Customer Reviews

The 2R Manager: When to Relate, When to Require, and How to Do Both Effectively (Jossey-Bass Business & Management)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've had thirty years of management, and I believe this is the best book I've read regarding real management of people.
" 2 R Management ", is the kind of book , that should be kept in a manager's top right desk door, for a constand reminder he is dealing with people, not robots. Like the Bible, it doesn't have to be read everyday, but certainly needs to be reviewed frequently.
The author's style is an added feature, it does not read like a class room lecture. Rather it seems the Author, Peter Friedes, is sitting with you, conversing about the most important part of a manager's job,people.
" 2 R Management " is a ' keeper '.

"This is one of the best books I have read on management. It is exactly what managers need to understand how to be more effective and get the results they want."

"I worked 20 years at Hewlett-Packard as a manager and also as Director of Education and Development and I wish I had had this book then."

"Managers need to know what their style is and how it impacts those they work with everyday. Mr. Friedes has made that simple. You take some self-surveys and then he helps you learn how to reinforce or modify what you are doing to be a better manager. It is packed with great ideas and simple ways to improve."

"Everyone can "relate" to this book and it should be "required" reading for all managers."

I had occasion not only to read this book -- I also interviewed the author for an hour on my radio show Tom on Leadership, discussing the book and its contents. I've had over 100 experts on my program and Pete Friedes brought insights that I've encountered nowhere else.

Friedes understands how managers and leaders can get off track, how we can get "caught" in our stories. The Relating manager may feel he's responsible for his people's success, or may say "I want this to be an enjoyable place to work" -- not realizing that all Relating and no Requiring means people don't grow, that under-performers don't get confronted, and thus the good people end up feeling let down. The Requiring manager may feel he's not there to be anybody's friend, and is uncomfortable admitting error or asking questions -- so he doesn't bond with his people, or truly get to know them deeply in ways that would allow him to better motivate them.

The book progresses naturally from identifying your dominant style, to getting your mental game shifted, to baby steps toward new behavior, and on to advanced steps. This is a book that will deeply reward any manager who takes the time to apply its lessons.

The 2R Manager is truly one of the best books I have read on the complex topic of leadership. Why? Because Friedes effectively boils down the skills of effective leadership into two concepts: Relating and Requiring. This simple yet profound model works for all kinds of leaders whether you are a business manager, sports coach, teacher, or parent.

Perhaps the best part of the book is that Friedes allows you to customize your leadership development to best fit with your current leadership style. Through a simple survey, Friedes allows you to discover your natural style: Relator or Requirer. He then offers a variety of practical suggestions for learning and developing areas that likely need improvement based on your particular style.

If you are looking for a solid and practical approach for developing your leadership skills, or those of the people around you, this is definitely the book.