If you are a new manager, congratulations!
This can be an exciting, but challenging time in your career. There are many things to learn, and it can be difficult to know where to start. That's why we've put together a list of the 7 best books for people starting a new leadership position. These books will teach you everything you need to know about managing people, leading teams, and making tough decisions. So if you're looking for some guidance on your journey to becoming a great manager, look no further than this list!
How We Choose These Best Books for You
It can be tough to know where to start when it comes to reading books about management.
With so many different books on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Not only do you have to worry about finding a good book, but you also have to worry about wasting your time on a bad one.
Our list of the Best books for new managers will help you out. We've read through thousands of reviews and narrowed it down to the best seven books that will teach you everything you need to know about being a successful manager.
#1 New York Times Bestselling Author
The author guides you through everything from effective communication strategies and getting buy-in from both your team and executive leadership to setting objectives and using data-driven decision-making.
1. Welcome to Management by Ryan Hawk
What Is This Book About
In this book specifically designed for those making the jump from top performers to new managers, Ryan provides practical, actionable advice and tools unlike any other. It's an invaluable resource for ensuring success in starting your career as a manager.
You'll quickly learn how to tackle the common challenges of management like hiring, motivation, delegation, discipline, and more! Within this comprehensive guide, you'll be well-equipped with strategies that offer real solutions instead of theoretical ones.
Ryan guides you through everything from effective communication strategies and getting buy-in from both your team and executive leadership to setting objectives and using data-driven decision-making. Not only that, but you'll also learn important soft skills such as managing different types of employees and leading by example. His easy-to-follow approach will help make sure that your transition into management is nothing but smooth sailing.
So if you're looking for a foolproof approach to turning yourself into a successful manager - look no further than Welcome to Management by Ryan Hawk! You won't regret it.
Why You Will Love It
You will love this book because it is filled with engaging examples and detailed explanations that help to guide even the most novice of leaders in understanding the core objectives necessary for success. It outlines the key skills that a leader should have, such as learning organizational culture, critically assessing their person-to-person communication, and finding new ways to better manage teams—all while coaching employees with an inspiring voice. You can trust Welcome to Management by Ryan Hawk to provide you with insight on how to be a more effective leader now and in the future.
So if you're looking for a foolproof approach to turning yourself into a successful manager - look no further than Welcome to Management by Ryan Hawk! You won't regret it.
Best for Practice
Inside this book you will find succinct chapters on topics such as goal setting, practical methods of management, feedback, delegation of tasks and projects, communication tips, problem-solving techniques, resources on organizational development, and more.
2. Bringing Up the Boss by Rachel Pacheco
What Is This Book About
Managing a team can seem daunting and overwhelming. But, with the right guidance and know-how, anyone can be successful! Bringing Up the Boss: Practical Lessons for New Managers by Rachel Pacheco is perfect for first-time managers who want to quickly learn how to be an exceptional leaders.
This one-of-a-kind guidebook provides valuable insight into what it takes to be a successful manager. Inside, you will find succinct chapters on topics such as goal setting, practical methods of management, feedback, delegation of tasks and projects, communication tips, problem-solving techniques, resources on organizational development, and more. This book gives novice managers easy-to-follow guidelines that will help them develop their managerial skills in no time!
Rachel Pacheco’s approachable yet professional style amplifies her message throughout each chapter. She sets a positive tone from the beginning and encourages readers to make mistakes and learn from them rather than feel discouraged when challenges arise.
Why You Will Love It
This book offers fundamental advice for new managers. You’ll gain insight into how to give effective feedback to your team members, as well as how to motivate them and work with them. And you’ll learn not only how to hire and fire wisely but also what it means to be a good manager and how to handle challenging situations in this new role. You can trust the experts who wrote this book - whether you’re just starting as a manager or you have years of experience under your belt. It’s never too late to learn something new!
Whether you're completely new to managing or have been responsible for a team for some time but have not found your footing yet, Bringing Up the Boss: Practical Lessons for New Managers by Rachel Pacheco is here to help you succeed!
Wall Street Journal Bestseller
This book is perfect for managers looking for guidance in making the toughest choices on the job.
3. The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo
What Is This Book About
Struggling to find your footing as a new manager? Now you have an incredibly useful field guide full of everyday examples and transformation insights that work. With her friendly advice, you’ll learn how to tell a great manager from an average one with helpful illustrations, when it’s right to look past an awkward interview and hire someone anyway, how to build trust with your reports without being bossy, and where to look when you lose faith and lack the answers. This book is perfect for managers looking for guidance in making the toughest choices on the job. Stop feeling overwhelmed - The Making of a Manager has all the information you need to be the best version of yourself as a manager!
