It's the Manager Book Summary - It's the Manager Book explained in key points
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Gallup Finds the Quality of Managers and Team Leaders is the Single Biggest Factor in Your Organization's Long-term Success

4.2 (142 ratings)
20 mins

Brief summary

It's the Manager by Jim Clifton & Jim Harter is a management guide that offers insights on improving the workplace culture and employee engagement. It focuses on the importance of effective leadership and the role managers play in developing successful organizations.

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    It's the Manager
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    To get the best from this dynamic generation, you need to make changes to the way you run your workplace.

    There’s no doubt that millennials are disrupting the way we work. These bright sparks, born between 1980 and 1996, are changing how we communicate, travel, shop, and entertain ourselves.

    But, in this era of massive change, there’s a problem. The old styles of management don’t work anymore, and the approaches that suited older generations just don’t cut it.

    Millennials want employers who recognize that they don’t simply come to work for a paycheck, they come to work for a purpose.

    The key message here is: To get the best from this dynamic generation, you need to make changes to the way you run your workplace.

    Younger workers need meaning in their jobs, and want to work for companies that make a positive impact on the world. Whereas their baby boomer parents found meaning through family and within their communities, millennials and Generation Z find their purpose through work. So if you want to attract and retain the best people, you need to build a workplace culture around making a difference.

    Millennials also aren’t very interested in job satisfaction in the typical sense. What they really care about is career progression. They’re not swayed by the foosball tables and luxury coffee machines that many companies now offer as standard. In fact, they find these perks patronizing. What millennials want is for you to help them move up the career ladder. They don’t care whether or not you give them a free lunch.

    It may come as a surprise to learn that most millennials don’t really want you to manage them at all, they would much rather that you coach them. Instead of an old-fashioned boss who controls and commands, younger employees want leaders who understand their strengths, and can help build on them so they get better at their jobs.

    And traditional bosses aren’t all that millennials are rejecting. As it turns out, they don’t want annual performance reviews, either. Instead, they want much more regular feedback from their managers – which makes sense, given that millennials and Generation Z are used to instant communication through things like texts and tweets. Just remember to focus on their strengths, not their weaknesses. Millennials like to know what they’re doing well so that they can do more of it.

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    What is It's the Manager about?

    It’s the Manager (2019) outlines the latest workplace research from Gallup. It explores what good leadership looks like in the modern age, and how managers can get the best out of the people they lead.

    It's the Manager Review

    It's the Manager (2019) offers valuable insights into the critical role of managers in driving employee engagement and organizational success. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:

    • With its insightful research and data-backed analysis, it provides a blueprint for developing effective managerial skills that can transform workplaces.
    • The book emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and creating a supportive work environment to maximize employee potential.
    • By addressing key challenges faced by managers, such as talent development and engagement, it offers practical strategies to overcome obstacles and create high-performing teams.

    Best quote from It's the Manager

    The right selection decisions establish a culture of high performance.

    —Jim Clifton, Jim Harter
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    Who should read It's the Manager?

    • Human Resources professionals seeking a fresh perspective
    • Managers looking to the future
    • Team leaders wanting to know what makes people tick

    About the Author

    Jim Clifton is the CEO and chairman of Gallup, and the best-selling author of The Coming Jobs War. Jim Harter, PhD, is Gallup’s chief scientist of workplace management and well-being. Harter is also the coauthor of the New York Times best seller 12: The Elements of Great Managing.

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    It's the Manager FAQs 

    What is the main message of It's the Manager?

    The main message of It's the Manager is the importance of effective management in driving organizational success.

    How long does it take to read It's the Manager?

    The reading time for It's the Manager varies depending on the reader's speed. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is It's the Manager a good book? Is it worth reading?

    It's the Manager is a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding the impact of effective management. It provides actionable insights for fostering a positive work culture and driving success.

    Who is the author of It's the Manager?

    The authors of It's the Manager are Jim Clifton and Jim Harter.

    What to read after It's the Manager?

    If you're wondering what to read next after It's the Manager, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Team Genius by Rich Karlgaard and Michael S. Malone
    • Wellbeing at Work by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter
    • Leading Without Authority by Keith Ferrazzi with Noel Weyrich
    • Equity by Minal Bopaiah
    • The First Minute by Chris Fenning
    • The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham and comments by Jason Zweig
    • How to Become a People Magnet by Marc Reklau
    • The First-Time Manager by Loren B. Belker
    • Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King
    • Good Team, Bad Team by Sarah Thurber & Blair Miller