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How to Become a Great Boss: The Rules for Getting and Keeping the Best Employees
The Great Boss Simple Success
Did you ever have a great boss? Everyone should have one, but not enough people do. If you're a boss, or hope to become one, or have a less-than-great boss, then this is the book that could change your career--and your life.
In times like these, being a great boss can be harder than ever. If you want surprising and useful advice on how to handle the tough stuff--from having to fire a long-time employee to being a new boss with a demoralized team--the stories, observations, and advice contained in this gem of a book will set your feet in the right direction. And if you just want advice on living up to the legend who preceded you in the job, or even ways to emulate someone who was a great boss to you, Jeffrey Fox has gathered anecdotes from some of the mightiest and most respected bosses in America. The bestselling author who brought you How to Become CEO and How to Become a Rainmaker knows the territory about which he speaks.
Fox is the master of the counterintuitive angle. For every boss who has implied "I know what's best, that's why I'm the boss," Fox counsels, "Listen to Phonies, Fools, and Frauds" and "Don't Check Expense Accounts." His stories from bosses who have cared equally for employees' lives and the bottom line will inspire you to see that profit counts, but so do camaraderie, motivation, and a great place to work.
In a time of considerable corporate downsizing, it's more important than ever for bosses to surround themselves with motivated employees. Jeffrey Fox's How to Become a Great Boss will have a place on the shelves of top brass everywhere who want to remain leaders of their pack.
Did you ever have a great boss? Everyone should have one, but not enough people do. If you're a boss, or hope to become one, or have a less-than-great boss, then this is the book that could change your career--and your life.
In times like these, being a great boss can be harder than ever. If you want surprising and useful advice on how to handle the tough stuff--from having to fire a long-time employee to being a new boss with a demoralized team--the stories, observations, and advice contained in this gem of a book will set your feet in the right direction. And if you just want advice on living up to the legend who preceded you in the job, or even ways to emulate someone who was a great boss to you, Jeffrey Fox has gathered anecdotes from some of the mightiest and most respected bosses in America. The bestselling author who brought you How to Become CEO and How to Become a Rainmaker knows the territory about which he speaks.
Fox is the master of the counterintuitive angle. For every boss who has implied "I know what's best, that's why I'm the boss," Fox counsels, "Listen to Phonies, Fools, and Frauds" and "Don't Check Expense Accounts." His stories from bosses who have cared equally for employees' lives and the bottom line will inspire you to see that profit counts, but so do camaraderie, motivation, and a great place to work.
In a time of considerable corporate downsizing, it's more important than ever for bosses to surround themselves with motivated employees. Jeffrey Fox's How to Become a Great Boss will have a place on the shelves of top brass everywhere who want to remain leaders of their pack.
168 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2002
40 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 17, 2012
Loy Machedo’s Book Review - How to Become a Great Boss by Jeffrey J. Fox
With 50 Short Chapters, Catchy Phrases, Motivational Content and Simplistic Material Jeffrey J. Fox shares whatever wisdom he has to share and calls it a day. I think the chapters title would sum up the whole book for you, namely,
1. Only hire top-notch, excellent people.
2. Put the right people in the right job. Weed out the wrong people.
3. Tell the people what needs to be done.
4. Tell the people why it is needed.
5. Leave the job up to the people you've chosen to do it.
6. Train the people.
7. Listen to the people.
8. Remove frustration and barriers that fetter the people.
9. Inspect progress.
10. Say "Thank you" publicly and privately.
The Great Stuff:
- Very Simple & Easy To Read
- Principles that can be Applied
- Highly recommend book for Newbie Managers or Leaders
Not-So-Great Stuff:
- Old Wine in a New Bottle Approach
- For Experienced Managers / Leaders, you may not find this book as a ‘revelation’.
- The Author can be looked upon more as a Theory-Creator, one who creates theories, than as a Principle-Applicator i.e. who has applied the rules.
