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Top 10 Books on Managing People in Projects
Discover the 10 best books to master managing people in projects, enhancing your leadership skills and team dynamics for success.
Book Summaries
Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity
Kim Scott's approach to management emphasizes the importance of caring personally while challenging directly, making it a must-read for leaders aiming to foster a healthy team culture.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Build Radically Candid relationships through caring personally and challenging directly
- Solicit feedback before giving it to create psychological safety
- Balance praise and criticism to drive better performance
The Discipline of Getting Things Done
Ram Charan's focus on execution emphasizes the importance of leadership engagement and accountability, making it essential for managers looking to drive results in their projects.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Execution is the critical gap between strategy and results
- Leaders must be deeply engaged in the execution process
- The right people in the right jobs are crucial for execution
How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues
Patrick Lencioni's book offers a framework for identifying and nurturing the essential virtues of team players, crucial for any project manager looking to build effective teams.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Ideal team players possess three essential virtues: humility, hunger, and people smarts
- Humility is the foundation of effective teamwork and leadership
- Hunger drives productivity and passion in team members
A Guide for Tech Leaders Navigating Growth and Change
Camille Fournier, a seasoned tech leader, provides invaluable insights into managing teams effectively, making this book essential for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills in tech environments.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Management is a distinct career path requiring new skills
- Mentoring and tech leadership are stepping stones to management
- People management involves clear communication and continuous feedback
A Code of Conduct for Professional Programmers
Robert C. Martin's insights on professionalism and collaboration in software development provide essential guidance for managers overseeing technical teams.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Professionalism in software development requires taking responsibility and saying "no"
- Test-Driven Development (TDD) is essential for producing high-quality code
- Effective time management and focus are crucial for productivity
Bent Flyvbjerg's data-driven insights into project management emphasize the importance of thorough planning and team commitment, making it a valuable resource for project leaders.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Planning is crucial: Think slow, act fast
- Avoid the commitment fallacy by questioning assumptions
- Start with "why" and think from right to left
More Biting and Humorous Tales of a Software Engineering Manager
Michael Lopp's humorous yet insightful tales provide practical advice for managing software engineers, making it a relatable read for tech managers navigating team dynamics.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Master the art of managing humans by understanding their quirks and motivations
- Foster a culture of open communication and trust to build high-performing teams
- Embrace the chaos of software development while maintaining structure
This classic guide for new managers offers practical advice on communication, delegation, and team development, making it a must-read for those stepping into leadership roles.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Embrace the challenges of management with confidence and authenticity
- Master effective communication and active listening skills
- Develop a talent for hiring, delegating, and nurturing your team
Mark Horstman's practical, data-driven approach to management provides essential strategies for new managers looking to build effective teams and foster strong relationships.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Build strong relationships with your team through regular one-on-ones
- Deliver effective feedback to encourage future behavior
- Coach your team members to improve their performance
Peter Drucker's classic work on management principles provides timeless insights into effective leadership and team dynamics, making it essential for any project manager.
3 Key Takeaways:
- Management is about creating a customer and driving innovation
- Objectives and self-control are essential for effective management
- Managers must manage: balancing planning and execution
