It's the Manager by Jim Clifton and Jim Harter
A data backed case for coaching style management, padded and tied closely to Gallup's tools.
The short version
- New managers moving up from individual contributor roles
- HR and leadership teams running group reading or development sessions
- Organizations already using CliftonStrengths
- You want a detailed, step by step coaching manual
- You are wary of books tied to a consultancy's paid products
- You want a short read, since the hardcover is bulky for its core content
What owners like
- Grounded in decades of Gallup workplace data
- Short chapters are easy to read and work well for team discussions
- The coaching conversation framework gives managers something concrete to try
- getAbstract rates it very good as a reference on core HR issues
Common complaints
- Reads in places like a promotion for CliftonStrengths and Gallup services
- Repeats its core points across many chapters
- Lighter on step by step how to than the subtitle suggests
- Much of the page count is appendices and strengths descriptions
- Some of the diversity and inclusion material feels dated
Based on Goodreads reader discussion, a getAbstract summary and a CHHSM book review.
Research scores
Scored from the maker's specs and what owners report. Drew's own notes and photos will refine these.
Ownership
- Dec 2024
First bought.
Drew's hands-on notes for this product are on the way. Long-term updates will be added to this timeline.
What it does
A Gallup Press management book arguing that manager quality drives team results, laid out as 52 short research based chapters.
- Based on Gallup's large global study of the future of work
- Core claim that the quality of managers and team leaders is the biggest factor in long term success
- Chapters run only a few pages, which suits weekly group discussion
- Covers coaching conversations, manager competencies, remote work, gig workers and hiring
- Includes a CliftonStrengths access code and online material
Useful for new and mid level managers, and for leadership teams that want short, data backed chapters to discuss together. The trade-offs are that it leans heavily on Gallup's own CliftonStrengths tools, and a large share of the page count is appendix and reference material rather than practical how to.
How it compares
Specs
- Authors
- Jim Clifton and Jim Harter
- Publisher
- Gallup Press
- Published
- May 7, 2019
- Format
- Hardcover
- Pages
- 448, including appendices
- Chapters
- 52 short chapters
- ISBN
- 1595622241 (9781595622242)
- Extras
- Access code for the CliftonStrengths assessment (top five strengths)
Questions
Does It's the Manager include a CliftonStrengths code?
Retailer listings say purchasers get an access code for the CliftonStrengths assessment that reveals their top five strengths.
How long is It's the Manager?
The hardcover is 448 pages, but readers note that a large share is appendices and reference material.
Who wrote It's the Manager?
Jim Clifton and Jim Harter of Gallup.
What is the main idea of It's the Manager?
Gallup's research finds that the quality of managers and team leaders is the single biggest factor in an organization's long term success.
Sources
- Porchlight Book Company: It's the Manager
- Goodreads: It's the Manager
- getAbstract: It's the Manager summary
- CHHSM: Book Review, It's the Manager
Researched 2026-10-01. We bought this product; our page is built from the maker's details and what owners report across reviews and forums. We never copy Amazon customer reviews.