Balance and Control ― A Guide to Managing Human Beings by Understanding Human Nature and Human Interactions

Balance and Control is a guide to managing people at many different levels of technical and psychological maturities and at different hierarchical ranks (subordinates, peers, and superiors). It takes the theories of management and leadership and puts them into practical strategies and actions that have been proven to actually work. It takes an unvarnished look at the interface between the manager and those they manage or interact with and helps the manager to get a better appreciation of the human dynamics that are likely at play. The author’s intent is to help the individual reader grow as a manager and help them avoid the majority of the professional and political pitfalls that are always present when any attempt is made to manage the competitive, narcissistic, and un-contented animal that is man. The book was designed to provide the manager a window into their own basic nature in order to give them a better understanding of the nature of man. In addition, the book’s design brings together many of the same standard operational management strategies and tools, found elsewhere, but the author puts them into situational context so the manager can see how their actions (or lack thereof) might be being interpreted on a psychological and emotional level by those directly affected by what they do. The book takes the reader on a blue collar journey through the white collar challenges of management. It will walk you through many of the human interactions a manager is likely to encounter while keeping you mindful of man’s natural motivational drivers (his desires and fears), his pursuit of higher hierarchical status, individual recognition, pride, and personal respect. The author constructed the book in a cumulative fashion, allowing each new section to build upon the last, and he has chosen to take a holistic approach to the information provided. Therefore, the subject matter is interrelated, wide-ranging, and somewhat detailed. You will also find demonstrative examples, scenarios, and actual case studies to provide the reader with added clarity. Man is presented to the reader as a compartmentalized being so that each of the three separate and distinct levels of his being can be examined individually (the aspirational being, the competitive being, and the primordial being). The book was written for the sole purpose of helping the reader (the manager) become skilled at managing and leading man at all three of those levels – not just the aspirational man. You shouldn’t expect to find any “Magic Formulas” to becoming a better manager here, and there won’t be any “5 Simple Steps to Superior Leadership” or a “60 Second Solution” to anything. What you should expect is to be able to learn the tools of human management and to be able to take control and become an effective manager and leader of men. You should also expect to develop an insight into man’s nature which will allow you to avoid unintended consequences while facilitating cooperation and compliance with your leadership; your requests, recommendations, or dictates. While no attempt has been made to make the book’s contents sufficiently comprehensive or all inclusive, the information provided should provide the reader a solid foundation upon which they can start to build, or continue to build, their managerial acumen and career success.