Think like a Manager, Don't Act Like One

Managers, we all know them. They make sure that things get done, that agreements are observed and that results are achieved. Ten years ago they were seen as the ideal solution for many companies. These days, their very existence is being called into question. Why this separate role? After all, managing is something we all do.

Think Like a Manager, Don’t Act Like One offers 75 successful approaches to help you foresee or manage unpredictable situations. Developed with the assistance of John F. Kennedy, Johan Cruijff, Casanova, talented management gurus, elusive laboratory molds, one oval table, one donkey, Barack Obama, and Johnny Cash. These 75 perspectives will add to your confusion – but also your understanding.

This collection of approaches may well irritate you from time to time, and possibly inspire you, but really it should make you think. It probably wouldn’t be sensible to follow every one of them, but they might give you some fresh ideas. Because those who keep doing what they’ve always done achieve the results they’ve always achieved. 

Also available in Dutch

Harry Starren is the former CEO of de Baak VNO-NCW, the premier leadership development institute in the Netherlands. He is a recognized expert on leadership and entrepreneurship and widely acclaimed as a publicist, lecturer and facilitator. As such he works at building on his previous successes with merging innovation with entrepreneurship. 
Harry Starren is an active member of a number of supervisory boards along with being an adviser on innovation to large European organizations.

"Eager to be more John F. Kennedy than David Brent? This quirky management title can help. Think Like a Manager offers 75 successful approaches to help you manage unpredictable situations." – New Design Magazine

"Very funny, innovative, and easy to access. To refresh your thoughts and see new perspectives. Highly recommended." – Mariëtte Hamer, President Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands 

"Starren hands out some serious critic, but mostly educational. The book, which is easy to browse through, still seems to contain the essence of many modern leadership, agile and modern management books. That is why it is already worthwhile to have a look at this book. The tiles form the essence of thoughtful advice and no statement seems inconceivable. This book offers usable wisdom quotes for every reader. Looking forward to more successful editions in this practical Think like a Pro-series." – Nieuws.social 

"In his beautifully designed book, Starren explains how anyone can think like a manager without acting one. His 75 stimulating observations are mainly intended for reflection, sometimes to irritate but above all to surprise. Something Starren certainly succeeds in!" – De Psycholoog, monthly magazine Dutch Institute of Psychologists

"Eager to be more John F. Kennedy than David Brent? This quirky management title can help. Think Like a Manager offers 75 successful approaches to help you manage unpredictable situations." – New Design Magazine