“Slow down and make building relationships as important as building projects” is a quote from “Three Cups of Tea” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Their message teaches us an important lesson about other cultures and the importance of relationships which mirrors “The Art of Managing…How to Build a Better Workplace and Relationships” in that it is extremely important to understand and have caring and compassion for others.

Greg Mortenson, an American, committed out of passion to build a school for the children in Balti (Pakistan). Once construction began, he drove the workers hard without significant progress and built resentment from the workers. Haji Ali, a Baltistan, told him that if he wanted to thrive in Baltistan, he must respect their ways. Haji Ali said, “The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honoree guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family, and for our family, we are prepared to do anything, even die.” Greg Mortenson learned an important lesson about other cultures. He followed this tradition and the workers accelerated productivity and completed the school in a relative short time.

What a great illustration of caring and compassion for others and serving others and the community.

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.”

According to Watson Wyatt Worldwide study, companies with highly committed employees tend to post sharply higher shareholder returns. Even though most companies do a good job recruiting employees, there is still some work to do about employee retention because it is expensive to replace employees. Two of the most important ingredients for running a successful business are hiring the most qualified person and showing caring and compassion. A trusting and respectful relationship is one of the most powerful drivers of employee commitment and is essential for building not only employee loyalty but also loyalty in our personal relationships.