Summary of Loren B. Belker, Jim McCormick & Gary S. Topchik's The First-Time Manager

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The best individual contributor doesn’t always make the best manager. Managers must focus on people, not just tasks. They must rely on others, not just be self-reliant. They are also team oriented, whereas non-managers succeed by having a narrow focus and being detail oriented. #2 Too many companies still use the sink or swim method of management training. This method assumes that everyone intuitively knows how to manage. However, managing people is crucial to the success of any organization. #3 There is a staff turnover problem in teams with this kind of manager. The employees are usually more qualified than the omnipotent one believes, and they soon tire of handling only trivial matters. You will never be promoted in such a situation. #4 The spark of leadership is difficult to define. A leader is a person others look to for direction, someone whose judgment is respected because it is usually sound. As you exercise your judgment and develop the capacity to make sound decisions, it becomes a self-perpetuating characteristic.