Practice What You Preach!: What Managers Must Do to Create a High-achievement Culture - Hardcover

Maister, David H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0743211871 ISBN 13: 9780743211871

Publisher: Free Press, 2001

Synopsis

An outline and discussion of the nine key people issues upon which successfully managed and profitable oprganizations rely. The author supports his findings with a range of data, and demonstrates how and why firms that emphasize high standards of employee professionalism are more successful.

About this title

Review:

David H Maister, a specialist in the management of professional service firms, surveyed 29 in 15 countries to determine whether positive employee attitudes really correlate to corporate success. In his consultancy and previous books he has suggested they do, and in Practice What You Preach he is able to show that in many companies it is "attitudes that drive financial results, and not (predominantly) the other way round". On a pragmatic level, this allows him to demonstrate how a subsequently energised workforce will provide top-quality client service--the key component in any service-oriented business. Overall, Maister recommends managers instil trust and respect, develop a high morale and serve as "coaches" rather than "most valuable players". He offers detailed case studies of survey respondents and amalgamates their replies into an explicit Path to Performance as well as four chapters with specific lessons that should be transferable to other enterprises (i.e., effective managers allow others to get deserved credit, ensure workers believe management is not only out to make a lot of money for itself and understand employees are looking for help in growing their careers). Practical and accessible, it also includes survey specifics for those who care to analyse them on their own. --Howard Rothman

Review:

Michael Albrecht, Jr. Global Executive, IBM With compelling evidence, Maister blows away the mysteries as to what makes a high performance team. He offers great insights and definitive actions.

About this edition

• Publisher: Free Press
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0743211871
• ISBN 13: 9780743211871
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224