Why You Will Love It
You will love this book because Julie Zhuo brings an entirely fresh perspective on leadership. She is a brilliant hacker, first-generation American, and young mother who revolutionizes the way Silicon Valley approaches leadership. You'll find Julie's insight invaluable as she provides new managers with techniques to help their people and organization flourish. You won't be disappointed as this book is humble, inspiring, and whip-smart - everything Silicon Valley appreciates in Julie!
International Bestseller
This book teaches strategies that are easy to understand and implement and address key concepts such as analyzing your current situation, establishing priorities, developing influence, accelerating learning curves, managing stakeholders & agendas, building coalitions & motivating change.
4. The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins
What Is This Book About
Then "The First 90 Days" by Michael Watkins is the perfect guidebook for navigating a successful transition and landing on your feet.
Watkins is an acclaimed leadership expert who has dedicated his career to helping managers make successful transitions - no matter where their careers may take them. This updated version of his international bestseller incorporates today's increasingly complex professional landscape, where leaders endure more frequent and higher-stake transitions than ever before. Watkins' strategies are easy to understand and implement and address key concepts such as analyzing your current situation, establishing priorities, developing influence, accelerating learning curves, managing stakeholders & agendas, building coalitions & motivating change.
You'll also find valuable advice on timely topics such as navigating multicultural environments, virtual communication networks, operating within global organizations, and how technology can be used as an advantage in times of transition.
Why You Will Love It
You’re about to transition into a new leadership role and you want the absolute best tools, tips, and strategies to make sure you get off on the right foot. You will love this book because Watkins guides you through every step of transitioning into a new role by identifying common pitfalls and providing tangible ways to steer clear of them. You will learn not just what needs to be done to secure early wins but also have access to helpful checklists, practical tools, and even self-assessments that are tailored to your situation. It’s never been easier than with this guide - now let's get started!
Whether it's your first big job promotion or a complete overhaul of workplace dynamics - "The First 90 Days" will lead you through the sometimes bumpy road toward success with ease. Get ready to gain the confidence and skills needed to tackle any future professional hurdle with grace!
Best for Beginners
This book provides knowledge on how to properly use online performance appraisal tools, how to delve into persuasive storytelling tactics, how to effectively manage remote workers, tips and tricks for building better team dynamics, ways in which you can match your own boss's managerial style.
5. The First-Time Manager by Jim McCormick,
Loren B. Belker, Gary S. Topchik
What Is This Book About
With The First-Time Manager by Jim McCormick, Loren B. Belker, and Gary S. Topchik, you'll have all the help and advice you need to take on this challenge like a pro! This friendly and trusted guide has been getting newcomers up to speed on the realities of managing people for over four decades now and it’s been updated to provide even more helpful insights and managerial wisdom that are sure to set you up with success.
Across seven helpful editions, readers will gain extensive insight into the nitty-gritty details of managing — no matter what generation your employees may come from or whatever challenges lie ahead. The most recent edition takes things one step further by providing knowledge on how to properly use online performance appraisal tools, how to delve into persuasive storytelling tactics, how to effectively manage remote workers, tips and tricks for building better team dynamics, ways in which you can match your own boss's managerial style - plus so much more!
Why You Will Love It
You will love the First-Time Manager if you are looking to sharpen your leadership and management skills! You'll learn how to lead meetings, hire employees, motivate others, actively listen and stay calm even under pressure. You’ll learn how to navigate difficult conversations and overcome resistance. You’ll leave with the confidence you need to lead your team successfully. Packed with proven strategies and practical advice from industry experts, The First-Time Manager is a must-have for anyone wanting to become an effective leader!
No matter if you're just starting as a first-time manager - or even if you're an experienced leader who could use a refresher course - this handy guide is an invaluable source that will assist you every step of the way.
New York Times Bestseller
Radical Candor is an innovative concept created by Kim Scott that helps bosses reach the optimal level of "kind but clear" — avoiding Obnoxious Aggression, Manipulative Insincerity, and Ruinous Empathy.
6. Radical Candor by Kim Scott
What Is This Book About
Are you a boss who has ever feared having to choose between being a pushover or a jerk? Here's the good news: You don't have to choose! Using Radical Candor, you can be the kind and approachable leader your team deserves.
Radical Candor is an innovative concept created by Kim Scott that helps bosses reach the optimal level of "kind but clear" — avoiding Obnoxious Aggression, Manipulative Insincerity, and Ruinous Empathy. With Radical Candor, you can provide direct feedback in a way that is both honest and respectful, resulting in healthier relationships with employees and other people in your life.
Embrace this revolutionary approach to being a kick-ass boss without losing yourself in the process. Learn to master the art of giving feedback in a more efficient yet compassionate manner with Radical Candor!
