Don't waste collective wisdom

In a business era where people management is the key to the success of any organisation, and where innumerable books by individuals on the subject have made it to bookshelves, leaving readers confused, this book emerges as a handy tool for HR professionals at all levels. This is because the author, Sultan Kermally, has used his keen analytical skills to bring together the views of 14 renowned people management experts on one single platform: Gurus on People Management. Kermally, a learning facilitator and management writer himself, believes that managing people makes up 80 per cent of the managerial function. And considering that most managers need constant training and support in performing these functions, Kermally has smartly selected the work of HR gurus on four aspects of managing people, namely Motivation, Leadership, Culture and Knowledge.

This book provides insights into the perspectives of some of the oldest advocates of people management""like Fredrick Winslow Taylor, Abraham Maslow and Frederick Herzberg, as well as modern gurus such as Chris Argyris, John Adair and Peter Drucker. Each chapter contains both "lessons learnt" and the shortcomings of different theories put forward by these gurus. The book succeeds to a large extent in charting the evolution of people management theories and practices.

Kermally also showcases case studies of three organisations to document people management practices. Also worth reading: the key attributes of winning organisations, based on survey findings of Fortune and Sunday Times in Chapter 18, the write-up on "The Investors in People Standard", and case studies towards the end of the book.

Besides, Kermally has done a remarkable job of keeping the language simple, though the book could have been edited better. Also, it would have made the book a little more appealing had the author catered to the visual needs of the reader by using charts or graphs.

What the book lacks most is a common thread running through disparate theories, efforts to glean""which appear to have been minimal on the author's part. The book looks at each theory in isolation. This results in instances where some of these theories may sound contradictory.

Moreover, to a professional trainer in the field of people management, the book may even appear a little simplistic. But given the diversity of issues under people management and interest in the subject, the book definitely makes the reader realise that "Managing People is not a matter of manipulation. It is about working with your staff and colleagues on a partnership basis to achieve the strategic goal of the organization."

This book is recommended as essential reading for all line managers, HR professionals and CEOs. It should even be read by all employees""if only for a better understanding of themselves as part of organisations.

Thought-provoking as the book is, it ends up triggering a few questions in my mind. Are we paying enough attention in India to leadership development? Is it time for every organisation to have a psychologist on board to understand human needs as a way to manage people effectively? Are we ready to move from managing people to managing knowledge that resides in the minds of people?

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GURUS ON PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

Sultan Kermally
Viva Books
Price: Rs 195; Pages: 151