Book Review: Make Me the Boss: Surviving as a Millennial Manager in the Corporate World
Make Me the Boss: Surviving as a Millennial Manager in the Corporate World. Emily Tsitrian, Mar Chiquita Publishing, 13 January 2022, Paperback and eBook, 254 pages.
Reviewed by Caroline L. Huftalen.
Emily Tsitrian took what she learned while climbing the corporate ladder and put it all in a book to assist other early career employees learn from her mistakes, acquire the same hard-earned knowledge in just under 250 pages, and reach their goals. Make Me the Boss: Surviving as a Millennial Manager in the Corporate World is less focused on how to do the climbing. Tsitrian’s book is centered on how to be a people manager. Her debut book comes after sharing what she knows while coaching teams and up-and-coming managers, as well as her podcast, manager.flow, where she talks to other leaders about thinking outside the box.
Tsitrian starts her book with the emotional prep needed to face a new promotion head-on and prepared. Throughout the chapters, she transitions from helpful steps after the moment an employee is promoted or accepts a new role in management, the small day-to-day needs, to big-picture ideologies. She lays out what the next few weeks, months, and years’ priorities are for the people being managed as well as for the career of the manager. Building a team, handling conflict, setting boundaries, and how to effectively communicate with your team are just the tip of the iceberg in topics that Tsitrian explores for current-day best practices and becoming the boss you always wanted.
Where this book excels is how the information is shared with its audience. Using simple layman's terms laced with professional expressions (all defined in the back), Tsitrian makes workplace dynamics palatable even for the non-office worker. Even the newest members of the corporate world will feel like a pro after reading her book. One of the best assets in Make Me the Boss is usable plans of action. Everything from how to do performance reviews and actually make them worthwhile for employees and managers, to making meetings less of a time-suck, and the best ways to manage each generation. Effective and thoughtful communication, an attribute beneficial in life and at work, is brought up in each chapter. From online and beyond, Tsitrian covers the bases on how to set standards while still building bonds and creating a workplace culture where people feel valued and want to stay.
While filled with useful advice, Tsitrian limited her scope by advertising this book for the millennial worker. This book should make its way to soon-to-be-graduates about to enter the workforce or about to embark on important internships, but it’s also for the late-career employee needing a refresher in office culture, motivating teams, and employee retention. The secondary title isn’t the only limiting factor. Throughout the book, Tsitrian uses language, phrasing, and references that may leave the reader feeling on the outside if not a part of a younger generation. The references to the millennial stereotype only give credit to those who see that generation as lacking impact and focus. Though Tsitrian may have used those moments as added humor and levity, it was more distracting compared to how she showcased her true flair and prowess when talking about the impacts she has made, what she has learned, and being honest about mistakes. Tsitrian touts being yourself, and in the book, it is clear that she lives up to that. She wants to make sure that new managers are aware of the culture shift that is about to happen: no more gossip, no more taking sides, no more trying to be solely friends. It’s time to get work done. The majority of the book does just this but loses focus amongst the memes and avocado toast.
Tsitrian’s final message in the book focuses on the true purpose: to be the leader you always wished you’d had. We’ve all had bad bosses, bad managers, and those jobs don’t stick, you leave for better opportunities. Tsitrian’s goal is to make the workplace more enjoyable for all, a more inclusive environment that allows for growth, and shatters ceilings. For more information about Tsitrian’s book and other work, visit www.emilytsitrian.com.