Peter Honey is described on the back cover of his latest book as one of the world's leading gurus on learning and behaviour and their application to making people more effective in the work place. I am pleased to say that this is not the latest book on “how to be an effective manager”, rather it is a highly entertaining and educational study of managers at work.
The book consists of 50 short stories, with Part 1 containing 25 stories about directors and senior managers with the balance being stories about middle and junior managers. Each story reveals a facet of managerial work as portrayed by the personality and behaviours of a manager at work. For example, the first story deals with a manager who wanted solutions, not problems, the second with a manager who preferred deference to consultation, the third with a manager who was convinced that his interventions made a difference – and so on. Each story concludes with the author's reflections on the lessons arising, in the form of advice to the manager in the story. The selection of subjects and the insights and reflections contained in each of the stories amounts to a valuable source of wisdom on the pitfalls of being a manager. The book is easy to read and a valuable companion for anyone who is, or aspires to manage – but be careful where you read this book – it will make you laugh aloud!
A highly recommended book for all management practitioners, students and anyone with an interest in human behaviour.
