Managing For Dummies: How To Reach The Top
In the modern world, it is usually not a good idea for you to run your business in a "seat of the pants" type manner. Managers need each and every piece of training they can get, and the smart manager will get this training from wherever they can. A common source is management coaching courses, and some managers take one-on-one business coaching from a professional in the field, and will also supplement that training with self-study.
One of the most common sources of self-instruction is the "Dummies" series of how to books. You can get them on every topic from calculus to cooking and now there is one for managers. Managing for Dummies is the new go to book for new managers trying to learn the ropes. Seasoned managers can hone their skills and find tips on how to troubleshoot problems. Managing for Dummies offers easy to understand, practical information for all levels of the managerial ladder.
Just like the rest of the "For Dummies" series, Managing for Dummies makes no assumptions about past experience and won’t insult you for being new to the field. This book is a witty, well structured, and easily understood look at the major components of management and the keys to success in the managing world.
The ability to use delegation as a survival skill is one of the book’s important points. Attempting to do it all instead of using a staff that has been chosen well is one of the greatest downfalls in the workplace. The job of hiring and choosing your employee must be understood by managers.
Additional topics that are covered include communications skills and technqiues, methods of inspiration and motivation, employee coaching, and conflict resolution. Team development and joint efforts are also stressed, since teams do better than individuals at integrating new policies and addressing specific problems.
No manager can motivate a staff to full potential without excellent communication skills. Therefore, "Managing for Dummies" includes a large amount of instruction about communication skills. As a manager, it doesn’t matter how bright and clever you are if you are unable to communicate with your staff and motivate outstanding performance.
Adaptation is a key skill that managers must possess, especially when events, deadlines, and changes occur. Bringing along others through a period of adjustment and helping the team adapt is also a highly necessary trait for managers. Also discussed is dealing with office politics and maintaining ethical standards in the corporation.
Another important, hard skill for managers is evaluating how well the company and your employees are performing. How to go about doing this is also explained in the book. It will help you understand the value of constructive criticism, rewarding great performance, and also how and when to let go of people should their performance no longer live up to the needs and expectations of the company. Like with all "Dummies" books, it both offers a great way to learn the basics and to gain a fresh view on the topic.
Modern executives have recognized that management by the "seat of the pants" method is rarely enough in the current business world. People who manage others need every bit of training and savvy they can get, and now use many methods and techniques to get it. Many will take management coaching courses and some receive one on one business coaching from a professional coach as well, but some prefer to use or add self study. Nearly everyone is familiar with the "Dummies" instruction book series, covering topics as diverse as golf and trigonometry. Now, "Managing for Dummies" has been added to this always useful product line.
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George Purdy recently published some new articles on management coaching. He's an established public speaker and writer. Look for other great resources and products on the next site executive coaching.
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by: GeorgePurdy
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