Why You Will Love It
In this fascinating and highly recommended read, Kim Scott explains her revolutionary leadership philosophy that has encouraged companies of all sizes around the world to embrace radical candor. You'll learn how to challenge directly while being caring so that you gain trust, deepen relationships, and increase performance. The New York Times and Wall Street Journal have hailed the book as a hit for multiple years running and it has been translated into 20 languages with more than half a million copies sold worldwide, solidifying its status as an international success. You won't be disappointed - hurry and pick up your copy today!
Best for Business Leaders
In this book you'll find instructions that are easy to follow and comprehensive, providing valuable knowledge on how to maximize team productivity, keep operations running smoothly, and maintain morale in a growing business.
7. High Output Management by Andrew Grove
What Is This Book About
High Output Management is a must-have handbook from the legendary chairman and CEO of Intel, Andrew Grove. In this Silicon Valley staple, you'll get an inside look at how Mr. Grove built and ran his world-renowned company. This book is your guide for navigating real-life business scenarios and provides a powerful management manifesto that will revolutionize the way you work.
You'll find invaluable advice on how to structure organizations to maximize employees' contributions, understand and react to changing markets, think through problems systematically, hire employees that fit the job requirements, analyze decisions in terms of their costs and benefits, provide the appropriate level of guidance within teams, lead meetings effectively — and more! Through it all, you'll see why High Output Management remains one of the most sought-after business books today for all business leaders.
Why You Will Love It
You will love High Output Management because it unlocks the key to virtually any successful management strategy. It's not just for aspiring entrepreneurs either - anyone looking to sharpen their management skills can benefit from its sage advice. You'll find that its instructions are easy to follow and comprehensive, providing valuable knowledge on how to maximize team productivity, keep operations running smoothly, and maintain morale in a growing business. If you are an entrepreneur who wants to learn more about the ins and outs of leading, High Output Management is worth taking a look at. You'll quickly discover why it has been called a bible for all managers - its prescriptions for success form the foundation of many modern-day businesses.
Best Books for New Managers FAQs
You might have a lot of questions about the best books for new managers, and we want to help you find the answers.
There's a lot of information out there about the best books for new managers, but it can be hard to know where to start.
We've compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about the best books for new managers, along with answers from experts in the field.
What books should new managers read?
1. First, Managers: Are You Ready to Lead? by Chip R. Bell and John R. Patterson
2. The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell
3. StrengthsFinder 2.0 by Tom Rath
4. Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
5. The Lean Start-Up: How Constant Innovation Creates Radically Successful Businesses by Eric Ries
What should a first-time manager learn?
There's a lot to learn as a first-time manager, but some of the most important things are to develop your management style, learn how to give feedback effectively, and understand how to motivate people.
One of the most important things you need to do as a first-time manager is figuring out what management style works best for you. Some managers prefer to be very hands-on and involved in every aspect of their team's work, while others prefer to give employees more freedom and autonomy. The key is to find what works best for you and your team.
Another important thing to learn as a first-time manager is how to give feedback effectively.
What is the best training for new managers?
A new manager should receive both formal and informal training. Formal training can include taking management or leadership courses through an organization such as the Dale Carnegie Institute or studying best practices for management from books or online resources.
Informal training can come from more experienced managers within the company, who can provide mentorship and guidance on the ropes of being a successful manager. The new manager should also seek out networking opportunities with other managers, to learn from their experiences and insights. Finally, the new manager needs to keep an open mind and be receptive to feedback - both positive and negative - to continuously improve their skills.
What should a new manager do in the first 30 days?
In the first 30 days, a new manager should take some time to get to know the company and the team. She should also develop a plan for her first 90 days and identify key priorities. Finally, she should start implementing her plan and building relationships with her team.
What are the 3 skills of managers?
The 3 skills of managers are communication, delegation, and problem-solving.
Communication is key for a manager because they need to be able to relay information to their team and understand the needs of their team. Delegation is important for managers because it allows them to focus on the big picture and not get bogged down in the details. And problem-solving is necessary for managers because it allows them to identify and address issues before they become bigger problems.
What is the #1 skill that you need as a manager?
The #1 skill that you need as a manager is an ability to give and receive feedback. Feedback is essential for managing and developing people, and it's also a key ingredient for high-performing teams.
Most managers struggle with giving feedback because it can be difficult to deliver criticism in a way that is both respectful and effective. But feedback is an essential part of any manager's toolkit, so it's important to learn how to give and receive feedback effectively.
The best way to improve your skills in this area is to practice regularly. Try giving and receiving feedback with your friends, family members, or colleagues, and pay close attention to the way that both positive and negative feedback affects the relationship.
What are the 4 skills needed to be a manager?
Many skills can be helpful for managers, but four of the most important are: communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and team building.
