Suddenly in Charge 2nd Edition: Managing Up Managing Down Succeeding All Around

by Roberta Matuson

Overview

"The best advice is simple, direct, and immediately actionable. Roberta delivers on all this and more. A lifesaving guide for any new manager!" - Marshall Goldsmith

As companies reorganize and reengineer, people are finding themselves tossed into management every day with little to no training or preparation. Literally two books in one, Suddenly in Charge provides all of the tools necessary to be successful at managing up and down the line of any organization.

In addition to updates to all chapters, this revised and updated edition features 7 new chapters aligned to modern approaches to management. New topics include: executive presence, working with a coach or mentor, employee retention, creating purpose, the multi-generational workforce and more.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781473656055
Publisher:	Mobius
Publication date:	09/19/2017
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Roberta Matuson is the CEO and Founder of Matuson Consulting, a management consulting firm that, since 1997, has been helping organizations achieve dramatic growth and market leadership through the maximization of talent. Matuson, known globally as The Talent Maximizer® is a thought leader with expertise in helping leaders achieve dramatic improvements in employee engagement, retention, productivity and profitability. She is also an expert on leveraging intergenerational workforce differences into opportunities. Her clients include Fortune 500 organizations as well as emerging companies.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Foreword xi

Introduction to Managing Up xv

Chapter 1 Excuse Me, Where Do I Find the Decoder Ring?

Understanding Your Boss's Style of Management 1

Why Understanding Your Boss's Style of Management Is So Critical 2

Breaking the Code: How to Decipher Your Boss's Management Style 3

Common Types of Managers 5

It Takes Two to Make a Relationship Work: How Self-Awareness Plays into the Mix 9

