Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
General real principles for any decent boss or manager, January 9, 2010
This review is from: Mentoring 101 (Hardcover)
Had I written this book, I don't know that I would have called it "mentoring 101". Perhaps instead, I would have called it "being a relational boss" or "bringing the best out of people at work". Most of the book is focused on the type of mentoring that is focused on results from the perspective of the average American company life (either for profit or non-profit, as Maxwell provides examples of both). While I may have renamed the book, that doesn't mean that it's bad. Maxwell brings out the basics of human interaction and goal achievement. He debunks several myths about management that we seem to inherently believe despite evidence to the contrary (i.e. "what most people need is isolation and time to do what they do," opposed to the truth of "most people need community and accountability"). Maxwell also uses a wealth of interesting stories and illustrations - probably because his occupation outside of being an author is being a pastor. In my busy schedule it took me a couple of days to read this, so you could probably sit down and read the whole thing at once - and perhaps should do so every time that you hire someone or gain someone who you could be seen as a supervisor to. I'm someone who struggles with the basics of "being a boss" to people when they seem like they don't perform up to my standards. This book gave me some helpful insights as to how I can change in order to cut down the frustration in those relationships. Hope it does similar things for you.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Packs a lot of wisdom about mentoring in a short book, January 13, 2011
This review is from: Mentoring 101 (Hardcover)
Mentoring 101 is a very short and practical book on mentoring by a well known expert on leadership. The book has a distinct 'corporate' feel, suitable for bosses and managers, and takes a top-down approach to mentoring (i.e. the mentor initiating the mentoring relationship and deciding who to mentor). The book has three parts. First is 'Getting Ready to Mentor Others' which discusses the reasons behind becoming a mentor and how to adopt a mentor's mindset up-front. Part two is about 'Engaging in the Mentoring Process', talking about who to mentor, how to set them up for success, how to help them do better work, and how to create the right environment. Part three is on 'Taking People Higher', where he discusses how to help others become better people and how to handle it if they surpass you. There is a lot of great advice throughout the book. Maxwell discusses motivations, the universal need to feel worthwhile and to be appreciated. He makes the key point that people buy into the person before they buy into their leadership - developing an authentic relationship is key. He also tells us about the need to make leadership development a top priority, treating every person as unique (bringing out their best, not trying to clone yourself), and how to help others find and use their strengths. Finally, the importance of building a culture for mentoring is discussed. If you keep in mind that this book is extremely short and not a comprehensive guide to all-things-mentoring, it can make a great introduction for the relational leader or manager ready to get serious about leadership development.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Scratches the surface of a deep topic, October 18, 2009
This review is from: Mentoring 101 (Hardcover)
I don't blame Maxwell for marketing these gift-sized books, but there is a danger in them: that someone who uses them may consider themselves well-versed in the subject matter. For someone who wants to study mentoring, it is an introduction, but only that, and as such may be a waste of time and money.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