Overall Verdict
For new comers, managers and young leaders, this book is a gift. Would give them nuggets of wisdom that would serve them in the long run. However, for those who are successful and experienced, this book serves only as a mild minty mouth refresher that soon loses its minty freshness into the routine taste of experience.
Overall Rating
6 out of 10.
Loy Machedo
loymachedo.com
With 50 Short Chapters, Catchy Phrases, Motivational Content and Simplistic Material Jeffrey J. Fox shares whatever wisdom he has to share and calls it a day. I think the chapters title would sum up the whole book for you, namely,
1. Only hire top-notch, excellent people.
2. Put the right people in the right job. Weed out the wrong people.
3. Tell the people what needs to be done.
4. Tell the people why it is needed.
5. Leave the job up to the people you've chosen to do it.
6. Train the people.
7. Listen to the people.
8. Remove frustration and barriers that fetter the people.
9. Inspect progress.
10. Say "Thank you" publicly and privately.
The Great Stuff:
- Very Simple & Easy To Read
- Principles that can be Applied
- Highly recommend book for Newbie Managers or Leaders
Not-So-Great Stuff:
- Old Wine in a New Bottle Approach
- For Experienced Managers / Leaders, you may not find this book as a ‘revelation’.
- The Author can be looked upon more as a Theory-Creator, one who creates theories, than as a Principle-Applicator i.e. who has applied the rules.
Overall Verdict
For new comers, managers and young leaders, this book is a gift. Would give them nuggets of wisdom that would serve them in the long run. However, for those who are successful and experienced, this book serves only as a mild minty mouth refresher that soon loses its minty freshness into the routine taste of experience.
Overall Rating
6 out of 10.
Loy Machedo
loymachedo.com
May 16, 2018
Because sometimes you need a reminder... Easy and fast read with a lot of great points. I’d definitely recommend this book to newly promoted managers and new business owners.
August 6, 2008
This book was a very quick read, but I kind of felt like it was a little too quick. He threw out terms that I had never heard before that sounded like things he just made up off the top of his head. I would think he was going to elaborate, but then he wouldn't.
He did make some good points. It was good to read through some "best practices" that he recommended just to have them fresh in my mind, but none of it was earth-shattering stuff... not that I expected it to be.
It was a good reminder of things we should consider when interacting with subordinates and trying to get a team to produce results. There were some key take-aways that I will use going forward, but overall, it was only a mediocre read--It did fill my hour and a half flight to Philly though!
He did make some good points. It was good to read through some "best practices" that he recommended just to have them fresh in my mind, but none of it was earth-shattering stuff... not that I expected it to be.
It was a good reminder of things we should consider when interacting with subordinates and trying to get a team to produce results. There were some key take-aways that I will use going forward, but overall, it was only a mediocre read--It did fill my hour and a half flight to Philly though!
February 16, 2011
This book was a realistic listing of the accomplishments, goals, and functions of a boss. It discusses the purpose of the customer and explains why the boss should care about those customers.
A small book, but it was full of truthful statements most businesses are afraid to say out loud.
Example:
"The customer is the real boss. And the dissatisfied customer fires employees every day" (page 11)
Awesome reading!
A small book, but it was full of truthful statements most businesses are afraid to say out loud.
Example:
"The customer is the real boss. And the dissatisfied customer fires employees every day" (page 11)
Awesome reading!
March 17, 2024
Jeffrey J. Fox's book, "How to Become a Great Boss," provides assertive insights and strategies aimed at improving leadership and managerial effectiveness. The book underscores five crucial insights distilled from its content and principles, which are as follows:
1. Hiring and Firing Decisions: Fox emphasizes the importance of being meticulous in the hiring process and advocates for hiring slowly and firing fast to avoid the costs associated with mishires. It is critical to conduct thorough interviews, background checks, and require supervisor approval for new hires to ensure that only the top-notch candidates are selected.
2. Developing Humility and Respect: A great boss treats people with dignity, remembers their roots, and is open to listening and learning from anyone, regardless of their status. This humility extends to taking responsibility for both personal and team mistakes while ensuring to give credit publicly to team members for their successes.
