Careers Books

"13 Fatal Errors Managers Make

In this program, W. Steven Brown, a nationally recognized professional and consultant, OUTLINES THE THIRTEEN MOST COMMON ERRORS MANAGERS AT ALL LEVELS MAKE AND SHOWS they are disastrous to any successful management effort.
He then goes on to show HOW to avoid them by anticipating the tendency to make them.

W. Steven Brown founded and is currently president of the Fortune Group, an Atlanta-based corporation which markets a wide range of business and personal development services."

[from the back cover of the cassette case]

A good primer for new managers with many easy-to-understand management concepts. Enjoyed this in combination with Warriors, Workers, Whiners, & Weasels: Understanding and Using The Four Personality Types To Your Advantagewhich expanded with more specific management practices.

I always dislike it when books sensationalize problems. To call these errors "Fatal" as in YOU COULD DIE!?!?! seems extreme to me. Very few errors in life are fatal, and surely managers have enough stress in their worlds without having to worry about FATAL errors to deal with. Let's just call these "errors" and begin working on them.

The first question is, of course, what ARE the 13 errors. They are: Refusing to accept personal responsibility, failing to develop people, trying to control rather than influence people, joining the wrong crowd, managing everyone the same way, forgetting about profit, focussing on problems instead of goals, being too friendly, not setting standards, not training your employees, condoning incompetence, recognizing only the top performers, and trying to manipulate people.

You can say that many of these are common sense - but that's true for any management book. Dealing with human beings IS common sense. Still, many of us forget that sometimes - or need a few tips on dealing with a specific situation. For example, some managers feel that the issues are all with the employee and that the employee should just "fix themselves and do the job, dammit". We've all worked for a BAD manager though and know that a lot of how well an employee does his/her job is based on the management. Another aspect of this is that the book talks directly about achieving good results. It reminds you that your aim should be good results. Not in a "burn the villages and get the gold" way, but in a "it's better to reach your goal efficiently rather than waste 12 hours doing it in a poor way".

I think that's an important distinction for people to make. Many managers have long, complex procedures and work tons of hours - then pressure their employees to do the same and "measure up". Instead, of the managers made their lives more organized and simplified, they could have the same end results with far less stress and time. All humans need time to rest and relax - managers AND employees. It's important to focus on that goal, vs trying to seem as busy as possible in inefficient ways.

On the other hand, the book has some areas where it's very theoretical but not directly helpful. They say that if you expect your employees to do well and give them training, then they naturally will do well. That we managers just have to "get out of the way". This certainly isn't always true! There are employees who simply will look for ways to avoid doing work or shunting work to others even when they know what they should do and how to do it. To ignore these realities is to be frustrated.

There's a section where they say an employee's self motivation and self esteem are important - but truly, how many managers could "retrain" an adult who is set in his or her ways? Sure, it's good to know that an employee has low self esteem in order to talk with him in an effective manner - but managers will rarely have success in "fixing" an adult employee's personal psyche problems.

Another section talks about how managing isn't always easy. I do think this is an important lesson for many managers to learn. Yes, it sucks to have to make some decisions - but you have to do it. It's hard to discipline an employee you like - but you do it the best way you can. If you simply avoid doing certain things, everybody suffers as a result. This topic is covered in several different ways - you have to set up guidelines, you have to enforce those guidelines and give specific, direct commentary if someone is slacking off. You can't let it slide because it's easier on you. You have to step up and address it so that you manage the problem.

While many of these issues may be common sense for established managers, the tips can prove quite useful for new members. I do find a few gems in here that even older managers might find helpful to add into their arsenal.

A good book to at least read at the library. If you get it for yourself, lend it out to a few friends - you might be surprised at how long it takes for them to choose to return it to you.

I'm not a manager, and don't aspire to be one. Except to manage myself, that's plenty.

As far as other people, well, yes, I see that managers are needed in the profit economy: They have to make sure that the workers (labor) help maximize the profit of the company.

