The Making of a Manager book cover

The Making of a Manager by Julie Zhuo Summary

The Making of a Manager
Julie Zhuo
4.25 (4 Reviews)
Leadership
Career
Business
Relationship
Overview
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Author
FAQs

Overview of The Making of a Manager

Discover how great managers are made, not born, in this Wall Street Journal bestseller by Facebook VP Julie Zhuo. With 1,665+ Goodreads reviews praising its jargon-free wisdom, it's the rare leadership guide that transforms everyday challenges into opportunities for extraordinary team growth.

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Key takeaways

1

From Rookie to Remarkable: The Journey of Management

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Imagine this: You're working late nights at a tech startup, designing digital interfaces to the rhythm of Daft Punk. Three years later, you're suddenly asked to lead a team. Your stomach knots as you practice difficult conversations in the mirror, wondering if you're cut out for this. This was my reality at Facebook in 2009. That overwhelming fear and doubt? Completely normal. The truth about management is refreshingly simple: great managers aren't born - they're made through persistent learning and countless mistakes. If you're seeking guidance on becoming better, you already possess the foundation for greatness. Management isn't about having all the answers but about caring enough to keep asking the right questions. The journey from individual contributor to leader is transformative, challenging, and ultimately, one of the most rewarding paths you can take.

2

Understanding Your Role and If It's Right for You

3

Your First Three Months: Building Trust and Connection

4

The Art of Transformative Feedback

5

Managing Yourself: The Foundation of Leadership

6

Building Your Dream Team: The Manager's Most Critical Task

7

Creating a Lasting Legacy Through Culture and Delegation

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The Making of a Manager isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Leadership. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
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"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

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likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
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star
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
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star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
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201
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
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"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
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comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
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