RETAILOBSERVER.COM JANUARY 2017
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n HARD-WON WISDOM: True Stories from the Management Trenches,
Jathan Janove delves right into the messy workplace realities of people
problems and problem people. Drawing on his decades in the
courtroom; his subsequent work as an organizational consultant, executive
coach, and leadership trainer; and personal experiences as a manager
and employee, Janove presents 46 real-life on-the-job tales to help
managers tackle all kinds of thorny people issues—and stay out of legal
trouble.
HARD-WON WISDOM touches on topics familiar to all managers (and
dreaded by many): hiring, firing, employee engagement, performance
management, conflict resolution, documentation, information flow,
harassment, discrimination, downsizing, and everyday matters of poor
judgment and human error. Sometimes humorous and all engaging,
Janove's stories reinforce key leadership, communication, and management
concepts and tools. Every story wraps up with a moral to help managers
apply its lesson to their own workplace. While some stories will resonate
with each unique reader more than others, all managers will learn something
valuable from reading about:
• The story of the glass-eating trial lawyer who cringes at the thought of
confronting his secretary with constructive criticism.
• The cautionary tale of the e-mail addicted CEO who decides to fire his
CFO via email —and the emotionally-heated backfire!
• "A Tale of Two Layoffs," illustrating why how you fire can matter more
than whom you fire to the employees spared.
Filled with practical insights and memorable characters, HARD-WON
WISDOM makes the daunting job of motivating, disciplining, and defusing
difficult people easier, while giving managers insights into bringing out the
best in and getting along with almost everyone.
B O O K R E V I E W
HARD-WON WISDOM:
True Stories from the Management Trenches
Author: Jathan Janove, J.D., is a gifted storyteller, popular management blogger, and regular
contributor to HR Magazine. Principal of Janove Organization Solutions (www.jathanjanove.
com) he has 25 years of experience litigating workplace relationships and is also the author
of Managing to Stay Out of Court. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
Publisher: AMACOM Books www.amacombooks.org
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