The First-Time Manager by Loren B. Belker

Product Description

A true management classic with 200,000 copies sold, this new, expanded edition is still the ultimate guide for every new manager.

Since its original publication, The First-Time Manager has helped many thousands of rookie managers handle their new responsibilities...and now it can help you! Clear and concise, the book covers all the fundamentals you need for success, with indispensable advice on topics including hiring and firing, leadership, motivation, and managing time and stress. In addition, the completely updated fifth edition shows you how to build trust and confidence, be an active listener, manage a diverse group of individuals, conduct performance appraisals, and address many other challenges that come with the manager's job.

Written in an inviting and accessible style, this classic skill-building book is an essential tool for becoming an effective, confident new manager.
Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #4250 in Books
Published on: 2005-03-18
Number of items: 1
Binding: Paperback
240 pages
Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
In the working world, top performers are regularly rewarded with promotions to management--whether they are prepared for the advancement or not. Loren Belker's bestselling primer on supervisory skills, The First-Time Manager, has long offered clear advice on leadership, motivation, discipline, and other tricks of the trade that are required of anyone in a supervisory position. Now in its fourth edition, the book features 11 new chapters that add an even more contemporary slant to his proven recommendations.

The Miami Herald
Belker has distilled his 30 years of executive experience into a simple-to-read book full of wisdom... worthwhile not just for the first-time manager, but for any manager at any time.

Joyce Lain Kennedy, nationally syndicated columnist
"[...]this acclaimed summary of managerial experience with a side of wisdom."
Customer Reviews

Great book for manager newbies
I bought this book for an upcoming management interview. Having never managed anyone before, I was desperate to at least sound like I knew what I was getting into. I found it very easy to read and informative. It certainly gives you an overview of the different employee personalities and challenges a manager will face, and how to properly deal with specific situations. I would highly recommend it to anyone who was just promoted into management or going on an interview. The vocabulary, legal awareness chapter, and proper conflict resolution exercises were of great help. All in all a great tool to start your training as a manager or "manager-wanna-be".

strengths
It points out the typical weakness assessment and followup training that most companies do to build their employees weaknesses. They basically ignore strengths. When in reality they should concentrate on one anothers' strengths. Their surveys found the likelihood of an employee leaving after getting a job that fits their strengths dropped by 50%. Most companies don't seem to understand this and fear it. It really struck a chord with me and I wish the consulting industry would consider it.

You can assess your own strenghts with their approach as well in 14 categories.

Excellent Primer for New Managers
As someone who has recently been promoted, I needed a book that laid out a framework for how to approach my new role. Fortunately, "The First Time Manager" fit the bill.

If you are looking for specific details, ie, a step by step guide to dealing with an problematic employee, then this is not what you need. But if you are trying to get a grasp of some of the concepts to think about when having to deal with an employee who has issues, then this is a perfect read for you.

Loren B. Belker and Gary S. Topchik cover the everything that could possibly be pertinant for a new manager. From your first chance to manage people, how to praise them (often when it is deserved), how to address issues with them (in private), from interviewing new candidates, to firing someone. It's all there. One of the areas that was particularly useful for me was the whole notion of doing a job description and doing performance appraisals.

Of equal importance, and something I think many management books that I have seen have failed to address, is actually improving yourself, the manager. The authors spend some time on how to be better for your employees, from using humor, to learning to delegate, and the big one many fear, public speaking.

As I have said, this may not be for everyone. Some people require detailed roadmaps for how to be successful at some things. If that's your need, look elsewhere as the First Time Manager won't provide that. But if you are like me, and only wanted a some general pointers covering everything that may impact my new role, this was a great place to start.

Easy to read covering just about everything a new manager may face, I highly recommend.