Roger: Are you struggling with the shift from doing the work yourself to getting results through others? Or maybe you're wondering why your team isn't quite hitting its stride? What truly separates a great manager – the kind people rave about – from the rest? Roger: The core idea from 'Everyone Deserves a Great Manager' by Miller, Davis, and Olsson is this: effective management isn't some mystical talent; it’s a skill built on specific, learnable practices. If you remember nothing else, remember this: your primary job as a manager fundamentally shifts from personal achievement to enabling the success of your team through deliberate, consistent actions. Think of it like shifting from being the star player focused only on scoring goals to becoming the coach who designs the plays, develops each player's potential, and guides the entire team to victory. Great management means intentionally focusing on how you lead, applying critical practices thoughtfully. Roger: So, how do you make this crucial shift? It starts with mastering your managerial mindset. Transitioning to management demands a profound internal shift – from 'How can I succeed?' to 'How can I help them succeed?'. The authors call this the 'See-Do-Get' cycle: how you see your role and your team dictates your actions (do), driving the results you get. See capable partners? You'll empower them. See them needing constant direction? You'll likely micromanage. Next, you put this mindset into action by connecting consistently through high-impact 1-on-1s. These aren't just task updates; they are crucial coaching conversations. Like Michelle, a director mentioned in the book who saw engagement soar when she shifted to asking "What challenges are you facing?", use this dedicated time to understand motivations, offer support, and build genuine trust. This foundation then helps you create a culture of feedback and accountability. It’s about setting clear expectations – clarifying not just what needs doing, but why it matters – and providing balanced, specific feedback. Instead of a vague "Good job," try "Your presentation was compelling because you used concrete examples that resonated with our clients." Finally, great managers guide their team through change effectively. Change often creates a 'Zone of Disruption' marked by stress and uncertainty. Your critical role isn't just managing the plan, but navigating these human emotions through transparent communication, empathy, and visible support, helping the team move towards adoption and ultimately, better performance. Roger: So, why should 'Everyone Deserves a Great Manager' be on your radar? Because it cuts through the theoretical clutter, offering a clear, actionable playbook for practices that genuinely boost team engagement and deliver results. It demystifies what great managers actually do, giving you tools you can implement today. Your immediate action step? Don't just think about your next 1-on-1, schedule it right now if it's not already booked. Then, take one extra minute: plan one powerful, open-ended coaching question focused on their experience or needs, moving beyond simple task updates. Implement this simple shift, and you're already on your way. That’s your five minutes of MBA wisdom. This is Roger for MBA in 5.