Everyone Deserves a Great Manager

About the Author

Scott Miller serves as FranklinCovey’s executive vice president of thought leadership. He is the host of On Leadership with Scott Miller, a weekly leadership webcast, podcast, and newsletter that features interviews with renowned business titans, authors, and experts. Miller brings a wealth of experience and insight into leadership development, having been deeply involved in various aspects of leadership and management throughout his career.

Todd Davis is FranklinCovey’s chief people officer and the best-selling author of Get Better: 15 Proven Practices to Build Effective Relationships at Work. His expertise in people management and effective relationship building has significantly contributed to the development of practical leadership strategies that are both impactful and sustainable.

Victoria Roos Olsson is a senior leadership consultant at FranklinCovey. With over 20 years of experience in leadership development, she has trained, developed, and coached managers globally. Her insights into leadership dynamics and team management have been instrumental in shaping the practices outlined in this book.

Main Idea

"Everyone Deserves a Great Manager: The 6 Critical Practices for Leading a Team" by Scott Miller, Todd Davis, and Victoria Roos Olsson is a comprehensive guide aimed at equipping first-time managers with the tools and strategies necessary to become effective leaders. The book underscores the importance of transitioning from individual contributor to team leader, focusing on six critical practices that foster engagement, productivity, and professional growth within teams. These practices are grounded in extensive research and real-world applications, offering practical steps to help new managers navigate their roles successfully and inspire their teams.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Practice 1: Develop a Leader’s Mindset
3. Practice 2: Hold Regular 1-on-1s
4. Practice 3: Set Up Your Team to Get Results
5. Practice 4: Create a Culture of Feedback
6. Practice 5: Lead Your Team Through Change
7. Practice 6: Manage Your Time and Energy
8. Conclusion

Practice 1: Develop a Leader’s Mindset

The journey from individual contributor to leader requires a fundamental shift in mindset. As Dr. Stephen R. Covey taught, "If you want to fundamentally change your results, if you want long-term sustainable impact, you have to challenge your mindset." Developing a leader’s mindset involves re-evaluating your paradigms, recognizing that your role now is to achieve results through others.

A leader’s mindset is characterized by understanding and embracing the fact that your team members are your results. It’s crucial to discern the talent, coachability, and potential of each team member. Here are some reflective questions to help shape a leader's mindset:

• What kind of leader does your team need right now?
• What kind of leader does your organization need you to be?
• What do you need to learn (or unlearn) to become the leader they need?
• How would you want your team to describe your leadership?

This practice encourages leaders to challenge their existing paradigms and ensure they are aligned with reality. Regular team-building exercises and getting to know team members better can help in assessing and strengthening these paradigms. One effective exercise is to ask team members about their backgrounds, interests, and goals to foster a deeper understanding and connection.

"Your people are your results." — Scott Miller

By regularly reflecting on these questions and engaging with your team on a personal level, you can ensure that your leadership approach is continuously evolving to meet the needs of your team and organization. Developing a leader’s mindset is an ongoing process that requires commitment and self-awareness.

Practice 2: Hold Regular 1-on-1s

Regular 1-on-1s are essential for building strong relationships and fostering a culture of engagement and trust. These meetings should be strategically planned and executed to maximize their effectiveness.

Skill 1: Prepare for Your 1-on-1s

• Schedule them in advance as recurring calendar appointments.
• Reserve at least 30 minutes to ensure meaningful conversations.
• Hold them regularly, ideally weekly, and commit to the schedule.
• Prepare an agenda and invite team members to contribute to it.