First Among Equals: How to Manage a Group of Professionals

Rating:
Summary: A Must for Managers in Professional Service Firms
Review: McKenna and Maister have written what will become the ultimate "must read" for people who have the unenviable task of trying to manager professionals. The book is filled with sound thoughts but the most valuable parts are the quotes and throughts from the managing partners of professional firms. It was an enjoyable read and one that I'm sure I will reread quite a few times in the future.

Rating:
Summary: First Among Eqluals Has No Equal
Review: There have been many books on group dynamics and teamwork in managing, but the authors deal with a relatively new phenomenon -- the professional firm practice group. There is virtually no problem in this otherwise complex structure of practice group management that this extraordinary book doesn't cover, including rules for participation, group goals, team trust, resolving interpersonal conflicts, dealing with crises and the problems of integrating new people and measuring group results. Managing any aspect of professional groups is always difficult, but the authors bring new dimensions and solutions to the problem, in an intelligent, focused, and effective breakthrough book. An absolute must for any law, accounting, or consulting firm, no matter what it's size.

Bruce W. Marcus
The Marcus Letter on Professional Services (www.marcusletter.com)

Rating:
Summary: Packed with Knowledge!
Review: This book is essentially a collection of practical checklists interspersed with quotations and anecdotes. It certainly meets its objective of collecting everything you need to know about managing a professional service firm's practice group. Patrick McKenna and David H. Maister present the nuts and bolts in a straightforward format. If you feel like you could use some help to do a better job of leading your group of highly trained individuals, if you've just been promoted to the ranks of management and want some guidance or, worse, if you feel like you are herding cats - in Maister's phrase - instead of leading a committed team of professional people, we are pleased to recommend this complete toolbox to you.