Managing

Title:  Managing
Author:  Henry Mintzberg
Publisher:  Berret-Koehler Publishers, Inc.
Copyright:  2009

Reviewed By:  Sue Pierson

What were the overall strengths of this book?
As I was reading this book I kept thinking “he’s been watching over my shoulder at work.”  In a concise, often humorous, format Mintzberg puts into words all the thoughts, doubts, and struggles that managers face every day.  This book is a great reality check for those who manage because he emphasized the fact that even if you have mastered all the competencies of managing you still might not be a competent manager.  To be successful you must maintain a dynamic balance of communication, analysis, interpersonal skills, change, influence, reflection, nuance, decisiveness, and judgment.  Most importantly you need to know when to use each, a skill you learn on the job, not in a classroom.

What were the drawbacks, if any, of this book?
I didn’t find any real drawbacks.  His style is straightforward and in his “Note to the Reader” he sets the tone of the book and explains things to watch for in each of the chapters, even highlighting sentences he feels are important.  The Appendix describes a day in the life of eight of the managers discussed in the book.  In hindsight I might read this section first to get a feel for the manager’s personalities and their daily activities before I read the theories of how they managed.

How does this book tie into the workplace and/or our community?  How might you apply the insights in this book to your own leadership?
“Nothing is quite so powerful, or so natural, as engaged managers who are committed to developing themselves, their institutions, and their communities.” Henry Mintzberg

This book gives you an opportunity to step back and evaluate your own management style.  It reinforces that many of the tasks and conversations and activities of every day are exactly what you need to be doing. He also clearly pointed out areas that I could target for improvement in my own management style- in particular those things I don’t like to do!

To whom would you recommend this book and why?
I would recommend this book to two different groups.  The first group would be those managers who have been away from school for awhile and have been managing for years.  Mintzberg causes you to look at your daily work in a methodical way and helps you verbalize the myriad tasks, skills and talents you must possess to manage well.  You finish the book energized because you are doing so many things right and can concentrate your efforts on the areas you hope to improve.

I would also recommend this book to those just starting out on the management path.  It speaks volumes to the intangibles of managing far beyond any formal coursework or classes completed.

What is the “bottom line” of this book?
Mintzberg has a great deal of respect and empathy for those who manage.  Fifty years ago Peter Drucker put management on a pedestal, but in recent years leadership has knocked it off. Mintzberg insists that managers are leaders and leadership is management practiced well.

Is there anything else you would like to add that stands out about this book?
This is a book that will help you grow in your profession and community activities. It is filled with “A-ha” moments.  I took pages of notes to review again at a later time to remind me of important concepts and things I want to improve.

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