Bob Selden

Background:

As an author on management, I’ve not only studied the subject, but lived the role. I began my career as a new manager in banking and later became a senior manager responsible for the career development of hundreds of other managers. Through that experience, and later as an organisational development consultant, trainer and coach, I learnt what works and what doesn’t work when managing others.

I’m an Australian currently living in New Zealand with my Kiwi wife, Anita. As well as consulting to organisations on five continents, I’ve coached on the Mobilizing People program at the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland.

Books:

What To Do When You Become The Boss: How new managers become successful managers, grew out of my own experience and learning as a manager. Originally self-published, it was later picked up by Hachette and has sold more than 75,000 copies in four languages.

Setting The Tone From The Top: How leader's conversations shape a positive culture, co-authored with Dr. Melinda Muth, explores how leaders’ conversations shape positive workplace culture. One reviewer described it as “an amazing book full of practical communication tips and a valuable leadership resource”.

What To Do When Leadership Is Needed: A workbook for managers who aspire to become leaders, released in July 2022, is based on 27 stories that managers can use with their teams while developing their own leadership skills.

Don't: How using the right words will change your life, explores how the words we use influence behaviour, self-image and personality. The book was recently listed as a finalist in the INDIE Book Awards.

And the good news is that I’ve just revised “Don’t” with new chapters on positive family relationships, how to say “sorry” (sincerely) and great new research on how to improve our positive self-talk. The revised “Don’t” is being released on the 16th July 2026.

Closing:

I look forward to your comments, reviews and questions.

Bob Selden