Be a Better Manager in Five Minutes a Day: Create Trust in Your Team was the winner in the HOW-TO category of the 2024 IndieReader Discovery Awards, where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference.
Following find an interview with author Dominic McLoughlin.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Be a Better Manager in Five Minutes a Day: Create Trust in Your Team was published in October 2022.
What’s the book’s first line?
“In my first job, I was a difficult employee – I didn’t mean to be – I was just a typical 18-year-old who thought he knew more than everyone else.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
This is a book that managers can use to improve their skills and performance, regardless of their experience level. The book is designed to be easy to read and understand, even for those who are not familiar with management theories.
Managers are busy people, so this is a book that can be read and implemented quickly and steadily. It also avoids jargon and technical language and focuses on providing readers with the essential information they need to be effective managers.
Hopefully the book is inspiring and motivating to readers, helping managers to develop their leadership skills and build high-performing teams.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I wrote this book because I wanted to create a practical and accessible guide to management, especially for first-time managers and those with limited experience. I have seen firsthand the challenges that new managers face, so I wanted to write a book that would provide them with the tools and strategies they need to succeed.
I was also motivated by the fact that many of the books about management are some combination of narrowly focussed or long and complex, making many of them difficult to read and apply. I wanted to write a book that was concise and easy to read, while still providing readers with the essential information they need to be effective managers.
Finally, I wanted to write a book that was relevant to all levels of management, from first-time supervisors to experienced executives. There is often pressure on managers to ‘be perfect’ which none of us are. However, I do think that the principles of good management are universal, and that everyone can continue to improve.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
As one review put it “As a mid-level manager striving to improve, I found the book’s structure and content enlightening and thought-provoking. What stood out to me was author McLoughlin’s emphasis on trust as the cornerstone of effective leadership. The practical exercises provided at the end of each chapter were especially helpful. The exercises not only encouraged me to reflect on my own managerial approach but also nudged me toward tangible actions to foster trust within my team.”
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I have my own business where I provide online courses – the Business Leaders Lab. I provide business coaching and consulting services. I also teach at various Universities from time to time.
Is there something in particular that motivates you?
I am somewhat unusual in that I have years of practical experience as well as a PhD in this area. The combination of university work (teaching MBA and Human Resources students) as well as my consulting has given me a unique perspective on management.
I have had the opportunity to work with hundreds of managers and executives at all levels, and I have seen firsthand what it takes to be successful. This experience has informed my writing in several ways. First, it has helped me to identify the most common challenges that managers face. Second, it has given me a deep understanding of the best practices for managing people. I am motivated to share the importance of Trust in the workplace – it’s hard to measure, but essential!