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(More customer reviews)Martin's seven "ways" are actually admonitions. As he would be the first to point out, they are much easier said than done. In fact, he wrote a book to explain how to "make tough decisions easier, deliver the numbers, and grow business in good times and bad." Here are the admonitions:
1. Communicate clearly.
2. Force the hard decisions.
3. Focus on results.
4. Remain flexible.
5. Prove your value to the company.
6. Force collaboration.
7. Practice tough management without being tough.
There are no head snappers among the seven. The substantial value of this book is derived, rather, from responses by more than 2,000 senior executives and managers in 50 countries who participated in an NFI Research survey. They completed a brief survey segment every two weeks over a period of 24 months. That is a key point because, over time both circumstances and respondents' reactions to them change. The final survey results thus have much greater credibility. Martin operates a global idea exchange and research engine with a network base of more than 2,000 senior executives and managers from more than 1,000 companies in more than 50 countries, including half of the Fortune 500. Those who read his book are invited to visit his Web site: www.nfiresearch.com or info@nfiresearch.com.
Martin devotes a separate chapter to each of the seven admonitions. I especially appreciate the provision of a survey summary and a "Voices from the Front Lines" section in each chapter. For example, in Chapter 3 ("Focus on Results"), survey respondents were asked:
"In general, how well does your supervisor delegate to you, in relation to enabling you to execute against your organization's strategy and direction?"
The results:
Very well54%
Somewhat well30%
Not very well 9%
Not at all well 3%
"In general, how well do you delegate to your subordinates, in relation to enabling them to execute against your part of your organization's strategy and direction?"
The results:
Very well50%
Somewhat well47%
Not very well 3%
Not at all well 0%
Then four "voices" from the "front lines" are provided. There is comparable material within each of the other six chapters. Credit Martin for succeeding brilliantly with the organization and presentation of so much survey information within an eloquent and brisk narrative. Well done!
Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out David Maister's Practice What You Preach, Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee's Resonant Leadership, Michael Ray's The Highest Goal, and James O'Toole's Creating the Good Life.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Tough Management: The 7 Winning Ways to Make Tough Decisions Easier, Deliver the Numbers, and Grow the Business in Good Times and Bad
Based on more than two years of surveys of more than 2,000 senior executives and managers, Tough Management may be one of the most important and practical business books of our time. Bestselling author, weekly columnist, and sought-after speaker Chuck Martin has tapped into his research firm's vast network of business connections to discover that 80 percent of executives and managers are experiencing increased levels of work stress.
On the bright side, Martin has found that tough times have brought out the best in the world's most successful leaders and managers. And now, in his groundbreaking new book, he offers a refreshing bottom-line approach to what really matters in today's difficult market--and what really works in today's demanding workplace.
The seven skills every manager should know:
1.Focus on Results
2.Force the Hard Decisions
3.Communicate Clearly
4.Remain Flexible
5.Prove Your Value to the Company
6.Force Collaboration
7.Don't Be a Tough Guy
Using these practical, powerful, and proven techniques, Martin reveals how other business leaders have met the demand to do more, deliver more, and increase more--without raising stress levels. By focusing on actual results and forcing the hard decisions, you can learn to communicate and collaborate while remaining flexible. It's one of the few business books available that provide real solutions to real challenges. Because when the going gets tough, smart managers get Tough Management--and get real results.
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