Slacker Manager

What To Do When You Become The Boss: Book Review

by Phil Gerbyshak on September 8th, 2008

I got a copy of What To Do When You Become The Boss a few months back, but I didn’t review it because I somehow lost it in my pile of books. Thankfully Bob Selden, the author of this book, reached back out to me to ask about my review. I sheepishly admitted I couldn’t find the book, so Bob sent me a PDF copy within 15 minutes of my admission.

I am VERY glad he did, because his book is outstandingly helpful, and will be part of my leadership library.

Bob splits his book into 5 helpful sections

• Leading and Managing
• Managing Your Team
• Managing Upwards and Sideways
• Managing your meetings
• Managing yourself

Bob begins with asking you to determine what your preferred style of learning is (I’m an Activist), and then he explains how you can get the most out of his book. I don’t remember any other management book doing this, and this little tidbit drew me in to read more.

Throughout the book, Bob has questions to help you think about the WHY you manage, not just the how. He closes strong, by ending his chapters with a HOW to implement the ideas presented in the chapter.

The book is helpful for new managers, and for managers who need to feel re-invigorated by their job. Packed full of charts, tools and tips on how to be a successful manager, this book is a keeper!

My favorite part of the book was the chapter on giving feedback. Bob offers steps to take and words to use when giving negative AND positive feedback, extremely helpful advice for managers of all experience levels.

My recommendation for you: Get a copy of What To Do When You Become the Boss and read it as your preferred learning style dictates (for me it meant I skipped around in the book, for you it might mean you read it straight through). Then keep your copy at your desk as a reference for when you need to do something for the first time, or when you want to have another viewpoint on how to perform a particular function. Then go pick up a few copies for you and your fellow managers, and share the wealth of knowledge!

More resources:

• About Bob Selden
• Download a free sample chapter
• Management and other articles from Bob
• Buy your copy of What To Do When You Become the Boss

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POSTED IN: Phil Gerbyshak, book reviews