Topgrading: How Leading Companies Win by Hiring, Coaching and Keeping the Best People
Author: Bradford D. Smart
List Price: $28.00
Our Price: Click to see the latest and low price
ISBN: 0735200491
Publisher: Prentice Hall Press (02 February, 1999)
Sales Rank: 1,140
Average Customer Rating: 4 out of 5
Customer Reviews
Rating: 5 out of 5
Finally - A consistent people-care paradigm!
Sure, the style leaves something to be desired. The author assumes a well-educated reader, with some experience as a supervisor at a pretty high level. But this book is JAM-PACKED with valuable information based on experience, not conjecture. It answers probably 75% of the nagging questions I've had over the years in dealing with employees (hiring, coaching, performance management/evaluation, and yes, firing). And it does so comprehensively and cohesively.
What I like best is that Dr Smart's methodology is fully integrated: the (comprehensive) information collected before hiring is the SAME info used to coach an employee to greatness. The SAME measures are used to evaluate growth, and the SAME measures are used to determine if it is time for an employee (or myself!) to move on.
I only wish the content was available 20 years ago... and that the Appendices (interview forms, evaluation forms, etc) were available online or came on a CD with the book. :-)
Rating: 5 out of 5
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"Topgrading is based on the author's experience assessing and coaching over 4,000 managers. Although half of the book talks about corporate topgrading programs, that's not for me. I was interested in the half of the book devoted to managers. I'm a newly promoted manager, and I learned how to hire the best people. Topgrading also showed me how to develop myself to be an 'A player'. The author helped me identify my developmental needs. Topgrading gives 3 or 4 suggestions for improving each of 50 different competencies. AWESOME!"Chris Mursau
Rating: 3 out of 5
Very interested, until...
After reading the reviews of this book, I wanted it...but there's one hesitation.One company the marketers of the book hold up as an example of why the author's work is effective is GE. In my opinion, and in the opinion of many I've spoken with in my world, GE's products are not superior...so this makes me wonder
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