Welcome to Management summary

As a new boss, let’s say you want to enjoy some of the perks that come with being in charge. You start by allowing yourself the luxury of coming into the office a bit later. You ask your team to continue coming in on time, and let them know you’re on call.

Fast-forward a couple of weeks and you decide to rise bright and early. You’re going to surprise your team by coming in on time but, as you walk through the door, it becomes clear that more than half the desks are empty. Where is everyone?

It’s 1861, the start of the American Civil War, and Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain, a college professor from Maine, has just enlisted in the Union Army. With no military experience, he prepares for duty by studying every book on military strategy he can find.

By July 1863 and the crucial battle of Gettysburg, Chamberlain has risen to lieutenant colonel. But, during a bloody hilltop battle, disaster strikes when his regiment runs out of ammunition. Instead of retreating, though, Chamberlain decides on a counterattack and orders his men to plug their rifles with bayonets, and charge.

Imagine you’re a pilot in mid-flight when you notice a problem with your aircraft. One thing is clear: you won’t reach your destination if you ignore the repairs that need to be made. But be careful – any drastic decisions risk throwing you off course, maybe even crashing the plane.

In business, the same thing applies – admittedly, with a much lower risk of total catastrophe. In the same way that an aircraft is fundamental to keeping a pilot in the sky, your team is what keeps you going. It’s fundamental to your success.

On his first day as manager, the author decided to stay out of the first team meeting. Instead, he asked the HR manager to gather all of his new teammates, without him in the room, to find out each person’s unfiltered thoughts and concerns.

Only after these had been established was the author finally invited in.

Consider any great movie from the last decade. No doubt each scene was included by the director for a specific purpose. Little do you know that many additional scenes were also shot and left out. In fact, a huge amount of money and effort goes into producing scenes that never make it onto our screens.

The only footage the director allows out of the editing room is that which is absolutely crucial to telling the story.

Let’s say you’ve made a great hire, and you’ve done the hard work to coach her into becoming a top performer. Success! By now, your trusted teammate is consistently exceeding her set targets. You’re beyond thrilled since this gives you more time and headspace to focus on developing other team members who are struggling to keep up.

But wait, remember when you were a top-performing team member? Just as you were eyeing a promotion with greater responsibility and financial reward, don’t forget that high performers on your team probably have bigger dreams, too.