The #1 reason cited in exit interviews for an employee quitting is ‘my manager. Most managers and executives not only aren’t aware of this obvious problem but probably wouldn’t know what to do about it if they did. In The Hands-Off Manager, Steve Chandler and Duane Black offer a new vision for all managers. With stories, examples, and vibrant activities for the reader to practice, this book shows any manager–new or seasoned–how to coach and mentor employees rather than hover over their shoulders and goad them into action. In this system, each employee’s strengths are honored and honed in a climate of partnership and mutual goal-setting. Chandler, whose 100 Ways to Motivate Others is a bestselling favorite with small and large businesses alike, has called The Hands-Off Manager his “most original work to date” because it finally solves the age-old problem of getting the best performance out of people without frustrating yourself and them.

Reviews

This is one of the most helpful books I’ve read. It doesn’t tell you “how to manage” as much as it suggests a way to view the role that will naturally make you more effective. The only thing I don’t like about this book is the title, because you don’t need to be a manager to benefit from it. My company adopted it as our quarterly book club book, and I’ve bought a copy for all my new employees–it’s that good.

Chandler’s discussion of listening from “a neutral place” is invaluable for anyone who deals with people (and who doesn’t?) Almost everyone has been frustrated by someone who has already made up their mind, and nothing you say will make a difference. This book showed me how to recognize how frequently people do this without knowing it (myself included). Not only does returning to “the neutral place” make me a better listener, the concept is one my teams now use when interacting w/each other. It’s made us better listeners, reduced frustration and ultimately resulted in better decisions.

The approach Chandler advocates for “managing” people is intuitive, but not necessarily easy at first. Many readers won’t find these concepts to be new. Unlike other books I’ve read, this one is different because it provides helpful, actionable suggestions to replace old thought habits with new ones that will make you, and those around you, happier and more productive. Importantly, this isn’t a book about making everyone happy. Some people simply won’t be, because the job is a bad fit or they’re just happier being unhappy. By practicing the habits Chandler shares in this book (including respectful, candid communication in difficult circumstances), you’ll help “non-performers” perform, whiners whine less and find the chronically unhappy more likely to choose to go elsewhere. And in those rare instances where the best decision really is dismissal, this book makes it easier to sleep at night. At least it did for me.

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