3. Leadership through Example: Fox notes that the behavior and attitude of a boss sets the tone for the entire organization. Effective leadership involves motivating employees, removing obstacles to their success, and setting a positive example through one's actions. This includes making decisions that benefit the team and the company rather than individual interests.
4. The Importance of Communication and Training: Communication is the key to a great boss's strategy. It is essential to instruct team members on what needs to be done and why, actively listen to their feedback, and train them to overcome challenges. Fox advocates for a hands-off approach once the right people are in place, allowing them to perform their roles with minimal interference but adequate support.
5. Recognition and Motivation: Recognizing and motivating employees is vital. This can be done through public and private acknowledgment of their contributions, addressing and removing sources of frustration, and providing opportunities for growth and development. Fox also suggests celebrating successes and rewarding outstanding performance to build a positive and productive workplace culture.
Jeffrey J. Fox's approach combines practical advice on hiring, leadership, communication, and motivation with a focus on humility, respect, and recognition. These assertive insights serve as a blueprint for becoming a great boss, one who not only achieves organizational goals but also fosters a supportive and empowering environment for their team.
1. Hiring and Firing Decisions: Fox emphasizes the importance of being meticulous in the hiring process and advocates for hiring slowly and firing fast to avoid the costs associated with mishires. It is critical to conduct thorough interviews, background checks, and require supervisor approval for new hires to ensure that only the top-notch candidates are selected.
2. Developing Humility and Respect: A great boss treats people with dignity, remembers their roots, and is open to listening and learning from anyone, regardless of their status. This humility extends to taking responsibility for both personal and team mistakes while ensuring to give credit publicly to team members for their successes.
3. Leadership through Example: Fox notes that the behavior and attitude of a boss sets the tone for the entire organization. Effective leadership involves motivating employees, removing obstacles to their success, and setting a positive example through one's actions. This includes making decisions that benefit the team and the company rather than individual interests.
4. The Importance of Communication and Training: Communication is the key to a great boss's strategy. It is essential to instruct team members on what needs to be done and why, actively listen to their feedback, and train them to overcome challenges. Fox advocates for a hands-off approach once the right people are in place, allowing them to perform their roles with minimal interference but adequate support.
5. Recognition and Motivation: Recognizing and motivating employees is vital. This can be done through public and private acknowledgment of their contributions, addressing and removing sources of frustration, and providing opportunities for growth and development. Fox also suggests celebrating successes and rewarding outstanding performance to build a positive and productive workplace culture.
Jeffrey J. Fox's approach combines practical advice on hiring, leadership, communication, and motivation with a focus on humility, respect, and recognition. These assertive insights serve as a blueprint for becoming a great boss, one who not only achieves organizational goals but also fosters a supportive and empowering environment for their team.
July 8, 2021
"The great boss stirs the people. The great boss elevates, applauds, and lauds the employees. The great boss makes people believe in themselves and feel special, selected, anointed. The great boss makes people feel good."
I grabbed this hardcopy book from a friend who wasn’t using it and told them I’d read it… in 2014. I never read physical copies of books these days; my entire 300-book library is all stored in apps on an iPhone. So Great Boss sat in closets, on shelves and in a moving box for a year. The I had a trip with 4-hour flights on both ends and I packed this book with a goal of reading it on the way. I figured if it was terrible, there had to be at least one good nugget in there for my use.
I found 50.
Great Boss is exactly what is claims to be: a series of rules and principles for being the best boss (you can seamlessly substitute in “leader” here) you can be. Simply stated and profound points that all leaders may know in some area of our minds, but could use a friendly reminder of from time to time.
I’ll be keeping this copy… unless it’s on iBooks.
