Just Promoted!: How to Survive and Thrive in Your First 12 Months as a Manager

Rating:
Summary: The highest compliment: buying a second copy. . .
Review: after I've given my first to a friend who liked it so much that s/he kept it. This is a well-structured, clear, concise guide on how to hit the ground running in a leadership position. The authors' approach favors "this is what works--do it" over touchy-feely, less generally useful philosophizing. Whether you are a seasoned leader or a first-time supervisor, don't embark on a new position without this!

Rating:
Summary: Points You In A Clear and Positive Direction
Review: An enjoyable read with excellent sugestions, ideas, and examples. Especially valuable if you have never been a manager. There are so many great suggestions made without a lot of management theory to weed through. Made me feel confident in my abilities when my new position made me feel in over my head.

Rating:
Summary: This book helped me with my mangement review--again!
Review: I read this book several years ago, and I have used the pragmatic advice over and over in my career. Chapter three has been particularly valuable because it has kept me focused upon the principle of making my boss look good!

Time after time, Mr. Betof and Mr. Harwood present the difficult choices and harsh realities of leadership and give you guidance as to what to do. I don't agree with everything they advise, but without question they warn you about what you will face when you are in charge and at least give you a practical plan to work from.

If you aspire to lead, I would recommend reading this book now and then watch leaders to observe how they deal with their challenges and decide what you think works. I applaud the authors' effort to outline a plan of action, but I trust that you will develop your own version for better or worse as you learn.

The great thing about this book is that it addresses the power and politics of the business world. I have seen quite a few promising but naive managers fail because they were blind-sided by coniving opponents. This book is useful to prepare good people to succeed and thereby make companies successful.