W. Steven Brown does have experience in this area, and he sprinkles his personal stories throughout this book. The personal stories are the best part. I think he should have written a book only with personal stories. A lot of the other stuff is dull and common sensical.

Brown comes through this book as a reasonable person, a consultant and a self-described teacher. What he seems to lack, what the whole capitalist system seems to lack, is heart, not the organ itself of course but the feeling of thinking beyond the system, outside of the system. Heart could mean treating people as individuals rather than a piece of the system. It's not Brown's fault, that's just the way the capitalist system works.

And it probably wouldn't work if managers were humanitarians and altruists. This is what Brown is emphasizing. Yes, they have to give the illusion of being humanitarians and altruists, but they can't actually be that. They have to ensure that the bottom line is black, or, guess what, they lose.

I like John Heider's book, The Tao of Leadership, better. Those who lead least lead best. Yes, this may be an unachievable ideal in the capitalist society, but I'm a dreamer, I mentioned that, not a manager.

Diximus.

After reading many other managerial texts, I find this book to be standard and common sense. I would only recommend this book to those who are very knew to management and have not read much on this topic.

Oil will eventually run out on our planet. It's only a matter of time - but it doesn't have to be the end of the world, no, it can be the way of the future and help readers find an exciting new career in the fields of renewable energy. "Careers in Renewable Energy: Get a Green Energy Job" is a guide to help environmentally conscious readers find a new career that will help them and help advance the concepts of Solar Energy, Geothermal Energy, Hydroelectric energy, Green Building, among other countless jobs available in renewable energy, providing countless references and resources to help readers get started. Any searching for a career in renewable energy and any public or business lending library catering to students or career changers will find specific and important this guide to clean energy opportunities across the country. From extensive lists of training facilities, schools, workshops, and professional organizations and societies to web sites and energy programs, this is the place for job seekers and career changers to begin. Expertly compiled and researched, "Careers in Renewable Energy: Get a Green Energy Job" is highly recommended for environmental studies collections with a crossover to career shelves.

If you are looking for the typical career guide that is a dry list of job titles, job descriptions, and employers that is old news the day it goes to print, this is NOT it. Careers in Renewable Energy is what students and career-changing folks will WANT and NEED and can USE to find validation and inspiration as they embark on a career solving our growing sustainability problems!

I teach an undergraduate Earth Sustainability course that gets students fired up to work toward changes in the ways we produce and consume energy globally. While it's great that they have that motivation, few know where to direct it. I've shared my copy of Careers in Renewable Energy with them, and it seems to go from student to student, never making it back to my bookshelf between!

The author provides backgrounds on each category of renewables (e.g. hydrogen, solar, wind, geothermal, hydro) as well as applications (e.g. building, transportation). From there, he talks about skill sets and courses that provide the best foundation for various areas and job functions. These roadmaps can be used to customize a curriculum that best prepares one to work in a given renewable energy field. And as we know, energy problems don't align neatly with a given university department!

Mr. McNamee presents a carefully assembled set of tools, really, to help one on a journey toward a career in renewable energy. There's information on the green universities, certifications, associations, job sites, and publications. The author takes a very holistic approach to career selection and preparation. It's not about "how can I earn the most money" but more about "how can I find a way to contribute to solving our energy crisis?"

The book is an enjoyable read, succinct yet complete. It is a must-have for anyone considering a new or different career in renewable energy...or anyone advising them! And if you weren't already considering a new career? You might after you read THIS book! Enjoy :-)

The pirate motif has been somewhat oversubscribed of late and the dearth of pirate products is proof. Pirate School fits perfectly into the genre and it is not a let down. The animation and narrative are entertaining and compelling enough for a 5 year old and not too rough or scary. This is a good pirate story.

