Bob Selden is an international management consultant who specialises in helping managers, particularly new managers, develop to their full potential. He is the author of What To Do When You Become The Boss, an innovative book for first time managers.
Bob is also a student of behaviour. He believes that the words and language we use not only impact our relationships with others, but also the way in which we behave. Recent research tends to support this belief. For example, studies at the Universities of Heidelberg, Neuchatel and Zurich (2007) show that when young male drivers hear male type words (such as “tough” and “rough”) they automatically increase their speed, whilst hearing female type words (such as “pink” and “lipstick”) leads to a reduction in their speed.
Likewise, can the words a manager uses impact both his or her people relationships and behaviour? What To Do When You Become The Boss enables Bob to illustrate how this concept can help managers improve both their effectiveness and relationships with critical stakeholders. It also provides the opportunity for Bob to pass on many of the management models, theories and practical tips that he has picked up over a long and varied management career.
Bob survived his first new manager’s role in banking to eventually develop into a senior manager responsible for the career development of hundreds of other managers. During this growing process, and later as an organisational development consultant, trainer and coach, he learnt what works and what doesn’t work when managing others.
Bob Selden is an Australian who currently lives in Liestal Switzerland with his wife Anita, a senior manager in a large multinational organisation. As well as consulting to various organisations on 5 continents, he coaches on the Mobilizing People program at the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland. Bob also facilitates on programs such as the Middle Manager Development program at the Australian Graduate School of Management in Sydney, Australia.
"Learning is about seeing things from a different perspective. My role is to help people improve their vision." - Bob Selden
After many years as a manager, trainer, coach and consultant, I am very happy and keen to pass on some of the things I have learnt about managing and leading people. I do this free of charge as a way of putting back into the worldwide community some of the things I have gained from being part of it over the years.
I have many products (e.g. feedback profiles, surveys etc) that can be viewed and purchased through my website http://www.nationallearning.com.au/. Additionally, there are many free tips, tools and advice on my Manager's Resource Data Base at http://www.nationallearninginstitute.com/. Of course, I'd love it if you also happen to purchase a copy of my book What To Do When You Become The Boss - see more about this "how to" for managers at http://www.whenyoubecometheboss.com
Finally, I'd be happy to answer any people management problems through this site.