Discussing the Book of the Month

April 2005 - The One Thing You Need to Know : ... About Great Managing, Great Leading, and Sustained Individual Success

One-size-fits-all and all-in-one solutions are alluring in their simplicity but rarely deliver on the promise. Marcus Buckingham is no exception. To his credit, his latest managing guide, The One Thing You Need to Know, is every bit as entertaining and easy to read as his previous two books. For every Walgreens manager or fast-food VP Buckingham examines, he counterweights the narrative with colorful depictions of less obvious leaders, from talc miners to prison inspectors to Kalahari bushmen. He even illustrates the science behind his characters' dilemmas. Ultimately, though, the smarts are undermined by the stunt. By oversimplifying leadership, management, and success to one rule each, Buckingham leaves readers with broad principles rather than applicable tools.

Discuss Now!>>

Fast Take

Three quick lessons from The One Thing You Need to Know:

1. The snowflake principle. Every employee is different. Good managers identify what is unique about their employees, then put each in a position to leverage those skills. If a clerk shows a knack for presentation, get him out from behind the counter and on the floor building displays.
2. Know fear. Knowing your employees’ commonly held anxieties can be just as valuable as knowing their distinct strengths. If an impending merger creates fear of the future, the leader should offer clarity. If an outsider joins the team, work to build up the sense of community.
3. To thine own self be true. Only pursue work you love. If you’re an ace at sales but your heart’s in product development, do yourself a favor and request a transfer.