Becoming a Technical Leader: An Organic Problem-Solving Approach [Paperback]

Gerald M. Weinberg (Author), Ken Orr (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0932633021 | ISBN-13: 978-0932633026 | Publication Date: September 1986

Becoming a Technical Leader is a personalized guide to developing the qualities that make a successful leader. It identifies which leadership skills are most effective in a technical environment and why technical people have characteristic trouble in making the transition to a leadership role. For anyone who is a leader, hopes to be one, or would like to avoid being one.

This is an excellent book for anyone who is a leader, who wants to be a leader, or who thinks only people with 'leader' or 'manager' in their title are leaders. The book can be described briefly as a guide to developing personal leadership potential, but it is much more than that . . . it is filled with useful insights into personal growth as a professional.

Readers say it's always fascinating, and "focuses our attention on what it takes to make teams of thinking technical people work effectively together." Moreover, they say "it's always extremely practical and down-to-earth."

Becoming a Technical Leader is the "textbook" for Jerry Weinberg's world-famous Problem Solving Leadership Workshop. It consists of twenty-four well-reasoned, thought-provoking chapters on making the change from technical star to problem-solving leader.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...extremely practical and down-to-earth...." -- CAUSE/Effect

"it is filled with useful insights into personal growth as a professional." -- Journal of Systems Management

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Dorset House Publishing (September 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0932633021
• ISBN-13: 978-0932633026
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #297,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here's a method that works!, September 13, 2000

By 

Lisa Simone (NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Becoming a Technical Leader: An Organic Problem-Solving Approach (Paperback)

This book resonates in me more than any other book on the subject. Weinberg forces you to participate in the exploration of how a technical leader is created, and he provides *real steps* on how to get there. He also provides many short exercises for you to test your progress in your day-to-day activities.

While reading this book, I had several major realizations about work relationships, why people react they way that they do, and how to motivate them. The title of the book uses the term "Organic" to describe this process, and it is a very valid claim because many of the leadership qualities are not masks that you put on or tricks that you acquire. Instead, they are internal realizations and shedding of misconceptions and assumptions that currently prevent you from being an effective leader. Cathartic in a self-help kind-of a way.

This is highly recommended reading for technical folks in leadership positions, or those who are looking to become technical leaders. Weinberg includes many stories and examples which carify each chapter. The book is a very easy read.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gem. Powerful and life-changing. Does the job!, October 28, 1995

By A Customer

This review is from: Becoming a Technical Leader: An Organic Problem-Solving Approach (Paperback)

A life-changing book. The best one I know about becoming a manager or supervisor. Written for any person who is competent in a "technical field" (e.g., medicine, law, computer programming) who is now being given managerial responsibility. Each chapter has brief but powerful journaling exercises to focus your observations and support your development. Unusually clear. A great resource on power and leadership; problem solving and innovation; vision and motivating others; leadership styles; and much more. He concentrates on increasing your mindfulness of the demands of your new role and sharpening your self-awareness of personal beliefs, behaviors, and traits that affect how you affect others. If you can't buy it, track it down on interlibrary loan

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book For New And Future Leaders, January 17, 2005

By 

Philip R. Heath "Gadgets, Music, & Books" (DFW) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Becoming a Technical Leader: An Organic Problem-Solving Approach (Paperback)

I have gotten more out of this book than any other that I have read. It is ideal for current software developers who think they might be interested in leadership. It begins with some basic ideas about leadership and how they will relate to the rest of the book. The real meat of the book is in sections 2, 3, and 4 which are dedicated to Innovation, Motivation, and Organization - the three key components of being a technical leader. Weinberg does an excellent job of explaining these topics as well as the barriers to them. Each chapter ends with a list of questions. You will not get as much out of the book if you do not take the time to think through and write down your answers. Also, you will be asked to begin keeping a personal journal in one of the chapters on Innovation. You will not regret taking the five minutes a day to do this. It is well worth it. The book ends with some advice to help you implement changes necessary to become a technical leader as well as understand why you want to do it. The book asks a lot of its readers, but it gives a good return on the investment.