I've been gradually sliding a supervisory role in my job (mainly by dint of everyone else with similar levels of seniority not being interested) and it's been a bit of a challenge because I'm an academic and a research nerd and not a manager. My supervisees are all good folks but they haven't been getting important parts of their jobs done and it's negatively impacting the org. I need to learn how to get them finish their crap but the descriptions of most management books stick to my skin in a way that feels hard to wash off. Does anyone know of good books/etc that won't make me talk like an MBA program replaced my soul with foam packing peanuts?

Edit: Thanks for all the really thoughtful responses, it's a huge help.

  • 420blazeit69 [he/him]
    ·
    2 years ago

    Yeah, actually doing what they're doing will instantly put you in the top 10% of managers.

    • They'll respect you lightening the load, if only slightly
    • You'll more easily understand the problems keeping them from doing their job better
    • You'll be able to coach them when they ask you how to do this or that (it sounds like you can already do this, but you'll stay sharp this way)
    • You can speak with more credibility to upper management
    • If you put it on the line and get fired, you're experienced with the job you used to do

    20-40% of your time spent doing your subordinates' job will make you a phenomenal manager. Ideally you're doing it as much as you can get away with.