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Managers and supervisors have dual and often conflicting responsibilities. On the one hand, they are entrusted with advancing the needs and goals of their organization. On the other hand, they must lead and care for their team members.
Effectively executing these responsibilities is a mixture of art and science. Many organizations invest in their management teams to help them grow and improve. If you are a current or aspiring manager and do not have access to these tools, there are a few things you can do to help yourself.
First, find a mentor. Whether inside or outside of your organization, a good teacher can guide you to success.
Second, study every manager you have ever worked for. When I was a young leader I tried to emulate the things I appreciated from former managers and avoid those actions that were, uh, questionable.
Finally, there is a wealth of information available that will aid in your growth. Here are some management books we recommend you investigate:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. An oldie but a goodie. Even though it was written 25 years ago, it still resonates with me today.
Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action by Simon Sinek He posits that the most effective and influential leaders concentrate on their core purpose with “why” at the center.
The 5 Disfunctions Of A Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni. We can learn as much from the bad as we can from the good. There is an old axiom: Everyone makes mistakes. The key is not to make the same mistake twice.
The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide To Getting The Right Things Done by Peter F. Drucker is a true blast from the past, as it was written in 1967. However, Mr. Drucker is still considered the father of modern management. Despite a changing business landscape, some ideas are evergreen.
Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman This focuses on emotional intelligence, which is the capacity to recognize, understand and emotions in oneself and others. This book aligns perfectly with today’s focus on well-being.
10 Simple Things To Remember by Marci (seen at one of our nonprofit's stores!) Based on the life of author/illustrator Marci, she presents ten simple concepts on how to make the most of this mystery we call life.
The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann (seen at one of our nonprofit's stores!) is a fictional story about a young professional striving for success who learns of the five laws of stratospheric success.
Management is all about leadership and communication. The more effective you are at those two traits, the more successful you will be.
