The art of managing people is especially useful for representatives of such professions as, for example, recruiters or managers. But in order to put this art into practice, it is necessary to replenish the theoretical base. The best way to do this is to read books on managing people. In this article, we consider the best works recommended for reading.
Why is this necessary?
What is the psychology of managing people? Can a book teach her or is it a matter of practice? Perhaps this just needs to have an innate talent, and those who were not born with him should not even try?
Yes, indeed, there are people who are savvy in this art almost from birth. But even talent needs to be developed, and sometimes from scratch. It can be (and most likely will be) difficult, but it is necessary if you achieve your goals - this is a goal in itself.
Building a foundation
The problem of choosing a non-fiction book is to take the allowance of the required level. That is why, before embarking on an independent choice, it is necessary to build a basic foundation. It is recommended to include such creations in it:
- "Social Psychology" by David Myers - the best books on managing people nervously smoke aside in front of this fundamental work. It is compulsory for study by psychology students of Western universities and provides a collection of all social norms and rules that form the basis for communication, and, therefore, for managing people.
- O'Connor and McDermott's "Art of Systems Thinking" - gives a general and fundamental idea of the systems, their laws and the rules by which they operate. This information gradually and correctly leads to the ability to use systems to see the way out, where it is, but it is always there; and think creatively and creatively in problem solving.
For senior managers
A leading position is a great responsibility, for which not everyone is ready. But even those who think they are ready can be seriously mistaken. The following books will not make the former artist a brilliant boss, but will direct them on the right track:
- "Lead the people behind you" by David Novak - the art of leadership with concrete examples.
- James Lewis "Team Management" - the art of managing people in a book is learned through the development of the qualities necessary for a good leader.
- "Remote. Office is optional" by Jason Freide - an indispensable read for managing employees working remotely. In its own way, a unique work, since freelance is a relatively new niche in the market.
- “Managers Are Not Born” by Frank Svayteka and Danny Strigla - a book on managing people in the form of a step-by-step guide. Particular attention is paid to nurturing a sense of responsibility among subordinates.
- "Delegation and Management" by Brian Tracy - The use of delegation of authority as a form of employee training. In the end, a good manager does not perform tasks himself - he controls those who perform tasks and ensures that they are performed well.
For HR
Books on people management for HR deserve a separate point - recruiters need to not only manage people, but literally at a glance at the lines in the resume “read” them. A successful recruiter is not only a successful manager, it is something more. The following works can help to become this big:
- Hyell and Ziegler's "Theory of Personality" - the basic equipment for a beginner HR. It is worth reading the very first one and only after it proceed to serious volumes.
- "Russian lessons of Japanese koans" V.Tarasova is a book about business, not about recruiting, and that is why it is recommended by HR. “Russian lessons” brings personnel managers closer to the owners of the company, makes them seek answers and forms the right values.
- Adizes' Ideal Leader "is about teams, team roles and how to work with them. Just like the previous book, it changes the angle of view and illuminates the structure of the company from its leader.
- Michaels' War for Talents tells us not only about how to hire, but also about whom, and how to train and inspire after that. This book on people management gives specific recommendations and is recommended, without exception, to all recruiters.
- Montreal’s “effective hiring technologies” is only about how to hire, but with answers to all your questions and specifics. It is also worth noting how well the book is structured - it is, at a minimum, convenient and quick to read. And useful, incredibly useful.
- Johnson's “Battle for the Staff” is about hiring the perfect employee first and then making it stay. Winning wars is better than battles, but you need to start somewhere.
For those interested
Those who have not yet decided on their place in life, or just in this period are interested in the art of managing people, can pay attention to the following books:
- "Hidden human control" V. P. Sheinov. The book "Hidden human control" by examples shows the techniques of hidden manipulation and, in addition, teaches to calculate and defend against those who use these techniques.
- "How to talk with anyone and about anything" L. Laundes. To get what you want, all you have to do is talk. In the book, Laundes explains in simple words the psychology of successful and productive communication.
Useful
There is a category of books on managing people that includes works that are useful to everyone who deals with people. Among them, the following should be especially noted:
- The Psychology of Persuasion, Robert Cialdini. In the book, the art of managing people is covered by persuasion methods. In addition to a systematic listing of these methods and their descriptions, it is described how we influence people unconsciously, and how people influence us.
- "Conflict Management," Joseph Granny. Quarrels are an indispensable part of communication. Grenny describes in detail how to smooth out problem situations, both for employees among themselves and for the leader, without losing any of the employees.
- "Games that people play. People who play games," Eric Byrne. Deservedly popular piece. It has a scientific background, which means that everything said in it is true. A teacher’s book, which must be read carefully and sometimes re-read in order to always recognize in various situations the “games that people play.”
Reviews
Some of the books listed in the lists above are criticized by Russian-speaking readers for being oriented toward the Western market. Against this opinion, another thing is put forward - that successful business ultimately strives for an international format, which means that it is useful to know the Western mentality. If the skills will be applied only in the post-Soviet space, then you should pay attention to the author, already mentioned in this article, Vladimir Tarasov. In addition to his “Russian Lessons,” mentioned here, the writer has several other equally successful and informative works.