Nick McCormick recently sent me a copy of his new book, Lead Well and Prosper: 15 Successful Strategies for Becoming a Good Manager.  I’ve read a lot of books on management, and too often they’re gimmicky and theoretical.  What I liked about this title was that it was short, conversational, and to the point.  As Nick says, management today is in a state of crisis.  It’s so difficult to get it right that an entire industry has been built around ridiculing it.  Why do you think The Office is so popular?  Two words?  Steve Carrell. 

Says Nick: "I wrote the book somewhat out of frustration.  I've witnessed incredibly poor management throughout my career, and I've seen the negative impact this can have on people and companies. I wanted to help those who recognize the need to improve."

Lead Well and Proper, which is slim enough to be read in a sitting or two, discusses what may seem like basic strategies but are often forgotten in the hectic pace of modern business life.  Nick’s lessons – like provide honest and timely feedback and do what you say you’ll do – are delivered using amusing real-life scenarios and compact lists of dos and don’ts.  And most importantly, the book includes concrete and realistic actions readers can take tomorrow to become better managers.

My favorite part was a quiz on management effectiveness, which I just wish had been at the beginning of the book instead of the end.  Basing my answers on the period when I was a manager, I took the quiz and received a 24.  I’m a good manager, but I can still improve.  By spending a few hours with Nick’s book, I think I already have!