Becoming a Successful Manager by Jack Grossman |J. Robert Parkinson [rare books]

Book Summary

Becoming a Successful Manager is a practical guide aimed especially at new managers — people who have excelled at managing their own work but are moving into roles where they must now lead, coordinate, and influence others. 

Here are its main themes and contents:

• The core challenge the book addresses is the shift in mindset and skills required when you go from managing yourself to managing a team. It lays out what changes, what stays relevant, and how to build new competencies. 

• It provides hands‑on exercises and reflective questions aimed at helping the new manager internalize what’s being taught — not just theory, but doing, practicing. 

• Key topics include:

  1. Defining the managerial role — understanding what is expected, what you’re now responsible for, and how your work (and metrics) change. 

  2. Working with your team — seeing employees as individuals (their strengths, needs), understanding how to motivate, delegate, and provide feedback. 

  3. Building a healthy department culture — setting productive attitudes, fostering problem‑solving, establishing trust, listening and asking questions well. 

  4. Performance management — conducting reviews, giving constructive criticism, rewarding and correcting, and guiding growth. 

  5. Delegation & empowerment — letting go of tasks, trusting people, enabling others to take responsibility and risks. 

  6. Meetings & communication — how to run effective meetings, how to communicate expectations, how to listen, ask questions, and negotiate conflict. 

  7. Handling more difficult issues — resolving conflict, managing harassment or sensitive interpersonal issues, setting boundaries, and helping people through growth. 

• The second edition (2010) updates the book to reflect changes in workplace expectations: newer generational dynamics, technology’s effect on how people communicate, more attention to “managing up” (i.e. how managers manage their bosses or stakeholders), and evolving culture in organizations. 

• Overall, the style is accessible, not overly academic, and full of actionable advice. It's a “toolkit” more than a high‑theory treatise. Good for someone stepping into management for the first time, or someone who wants to sharpen their people‑skills. 

About the Authors

Jack H. Grossman, Ph.D., and J. Robert Parkinson, Ph.D., are both experienced in teaching, consulting, and helping people develop managerial and communication skills.

• Jack H. Grossman is a psychologist and management consultant. He is (or was) a professor emeritus at DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business. His background gives him both theory and practice. 

• J. Robert Parkinson is (or was) on the faculty at Northwestern University. He also works as a consultant, trainer, and coach in communications, management practices, relationship building. He bridges academic insights with real‑world management challenges. 

In the second edition, another author name appears: Gary Grossman (likely related or associated with Jack Grossman, maybe son or colleague), especially in newer version updates.