This is a very enjoyable pirate story for beginning readers or for us parents to read to our kids. It is about kids of pirates that go to school every day just like toehr kids, only they go in a school bus painted row boat to a giant pirate ship/public school. The lessons they teach are backwards to our own morals and not fair, as the kids are to be greedy and not share, and worse yet to fight when they have disputes. But these rules dont work when it is treasure hunt day on the spooky island. Although each boy claims to have found the treasure first, they quickly learn tha if they are to survice, they must ingore the pirate rules and instead cooperate, share, help out, and trust each other. Wonderful story, I highly reccommend.

"It was a little scary, a little funny, and easy to read" said my son Toby, aged 6.5, after reading this excellent book. He also says there were only about ten words he did not know. The illustrations are good and they do not give the story away -- Toby had to read the words. Toby says "don't give up!".

This book entertained us all as my son went through his 4- year old Pirate phase. Really funny. Great Price!

My 7 year old son is obsessed with Pirates. This is his favorite book. He makes me pretend that he is Pete and his brother is Grimy and I need to substitute the names. He is autistic and learning for him is difficult, but we have taken suggestions from this book to make school fun for him as well. He learned math by using gold coins and likes to do everything the boys do in the book. It is a fantastic book which explains how important it is to share and not to fight with others. I highly recommend this book.

what was inside was basically some quotes or extract from the book--the seven habits of highly effective teens which I highly recommend. However this book helps you to stay focus on one point everyday, and keep inspiring you throughout the day, you may also refer to the book--the seven habits of the highly effective teens as the page number is included as reference.

Daily Reflections for Highly Effective Teens,this book has a good influence for teen.It teaches us and help us how to improve our image, get friends, how to control peer pressure, achieve our goals, think first and make good decisions, also it helps you do new things and enjoy them, have different routines.Also it shows interesting quotes that make you think and ideas. This book helped me a lot and the good thing is that is short you can read one page a day and learn something, now I'm doing good in school, I'm know how to handle pressure, it even helped me to read contstanly. I recommend this book for all teenagers that have problems to face the routine of their lifes.

My daughter, who is not a reader, read this cover to cover in one sitting. My seventh grade students, their teachers and parents love it. All of our copies have waiting lists. Teens and adults involved with teens relate to Sean Covey's reflections and practical advice. This is a great conversation starter between teens and parents!

Hey. I am a 13-year-old girl, and my sister who is 23 bought me this book. I have read and marked multiple pages for future reading. This book has really increased my outlook on life! I suffer from depression and anxiety, yet I feel so happy when I read this book each night. I believe that even adults would be enthralled with this book. So my conclusion is that if you have [have the money] or whatever, get this book!

I saw Dorothy Leeds at a book talk and was so impressed that I had to buy her book. I am very impressed at the breadth of occupations and life situations to which her writing applies. It is very practical information that almost anyone can use. I am in the field of education, and it will certainly help me to ask better questions as a teacher. You won't be disappointed.

I am a college senior job hunting right now and decided to get this book to improve my communication skills. I'm only through about half of this book and already love it. It has so much great information about improving communication. I have actually started using some of the information in the book...asking a lot more questions than I used to, and I have seen excellent results!

This book is easy to read and full of great examples. I've started asking better questions already and I've noticed my job performance getting better. My wife read the book, too, and I think our marriage will benefit more and more as we communicate better -- all because of asking good questions.

this book is all about getting people to "open up" through the use of carefully designed questions. the reader will learn how to influence other people's behavior via questioning - and, importantly, listening. the author does a good job in demonstrating the value of "leading" people, through the deliberative process, to sound judgements and opinions. this book goes well beyond what the title promises. it will teach you how to control the direction of conversations with desired outcomes achieved. being a coach myself, i would have liked a few more actual examples included in the text.

Great book that should be a part of every professionals library who is serious about their development. This book will prompt most to start asking more (and ultimately higher quality) questions. Many readers will make their 'questions' a new and powerful habit! For 14 bucks, what more can you ask for? Great job Dorothy!

