Career Management Books

The Premise: Once you achieve the upper echelons of corporate power, why not milk it for all it’s worth? Stanley Bing provides a step-by-step approach to keeping the big paycheque coming while, at the same time, enjoying the spoils of C-suite life…lunching, golfing, and executive travel. In true Bing style, his cheeky observations on corporate life are filled with (sad) truths that – if executed well – can allow an individual to pull in big dollars without breaking much of a sweat. How else can one explain CEOs who manage to pull in huge bonuses while their companies hemorrhage millions?

The Bottom-line: Stanley Bing is the creation of Gil Schwartz, EVP of Communications for CBS. If his satirical look at the dark underbelly of corporate life isn’t for you, then give this one a skip. Personally, I find stepping into Schwartz’s mind – through the character of Bing – a fascinating journey. Bing gives us a dry-witted glimpse into the mind of a corporate stereotype (i.e., 50+ white male executive) of a certain era. Bring on the martinis.

The Premise: In an homage to the recent US inauguration and the scrutiny being placed on President Obama, we thought we’d revisit Michael Watkins’ guidebook to navigating your first three months in a new leadership role. Watkins is an Associate Professor at Harvard Business School where he specializes in leadership and negotiation. This bestseller from 2003 takes the “sink or swim” approach to onboarding new leaders out of the equation. Watkins lays out a clear and concise roadmap for how to navigate successfully through the crucial first three months on the job. From promoting yourself, to securing early wins, to creating coalitions, Watkins explores both practical strategies for new leaders and the underlying politics that will either enhance or derail your initial efforts.

The Bottom-line: This book should be mandatory reading for all new leadership hires as part of any onboarding strategy. It’s probably particularly effective for leaders who have not been “home grown” within the existing company/culture. What’s also interesting about Watkins’ strategies is their applicability to any level of management. The advice is practical and the strategies are straightforward (but often overlooked). On top of great content, Watkins has a highly engaging style that makes the book a quick and easy read. My particular favourites were Chapter 3 on matching your leadership strategy to the situation and Chapter 5 on negotiating success which looks at how to build your relationship with your new boss. Some great tips.