F1rst Among Equals

Title: "First Among Equals: How to Manage a Group of Professionals" Authors: Patrick J. McKenna and David H. Maister

Key Themes

1. Leadership Without Formal Authority: The book focuses on how to lead professional colleagues or peers when you lack formal authority. It emphasizes the importance of inspiring and motivating team members to achieve peak performance.

2. Inspiring vs. Managing: The authors argue that leaders should inspire their people rather than manage them. This approach is particularly relevant in professional service firms where top professionals are often free-agents accustomed to autonomy.

3. Handling Talented but Difficult Professionals: The book provides strategies for dealing with talented individuals who exhibit attitude problems or are difficult to work with. It offers practical advice on how to handle these professionals effectively.

4. Team Management and Orchestration: The authors present a thorough introduction to managing and orchestrating talent across various industries, including banking, insurance, law, engineering, research labs, and software companies.

Plot Summary

"First Among Equals" is a practical handbook designed for professionals who have been tasked with leading a group of peers without formal authority. The book is structured to provide real-world examples and actionable tips for managing professional teams. It covers topics such as understanding the group leader role, setting terms of reference, and effectively dealing with challenging team members.

The authors, Patrick J. McKenna and David H. Maister, draw from their expertise in professional service management to offer insights and action plans that help leaders add value and induce their team members to accept guidance. The book is described as "a timely, easy to read work leavened with action plans and examples" by Harvard Business School’s Working Knowledge.

Critical Reception

Positive Reception:

• Harvard Business School’s Working Knowledge: Describes the book as "a timely, easy to read work leavened with action plans and examples".
• Practical Insights: Reviewers have noted that the book provides practical insights and action tips to help leaders provoke and inspire their people to their full potential.

Mixed Reception:

• Ksenia31 Review: While the book is described as very much focused on emotional intelligence (EI) and practical, some reviewers find it slightly boring to read. It is recommended as a good reference to be used when needed, but not for in-depth reading.

Overall, "First Among Equals" is recognized for its practical approach to managing professional teams, particularly in situations where formal authority is lacking. The book offers valuable insights and strategies for inspiring and motivating team members to achieve peak performance.