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so you want to be a manager
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items My book recs for those who want to start their journey in account or project management - take it from someone in advertising for 8+ years! Some of these books I've gifted to my juniors to help with their career.
My basic of all basics. Great for day ones who don't have an idea of what a manager means.
The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo
Read this if you want a clear roadmap from your Day 1. Your HR or boss shouldn't define your progress - that's on you.
The First 90 Days by Michael Watkins
If you're someone who's constantly in the pursuit of making better to best, then this is for you. It's one thing to want to be the star player in your team, and this book defines the how.
Impact Players by Liz Wiseman
Project managers need to know the step-by-step process so they can manage campaigns end-to-end. But once you the know whole process, the next best move is to hack it. Sprint teaches you how to build flexibility and agility.
Sprint by Jake Knapp
This book is a bestseller for a reason! Project management requires building systems to make sure work flows in an orderly manner, and the backbone of that is habits. This will also help you get organized not just at work but also in life.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
This is an amazing book that helps you develop a different mindset - it teaches you how to stop being a problem solver and becoming a systems thinker, which I feel is really fit for project managers.
Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows
This book is more specific if you want to be in the advertising industry. Strategy is Your Words helps you to crack your creative brief - often the biggest challenge for account managers. But it can be done.
Strategy is Your Words by Mark Pollard
Think Again explores the power of knowing what you don't know and the art of mental flexibility and unlearning. Perfect if you're someone who's looking to shift into project management. Or if not, it gives you perspective that projects have different...
Think Again by Adam Grant
Negotiation is one of the skills you'll want to develop as a project manager because you'll do this every single day.
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
As a project manager, this taught me that sometimes managers are very concerned with the “whats” (the deliverables, the results, the outcomes). But to rally teams and inspire people to move, you have to get them to appreciate the “whys”.
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
This teaches managers how to give honest, clear feedback by balancing genuine care for their team members with direct, constructive challenges.
Radical Candor by Kim Scott
Project management is a highly relational job - you'll most likely be in meetings all the time. This helps you go strategically about it.
Death by Meeting by Patrick Lencioni
This is a good starting point when you want to understand the working styles of your teammates, which can be pretty helpful as a manager. It teaches you how you can leverage on the strengths of your team to reach your desired outcomes.
Surrounded by Idiots by Thomas Erikson