The Manager's Purpose
Your job as a manager is to get better outcomes from a group of people working together.
Book summary
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The Making of a Manager
by Julie Zhuo
What to Do When Everyone Looks to You
Practical guide for new managers from Facebook executive
4.5(1.2k)Published 2019
Topics
LeadershipManagementTeam BuildingCareer Development
Reading companion
How to read The Making of a Manager with Readever
Read this book with a specific management challenge in mind, and use Readever to document your implementation of Zhuo's frameworks. After each chapter, identify one management practice to experiment with in your team. Use the AI to translate management concepts into actionable steps for your specific context, and track your progress in building trust and psychological safety.
Things to know before reading
- Have a specific management challenge or team situation you want to improve
- Understand that management is a learnable skill, not an innate talent
- Be prepared to reflect on your own management style and areas for growth
- The book provides practical frameworks rather than abstract theories—come ready to apply them
Brief summary
The Making of a Manager in a nutshell
A modern field guide for new managers transitioning from individual contributor roles. Drawing from her experience as Facebook's VP of Product Design, Julie Zhuo provides practical frameworks for leading teams, giving feedback, and building trust.
Key ideas overview
The Making of a Manager summary of 4 key ideas
Core management principles every new leader needs to master
The Art of Feedback
Feedback is a gift, but only if it's delivered thoughtfully and received openly.
Building Trust and Psychological Safety
The best teams are built on trust, and trust is built through consistency and vulnerability.
Hiring and Developing Talent
Hiring is the most important investment you'll make as a manager.
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What's in it for me?
Learn the essential skills to transition from doing the work yourself to empowering others to do great work. This book provides actionable frameworks for hiring, coaching, giving feedback, and creating psychological safety on your team.
Deep dive
Key ideas in The Making of a Manager
Key idea 1
The Manager's Purpose
Your job as a manager is to get better outcomes from a group of people working together.
Management isn't about being the smartest person in the room—it's about creating an environment where your team can do their best work. Zhuo emphasizes that managers achieve results through others, not by doing the work themselves.
Remember
- Focus on purpose, people, and process as your three pillars
- Your success is measured by your team's success
- Delegate execution while retaining responsibility for outcomes
Key idea 2
The Art of Feedback
Feedback is a gift, but only if it's delivered thoughtfully and received openly.
Learn to give constructive feedback that actually helps people grow. Zhuo provides specific frameworks for different types of feedback situations, from performance reviews to real-time coaching moments.
Remember
- Separate observations from interpretations
- Focus on behavior, not personality
- Make feedback regular, not just during formal reviews
Key idea 3
Building Trust and Psychological Safety
The best teams are built on trust, and trust is built through consistency and vulnerability.
Create an environment where team members feel safe to take risks, admit mistakes, and share ideas. Zhuo explains how to build psychological safety through transparent communication and consistent follow-through.
Remember
- Admit your own mistakes and limitations
- Create clear expectations and boundaries
- Protect your team from unnecessary politics and distractions
Key idea 4
Hiring and Developing Talent
Hiring is the most important investment you'll make as a manager.
Develop a systematic approach to hiring that focuses on finding people who complement your team's strengths and fill its gaps. Learn how to interview effectively and make data-driven hiring decisions.
Remember
- Define clear success criteria before you start hiring
- Look for potential, not just current skills
- Invest in onboarding and continuous development
Context
What is The Making of a Manager about?
"The Making of a Manager" is the book Julie Zhuo wishes she had when she unexpectedly became a manager at Facebook at age 25. Through her journey from individual contributor to leading hundreds of designers, she discovered that management isn't an innate talent but a learnable skill.
The book tackles the universal challenges managers face: how to motivate team members, give difficult feedback, hire the right people, and create an environment where everyone can do their best work. Zhuo's approach is deeply practical, filled with real-world examples from her time at Facebook and actionable frameworks that can be applied immediately.
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Review
The Making of a Manager review
Julie Zhuo has written the definitive guide for anyone making the transition from individual contributor to manager. What makes this book exceptional is its combination of practical advice and psychological insight. Zhuo understands that management isn't just about processes and systems—it's about people.
The book stands out for its accessibility and relevance. Unlike many management books written by consultants or academics, this comes from someone who's been in the trenches, managing real teams through the explosive growth of one of the world's most influential companies.
- One of the most practical and immediately useful management books ever written
- Essential reading for anyone transitioning from individual contributor to manager
- Filled with actionable frameworks that can be implemented immediately
- Human-centered approach that emphasizes empathy and psychological safety
Who should read The Making of a Manager?
New managers making the transition from individual contributor roles
Experienced managers looking to refresh their leadership approach
Team leads and aspiring managers preparing for leadership roles
Anyone responsible for developing and coaching team members
About the author
Julie Zhuo is an entrepreneur and product executive who helped shape the digital experiences of billions worldwide. She joined Facebook as a product designer in 2006 when the company had fewer than 100 employees and eventually became Vice President of Product Design, leading hundreds of designers.
After 14 years at Facebook (now Meta), she co-founded Sundial, a company focused on helping organizations build better products and teams. Her writing on management and leadership has been featured in The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and other major publications.
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Final summary
"The Making of a Manager" demystifies the transition from individual contributor to leader. Julie Zhuo's honest, practical approach provides the roadmap every new manager needs. The book's greatest strength is its recognition that management is a human skill first and a technical skill second.
By focusing on building trust, giving effective feedback, and creating environments where people can thrive, Zhuo provides the tools to become the kind of manager people want to work for—and ultimately, the kind of leader who builds teams that accomplish extraordinary things.
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