Business Guru Jane Treber Macken calls on her 36 years of acclaimed expertise in the business field to put together her first book, “The Art of Managing: How to Build a Better Workplace and Relationships.” Her vast knowledge in both business and psychology bring a holistic flow to her methods, making her strategy a natural marriage between the two fields. “Bridging business and psychology will assist you not only in managing your workplace, but also in managing your personal life. Both are really about successfully managing relationships.” “The Art of Managing” is the enlightened manager’s guide to a more effective management style. It teaches and sharpens skills in successful communication based on personality types and levels of ability and motivation. By positively exploiting certain character ‘flaws’ and traits and knowing another’s behavior style, managers can boost both individual vision and group interoperability. Macken utilizes specific examples from her background and upbringing to illustrate her points. She also brings in plenty of descriptive charts, exercises, and bolds key phrases that can be used as a management mantra. “The Art of Managing” is a quick read while easy to digest and emulate. Macken does a superb job bringing her technique full circle while bringing in the importance of a foundation of self-knowledge, continual personal growth, and unwavering ethics throughout. “The Art of Managing” is perfect for those established and aspiring managers hoping to be more effective leaders by building work environments full of trust, honesty, and open communication. I also think the book would serve those interested in bettering their own interpersonal skills. Whether or not one is a “manager” per se, the book offers valuable information on how to get to know oneself on a deeper level and improve your interaction experiences with people of other personality types. “The Art of Managing” is definitely a positive alternative for those who have become frustrated with other methods of management. Jane Treber Macken’s style is motivating and insightful, bringing a fresh take on employee mental well-being while keeping the ultimate goal of a successful business in focus. “People who continue to learn are better able to implement and manage continuous change, meet customer expectations and needs, and lead an organization to success in the competitive economic environment.”

Forbes, May 21, 2007 magazine article is about Meg Whitman, CEO of EBay, who was on a flight to India with three other employees when one of them developed a dangerous gastrointestinal problem that required hospitalization. They landed the plane in Istanbul which was the closest airport. Whitman rode in the ambulance with the ill employee and stayed with him for hours in the hospital, talking to his wife on the phone. Once he was stabilized, Whitman flew with him to London in the corporate jet. Then, she and the other two employees flew commercial to India, leaving the jet for the patient to fly home to California. Rajir Dutta, head of EBay’s Pay Pal Business stated, “She will exert herself personally, far and above the call of duty. She makes you want to do the right thing.” This story exemplifies caring and compassion for people that is one of the key attributes that successful leaders possess.

Forbes, May 7, 2007 article states that of over 6,000 companies studied, more than 500 meet the criteria as high performers. These include many of the companies who are attempting transformation. According to the special excerpt from “Outlook” the journal of high performance business, one of the four critical goals that successful companies embrace is assembling and empowering the right management team for the right challenge. This article reinforces and is consistent with “The Art of Managing…How to Build a Better Workplace and Relationships” for forming effective teams — putting the right people on the team; supporting with the right resources; and, ensuring everyone on the team is aligned with the goal.