The effective manager today is not only technically skilled but also emotionally and socially mature. Self-knowledge is a pre-requisite of the good manager; so too are the qualities of leadership such as self-management, social awareness and empathy. The good manager leads with both head and heart.

In his latest book, Tony Humphreys shows how a manager who possesses a deep understanding of human behaviour is in a powerful position to enhance relationships with employees and increase their motivation and commitment to work. He writes about those managers who can relate openly with their people and those who use more defensive styles. He considers also the various types of communication between managers and employees, and looks at the kinds of organisation that can encourage open healthy relationships that in turn lead to enhanced results.

He goes on to point out that few organisations are free of conflict; however, the way it is managed is crucial to the on-going well-being of all those within the organisation and of the organisation itself. Managers who understand their own inner and outer responses are better able to understand and respond maturely to the challenging behaviours of some employees.

Drawing on his extensive experience as a clinical psychologist, lecturer and businessman, Tony Humphreys has written a book that will be of immeasurable value not only to managers themselves, but to all who have positions of leadership and responsibility to ensure that work environments are as supportive as possible to human development as well as being effective and productive.