Managing For Dummies®, 3rd Edition

Authors' Acknowledgments

Bob recalls three influential mentors in his career: Jim Reller, a delegator par excellence in Bob's first corporate position at Control Data Corporation, often gave out assignments with a disclaimer such as, "I could probably do this task faster than you, but I believe you'll learn a lot from the process"; Dr. Ken Blanchard, co-author of The One Minute Manager, whom Bob worked with for more than ten years, demonstrated how to get the best efforts from people by using the softer side of management and never directly telling them what to do; and Dr. Peter F. Drucker, whom Bob worked with in his PhD studies at Claremont Graduate University, taught him that the best management principles were also the simplest ones.

These mentors taught more than just the technical skills of assigning work, conducting a performance appraisal, or disciplining an employee. They emphasized the people side of management: how to motivate employees by example, reward them when they exceed expectations, and make each person feel like he or she is the most important in the world.

Bob and Peter also appreciate everyone at Wiley Publishing, Inc., who has helped to make their books — and Managing For Dummies, 3rd Edition, in particular — be the best, including Stacy Kennedy, Elizabeth Rea, Krista Hansing, and Julie Cookson.

On the personal side, Bob would like to acknowledge the ongoing love and support of his parents, Helen and Edward; his wife, Jennifer; and his children, Daniel and Michelle. ...