I accepted a promotion that will make me, for the first time in my life, a manager. I will be the production manager for the plant where I currently work. Problem: I know nothing about management, and while I intend to take some classes, I need a crash-course. Can anyone recommend some books about managing people? Any advice?
Can't help you, but congratulations! Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hunn & Ferengi Rules Of Acquisition
Not too hard. All you have to do is keep them happy while working efficiently. Make sure they are cheery and there isn't anything negative going on that could hurt company morale. Make sure there isn't any racial or sexual tension in the workplace. Make sure your employees like you, but only after they respect you. Lead by example and make sure your employees know they can come to you for help. Mess up on any one of thses things and it could cost you your job, a lawsuit, your company a lawsuit and you losing everything you have worked your whole life for. Good luck.
There are two types of bosses. The friend kind and the kind that gets work done. - Hank Hill (paraphrasing)
I don't know of any books, but if you are responsible for budgets, and are not familiar with them, I'd suggest focusing on that as starters. I would assume that you could pick up on the personnel aspects using common sense.
I'm responsible for project budgets now. I will be responsible for operating and maintenance budgets as well, but I'll have help.
It appears that there are many Management books for first time managers on amazon. I wouldn't know which ones are the best or not, but many of them seem to be highly rated by users. If you are going to be working on budgets and finance, you'll probably need more in depth training if you've never done it before.
I haven't had a lot of experience to this point, but here's what I know thus far. It's all well and good to try to have your subordinates like you, but try to avoid being their friend. Having friends working underneath you is never a recipe for getting work accomplished. Try and lead by example. Nothing will make your workers resent you faster than not practicing what you preach. That, and being an *******. Don't be an ******* if you don't have to be.
I was given "Leadership and the One Minute Manager" by Ken Blanchard at a training event last week, but haven't had a chance to read it yet. My wife has read it, however, and says it's great...
