Becoming an Extraordinary Manager

Most jobs in the business world come with a set of easily recognizable attributes: a desk, a paycheck, and a manager. While the first two are easily dealt with by most, the third can make an otherwise fulfilling job difficult, and make coming to work unrewarding drudgery, or, at its worst, a day-to-day trial by fire. Nearly every businessperson knows, or has worked with, a bad manager. Fortunately, according to author Len Sandler, the ordinary worker need not labor under the thumb of well-intentioned bumblers or outright tyrants forever. There are good examples out there-managers that motivate, praise, and even better their employees and companies. But they are usually made, not born. In Becoming an Extraordinary Manager, Sandler offers those already leading (and those rising through the ranks) a chance to understand the five major pillars of great management: (1) motivating others, (2) attracting and retaining top talent, (3) planning and organizing group performance, (4) driving results throughout an organization, and (5) lifelong development. Sandler attempts to right some of the wrongs that have historically created so many poor managers. He also offers a development plan full of practical steps for those motivated enough to do the work needed to move from adequate to extraordinary.