Bill Wiersma, Author, The Big AHA

While I'm admittedly not in what the author declares as the intended audience of the book, I've still found it to be very insightful. The intended audience being those who have invested significantly in training for and carrying out a career in a specific field and are now considering switching. As a current member of the military who intends to move into the business world after 5 years, I was refreshed by the author's encouragement to explore potential selves instead of locking yourself into what you "should" do based on the results of some introspection or a personality test.

Most books on career reinvention are geared towards mid-level, mid-life managers. The assumption is that executives are already successful and don't need to reflect on what makes them shine. But for continued success in life, we all need to discover what truly drives us. Working Identity is ideal for the exec who wants to stretch beyond their current career, credentials and contact network.

I agree with everyone else who's written a review of this book. I find it very useful and encouraging. The premise is simple. Make a list either mentally or on paper of the things you may be interested in and somehow try them out. Try them out somewhat in some sort of way. Do research where you experience the results and gauge your feelings. Then find some way to move into that field, either completely or connected to what you already do. Also one of the most important pieces of advice is to give yourself time to try out the different things on your list. Don't just jump, but actually give them a try. Write the business plan to see if it'll work. Speak to people who are in the industry you want to get into.

The fatal flaw of the book is that she seems to only address professors or top level managers. Suppose you are not in that category. Do you not deserve a great career? Do you not deserve to know strategies in order to move towards the life that's perfect for you? Of course you do. There are some strategies for people who can't simply take a leave of absence for a few months to try out something else. Volunteering. Side jobs. Part time work. Evening gigs. Etc. These were mostly left out.

Besides the above this was a good book and with a little common sense the advice can be applied to anyone's situation.

There are a lot of good ideas and theories in this book, but I regret buying it. I've lost my job due to industry changes and belt tightening and money is in short supply. I don't find that this book has helped me figure out how to retool to stay employed. I'm not using the book and I can't afford to buy things that I don't absolutely need. Not recommended if you are not of the wealthy class and need to keep the wolf from the door. Annoying to hear how the upper class has time and energy to dabble. Lots of "I made so much money as a corporate lawyer/park avenue doctor that now I can afford to teach haiku at the local zen monastary."

I always thought that by the time I turned 40 I would have all the answers about my life and career only to be proven wrong. And the awareness that my questions are common to so many individuals is comforting indeed. This book (I am about halfway through it as I write) brings home the message that it is ok, almost natural, to question the path taken and to ask whether there is more to life than what we are doing and that there is no easy way to find an answer. I have always had doubts about a lot of the testing done to figure people out starting with SATs and down to the psychological ones we all go through at some point. And having someone like the author highlight how these are often pointless and the answers are within us is important.

The narrative is quick and I especially like the weaving of the stories with the author's comments.

This is a great book for beginning managers. The information is easy to read and well thought out. He has many helpful tips through out. I really enjoyed his writing style. Money well spent!

I work for a book summary company. One of the books selected for summary is this book.

Author Morey Stettner handles a relatively new subject of initiating those who have ascended the Managerial throne. While there are many management books that outlines theories and principles by the dozens, inducting new managers into the process for acquiring Managerial proficiency through practical steps will indeed be of great help to `upstarts' and `novice'. What makes this book valuable is that it covers some of the most crucial areas of managerial effectiveness, viz., speaking listening, responding and disciplining. Using illustrative examples the author guides us through the basic managerial elements that one can immediately identify with and implement. The book rings true more so for the insightful approach to the topics and the clarity with which the points are espoused. You would be motivated to apply the various steps outlined as you will find them highly realistic and feasible to adopt. This is where the book rules high I feel. For those executives `waiting in the wings' or `wannabes' or even Management students, this book should really be a boon to read and execute. Indeed this book is like a blueprint for ushering us through the first steps into the world of management. Even top managers who are ever willing to learn can draw useful lessons and widen their horizon of knowledge. No doubt it is a useful book for any reader laying his/her hands on it.

