The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You

🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences

1. The real essence of management lies in building a team
2. Good meetings are straightforward, informative, and efficient
3.  Trusting your team members and finding the balance is essential

✍️ My Top 3 Quotes

“Your role as a manager is not to do the work yourself, even if you are the best at it, because that will only take you so far. Your role is to improve the purpose, people, and process of your team to get as high a multiplier effect on your collective outcome as you can.”

“There is one quality that sets truly great managers apart from the rest: they discover what is unique about each person and then capitalize on it.”

On 1:1 “Here are some ideas to get started: Discuss top priorities: What are the one, two, or three most critical outcomes for your report and how can you help her tackle these challenges? Calibrate what “great” looks like: Do you have a shared vision of what you’re working toward? Are you in sync about goals or expectations? Share feedback: What feedback can you give that will help your report, and what can your report tell you that will make you more effective as a manager? Reflect on how things are going: Once in a while, it’s useful to zoom out and talk about your report’s general state of mind—how is he feeling on the whole? What’s making him satisfied or dissatisfied? Have any of his goals changed? What has he learned recently and what does he want to learn going forward?”

📒 Summary + Notes

I found “The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You” by Julie Zhuo to be a comprehensive guide for new and experienced managers. The book covers essential aspects of management, including building a team, achieving results through collaboration, and overcoming challenges.

1. Building a team and achieving results through collaboration: Author mentioned that the real essence of management lies in building a team and achieving results by collaborative efforts .
2. Time spent in meetings: Managers spend approximately 70% of their time in meetings, highlighting the importance of effective communication and organization.
3. Making a list of what works and what doesn’t: Author suggest that to gain perspective on how to move forward, make a list of what works great and what doesn’t .
4. Trust in building a healthy team: Trust is a fundamental ingredient of building a healthy team, and it’s essential to invest time in your reports, discuss priorities, and set clear expectations .
5. Imposter syndrome: Many managers face “imposter syndrome,” doubting themselves and feeling like they don’t belong in their position . Overcoming this mindset is crucial for effective management.
6. Characteristics of bad and good meetings: Bad meetings are characterized by a lack of clarity, repetitive remarks, and a few individuals dominating the room. In contrast, good meetings are straightforward, informative, and efficient .
7. Managing small and large teams: When managing a small team, you can approach each person individually, while managing a large team requires working through other leaders at lower levels .
8. Responsibility for outcomes: As a manager, you are responsible for the outcome of your team’s work, whether you’re managing a small or large group .
9. Trusting people and finding balance: Trusting your team members and finding the balance between controlling the situation and giving freedom is essential for effective management .
10. Keeping a calendar and preparing for meetings: Zhuo suggests keeping a calendar, preparing for each meeting, taking notes, and making time pockets for reflection to ensure productivity and organization .

In conclusion, “The Making of a Manager” provides valuable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to improve their management skills. By focusing on collaboration, trust, and effective communication, managers can lead their teams to success and overcome common challenges.

If you’re ready to unlock the secrets of effective management and navigate the challenges that come with leading a team, look no further than “The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You.” This captivating book provides invaluable insights and practical advice for aspiring and current managers alike.