Your First Leadership Job

Scores of leadership books cross my desk every year, but this has to be the most practical, detailed, and truly useful one I've seen in a long, long time. Byham and Wellins definitely know what works in developing leaders in the real world, and that shows through clearly in the book's practical tips, all-too-true examples, and lucid organization. And no, it's not just for first-timers. -Eric Schurenberg, Media President and Editor-in-Chief, Inc. Magazine No one ever sets out to be a poor leader. But it's that first leadership role that often sets the trajectory for how successful a leader will be. The authors have delivered a book, backed by excellent DDI research, that is packed with insights and actionable steps. It's a must-read for those who are transitioning into a leadership role and who are committed to achieving excellence. -Tony Bingham, President and CEO, Association for Talent Development (formerly ASTD) I recently moved into an assistant branch manager role. Although I had some leadership experience, I found the tips and tools in this book to be tremendously helpful. They were my safety blanket to ensure that I got off on the right foot with my team and my manager. This book is a must-read for anyone who was recently promoted and wants to hit the ground running. -Heather Reynolds, First Commonwealth Bank We've done the research-leaders who build the critical skills and behaviors mentioned in this book succeed far beyond those who do not. First-time leaders who heed this advice show much greater competence and confidence and get better results through others. -J. Scott Boston, Vice President, Human Resources, Kimberly Clark This book perfectly highlights the skills we know 21st-century MBAs need post-graduation that they don't necessarily learn in b-school. It's an excellent resource for any new MBA looking to transition from individual contributor to an effective and influential front-line leader. -Laurie Weingart, Senior Associate Dean of Education at Carnegie Mellon Tepper School of Business In an era where companies are becoming platforms and ecosystems, the world increasingly needs really good catalysts to lead. This is the first well-researched book I've read that got me asking the important questions for how to become better. -Peter Sims, Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Silicon Guild; author of Little Bets and Coauthor of True North