Most of us developed our management skills, or lack thereof, in the same way: through trial and error. But Morey Stettner's new book will give anyone freshly promoted to the ranks of management a valuable head start by spelling out practical steps that new managers can take to be effective. For all of you old-timers, reading this book will induce a near constant mental stream of "I wish someone had told me that when I was starting out." For example, Stettner's first step, writing out a basic plan of how you want to manage your subordinates, might at first seem a bit naïve to veterans. But consider this point: How much time did you spend thinking about the techniques you would use in managing people before taking over your first managerial assignment? The probable answer is not much. In a clear voice laced with illustrative examples, Stettner covers the critical skills managers rely on every day: speaking, listening, criticizing and disciplining. For his insightful treatment of these topics, we [...] recommend this book to managers new and old, employees and students of management - But then again, aren't we all?

This book is well written and nearly perfect for those transitioning to a management position with little time to spare. I found it to be well organized and concise, highlighting good common sense principles to remember when you take the helm of your new position. It addresses many of the common stereotypes and pitfalls new and experienced managers encounter. The book does fall short of one of the back covers claims about hiring. Nowhere within it's pages does it discuss hiring strategies or interviewing skills. This was disappointing and a critical piece missed by the author.

This is a must have book for any one just promoted to a manager or even an effective team member who wishes to go to managerial or people management jobs. This book can also be a good resource for those who are managers for long time but never had good mentor or training.

I did not care for this book. I was hoping for substantive concepts based on research and facts. It has too much fluff and ideas that work only when the sun is shining. Survivor Personality has more useful concepts than this book.

This book has changed the way I deal with conflict. It has helped me to improve my relationships and management skills by expressing what I want clearly and resolve issues quickly and effectively.

I would suggest this book to you if you feel that others are taking advantage of you being too soft or passive.

Everyone, especially those in management, should read this book. We all deal with conflict and learning these few simple "no-brainer" tips will make it less stressful. It's not enough to know what you are talking about...you need to know who you are talking to.

This is a fine, short guide to managing conflict. Author Tim Ursiny particularly addresses those of you who are "conflict cowards," people who do not like conflict...and who does, outside of a few well-compensated litigaters? Ursiny himself is a confessed hater of conflict. He has hated it ever since he was a child and now, even though he's an executive coach and a fairly beefy guy, he still hates it. He is also a psychologist, and his style and approach have much in common with the work of other pop psychology writers, although this guide is more useful than most. Ursiny keeps the reading light by providing ample anecdotes and he invites readers to participate through several self-examination questionnaires. He provides some clearly written, easily accessible explanations of how conflicts occur and how to manage them. In fact, he defines conflict, its consequences and even its benefits so broadly that almost anyone fits the book's target audience. You got a problem with that? We doesn't and warmly recommend this entertaining, refreshing book, which - we agree - has something for almost everyone who'd rather duck than fight.

This book is phenomenal and the best I have read on the subject. Very few people have the experience Tim does, as both a psychologist and successful businessman, so he has great credibility. His system/process makes dealing with conflict a breeze. And I love his humor. I feel connected with him and trust his advice. I highly recommend this book!

Michael Charest
Speaker, Coach
BUSINESS GROWTH SOLUTIONS
and
COACH & GROW R.I.C.H.
(...)
"Grow your business, grow your life!"
(...)

I had recently lost my favorite cat, and was looking for something to help me get over my lost. I came across this book & reading stories of other people and their cats helped me get over my loss, especially the part about other people losing their cats! It does help your soul, when you lose your one true friend. I recommend this book highly!!!

Being a Lover of Cat's when I saw this Book--it was a "must have" for myself. Each story is true and has its own uniqueness just as every Cat does. It is simply a fun book to curl up with, you will laugh, cry, sigh and definately agree with, for one way or another you will understand and learn through each story about how amazing "Cat's" truley are. If you are a Lover of Cat's you will enjoy adding this Book to your Home Library-------this one you won't regret. MEOWWWWWWWWWW.

