Being the Boss : The 3 Imperatives for Becoming a Great Leader

by Hill, Linda A.

• ISBN13: 9781422163894
• ISBN10: 142216389X
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-01-11
• Publisher: Harvard Business School Pr

Summary

You never dreamed being the boss would be so hard. You're caught in a web of conflicting expectations from subordinates, your supervisor, peers, and customers. You're constantly fighting fires. You're mired in office politics. You end each day exhausted and discouraged, wondering what, if anything, you've accomplished. You're not alone. As Linda Hill and Kent Lineback reveal in Being the Boss, becoming an effective manager is a painful, difficult journey. It's trial and error, endless effort, and slowly acquired personal insight. Many managers never complete the journey. At best, they just learn to get by. At worst, they become terrible bosses. This new book explains how to avoid that fate, by mastering three imperatives: Manage yourself: Learn that management isn't about getting things done yourself. It's about accomplishing things through others. Manage a network: Understand how power and influence work in your organization and build a network of mutually beneficial relationships to navigate your company's complex political environment. Manage a team: Forge a high-performing "we" out of all the "I"s who report to you. Packed with compelling stories and practical guidance, Being the Boss is an indispensable guide for not only first-time managers but all managers seeking to master the most daunting challenges of leadership.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Where Are You On Your Journey?

Your 3 Imperatives as a Manager

Manage Yourself

I'm the Boss!

I'm Your Friend!

Can People Trust You?

Part I Summary: Where are you on your journey?

Manage Your Network

Understand the Reality of Your Organization

Weave Your Own Web of Influence

Don't Forget Your Boss

Part II Summary: Where are you on your journey?

Manage Your Team

Define the Future

Be Clear How Your Team Works

Your Team Members Are Individuals Too

Manage Through Your Daily Work

Part III Summary: Where are you on your journey?

Completing Your Journey

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