Mikil Taylor - The Beginners Guide to Managing: A Guide to the Toughest Journey Youll Ever Take

I first need to thank those who helped me with the writing process itself. Writing The Beginners Guide to Managing took dedication and perseverance, and many times my writing was less clear than I intended. Charlie Yielding really helped me to make sure my intended meaning translated by letting me see the book through someone elses eyes. Katie Burdette helped to run through a round of copyediting to catch all the words I missed when my brain was working faster than my word processor. Heather Botting was an incredible asset as an editor, and the book is dramatically more readable and clear as a direct result of her work.

WRVU Radio at Vanderbilt University was my first real experience as a manager, and clearly illustrated my shortcomings, many of which I would struggle with in my professional career. It was a wonderful learning experience, and everyone there helped my growth in ways large and small.

I want to thank everyone involved with the NTC ELITE Program, but especially John Anderson, Meg Chamblee, Suzi Earhart, Joanne Eckton, Andy Flatt, and Jacqui Logan.

I also want to thank former managers at previous jobs: Nancy Dion, Jim Hayes, Serim Huh, Jacob Larvie, and Ruth Mothorpe.

Doug Traxler has been a wonderful friend and resource, and has helped me to clarify my thinking on a number of topics related to management.

Andy Bailey at Petra Coach has shaped a lot of my thinking on how to effectively get things done, and his influence is felt throughout the book.

The leadership team at Healthcare Bluebook, especially Jeff Rice, Bill Kampine, and Erik Nicholson who took a shot on a reformed actuary to help grow their startup, and Mike ONeil, Rick Leach, Amy Moore, and Will Brockman have all been invaluable advisers and resources over the years.

I also want to thank everyone Ive had the opportunity to directly manage. Some of these lessons were only learned through trial and error, and I appreciate your patience with me as I learned how to be a good manager. Hopefully this book will help guide you as well.

Jason Turan has been an incredibly helpful influence on me as a manager, and its fair to say that this book would not exist without his guidance and influence. He has consistently been there to help me put theory into practice, and to tackle tough problems. Zack Samples has also had a similar influence on me, and I will always be indebted to him for his training, support, and guidance.

My father in law Donnie Drayton has been a valuable voice as I have entered my career, and is consistently helpful and there when needed.

My mom has shaped the person I am today, and she along with my brother and sisters keeps me tied to who I am and where I came from.

My dad passed away in 2017 after a long battle with cancer, but there is nobody I try harder to emulate. I wish he could read this.

Lastly and most importantly is my wife Sarah. I could write another book expressing how much she means to me. She inspires me to be a better person. This book wouldnt exist without her, because I wouldnt be worthy of writing it. She has given direction and purpose to my life, and there is nobody whose opinion I trust more. She is the rock of my life, and the one I do everything for.

Mikil Taylor is the VP of Analytics at Healthcare Bluebook in Nashville, TN. Like most new managers, he was thrown into the flames to learn how to manage a team. After years of struggle, and by combining his own positive and negative experiences with the advice that actually works in the real world, he has built a thriving team that won the Nashville Technology Councils Team of the Year award. Mikil has a passion for helping other new managers avoid the most common pitfalls in their new role, and his focus on demonstrating how to start with a solid foundation, molding the team, and, yes, dealing with the mistakes everyone inevitably makes, will give any new manager the tools they need to also build a successful team.

Thank you for purchasing and reading The Beginners Guide to Managing. If you enjoyed the book, an online review would be greatly appreciated, as reviews help to spread the word to others who this book may be able to help. If you would like to keep up with future projects, please visit MikilTaylor.com, where my blog expands on the theme of this book.

Sincerely,

Mikil Taylor

Business Books publishes practical guides and insightful non-fiction for beginners and professionals. Covering aspects from management skills, leadership and organizational change to positive work environments, career coaching and self-care for managers, our books are a valuable addition to those working in the world of business.

15 Ways to Own Your Future

Take Control of Your Destiny in Business and in Life

Michael Khouri

A 15-point blueprint for creating better collaboration, enjoyment, and success in business and in life.

Paperback: 978-1-78535-300-0 ebook: 978-1-78535-301-7

The Common Excuses of the Comfortable Compromiser

Understanding Why People Oppose Your Great Idea

Matt Crossman

Comfortable compromisers block the way of anyone trying to change anything. This is your guide to their common excuses.

Paperback: 978-1-78099-595-3 ebook: 978-1-78099-596-0

The Failing Logic of Money

Duane Mullin

Money is wasteful and cruel, causes war, crime and dysfunctional feudalism. Humankind needs happiness, peace and abundance. So banish money and use technology and knowledge to rid the world of war, crime and poverty.

Paperback: 978-1-84694-259-4 ebook: 978-1-84694-888-6

Mastering the Mommy Track

Juggling Career and Kids in Uncertain Times

Erin Flynn Jay

Mastering the Mommy Track tells the stories of everyday working mothers, the challenges they have faced, and lessons learned.

Paperback: 978-1-78099-123-8 ebook: 978-1-78099-124-5

Modern Day Selling

Unlocking Your Hidden Potential

Brian Barfield

Learn how to reconnect sales associates with customers and unlock hidden sales potential.

Paperback: 978-1-78099-457-4 ebook: 978-1-78099-458-1

The Most Creative, Escape the Ordinary, Excel at Public Speaking Book Ever

All The Help You Will Ever Need in Giving a Speech

Philip Theibert

The everything you need to give an outstanding speech book, complete with original material written by a professional speech-writer.

Paperback: 978-1-78099-672-1 ebook: 978-1-78099-673-8

Readers of ebooks can buy or view any of these bestsellers by clicking on the live link in the title. Most titles are published in paperback and as an ebook. Paperbacks are available in traditional bookshops. Both print and ebook formats are available online.

Find more titles and sign up to our readers newsletter at http://www.jhpbusiness-books.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JHPNonFiction/ Twitter: @JHPNonFiction

Ive lost half of you already. Youre probably flipping to the back cover of the book to double-check the synopsis. Seeing who the publisher is to see if its one of those Christian self-help books. Or maybe this is some kind of hippie thing?

Unfortunately, youre stuck. You have the book already, either because you chose to buy it or because your boss told you to check it out. While youre here, come along with me.

Why would I lead off a book with a piece about love, and what on earth does it have to do with managing people?

Its because youve been tricked. Youve probably started reading this book hoping for some strategies for how to successfully tell others what to do. This book isnt about three easy steps to take your new team from dysfunctional to spectacular. It cant teach you the magic words to make that one emotional person stop crying all the time or for that salesman to stop being a jerk to everyone. You wont be able to cajole and threaten your team to behave, because this book is about you and your attitude. Instead of trying to change others, the point is to understand yourself.