Author Topic: Management Books  (Read 10161 times)

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MatthewShiner

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Management Books
« on: Apr 28, 2008, 11:07 am »
I am working on a "syllabus" for my stage management interns for next season.

I am looking for good, general management books for theatre.

I always recommend The Heart of Coaching: Using Transformational Coaching to Create a High-Performance Coaching Culture (3rd Edition) by Thomas G. Crane and Lerissa Nancy Patrick.

Anyone else suggest 2 or 3 other good management books?  Especially for "younger" managers?

(I feel I may have asked this questions before . . . but I can't find the answer)
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GalFriday

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Re: Management Books
« Reply #1 on: Apr 28, 2008, 03:34 pm »
I am not sure if I would say it is a book for Theatre but...

I read The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey by Ken Blanchard about 10 years ago and learned a great deal. This book specifically deals with Managers who tend to take too much on their plate. It talks about how you do this not only at the expense of your job but also, to the detriment of your personal life. I think Stage Managers, especially young stage managers, want to be all things to all people and this book spoke to me about ways to manage that.
« Last Edit: Apr 28, 2008, 03:41 pm by GalFriday »
"Now the best way to learn the theater, always, is to be a stage manager" - Stephen Sondheim

BeckyGG

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Re: Management Books
« Reply #2 on: Apr 28, 2008, 05:35 pm »
One book that my stage management teacher used that is not a theater book, but a management book is called: They Shoot Managers, Don't They?

I found it quite helpful in just learning how to manage in general.
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Rebbe

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Re: Management Books
« Reply #3 on: May 01, 2008, 08:37 pm »
The title is cheesy and it may not be as general as you’re looking for, but “The Girl’s Guide to Being a Boss (without being a bitch)” by Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio has good insights, was written recently, and is very readable (so you’ve got a shot at your interns getting through it without too many groans).  It’s not aimed at theater, but it talks a lot about managing personalities in a work setting, which is a lot of what stage managing is about.  Though it’s written with a by women, for women slant, I think men might learn a few things too by looking at management from a new perspective.
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Jessie_K

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Re: Management Books
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2008, 12:06 am »
On a whim at the airport, I picked up:

Face to Face Communications for Clarity and Impact


nmno

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Re: Management Books
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2008, 03:01 am »
Servant Leadership by Richard Greenleaf.

Sarah

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Re: Management Books
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2008, 12:47 pm »
How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job, by Dale Carnegie. It's short and easy to read. Lawrence Stern sent me a copy, when I was a young SM frustrated with the learning process, and needed some guideance. The anecdotes are a bit dated but the lessons are definitely transeferrable and pertinent to what we do.

StageMgr2Stars

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Re: Management Books
« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2008, 07:11 pm »
Getting to yes!!
-C-

BethanyP

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Re: Management Books
« Reply #8 on: Jul 10, 2008, 01:44 pm »
How to win friends and influence people
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