The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You
by Julie Zhuo, March 19, 2019
Who
Julie Zhuo is a recognized expert in product design and leadership with a career that highlights her meteoric rise in the tech industry. She has built her reputation through hands-on experience, particularly in her role at Facebook, where she transitioned from an entry-level designer to Vice President of Product Design. Here are some key highlights of her career:
Vice President of Product Design at Facebook: Julie Zhuo led Facebook's design efforts, overseeing teams responsible for creating user experiences for billions of users. Her leadership at Facebook provides a solid foundation for the insights shared in her book.
Design Mentor and Thought Leader: Beyond her work at Facebook, Julie is known for her mentorship and thought leadership in the design community. She frequently shares her knowledge on management and design through writing, speaking engagements, and her popular blog.
Author and Influencer: "The Making of a Manager" is Julie's debut book, where she distills her experiences and lessons learned into practical advice for new and aspiring managers.
Book Summary:
The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You by Julie Zhuo is a management guide that combines personal anecdotes with actionable insights, making it a must-read for new managers or those aspiring to leadership roles. The book is a blend of memoir and how-to manual, offering a straightforward and relatable exploration of the challenges and rewards of management.
Zhuo's narrative starts from her own experience of unexpectedly becoming a manager at Facebook at the age of 25, with no formal training or preparation. Through her journey, she navigates the complexities of leading a team, balancing relationships, and making impactful decisions. The book is divided into nine chapters, each focusing on a specific aspect of management, from hiring the right people to managing yourself and navigating the difficult conversations that inevitably arise in any managerial role.
What sets this book apart is Zhuo’s candid and approachable writing style. She doesn't shy away from discussing her mistakes and learning curves, making the content relatable for readers who may feel overwhelmed in their managerial roles. The book is rich with practical advice, frameworks, and tools that readers can immediately apply in their work, such as the “Three P’s” (Purpose, People, Process) and the importance of regular one-on-one meetings.
Book Review:
The Making of a Manager shines as a valuable resource for anyone transitioning into a management role, particularly in fast-paced and evolving environments like the tech industry. Julie Zhuo’s approachable and honest narrative style makes the book an engaging and accessible read, offering both reassurance and guidance to new managers.
The Making of a Manager stands out as an essential guide for new managers, blending practical advice with personal anecdotes. Zhuo, who rapidly ascended to Vice President of Product Design at Facebook, shares her journey from a first-time manager to a seasoned leader, offering readers a relatable and insightful narrative.
The book is structured around key aspects of management—hiring, feedback, team dynamics, and self-management—each discussed with clarity and depth. Zhuo’s strength lies in her ability to demystify management, transforming daunting concepts into actionable steps. She introduces frameworks like the “Three P’s” (Purpose, People, Process), which serve as practical tools for managers at any stage. Her emphasis on people is particularly notable, underscoring that effective management is as much about emotional intelligence as it is about strategic thinking.
Zhuo’s candid reflections on her challenges, such as imposter syndrome and difficult conversations, make the book particularly engaging. These personal insights add a layer of authenticity, positioning Zhuo not just as an expert, but as a mentor who understands the struggles new managers face.
However, the book’s tech-centric examples may not resonate as strongly with readers outside similar industry, and some complex managerial issues receive only a surface-level treatment. Despite these minor limitations, The Making of a Manager excels in providing practical, relatable guidance.
In just a few pages, Zhuo delivers a comprehensive and accessible resource for aspiring leaders. Her combination of personal narrative and actionable advice makes this book a must-read for those stepping into management roles. The Making of a Manager is a valuable companion for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of leadership with confidence and clarity.
This is also a book is a start that can help managers prevent their team and their company avoid what one of my book reviewer friend (Hank) calls “criminal incompetence”. For a braoder meaning "Criminal Incompetence" prevention typically refers to measures taken to ensure that individuals or organizations do not engage in behavior that is so grossly negligent or incompetent that it crosses the line into criminality..
Strengths:
Relatable and Realistic: Zhuo’s experiences as a young manager thrust into leadership resonate with many readers who find themselves in similar situations. Her stories are relatable, and her reflections provide comfort to those who might doubt their managerial capabilities.
Practical Frameworks: The book is filled with practical advice and tools, such as how to conduct effective one-on-ones, how to hire, and how to build a feedback-rich culture. These frameworks are not only theoretical but also tested in real-world scenarios.
Holistic Approach: Zhuo covers a broad spectrum of management topics, ensuring that readers receive a well-rounded education in the essentials of leadership.
Practical Advice: The book is filled with actionable strategies and tips that can be immediately applied to management challenges. Zhuo offers clear and concise guidance on how to navigate common managerial situations, such as performance reviews, difficult conversations, and team conflicts.
Focus on People: Zhuo emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with team members and creating a supportive work environment. She argues that effective managers are those who can inspire, motivate, and empower their teams.
Humorous Tone: The book's conversational style and occasional humor make it enjoyable to read. Zhuo's ability to inject humor into even the most serious topics helps to lighten the mood and make the material more engaging.
Areas for Improvement:
Depth on Complex Issues: While the book covers a wide range of topics, some readers might find that it doesn’t delve deeply enough into the complexities of certain issues, such as dealing with toxic employees or navigating corporate politics.
Tech Industry Focus: Given Zhuo’s background, much of the advice is rooted in the context of the tech industry. While the principles are broadly applicable, some examples may feel less relevant to readers in other sectors.
Overall, The Making of a Manager successfully bridges the gap between personal experience and professional advice, making it a compelling read for those new to management or looking to refine their leadership skills.
Practical and Technical Benefits for Project Managers:
The Making of a Manager offers practical and technical benefits that are particularly valuable for new managers seeking to build their leadership toolkit.
Practical Benefits:
Actionable Advice: The book provides step-by-step guidance on essential management practices, such as running effective meetings, giving constructive feedback, and managing team dynamics.
Real-World Examples: Zhuo illustrates her points with real-world examples from her time at Facebook, making the advice tangible and easy to implement.
“Criminal Incompetence” prevention: The book focuses on people, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that individuals and organizations perform their duties competently to avoid causing harm. It also advocates for holding them accountable without a sens of guilt or bad conflict.
Technical Benefits:
Management Frameworks: Zhuo introduces readers to various management frameworks that can be applied across different teams and projects, such as her "Three P's" approach, which focuses on Purpose, People, and Process.
Tools for Self-Improvement: The book emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and personal growth, offering tools and techniques for managers to continuously improve their skills and adapt to changing circumstances.
For those embarking on a managerial career, The Making of a Manager serves as both a guide and a mentor, offering a mix of practical advice and personal insight that is both informative and inspiring.
In summary, The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo is an indispensable resource for new managers and aspiring leaders. Zhuo seamlessly blends relatable personal experiences with actionable guidance, offering a practical and inspiring roadmap for navigating the complexities of management. While it may not exhaustively cover every facet of leadership, its comprehensive approach and practical frameworks make it an invaluable tool for those seeking to develop and refine their managerial skills.
Julie Zhuo's The Making of a Manager stands as a comprehensive and insightful guide for individuals aspiring to leadership roles. Through a skillful blend of personal anecdotes and practical advice, Zhuo offers a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted challenges and rewards inherent in management.