My little one is a big cat lover. Although her allergies forbid her to own a cat, this book helps her to receive a better love for them. We have many of the chicken soup books and this one is her favorite. Also.... shop for the book "The Secret" it has some footnotes from this same author. The Secret is a must for children too. Of course, we all want our children to grow up with a world of knowledge, well it starts with what us parents buy our children. Books...Books...Books.... people. Turn Off the TV's...

This book is very touching! Have some tissues ready for this one! Lots of very nice stories that will make any cat lover misty-eyed at times, and laughing out loud at other times. Highly reccommended for any cat lovers!

An inspiring work for honoring a friend who was a real cat lover and her beloved (but eccentric) 'Molly B.

The book does a decent job of telling someone about the basics of blacksmithing tools, set up of the shop, etc., but most of this can be obtained off the internet these days, with better illustrations to boot.

The projects are the major disappointment with this book. They seem as though they were chosen for the "Red Green Show" rather than for hobbyists. Most of us are engaged in blacksmithing to produce art these days, not because we are forced by extreme poverty into a Mother Earth News subsistance lifestyle. In this regard the title of this book is a misnomer, as a large portion of the book would have been more useful for the person of 150 years ago (in the USA), not for the modern-day suburban or semi-rural person in America. Having said this, on the other hand this book would still be useful for someone who's residing in a third-world country where everyday items such as scissors, pliers, etc are either unaffordable or unavailable. (But then in this case, you probably couldn't afford the book, anyway).

It is also lacking in "modern" conventions such as photographs, instead using drawings that are executed OK, but nothing like seeing the real thing in a photo. If you are interested in expressing yourself artistically and want to learn the basics of blacksmithing, I recommend you buy "The Backyard Blacksmith" by Sims, instead.

I bought this book for less than half what I could find it for in Oz. The book is written well, and assumes some knowledge in the reader's part and focuses on technique and function, rather than basic skills... however that being said there is enough to get someone started who has rudimentary skills or aptitude. There is some repetition since the book is the combination of three seperate books, but that is not a problem when reading the material.
There is excellent material on recycling, and reuse of raw and salvaged materials, and the notes concerning the manufacture of tools, with small notes concerning how their use influences their manufacture is knowledge worth having. In all, a worthwhile read/ purchase for anyone interested in the art/skill of working with steel.

This book contains somethings that are practical, as far as forging and tempering blades for wood working, and a few other various tools. Older technical manuals such as shopwork on the farm by Mack Jones, elementary forge practice, and most other blacksmithing manuals show how that Mr. Weygers has completed certain tasks, plus the steps are more clearly defined. On one note. The anvil that Mr. Weygers made shows his ability as a smith. The only problem is that it is too small for most forging jobs, I would reccomend this book to a starting smith along with several other manuals and pamphlets. Either commonly available, or from my own personal library. Let the anvil ring call you to the shop, and be prepared for the next project. Thanx.

I think Alex Weygers is an amazing man, artist and engineer. This book has a LOT of good information on basic smithing but has a few small technical errors. The only drawback is that some of the items upon which he goes into great detail are things that most people would prefer to just buy, rather than make. However, the TECHNIQUES used to make some of these items (like a waste water pump) can be applied to other things. He is a world-class scrounger and tries to identify good sources of junk metal. However, the world has changed since he wrote this book and the composition of some of the junk auto parts he recommends has changed considerably. It is a book worth owning if you are interested in smithing.

This book is well written for the layman working with metal for many purposes. Covers forging, tempering, grinding, reusing old, broken, worn out, or discarded tools and material. Definately has a scrounger in mind when discussing materials. Illustrations are well done and instructions are thorough but not over-simplified.

Kevin Hagan