Your First Leadership Job How Catalyst Leaders Bring Out the Best in Others

“One of the biggest HR challenges organisations face is to ensure that they have effective and motivated managers. Making the transition into a management role is a daunting one for most people and one for which they often get little support. There is no doubt in my mind that this book will have a global appeal and should be seen as a must-read for those taking on their first management role. I like that it takes a very practical approach with lots of case studies, check-lists, self-assessment questions, reflections, and exercises. I particularly like the chapter on establishing your own leadership brand by being authentic and trustworthy.”—Danny Kalman Talent Management Professional and ICF Accredited Coach

“There are so many leadership books and so little time for new leaders, but if there is one book to squeeze in, it would be Your First Leadership Job. It is a combination of important insights, theory, and research on leadership that follows up with a section that emphasizes mastering the skills. This section is filled with no-nonsense, practical information and examples punctuated with thoughtful questions and checklists that encourage self-reflection for the individual interested in taking on the challenge of being a leader for a living.”—Pam Benoit Executive Vice President and Provost, Ohio University

“Leaders are made by hard work and determination—the price one pays to be able to make a difference to people and society. Like all big goals, it starts with one single step. Your First Leadership Job is that one first step for you and builds the foundation of global leadership.”—Ester Martinez CEO and Editor-in-Chief, People Matters

“At Whirlpool, we put millennial new hire sales reps into a house together for 10 weeks and call it the “Real Whirled.” They learn technical skills about our products as well as the interaction skills in this book. Both are crucial to their success. Every new hire, whether a formal leader or not, should read this book.”—Donna Porter Manager, Organizational Development and Learning, Whirlpool Corporation

“I had been a manager for several years, and I was missing foundational conversation skills in my leadership style. I really wish I had been exposed to them early in my leadership career. For more than 10 years now, I have put the new skills to work every day. They helped me achieve my success.”—Steve Sutton Volvo

“Few career transitions are as difficult as becoming a first-time leader; few books provide such a clear, detailed blueprint to being successful. Rich and Tacy have distilled decades of wisdom in an effort to make great leaders less rare.”—Rebecca L. Ray, Ph.D. Executive Vice President, Knowledge Organization, Human Capital Practice Leader, The Conference Board

“Leadership is work. It takes commitment and courage. The building blocks inYour First Leadership Job are a great launch pad for leaders. Then, you practice, fine-tune, and never stop working on it.”—Linda Aldred Senior Vice President, Texas Children's Hospital

“The transition from individual contributor to supervisor or manager is the single most difficult transition for most leaders. This book is a marvelous compendium of practical advice to assist in successfully navigating that move. Building on decades of practical experience, the authors present their wisdom in an easily digestible way.”—Jack Zenger CEO, Zenger Folkman; co-author of The Extraordinary Leader

“We believe leaders shape great companies, so building great leaders is a key business imperative for Philips. These fundamental interaction skills lie at the very core of leadership.”—Peter Hope Head of Leadership Development, Philips International B.V.

“Stepping into leadership is an exciting and challenging time for anyone. Your First Leadership Job is a valuable and practical resource for any aspiring leader.”—Alison Bourne Head of Executive Development, ABF plc

“In leading, as in so many other disciplines, small changes can result in astonishing impacts. By saying the wrong thing, a leader can crush the ambition of a team member. Conversely, by saying the right thing in the right way, a leader can lift the spirits and performance of a team to unexpected heights. Your First Leadership Job offers tools and techniques for interacting with others in a way that helps them deliver their best performance while enjoying a ton of fulfillment in having done so.”—David R. MacDonald, Ph.D., APA, SIOP Haworth College of Business; Western Michigan University

“This is the first book I have read that offers a practical guide to your first days in management with real-life examples, practical tips, and exercises to help the first-time manager succeed. A must-read for the new manager.”—Debbie McGrath Chief Instigator, HR.com

“Our customers’ needs are changing all the time, so our leaders must bring differentiated solutions to create real value for them and be empowered to do so. The catalyst leader concepts addressed in this book are the keys to making great leaders.”—Julie Blust Director of Learning Management, Cardinal Health

“A comprehensive and practical guide for anyone who is taking on their first leadership role, complete with tailored advice for women stepping into leadership. A must-read for any newly promoted people manager and a great best practice guide for all experienced people managers who are committed to lifelong learning.”—Elke ThammGroup Head of Talent, FTSE 50 Organisation