B. H. Tan - The First-Time Manager in Asia

Faced with new challenges of a cosmopolitan workforce in a knowledge-based service economy, with many cultures and attitudes, the odds of failure are indeed high for a greenhorn manager. This book and the real-life experience and tips that Tan provides, will tilt the odds in your favour if you take these lessons to heart. An easy-to-read book with some important key messages, I recommend this to all new managers who want a lift-up in their careers.

Dr. N. Varaprasad, CEO National Library Board, Singapore

This is a useful guide for first-time managers, and also serves as a refresher for more experienced managers who may continue to struggle with leadership challenges. It provides an important bridge between theory and practice. A must-read for any manager who wants to become an effective leader!

Paul Lim, Director Centre for Leadership Development Civil Service College, Singapore

BH Tan has succeeded in creating a book of insight and practical advice for those managers embarking on their first management assignment in Asia. His unique perspective of both East and West provides a useful resource for both first-time managers and more senior experienced managers alike.

Andrew Stanleick, Managing Director LOreal Malaysia

A very interesting and wise book. BH was able to put together his amazing experience in a very practical, simple and structured manner to give new managers valuable insights. This is definitely a book I will recommend to others. I will personally dip into it from time to time to look for advice for both myself and my direct reports.

Younes Alaoui, Vice President & General Manager Lafarge Concrete, South East Asia

The author shares fundamental truths even experienced managers tend to take for granted. Highly readable. I would recommend it for all managers, not just first-time managers.

Susan Ho IFF Talent Center of Excellence, Greater Asia

As a management educator as well as an executive coach and trainer, I recommend this not only to the first- time manager in Asia, but as a text book for MBA schools. Tan explains the essentials with clarity, reflecting his years of experience helping managers enhance their effectiveness.

Dr. Zareen Karani Araoz, Director Lexicon Institute of Management Education, Pune, India & President, Managing Across Cultures, Boston USA/Pune, India

Successful managers often forget they started from the bottom of the ladder. A kind and wise soul came along and gave them that helpful first push. BH Tan is such a soul. His insights and wisdom will guide you to widen your horizon and to scale new heights.

Foo See Luan, Executive Coach Founder and Past President of Singapore Chapter of International Coach Federation and Asia Pacific Alliance of Coaches

I have enjoyed this book greatly. I loved especially the managerial anecdotes which are all so true. BH Tan has covered almost all aspects of leadership, which is hard to find in other books. Many people will benefit from it, regardless if she is a first-time manager or an experienced one. I hope to see it changing the leadership journey of many future leaders.

Chen Sue Cheng, Learning & Development Manager, Asia Celestica

A wonderful book for first-time managers but also very applicable for those who have been managing for a long time. The author combines a nice mixture of theory, practical examples, case studies and models to bring everything together. It reads easily and just makes sense. It is definitely a book that I would recommend to my clients from all over the world who are rising leaders/managers within organizations.

Nancy Verhoeven, Executive Coach Vincere Coaching Pte Ltd

I wish for every new manager to have this book. If only I had it earlier in my career... It is a valuable source of best approaches to work issues, and a major practical contribution to the managerial profession.

Leslie Chong, IT Manager, Canada

At last, a book that I can truly recommend without hesitation to the managers and leaders I coach globally and regionally in Asiaa book that is relevant, practical, usable; a book I can ask my coachees to refer to before, during and after a coaching session; a book I wish I had when I started on my own leadership journey many years ago.

Su-chzeng Ong, Executive Coach and ex-senior leader of an investment bank

A must-read A great foundation for getting startedwhether you have just been promoted to a managerial position, or are looking for changes and improvements in your leadership style after being a leader for a long time already.

Jane Dmitrova, Senior Business Analyst, Netherlands

This book definitely deserves a place on the bookshelves of all managers, going beyond cultural differences! Not only does it serve as a good handbook for new managers, the insights and examples offer valuable reflections, for even the most experienced managers.

Josephine Teo, Learning for Development Director LOreal Asia-Pacific

BH has distilled his decades of executive and coaching experiences into the profound insights that underlie this comprehensive and practical guidebook for first-time managers. All first-time managers, their bosses, and senior managers who are facing challenges in leading and managing should read it! Spare 20 minutes to immerse yourself into the world of leadership, one chapter per night, and practise it the next day. Soon you would experience the profound change that emerges from the inner you!

Spencer Liao, Dean TSMC College

Its about time for such a book. In a friendly and conversational manner, the author shows how new managers will become even more effective if they borrow from the West while looking to the East.

Lin Heng, Group Vice President Crop Protection, Asia Pacific, BASF

Cover image: Turgaygundogdu/Shutterstock

Cover design: Bernard Go Kwang Meng

First published 2010, reprinted 2011

Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited

This revised edition published in 2016 by Marshall Cavendish Business

An imprint of Marshall Cavendish International

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