Lead Well and Prosper: 15 Successful Strategies for Becoming a Good Manager (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"Lead Well and Prosper is a powerful little book that can reap huge rewards in your personal and professional life. I especially enjoyed Nick's action plans!"--Pat Croce, entrepreneur, motivational speaker, and New York Times bestselling author

Common Sense Approach Makes Uncommonly Good Managers

Management today is in a state of crisis. No longer simply the butt of a joke or two, there is now an entire cottage industry built around ridiculing the profession--a comic strip, a television show, websites, and merchandise. In spite of the plethora of books and training materials available to show managers the way, most just can't seem to get it right.

Nick McCormick knows this, and it is his mission to combat the management crisis--one manager at a time. His new book Lead Well and Prosper: 15 Successful Strategies for Becoming a Good Manager is a straightforward guide for managers at all levels. "I wrote the book somewhat out of frustration," says McCormick, who has many years' experience as a manager in the IT industry. "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."

The book offers a collection of 15 strategies designed to help managers at any level become good managers. Why a "good" manager rather than a "great" manager? McCormick explains that although people should set their sights high, being a good manager is difficult to accomplish--and that in itself is great.

Organized in an easy-to-follow format, this compact guide sticks to the often-forgotten basics--such as provide honest and timely feedback, treat people like human beings, and do what you say you'll do. Each chapter begins with a humorous but unfortunately all-too-true scenario--complete with a cast of characters and illustrations--demonstrating the common mistakes managers make. Then recommended tips are included to help overcome the problem. A list of dos and don'ts--which cut right to the chase--follows. Actions that can be taken immediately to implement the strategy are listed at the end of each section. Appendices list the dos and don'ts in one place for easy reference, and include a quiz that determines a manager's effectiveness. There is also a recommended reading list.

"Effectively combating the management crisis will occur only by training new managers and transforming those who are more seasoned," says McCormick. "All managers can start by embracing the information in this book."

From the Back Cover

Managers Prosper With Proven Tips and Practical Advice

Management today is in a state of crisis. No longer simply the butt of a joke or two, there is now an entire cottage industry built around ridiculing the profession--and justifiably so. But the good news is that the future of managers--and those they impact--doesn't have to be bleak.

This gimmick-free guide presents practical advice and tips that will help managers of any level improve immediately. A collection of 15 basic strategies arms managers with the weapons they need to fight mediocrity. Being a good manager is very difficult to achieve, but every manager can succeed by embracing the material in this book.

Most managers don't want to perform poorly; they just don't work on the right things. This book not only shows them what those "right things" are, but it offers straightforward ready-to-execute solutions. Its instructional format includes humorous illustrations pointing out everyday mistakes, brief narratives explaining the importance of good strategies, summarizations of common pitfalls to avoid, and actions that can be taken for immediate results. There's even a test managers can take to measure their progress.

With this easy-to-read and thought-provoking resource, managers will be well on their way to success.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Be Good Publishing (November 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977981339
• ISBN-13: 978-0977981335
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.2 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #595,846 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Important advice for any business leader, November 30, 2006

By	Eileen M. Macdonald - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've read many leadership and management business books, but none have had the immediate impact and recognition of issues I need to embrace more than this one. Nick writes clearly and concisely. An easy, enjoyable, insightful and entertaining read. He get's to the point and delivers each message effectively. A must read for any manager or business leader. Thanks for the great advice Mr. McCormick. Waiting anxiously for your next offering.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Shallow but neccessary, April 2, 2007

By	Jim Estill "www.jimestill.com" - See all my reviews

I read a book called, Lead Well and Prosper, 15 Successful Strategies to Becoming a Good Manager by Nick McCormick. This is one of those simple, short, easy to read books. It is less than 100 pages and would take a slow reader not more than an hour to read. Of course at this length it lacks depth.

It has many obvious lessons and gets backs to the basics covering things like adopt a serving attitude; set goals -- plan and execute; learn to the right thing, etc. The lessons are obvious, although it never hurts to reinforce them. Common sense is not too common which is why it is a good book.

This book is also such a simple read that it is the type of book that many companies would get for all of their middle management people. The lessons would be easy to build a leadership training program on.

I have become discouraged over time that most people do not read so you have to give them very short and easy to digest like this to get them to read. On the other hand, I am feeling behind on my reading. I have just been way swamped.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for new managers / leaders , January 19, 2009

By	Eric D. Brown "Technology, Strategy & Executi... (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The book is split into fifteen chapters with each chapter describing a strategy that can be used by managers. Each chapter starts out with a nice little storyline to introduce the chapter and then a few pages are used to describe the strategy.

The fifteen chapters cover obvious things such as `teach', `adopt a serving attitude', 'share information', `do the right thing' and other fairly common sense approaches to leading & managing.

This book describes common sense approaches to leading people and teams, but as we all know, common sense and business don't always go hand-in-hand. Common sense doesn't always make it to common practice and this book helps bridge the gap between knowing and doing.


This is a great little book full of wisdom for managers & leaders, especially those that are taking on their first management position. It's an easy read and covers the basics to help set the new leader down the right path.