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Bare Knuckle People Management
Book

Bare Knuckle People Management

Creating Success with the Team You Have – Winners, Losers, Misfits, and All

Sean O'Neil and John Kulisek
BenBella, 2011
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

Training specialists Sean O’Neil and John Kulisek take an irreverent, entertaining approach to leadership advice. Despite some unnecessary coarse language, they often make a lot more sense than the pronouncements of lofty gurus. The authors offer seven “People Principles” and then profile 16 worker archetypes, such as the “Legend” and the “Burnout.” You’ll find specific strategies for training, monitoring and managing each type of person individually and in various team combinations. getAbstract heartily recommends this fun read to all managers who’ve ever wondered how to whip a ragtag team of “knuckleheads” into a smooth, functioning unit.

Summary

So Now You’re a Manager...

Until now, you built your success on your own hard work. Now you’ve become a manager, and you must transform a group of “poor excuses for employees” into high achievers. You have the skills you need; you just have to learn to cope with your team’s odd personalities. While no two workers are alike, you can identify specific types and exploit their individual and team potential.

“The People Principles”

You need a management philosophy, that is, a set of standards to guide you. Use these seven People Principles as a framework for turning your motley crew into a cohesive unit:

  1. “Team-wide rules” don’t work – Company rules made for the masses don’t really fit smaller teams. Become more productive by tailoring rules to suit individual employees’ strengths, weaknesses and preferences. Don’t be too controlling, too nice or too ready to start hollering.
  2. “Own your own” behavior – Acknowledge your role in boss-employee relations that turn sour. Talk out any conflict with a problem staffer until you reach a working resolution. Admit it when you’ve made a mistake or handled an interaction poorly...

About the Authors

Sean O’Neil is the CEO of One to One Leadership, a training and recruiting company. John Kulisek is the president of The Norben Group, a company specializing in fine permanent botanicals.

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