The Need for Continual Maintenance 9

Key Learning Points 11

Chapter 2 Office Politics

You're in the Came, so Deal with It! 15

Yes, Virginia, Life Is Unfair: How Work Really Gets Done at Work 16

Two Types of Power 17

Political Games: How to Avoid Checkmate 18

Determining the Person Who Is Really in Charge 19

Hot Potato, Hot Potato: How to Avoid Getting Burned at Work 21

Key Learning Points 23

Chapter 3 How to Push Back and Back Down When Necessary

Common Myths about "Yes" People 27

Why People Find It Difficult to Push Back at Work 29

How to Stop Saying Yes When You Want to Say No 30

Signs It's Time to Back Down After Pushing Back 33

How to Take a Stand and Ensure It Won't Be Your Last 34

Key Learning Points 35

Chapter 4 Help! My Boss Is Young Enough to Be My Child

Strategies for Managing a Younger Boss 39

Give Your Boss a Chance 40

Find the Middle Ground 42

Acknowledge Differences and Move On 43

Tune Up Your Vocabulary 43

Be an Employee, Not a Parent 44

Bridge Communication Differences 45

Play to Win 45

Humor Goes a Long Way 46

Get Onboard or Take a Different Route 47

Key Learning Points 47

Chapter 5 Dealing with a Bad Boss

There's One in Every Crowd 51

Different Versions of the Same Theme 52

Choosing Your Weapon Carefully-Strategies to Help You Survive a Bad Boss 56

What to Do When All Else Fails 57

How to Avoid Following in Your Bad Boss's Footsteps 57

Key Learning Points 59

Chapter 6 Tooting Your Own Horn

So You Can Be Heard in a Sea of Cubicles 63

Why Your Performance Alone Won't Take You to the Top 64

Playing in Harmony 64

Some Common Myths about Self-Promotion 65

Bad Bragging versus Good Bragging (There Is a Difference) 67

Becoming a Person of Interest 68

Five Ways to Toot Your Horn So Your Work Is Noticed 69

Key Learning Points 72

Chapter 7 Executive Presence: There's More to Executive Presence than Looks

How to Develop Executive Presence 78

How to Make a Long-lasting Impression in a Millisecond World 80

What Holds Many People Back 84

Perfecting Your Presence 85

Key Learning Points 86

Chapter 8 How to Work with a Coach or a Mentor

When and How to Work with a Coach or Mentor 89

The Big Debate-Mentor or Coach? 89

The Benefits of Working with an Outside Person 91

What to Look for in a Coach or a Mentor 92

The Best Times to Work with an Outside Person 93

Does Gender Matter? 94

How to Find a Mentor or a Coach 94

Maximizing Your Relationship with a Mentor or Coach 95

Knowing When It's Time to Cut the Cord 97

Key Learning Points 97

Chapter 9 Seven Signs Your Time Is Up

Knowing When It's Time to Go 101

Seven Signs Your Time Is Up 101

Exiting with Grace-and Perhaps a Check in Hand 106

Manage Your References Before You Need Them 106

Why Some Managers Get Nasty When You Give Notice 107

Other Things to Think about Before Leaving 108

Should You Resign Before You Get Fired? 108

Key Learning Points 109

Editorial Reviews

Being thrown into a new manager's role can be a lot like an ice water bath - shocking and exhilaration all at the same time! Roberta Matuson takes what can be a daunting experience and creates a step-by-step guide for new managers. Her insight, practical tips, and real-life scenarios make this book a critical read for any new manager. Suddenly in Charge proves that you don't have to learn everything the hard way!

Have you just parachuted in for a hard landing in management Dust yourself off and read Roberta Matuson's spot-on primer for new managers. Matuson offers nuanced advice on how to succeed on all fronts from day one.—John Rossheim, Senior Contributing Writer, Monster

I was incredibly fortunate to find Roberta as a mentor right out of college. She completely prepared me to step in and be "suddenly in charge" in subsequent positions.—Megan Caradonna, Customer Service and Production Manager, Little Sib LLC

Not only a practical and effective management training tool, but a comprehensive corporate survival guide. Don't face the jungles of corporate management without this book close at hand.—Andrew Ashley, Vice President, Bank of America

Our industry requires us to be up to speed management-wise at all times. With Roberta Matuson, I never have to worry about this. I would highly recommend this book to any business owner.—Peter Rinning, owner, QRST's

Roberta Chinsky Matuson has leveraged years of experience and her significant insights into generational differences to develop a primer for managers of all ages and levels in an organization. Her directs, no-nonsense writing style results in many useful take-always in every chapter. Be sure to read both sides of the book; as she points out, managing up is just as important to an executive's success as the ability to manage down!

Where was this book when I started managing people Whether it is talent selection, leadership communication, performance problems or helping your boss prosper, Suddenly in Charge is the quintessential guidebook for succeeding in the maddening-albeit fulfilling-world of management.

Roberta's knowledge and expertise in HR is amazing! Her advice in dealing with junior- and senior-level managers and executives is truly exceptional! She is a wonderful person who has been an extraordinary mentor.—Pam Hoey, HR Director, Sentient Jet

Suddenly in Charge is a must-read playbook for the new manager. Delivered in a unique and creative way, Roberta Matuson equips the new manager with practical tools and examples that set their course for success in all directions.—Barbara Callan-Bogia, Vice President, Organization Development & North American Retail Human Resources, Office DEPOT

The advice I have received from Roberta over the years regarding leadership matters has been invaluable. It will be great to now have a resource like Suddenly in Charge to access whenever I need it.—Russell Whitaker, Senior Vice President, Broadcast Pix

When I made the leap into a senior leadership position at a small software company and was suddenly in charge, Roberta's guidance and insight was instrumental.—Rose Eastman, Senior Director, Technical Program Management, Former VP of Operations, Enterprise Knowledge Systems

When both time and money are scarce, Suddenly in Charge is a must-have for all new supervisors or managers. Matuson's experience working in the trenches is evident and the book is written in a straightforward, understandable, and authentic manner. Oh, how wish I had this book many years ago when I moved from an individual contributor role into a management position!

When it comes to management of people, Roberta sees through all the noise to the heart of the matter.—Mark Spitzer, President, Photonic Glass Corporation

Roberta Matuson's Suddenly in Charge offers compelling lessons for both employees and their bosses. Comprehensive in sweep and replete with suggestions, this informative read is relevant for all levels.—David Boyd, professor, Management and Organizational Development Group, College of Business Administration, Northeastern University

From the Publisher