I grabbed this hardcopy book from a friend who wasn’t using it and told them I’d read it… in 2014. I never read physical copies of books these days; my entire 300-book library is all stored in apps on an iPhone. So Great Boss sat in closets, on shelves and in a moving box for a year. The I had a trip with 4-hour flights on both ends and I packed this book with a goal of reading it on the way. I figured if it was terrible, there had to be at least one good nugget in there for my use.
I found 50.
Great Boss is exactly what is claims to be: a series of rules and principles for being the best boss (you can seamlessly substitute in “leader” here) you can be. Simply stated and profound points that all leaders may know in some area of our minds, but could use a friendly reminder of from time to time.
I’ll be keeping this copy… unless it’s on iBooks.
June 23, 2018
Написана в стилі, як я люблю: чіткість+практика, ніякої теорії.
Але багато води чи такого, що саме собою розуміється. А ще, моменти з якими я не згодна, наприклад, про комунікації з підлеглими.
Думки, які хочеться запам’ятати:
– Особистий приклад для працівників
– Головний керівних всіх компаній – клієнт
– Реакція на зміни середовища
– Навчання, звільнення чи смерть компанії
– Наймати довго (право вето працює), звільняти швидко і гідно
– Біди працівників (борг, депресія, розлучення, алкоголь)
– Делегування або тупіння
– Виконана задача показує результат вашого контролю, а не очікувань.
– Слухати кожного, навіть прибиральника.
– НЕ дозволяти босу робити помилок
– Їжа – кращий спосіб вдячності
– Використовуй блискавку: не очікуваний подарунок чи премія змотивує працівника
– Переобтяження правилами: вони мають допомагати виконувати роботу, а не заважати їй.
Але багато води чи такого, що саме собою розуміється. А ще, моменти з якими я не згодна, наприклад, про комунікації з підлеглими.
Думки, які хочеться запам’ятати:
– Особистий приклад для працівників
– Головний керівних всіх компаній – клієнт
– Реакція на зміни середовища
– Навчання, звільнення чи смерть компанії
– Наймати довго (право вето працює), звільняти швидко і гідно
– Біди працівників (борг, депресія, розлучення, алкоголь)
– Делегування або тупіння
– Виконана задача показує результат вашого контролю, а не очікувань.
– Слухати кожного, навіть прибиральника.
– НЕ дозволяти босу робити помилок
– Їжа – кращий спосіб вдячності
– Використовуй блискавку: не очікуваний подарунок чи премія змотивує працівника
– Переобтяження правилами: вони мають допомагати виконувати роботу, а не заважати їй.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2021
Against my better judgement I have embarked on a foray into cheesy management books. This coming from someone who has vehemently criticized the self help genre. Despite my abhorrence to the genre, I am willing to read these type of books in hopes of gleaning valuable nuggets of insight into life and human nature. There was nothing mind blowing about this book, but it serves as a helpful primer for someone stepping into the role of a manager.
February 21, 2018
Timeless advice for the new and old manager. While this was published in 2002 and the face of the business industry around the world has changed dramatically since then, there are some golden suggestions you can take from this book to put in your toolbox as a manager. Easy read, no fluff, straight to the point. Essential for anyone looking to better themselves in their managerial position.
June 12, 2019
I don't know what to say about this book. It's funny and interesting, but I don't recommend it to everyone. Even if the ideas are applicable in many places I think it's very business oriented. But I believe the author is coming from that world. Some of his business books are great. I like the author.
August 23, 2019
Есть ощущение, что автор просто записывал подряд все, что приходило ему в голову: рядом стоят принципы делегирования и совет иногда угощать сотрудников пончиками.
Очень короткая книжка (к тому же набранная огромным шрифтом), наверное, может быть полезна для вдохновения и ободрения, но не для получения знаний.
Очень короткая книжка (к тому же набранная огромным шрифтом), наверное, может быть полезна для вдохновения и ободрения, но не для получения знаний.
September 13, 2017
Good book.
April 1, 2020
Being a boss is being a role model. Here you will find usefull tips about becoming one.
February 27, 2022
Liked how it was a quick read of good reminders.
