk
March 31, 2019
Rambling with a Few Nuggets
I have in HR for years. The guy has some good advice but it’s also got a lot of fodder. The never-ending wise cracks are stale too. There were a few things I liked though. On the other hand there is no bibliography or references. What does that tell you? Pits not backed up.
I have in HR for years. The guy has some good advice but it’s also got a lot of fodder. The never-ending wise cracks are stale too. There were a few things I liked though. On the other hand there is no bibliography or references. What does that tell you? Pits not backed up.
December 28, 2024
Great, easy to read primer on what to expect as a senior level HR professional. I read this book when I was earlier in my career, and many of the words he said did not stick. As a director, the words make a lot more sense and it's quick, easy to read. Highly recommend as a periodic reread for an HR professional.
May 24, 2018
Great Roadmap For Great HR Leaders!
Very insightful to many of the issues HR leaders face daily. After reading this book, I will surely see will my boss and Divisional President in a whole new light. Great read!
Very insightful to many of the issues HR leaders face daily. After reading this book, I will surely see will my boss and Divisional President in a whole new light. Great read!
September 10, 2023
Good message, but it really bothers me that any time he referenced a leadership position or President he said “he/him/guy”. At one point he said “she” when referring to a leader, but it was when he was talking negatively about being too companionate.
September 7, 2019
Excellent book
Relevant and real. I loved the writing style, the book held my attention throughout. Every HR person should read this.
Relevant and real. I loved the writing style, the book held my attention throughout. Every HR person should read this.
February 13, 2021
HIGHLY Recommend
For anyone in the field, this book is an in your face practical guide to what should be the goings on behind HR doors. Please read, and pass on.
For anyone in the field, this book is an in your face practical guide to what should be the goings on behind HR doors. Please read, and pass on.
January 12, 2022
Excellent Read
I appreciated the useful advice and humor of this author. This is one I will share with others in the future.
I appreciated the useful advice and humor of this author. This is one I will share with others in the future.
June 20, 2022
Audiobook. Had good information.
October 8, 2024
Excellent book about HR and is applicable and relatable to any HR professional. It was such a fresh take on HR and business, would highly recommend for a good read.
August 13, 2016
Lots of sage advice and interesting perspectives in this book. Definitely made me think about the ways I've seen things done in the past and made good arguments on reasons to change them.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews