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Whether you have just been appointed as
a group leader or you are a battle-scarred veteran, you
know that managing professional people is difficult!
- Intelligent professionals are often free-agents,
accustomed to having autonomy to work on grueling assignments
with little supervision, and always relentlessly demanding
of themselves and others. How do you actually add value
as a group leader, or even get these people to accept
your guidance?
- How do you deal with those oh-so-talented
but oh-so-annoying professionals who exhibit attitude
problems or are just exceedingly difficult to work with,
when you need them but they needle you?
- How do you avoid unsettling group meetings
where you meet for no clear purpose; people drift in and
out at random times; the power players dominate discussions;
and everyone brings along their favorite axe to grind?
- How do you actually inspire your group
to bone-satisfying performance?
In this strikingly unique "playbook,"
professional service experts Patrick J. McKenna and David
H. Maister provide real-world examples, a wealth of self-evaluation
materials, and concrete advice on stressful day-to-day management
issues that every leader of professionals will welcome.
The authors offer penetrating insights into the basics of
coaching, dividing their attention equally between energizing
and guiding the individual performer and the group.
There has never been a book quite like this.
First Among Equals is essential reading for practice leaders
and group heads in the professional sector as well as managers
of highly talented, technical knowledge workers anywhere.
The lessons and learnings presented here will give you insights
and action tips to help you provoke and inspire your people
to their full potential.
Patrick J. McKenna is a widely recognized
expert on managing professional service firms and a partner
in Edge International in Edmonton, Canada, a consulting
firm serving professional service firms throughout the world.
Mr. McKenna is the co-author of two Canadian Top10 management
bestsellers, Beyond Knowing and Herding Cats.
David H. Maister, one of the world's
leading authorities on the management of professional service
firms, is the author of Managing
the Professional Service Firm,
True Professionalism,
and Practice What You Preach,
and co-author of The Trusted Advisor.
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