Book: The Connector Manager, Why Some Leaders Build Exceptional Talent – and Others Don’t

Author: Jaime Roca and Sari Wilde of Gartner. Inc

Key message of the book: The most effective management style is that of a Connector Manager, who improves performance by connecting employees to the right resources, people and opportunities. Such style is more impactful than the “always on” manager who can easily stifle performance and authenticity, by constantly giving broad and continuous feedback.

Gartner’s research (9,000+ employees and managers) found Connector managers lift employee performance by up to 26% and more than triple the chances an employee becomes a high performer.

Connector managers drive results through three connection types:

1. Employee connection: The Connector Manager understands each team members’ motivations, goals, strengths and areas of improvement in order to provide tailored support.
2. Team connection – The Connector Manager puts systems in place conducive to learning and development of all, via peer coaching and sharing of skills.
3. Organization connection – The Connector Manager puts team members in touch with other subject‑matter experts, mentors, and opportunities across the organization and industry.

Some favorite quotes from the book:

“The fundamental mandate of a manager is to solve an ever‑growing number of complex problems and achieve extraordinary results through other people.”

“The snowballing effect of digitalization on work and changing employee skill needs translates into a new manager mandate: to act as a central source for upskilling employees in real time to meet current and future skill needs.”

“Connector managers help their employees build bridges across and outside their enterprise to make the best (not just the most) connections.”

“When managers play the role of mapmakers, they help employees locate the new skills and development they need.”

“As a manager, it’s insufficient to simply make the connection and let the development magic happen on its own.”

This book review by Growth Is A Journey is an invitation for readers to discover the book in its entirety.