Hey, people who boss other people around

[Documad]

Is there a good book on how to manage people?

I was promoted and I'm trying to get my head together. I feel like such a dumbass.

[Kerrbear]

Congratulations! (On the promotion, not on feeling like a dumbass.)
When I first became a manager, my boss made me read "Flight of the Buffalo." It's kinda hokey, but I've always tried to follow the principle, which is about being a strong leader by developing the strengths and leadership potential in your team members. I recently read "Fish", and would recommend you skip that one. And anything by Stephen Covey is a classic. Best of luck!

[tracky]

Hey congratulations!

I can't really give you any reading advice, or even general advice because I'm in the exact same position

[mikizee]

The way to get the most out of your people is to earn their respect.

The best way to earn respect amongst the people you are the boss of is to be the hardest worker. Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. Treat them the way you would want a good boss to treat you. This is all simple and common sense, but believe me, it does work.

[GreenEarthAl]

They made me the boss where I work back in August. We started doing really well. Then there was a strike and we still had to report to work. The owner of my company figured he could get by on the cheap by just running the show with no boss. We did aweful. So then a month ago they made me the boss again, and we've been doing really well again. I think the danger of being a boss the way I try to do it is it makes the whole opperation look effortless and leaderless and then it gets taken for granted.

If you find out you're a good boss and delivering tangible results and improvements: (1) don't let upper management start taking you for granted. (2) Don't ever stop advocating for those you 'manage', that is, don't sell out and switch sides. It's tough not to get sucked up into being on the side of the people who pay you and promote you, but when they try to turn you into a tool to deliver misery to your 'subordinates', always remain willing to speak truth to power.

[ms.peachy]

What miki said is so true.

Never ask people to do something you aren't willing to do yourself. My first 'real' job was as a waitress in a semi-posh restaurant that was very popular, especially for Sunday brunches. The fellow who was the general manager there could be a real hard-ass and he really pushed people and didn't tolerate much crap from anybody, BUT there was never a time that he wouldn't take off his tie, roll up his sleeves and get into the kitchen, or muck out a blocked toilet, or bus tables, or wash dishes, or whatever it took at that moment to get things done and keep the whole operation moving smoothly. I learned a lot from that guy.