Communication is key for managers because they need to be able to effectively communicate with their teams, as well as with other departments and upper management. Problem-solving skills allow managers to efficiently resolve any issues that may arise. Decision-making skills help managers make quick and effective decisions in times of crisis or when there is a lot at stake. And finally, team-building skills help managers create a cohesive and productive team.
What should a manager do in the first 6 months?
In the first 6 months, it's important for a manager to get to know their team and what they're capable of. A manager should also identify areas where their team needs development and work on creating a plan to help them grow. Additionally, a manager should be focused on building trust with their team and creating an environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up. Finally, a manager needs to set goals for themselves and their team and track progress toward those goals.
What should a manager do in the first 3 months?
The first three months are important for a manager because they set the tone for the rest of their tenure. During this time, a good manager should focus on building relationships with their team, establishing trust, and communicating expectations. Additionally, they should be working on developing their skills and knowledge so that they can be an effective leader.
What are the 10 requirements of a perfect manager?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the perfect manager for one company might not be the perfect manager for another. However, here are 10 general requirements of a good manager:
1. The ability to set and achieve goals
2. The ability to motivate and inspire others
3. Excellent communication skills
4. Strong organizational skills
5. The ability to handle stress and stay calm under pressure
6. A good understanding of business concepts
7. The ability to make tough decisions when necessary
8. The ability to lead by example
9. Keen attention to detail 10. A strategic thinking mindset
What should a new manager avoid?
The following are a few things that new managers should avoid to be successful:
1. Micromanaging - This can quickly turn employees against you and make them feel unimportant. Micromanagement also erodes their trust in you and makes them less likely to take initiative.
2. Failing to delegate - Trying to do everything yourself will only bog you down and prevent you from accomplishing anything. Delegating tasks to your employees will not only make them feel more engaged and invested in the company, but it will also free up your time so you can focus on more important things.
3. Being unapproachable - If employees feel like they can't approach you with questions or concerns, they'll start to solve all their problems alone or let questions unsolved.
What not to do as a new manager?
As a new manager, it's important to remember not to micromanage your employees. Micromanaging can be extremely frustrating for employees and can lower morale. Instead, try giving your employees autonomy and trust them to do their jobs.
Another thing to avoid as a new manager is yelling or raising your voice. A calm and assertive demeanor is much more effective than yelling and will earn the respect of your employees.
Finally, don't forget to build relationships with your employees. Spending time getting to know them and understanding their strengths and weaknesses will help you better manage them in the future.
Do and don'ts for new managers?
1. Don't micromanage. Micromanagement can be a major turn-off for employees and can lead to a lack of trust and respect.
2. Do emphasize the importance of the team over the individual. A team that works well together is more effective than a group of individuals working independently.
3. Don't forget to communicate with your team. Communication is key to building trust and keeping everyone on the same page.
4. Do give your employees autonomy to make decisions within their areas of responsibility. Employees will appreciate having some control over their work, and this will lead to a more productive work environment.
5. Don't forget to praise your employees when they do a good job!
What are 3 mistakes managers can make?
1) Not delegating: One of the biggest mistakes a manager can make is not delegating work to their team. When managers try to do everything themselves, they quickly become overwhelmed and stressed. Delegating tasks to your team allows them to feel more in control and competent, which will, in turn, lead to better work performance.
2) Micromanaging: Another common mistake managers make is micromanaging their team. This often results in employees feeling suffocated and stifled. Micromanagement can also prevent employees from taking ownership of their work and developing their ideas.
3) Failing to give feedback: A third mistake managers often make is failing to give feedback to their employees. Employees need feedback.
What is the most difficult part of being a manager?
The most difficult part of being a manager is dealing with difficult people.
This can include employees who are disruptive or uncooperative, or who refuse to do their work or be a normal team member. It can also include challenging customers or clients who are demanding or hostile. Managing difficult people can be stressful and frustrating, but it's important to stay calm and professional at all times.
Try to reason with the person, explain what you need them to do, and set clear expectations. If that doesn't work, then you may need to take more drastic measures such as disciplinary action or termination. However, always try to avoid conflict if possible, and always keep the best interests of the company in mind.
What is Harvard business review?
The Harvard Business Review (HBR) is a general management magazine published since 1922 by Harvard Business School Publishing, a division of the Harvard University Faculty of Administration. The HBR website includes content from the magazine and additional resources. The mission of the Harvard Business Review is "to help leaders in business and management to make better decisions".
Conclusion
Out of the hundreds of options we sorted through, these books stood out as the best for new leaders and managers who want to acquire leadership skills and set themselves up for success. If you're looking for guidance on how to be a good leader and the best manager possible, look no further than this comprehensive list. We've done all the hard work for you and compiled only the cream of the crop when it comes to managing resources to go from a new leader to an excellent leader. So what are you waiting for? Click on the buttons above and pick your copies now!
