Book Sips #23 — ‘The Making Of A Manager’ by Julie Zhuo
When I was reading Julie’s book the first time I was actually on vacation, a mid-level product manager and far away from leading other people than ever. Fast-forwarding to today and just finishing her book the second time I can relate to almost every word in her book. Becoming more senior, running my first 1:1 as a “manager” and also started mentoring more junior product managers in the company, “the making of a manager” became the bible for me in my current situation. Whether you’re new to the job, a veteran leader, or looking to be promoted, this is the handbook that currently helps me and you need to be the kind of manager you wish you had.
“I’ve seen so many people thrust into management in high-growth companies with so little guidance. From now on, I will hand them this book. Its practical wisdom is immediately useful for the newly minted manager — and us old ones.”
— Ev Williams, CEO of Medium and co-founder of Twitter
A sip:
‘People’s dissatisfaction will fester beneath the surface until one day they surprise you with their resignation. And most of the time when that happens, they’re not just quitting your company, they are also quitting you.’
Beyond the book
Great summary of the book contents by fellow.app
Julie Zhuo on the role of a manager
The Making of a Manager
What to Do When Everyone Looks to You
by Julie Zhuo
Why read?
Top tech executive Julie Zhuo remembers the moment when she was asked to lead a team. She felt like she’d won the golden ticket, until reality came crashing in. She was just 25 and had barely any experience being managed, let alone managing others.
This is the book she wishes she had on day one. Here, she offers practical, accessible advice like:
· Don’t hide thorny problems from your own manager; you’re better off seeking help quickly and honestly
· Before you fire someone for failure to collaborate, figure out if the problem is temperamental or just a lack of training or coaching
· Don’t offer critical feedback in a ‘compliment sandwich’ — there’s a better way!
Whether you’re new to the job, a veteran leader, or looking to be promoted, this is the handbook you need to be the kind of manager you’ve always wanted.
274 pages, Virgin Digital 2019
Get this book (amazon.com) (amazon.de)
