Book Review: The First-Time Manager

AMACOM's (of the American Management Association) sixth edition of the best-selling book, The First-Time Manager -- originally published in 1981 is a must-read for new managers and leaders in business.

The book covers eight core responsibilities of a new manager, including:

• Hiring
• Communicating
• Planning
• Organizing
• Training
• Monitoring
• Evaluating
• Firing

Expert advice is additionally provided regarding:

• Using Your New Authority
• Managing Your Mood
• Building Trust

One of my favorite sections of the book is the one about class in a manager:

• Class is treating people with dignity.
• Class does not have to be the center of attention.
• Class does not lose its cool.
• Class does not rationalize mistakes.
• Class is good manners.
• Class means loyalty to one's staff.
• Class recognizes the best way to build oneself is to first build others.
• Class leads by example.
• Class does not taken action when angry.
• Class is authentic and works hard at making actions consistent with words.

The First-Time Manager is an excellent how-to guide for anyone new to managing people.

Other books for new managers include any from the Top 20 list of Leadership Books, as voted on by LinkedIn Linked 2 Leadership group members, who were asked the question:

• What's the first leadership book you would give to a new manager?