Becoming the Boss

July 21, 2014
Career consultant Pollak (Getting from College to Career) presents an engaging, smart leadership manual for Generation Y. Acknowledging that some strategies will never change (be ethical, avoid screaming at people), Pollak suggests that millennials will be operating in a different economic, technological, and demographic terrain than Warren Buffett and Jack Welch, and thus need a different road map. Some of her advice concerns being young: for example, how do you respond when your colleague says “you’re young enough to be my granddaughter”? She offers tips for navigating the transitions from the old to new way of doing things: business cards are becoming obsolete, but for now they’re necessary; learn how to deal with voice mail, even though you might hate it. She also includes welcome guidance for keeping your whole life together, with tips regarding getting enough sleep and starting to save for retirement. Call-out boxes, checklists, and quizzes make the book user-friendly and fun to read. This insightful guide is not just for younger leaders; it would also benefit older employers or employees who want to better understand their younger colleagues. Agent: Michelle Wolfson, Wolfson Literary.

September 1, 2014

As we experience changes in demographics, economic dominance, and technology, leaders are going to need new rules to succeed in business and government. The millennial generation, those born between 1982 and 2000, are poised to take on this challenge. Consultant Pollak (Getting from College to Career) promises to share everything she has learned about becoming a boss. In a conversational, encouraging style, she delivers on her promise. Pollak describes the challenges millennial bosses will face, such as working with individuals of different generations, achieving more with fewer people, and supervising virtual employees. Next, readers are introduced to classic and modern leadership texts. The majority of the work focuses on real-life advice new professionals can apply to develop leadership skills and create a professional image. Using examples from her career and interviews with current leaders, the author covers topics such as creating a professional online presence, networking, public speaking, delegating, keeping up with technology trends, selecting mentors, and supervising. Clear writing and helpful lists add to the usability. VERDICT Young professionals are provided the essential steps for becoming a respected, knowledgeable leader. Academic and public libraries serving this population will see demand for this title.--Lydia Olszak, Bosler Memorial Lib., Carlisle, PA

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