Management Coaching
Managing For Dummies: How To Reach The Top
The modern executive rarely believes in managing by the ’seat of your pants’, realizing that it is not practical in today’s business world. Those who manage others need to have practical, working knowledge, and they need to get it from any relevant source, including training and the use of different management techniques. Many opt for management coaching courses, while others opt for business coaching in a one on one setting, while yet others prefer 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.
"Managing for Dummies" makes no assumptions about what you already know, but also avoids a condescending tone. The witty writing makes up for your embarrassment at not knowing a lot of the basics of managing employees, and you’ve got a well-written, funny, step-by-step description of what it takes to be a good manager.
A problem that many managers experience is trying to do everything themselves rather than delegating. The book makes an excellent case for why successful managers need to manage carefully-chosen staffs which do the actual work. Integral parts of this managerial skill is in knowing how to find and hire well-qualified workers for their team.
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.
"Managing for Dummies" puts particular emphasis on communication skills. The reason this is important is that a manager may be intelligent and innovative, but without good communication skills, it is difficult for them to motivate staff and get them to do an exceptional job.
Managers must have the flexibility to adapt rapidly to changes in critical deadlines. They must also have the managerial skills to help the members of their workforce go with the flow, no matter how rapidly it changes. The book includes discussions about developing standards for corporate ethics and ways to effectively deal with office politics.
One of the most important skills for a manager that the book explains is how to assess the performance of both the company and the employees, which can be difficult and awkward. The book helps prepare the manager, teaching about constructive criticism, how to reward outstanding performance, and how to choose whether or not an employee is further benefiting the company or not. Similar to other "Dummies" books, this is a great way for a manager to refresh on the basics and get a new angle on the topic.
Modern executives have recognized that management by the "seat of the pants" method is rarely enough in the current business world. 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. The book makes an excellent case for why successful managers need to manage carefully-chosen staffs which do the actual work.