The Making of a Manager

What to Do When Everyone Looks to You

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Pub Date 21 Mar 2019 | Archive Date 9 May 2019

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Description


No idea what you're doing? No problem. Good managers are made, not born.

Top tech executive Julie Zhuo remembers the moment when she was asked to lead a team. She felt like she’d won the golden ticket, until reality came crashing in. She was just 25 and had barely any experience being managed, let alone managing others.

Her co-workers became her employees overnight, and she faced a series of anxiety-inducing firsts, including agonising over whether to hire an interviewee; seeking the respect of reports who were cleverer than her; and having to fire someone she liked. Like most first-time managers, she wasn’t given any formal training, and had no resources to turn to for help. It took her years to find her way, but now she’s offering you the short-cut to success.

This is the book she wishes she had on day one. Here, she offers practical, accessible advice like:

· Don’t hide thorny problems from your own manager; you’re better off seeking help quickly and honestly
· Before you fire someone for failure to collaborate, figure out if the problem is temperamental or just a lack of training or coaching
· Don’t offer critical feedback in a ‘compliment sandwich’ – there’s a better way!

Whether you're new to the job, a veteran leader, or looking to be promoted, this is the handbook you need to be the kind of manager you've always wanted.


No idea what you're doing? No problem. Good managers are made, not born.

Top tech executive Julie Zhuo remembers the moment when she was asked to lead a team. She felt like she’d won the golden...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780753552896
PRICE £12.99 (GBP)
PAGES 288

Average rating from 31 members


Featured Reviews

Every now and then I read a book that inspires me, this book is written in a very readable, honest and frank way. The paragraph I will take away with me is;
‘Learning how to be a great leader means learning about your superpowers and flaws, learning how to navigate the obstacles in your head, and learning how to learn. With these tools comes the confidence that you’re meant to be just as you are - no masks or pretences needed and that you are ready for whatever challenges lie ahead’.
A must for everyone who works in a team as one day you will manage that team. Think positive and you will achieve.

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I think this is a book that everyone who's managing a team should read.
My PMP certification states I know how theoretically manage a team, this book tells how to do in everyday life.
I loved the style of writing, clear and full of humor, and I liked the example and the clear explanations.
A very good book, one that doesn't address the problems of C-level manager but of anyone who manages people.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Penguin Random House UK and Netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all opinions are mine.

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A great book whether you are in managing position or you have someone work for you. I really liked the author’s honesty and telling about her humble beginnings when she started to be a manager. Full of good advices and tips how to be successfull when you lead a team. I definitely learnt a lot from it!

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I admit I wasn't aware of Julie Zhuo before hearing about this book but now I am her biggest fan! Zhuo is the VP, Product Design at Facebook, having successfully worked her way up the ranks. She first became a manager at 25 and wasn't sure where to start, what she should be doing and what she should NOT be doing! As you can imagine, she has learned a huge amount from this experience, especially her own mistakes. This book is a really approachable guide for managers, whether you are new or experienced.

I first became a manager of a team when I was 26 and recently moved into a new company where I inherited a team. My first experience was a team that I set up myself, hired and grew. Zhuo labels this a "Pioneer" route. My current experience is the "New Boss" route as I am moving into an already established team. Both have their own challenges but I certainly felt it more in my new role, I'm moving into a new environment, in an industry I haven't worked in before, and need to quickly build up relationships with my team members, proving I can be a good manager and am capable of doing the job!

Luckily I got a copy of this book at just the right time and was able to devour it before starting my new role. In it, aside from breaking down the different routes to management and techniques to deal with each, the book covers areas such as:
- what really is management? How do you tell a great manager from an average one?
- the skills you need to be a people manager - it's not suited to everyone and people should not be forced into this role to advance
- how to build trust
- giving (and receiving) good feedback
- having useful 1:1s and not wasting them
- dealing with issues such as people not pulling their weight or causing conflict in the team
- nurturing your team's culture
- your own personal development as a manager

This really is a brilliant book and one that I will be rushing out to get my own copy of as soon as it is out. I read it all the way through, making notes as I go, but I'll now use it as a guide I can dip in and out of when needed. Thank you Julie for a wonderful book!

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As a previous manager of various sized teams, like many of the previous reviews say, I wish this book had been around to read all those years ago. It is such a good read and I cannot recommend it high enough for anyone applying for a management position or finding themselves in one because it has a wealth of knowledge and information that is written in a very easy to read way. I found myself engrossed in it and especially enjoyed the writing style which literally had me page turning wanting to know more.

My wife is also a manager and she is now reading the book too and finding it extremely useful despite being a manager for a few years. There are still plenty of tips in it to use an on ongoing basis and she too has already recommended it to some of her colleagues.

Overall a great read and extremely informative.

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This is a brilliant book. I was expecting something along the lines of how to be successful, but it is a detailed how to get the best from people and as it says on the tin - The Making of a [GOOD] Manager. Working with people can be difficult. Line managing people - even more so. This book breaks down the complex and the difficult and gives examples and exercises on how to realise potential and work with differing personalities. This is a book I can imagine reading again and again.
Well done Julie!

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This is an excellent book, and not just for new managers. Those who have been managers for a while will still find plenty resonates with them. Managing is a skill that can be learnt but is rarely taught, and certainly not taught as well as this book does.
Highly recommended
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC

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