First Among Equals

February 25, 2002
Organizations are more successful when they mold highly talented individuals into a cohesive group. But most talented people—especially professionals—hate to be managed. How to resolve this tension is the subject of this tightly focused, effective book by consultants McKenna (Herding Cats) and Maister (Practice What You Preach). Recognizing that all groups of professionals are different, the authors don't set off to create sweeping rules. Rather, they divide the task of leading groups of professionals into three parts—what one must accomplish as the leader; how one wants to interact with individual members of the group; and how one wants to deal with the group as a whole—and then offer concrete suggestions. A big part of this book's appeal is the authors' inherent understanding of how professionals resist—overtly and otherwise—being managed. Not surprisingly, McKenna and Maister spend a great deal of time explaining strategies for getting colleagues to agree to being led. They are particularly effective in outlining approaches for dealing with talented prima donnas (e.g., "listen to the individual's reasons for this behavior" and "inform the individual how improved behavior will improve his or her career"). This is a valuable resource for anyone in the position of trying to manage someone who was—and still is, to a large extent—a peer.