University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
The Manager’s Answer Book
Book

The Manager’s Answer Book

Powerful Tools to Build Trust and Teams, Maximize Your Impact and Influence, and Respond to Challenges

Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem
Career Press, 2018
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Editorial Rating

8

Qualities

  • Applicable
  • Well Structured
  • Hot Topic

Recommendation

In this practical, useful question-and-answer guidebook, consultants Barbara Mitchell and Cornelia Gamlem discuss many of the hidden difficulties managers face and how they can cope with them effectively. Managers can err in many ways and not even know it. Agree to meet a vendor for lunch, and you could be in violation of an organizational rule that prohibits accepting such a gratuity. If someone you hire injures someone else, you could be named as a party to a negligent-hiring claim. Fail to pass pertinent medical information from an employee to HR or senior management and you could run afoul of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This manual will be equally helpful to new managers, experienced managers facing new challenges, and managers joining new firms that function differently from their previous employers.

Summary

The Human Challenges of Managing People

Managing people is difficult. All the work managers must do to supervise people and projects can become overwhelming. The number of difficult situations, oddball events and challenging circumstances that might arise – all seasoned with myriad bewildering personality issues – can baffle even the most experienced manager. New supervisors can be caught unawares and trip over themselves a dozen times a day. If you wonder how to handle perplexing personnel situations or put out workplace wildfires, turn to the experience of managers who field-tested their tactics and who offer helpful insights and solid advice.

“You’re a New Manager, Now What?”

New managers may face an onslaught of unfamiliar people issues and project challenges. Consider this advice:

  • As a brand-new manager, how can I win over the people I will lead? – Your first job is to get to know the people on your team. Find out who they are, what makes them tick, and what special talents and expertise each team member offers. Since your people may have been working...

About the Authors

Barbara Mitchell is managing partner of The Mitchell Group, a human resources and organizational development consulting practice. Cornelia Gamlem, SPHR, is founder and president of The Gems Group, a management consulting firm that offers human resources and business solutions. 

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