This is an Online Internet Book Club on First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham, Curt Coffman. Discuss this book, share your thoughts, make comments, ask questions, offer responses...
Description
Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman expose the fallacies of standard management thinking in
First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently. In seven chapters, the two consultants for the Gallup Organization debunk some dearly held notions about management, such as "treat people as you like to be treated"; "people are capable of almost anything"; and "a manager's role is diminishing in today's economy." "Great managers are revolutionaries," the authors write. "This book will take you inside the minds of these managers to explain why they have toppled conventional wisdom and reveal the new truths they have forged in its place."
The authors have culled their observations from more than 80,000 interviews conducted by Gallup during the past 25 years. Quoting leaders such as basketball coach Phil Jackson, Buckingham and Coffman outline "four keys" to becoming an excellent manager: Finding the right fit for employees, focusing on strengths of employees, defining the right results, and selecting staff for talent--not just knowledge and skills. First, Break All the Rules offers specific techniques for helping people perform better on the job. For instance, the authors show ways to structure a trial period for a new worker and how to create a pay plan that rewards people for their expertise instead of how fast they climb the company ladder. "The point is to focus people toward performance," they write. "The manager is, and should be, totally responsible for this." Written in plain English and well organized, this book tells you exactly how to improve as a supervisor. --Dan Ring
Book Club Questions for First, Break All the Rules (Fiction)
Suggested Book Club Questions for First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently (Fiction)
The following book club questions provide a starting point for creating a reading group discussion on First, Break All the Rules:
- Did Marcus Buckingham, Curt Coffman emphasize any specific themes throughout First, Break All the Rules? What do you think Marcus Buckingham, Curt Coffman is trying to explain with this theme?
- What was unique about the setting of First, Break All the Rules and how did it affect the storyline?
- Could you relate to any of the characters? If so, which ones and why?
- How do characters change or learn throughout First, Break All the Rules? What events caused these changes? Have you or someone you know experienced the same thing?
- How does First, Break All the Rules reveal Marcus Buckingham, Curt Coffman's own perspectives about people and the world? For a lively discussion, describe why you think Marcus Buckingham, Curt Coffman is liberal or conservative.
- Did certain parts of First, Break All the Rules affect you emotionally? Why did it evoke those emotions?
- Did Marcus Buckingham, Curt Coffman's point of view on things lend new perspective to your own view of the world?
Book Club Questions for First, Break All the Rules (for Non-Fiction)
Suggested Book Club Questions for First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently (Non-fiction)
The following book club questions provide a starting point for creating a reading group discussion on First, Break All the Rules:
- Did Marcus Buckingham, Curt Coffman make persuasive arguments in First, Break All the Rules? Did First, Break All the Rules change or reinforce your opinion on the subject?
- What did you learn from First, Break All the Rules?
- How does Marcus Buckingham, Curt Coffman present the information and did you enjoy it?
- How is Marcus Buckingham, Curt Coffman biased within First, Break All the Rules? Is there a political slant to what is being discussed and how does it impact the book?
- What, if anything, does First, Break All the Rules make you want to read next? Why?
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