Written by the owner of a company called Superboss Ltd in UK, this book provides advice in an amusing and stimulating style on how to become a superboss and achieve managerial excellence.
People have made ample money by developing and expounding the idea that to be an effective manager you need to pass psychosomatic tests, go through assessment centres, attend high-school management training courses and business schools and maybe even read books on management. A number of myths are in circulation and one of them is that the best way to manage people is to leave it to them and the unions. The combined efforts of personnel specialists and unions have frequently created a buffer between the boss and his or her people.
But the superboss doesn'tlet this stand in the way of managing people successfully. He need not hide behind excuses, such as lack of a clear personnel policy. A superboss will never be found to wail, ?How can I do a good management job? This company has no career development policy, nor does it invest in training, and issues pertaining to employee relations are always dealt with by the personnel department.?
The superboss also knows that he is accountable for all his decisions and activities. One bad decision many get him fired. Some important qualities that a superboss should have, includes:
The ability to make decisions and account for them; Achievement is the benchmark for him because this is what differentiates him from the ?manager ordinaire; He spends time in seeking advice from the people around; He has an aim and focuses on it till the goal is achieved; He appraises himself and not waits for his boss to do so; He is assessed by his people and should never lack in authority; His behaviour has to be direct and polite; He treats his own boss as a human being; He tries to be brief, should brief and be briefed about it; He cares for his people and confronts all challenges with equanimity; He realises change is synonymous with progress; His character is above reproach; His commitment is important.
Here only a few of the most necessary and provocative qualities have been listed. This book needs to be read by all managers and would-be-managers as it is highly enlightening, educating and entertaining.
(Jaico Publishing House, 121 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Mumbai-400 001.)