August 9, 2022
Another great book by Jeffrey. Concise and straight to the point. I am inspired after reading the book.
December 13, 2022
Хорошие принципы для хорошего руководителя
February 7, 2023
Some advice is super old school and the author has a very authoritative management style. But some old school tips are also gold 👌🏻
July 22, 2023
Great nuggets on leadership, one of the best leadership books I’ve read.
October 25, 2024
Was told to read this book for work. Old school mentality but there was a few good pieces of advice I will use.
August 4, 2008
How To Become A Great Boss is a book of rules and anecdotes. It’s easy to read – in fact it only took me about 2 hours from cover to cover. All the rules mentioned by Jeffrey J. Fox are appropriate and if applied, would work well for all bosses. Now there’s the rub – “if applied”. There is no suggestion in How To Become A Great Boss as to how one might apply these rules, merely a description of the rule and an anecdote to illustrate.
I liken How To Become A Great Boss to a New Year’s resolution – fine, valid and admirable on the 1st of January, but forgotten by the 31st! If you are looking for a reminder of what makes a great boss, then this book may appeal.
If you are looking to find out “how to” become a great boss, then this book falls short of the mark. There’s a place for vicarious learning, but not in such an important topic as management.
I liken How To Become A Great Boss to a New Year’s resolution – fine, valid and admirable on the 1st of January, but forgotten by the 31st! If you are looking for a reminder of what makes a great boss, then this book may appeal.
If you are looking to find out “how to” become a great boss, then this book falls short of the mark. There’s a place for vicarious learning, but not in such an important topic as management.
May 10, 2015
Книга достаточно хорошая, понятная и полезная, но для меня этих знаний уже не достаточно.
Тем, кому пока трудно даются академические книги, книги изданные школами МВА, издательством HBR, организациями типа McKinsey и ей подобными данную книгу можно смело рекомендовать. Кто же желает найти более серьёзные книги рекомендую искать по выше упоминаемых источниках, а также книги авторами которых являются признанные во всём мире профессоры, доктора наук и других не менее важных и авторитетных людей.
Тем, кому пока трудно даются академические книги, книги изданные школами МВА, издательством HBR, организациями типа McKinsey и ей подобными данную книгу можно смело рекомендовать. Кто же желает найти более серьёзные книги рекомендую искать по выше упоминаемых источниках, а также книги авторами которых являются признанные во всём мире профессоры, доктора наук и других не менее важных и авторитетных людей.
May 21, 2015
Букварь какой-то - огромный шрифт и интервалы между строк, большие поля на страницах, крошечные главки - максимум по три-четыре страницы этого формата, т..е сильно меньше обычной книжной страницы. Содержимое - тривиальности, с которыми не поспоришь, но которые сами по себе не помогают, проблема в их балансе и конкретном применении. Конкретные же примеры, крайне немногочисленные и предельно краткие, вызвали скорее недоумение - воспринимаются как не слишком удачные действия руководителя.
July 11, 2014
Now that I'm in a Management/Sales role, I felt it was time to see what Jeffrey offered since his two rainmaker books helped me so much in becoming a better sales person. Like his other works, this book is to the point and 9 out of 10 chapters can be applied to my life.
January 25, 2008
What to know what it really takes to become a great boss?
Read on...this book will tell you.
You may or may not like it. It tells it like it is ...
Read on...this book will tell you.
You may or may not like it. It tells it like it is ...
May 21, 2008
This book was assigned to me to read by my boss, but I loved it. It was a great how to book on learning how to manage people.
February 28, 2009
I didn't feel like there was any real value in this book. I disagreed would some of his points and would have liked chapters more than a page and a half long.
December 8, 2011
Nothing spectacular here. I guess we can always add tools to our toolbox. A book for business people to read on an airplane.
April 26, 2012
Very good quick read (probably the 4th time I've read it). Also liked his book "How To Become A Rainmaker."
April 28, 2012
It's not too wordy. Each chapter is short and hits to the point. I love the shared insights. Thank you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews