Book Review Excerpts (see full reviews below):
Kirkus Book Review:
"In this debut business book, Oshiro shares leadership lessons he learned over more than three decades working for the technology company EDS, founded by Ross Perot and later acquired by HP. The author recounts his evolution from entry-level programmer to manager, overseeing the work of nearly 200 colleagues."
"The book recounts the author’s best and worst moments at work, along with providing a thoughtful discussion of what readers can learn from his experiences. Oshiro is an excellent storyteller, and he presents a vivid picture of corporate life with an enthusiasm that even the most cynical reader will appreciate."
“Oshiro is an engaging narrator who comes across as an authoritative and ethical mentor who is willing to work hard to ensure the next generation of corporate leadership meets his high standards in all aspects of the job."
"An effective guide to succeeding in corporate leadership and bringing integrity and determination to work."
(Selected among the top 10% by Kirkus Indie Editors.)
— Kirkus Reviews (November 2019)
________________________________________________
San Francisco Book Review, Star Rating: 5 / 5
"Oshiro provides a straightforward blueprint to professional individuals looking to advance and improve as supervisors in the workplace. Oshiro’s concise design is based on years of experience in a variety of professional roles that have thoroughly honed his perceptions of successful leadership in places of business. He captures snapshots of his experiences and shares them through various examples and scenarios, thereby demonstrating the real-world application of his advice. These thoughtful personal examples clarify and expand on the instruction provided, which makes his guidance all the more accessible and user-friendly."
"...text remains focused and well-organized. His information flows naturally, and clearly comes from an informed perspective."
“Oshiro’s Individual Performer to Manager: A Practical Guide to Career Advancement into Management is an invaluable text that will assist readers to avoid professional blunders and address concerns in a constructive, productive manner to ensure continued professional growth and success.”
"The approachability and implications of Oshiro’s book garner a resounding 5 stars." (5 Stars: Reviewer considers the book to be something that everyone should read. Reviewer would read it again.)
— San Francisco Book Review (December 2019)
________________________________________________
Publishers Weekly/BookLife Talks with Norm Oshiro (June 29, 2020): https://booklife.com/news/authors/06/29/2020/booklife-talks-with-norm-oshiro.html
Publishers Weekly/BookLife Review:
“Debut author Oshiro’s straightforward, sensible guide to excelling as a manager contains a wealth of valuable advice from his decades-long career in leadership. Taking the tone of a trusted mentor, Oshiro sets out to impart hard-won knowledge and help aspiring executives...”
“Oshiro's clear account of his career—including both achievements and failures—gives readers confidence in his advice...”
“...focuses on the positives of his former employers, and he is especially generous in praising his time at Ross Perot’s company Electronic Data Systems..”
“Suitable for executives and would-be managers at all levels and stages of their careers, Oshiro’s practical guide will serve as a handbook for success for those who follow its wise advice...his empathetic tone and well-paced narrative will easily draw readers in...”
“Takeaway: Managers at any stage of their careers can benefit from this mix of thoughtful memoir and timeless business advice.”
"Great for fans of Bill George’s True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership, Peter F. Drucker’s The Effective Executive."
— Publishers Weekly/BookLife Review (January 2020)
==============================================
Full Reviews:
Publishers Weekly/BookLife Review:
https://booklife.com/my/projectid/4bdfe330-127c-11ea-a97b-547275647911
“Debut author Oshiro’s straightforward, sensible guide to excelling as a manager contains a wealth of valuable advice from his decades-long career in leadership. Taking the tone of a trusted mentor, Oshiro sets out to impart hard-won knowledge and help aspiring executives get ahead.”
"Chief among his lessons are investing in one’s own training, learning how to understand and please one’s superiors, and battling through overwhelming tasks."
“Once readers take their first steps onto the leadership ladder, Oshiro counsels them on how to keep growing – emphasizing the importance of maintaining scrupulous business ethics, doing due diligence when hiring and firing, and dealing straightforwardly with complaints and discontent."
“Oshiro's clear account of his career—including both achievements and failures—gives readers confidence in his advice, and he advocates for readers, advising them to believe in themselves and to move on from employers who don’t sufficiently value them.”
"He shows managers how to encourage top performances and balance work and life demands."
“Oshiro also offers an unflinching and realistic look at doing what one must do to stay afloat during hard times…”
“Admirably, Oshiro focuses on the positives of his former employers, and he is especially generous in praising his time at Ross Perot’s company Electronic Data Systems, singling out Perot as a guiding light in his working life.”
“Suitable for executives and would-be managers at all levels and stages of their careers, Oshiro’s practical guide will serve as a handbook for success for those who follow its wise advice. His own sterling ethics are on display throughout, and his empathetic tone and well-paced narrative will easily draw readers in and invite them to soak up his knowledge.”
“Takeaway: Managers at any stage of their careers can benefit from this mix of thoughtful memoir and timeless business advice.”
"Great for fans of Bill George’s True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership, Peter F. Drucker’s The Effective Executive."
— Publishers Weekly/BookLife Review (January 2020)
________________________________________________
Individual Performer to Manager, San Francisco Book Review, Star Rating: 5 / 5
https://sanfranciscobookreview.com/product/individual-performer-to-manager-a-practical-guide-to-career-advancement-into-management/
"Oshiro provides a straightforward blueprint to professional individuals looking to advance and improve as supervisors in the workplace. Oshiro’s concise design is based on years of experience in a variety of professional roles that have thoroughly honed his perceptions of successful leadership in places of business. He captures snapshots of his experiences and shares them through various examples and scenarios, thereby demonstrating the real-world application of his advice. These thoughtful personal examples clarify and expand on the instruction provided, which makes his guidance all the more accessible and user-friendly."
“Through this approach, readers will find that although it covers some of the hard business management aspects, it covers more of the day-to-day interactions and challenges, and ‘soft’ aspects, things that are generally not covered in an MBA program.”
"His overview covers everything from things to keep in mind when donning sensible casual attire, and the importance of acting as a professional outside of work, to addressing difficult concerns with a subordinate or superior. His chapter on expecting uncomfortable, overwhelming, and, at times, terrifying situations encourages readers to prepare for worst-case scenarios and recognize these situations as opportunities..."
"Despite covering such a broad spectrum of topics and areas of concern, Oshiro’s text remains focused and well-organized. His information flows naturally, and clearly comes from an informed perspective. Applying even a few of Oshiro’s suggestions, readers will quickly see the positive results in their own day-to-day experiences."
“Moreover, readers will obtain a deeper understanding of past professional experiences, those considered triumphs and those deemed blunders. So often moments occur within business that lack closure or clarity. As professionals, we are sometimes left feeling as though a business meeting or interaction could have gone better, but struggle to see where things could improve. Oshiro's work will provide insight into those past professional pitfalls and misunderstandings, and coach readers on how to avoid future missteps.”
"Outside of the business environment, readers will readily apply Oshiro’s wise words across personal activities and events. This speaks to the relevancy of Oshiro’s work in a variety of day-to-day interactions. The approachability and implications of Oshiro’s book garner a resounding 5 stars."
“Oshiro’s Individual Performer to Manager: A Practical Guide to Career Advancement into Management is an invaluable text that will assist readers to avoid professional blunders and address concerns in a constructive, productive manner to ensure continued professional growth and success.”
(5 stars: Reviewer considers the book to be something that everyone should read. Reviewer would definitely read it again.)
— San Francisco Book Review (December 2019)
________________________________________________
Kirkus Book Review:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/norm-e-oshiro/individual-performer-to-manager-a-practical-guide-/
“A retired executive offers insights from his decades in the corporate world.”
"In this debut business book, Oshiro shares leadership lessons he learned over more than three decades working for the technology company EDS, founded by Ross Perot and later acquired by HP. The author recounts his evolution from entry-level programmer to manager, overseeing the work of nearly 200 colleagues."
"Illustrating general principles of management with stories from throughout his career, Oshiro shows how demonstrating responsibility, integrity, and drive is crucial to succeeding as a manager, both of people and projects."
"The book recounts the author’s best and worst moments at work, along with providing a thoughtful discussion of what readers can learn from his experiences. Oshiro is an excellent storyteller, and he presents a vivid picture of corporate life with an enthusiasm that even the most cynical reader will appreciate."
"Much of the book’s advice for aspiring managers (“Always take on your assignments with a sense of urgency,” for instance) is broadly applicable to both traditional corporations and less formal office settings, making it useful to a wide audience.
“The more buttoned-down aspects of working at EDS are less applicable to 21st-century aspiring managers, but the author has an eye for detail and does a great job of depicting a world where employees were not allowed to leave their cubicles in shirtsleeves.”
“Not all readers will embrace Oshiro’s arguments in favor of a hierarchical organization where workers are ranked and appearance matters, but many will appreciate the holistic approach of EDS, where ‘employees could have failures that do not define their overall and long-term value to the company.’”
“Oshiro is an engaging narrator who comes across as an authoritative and ethical mentor who is willing to work hard to ensure the next generation of corporate leadership meets his high standards in all aspects of the job."
"An effective guide to succeeding in corporate leadership and bringing integrity and determination to work."
(Selected among the top 10% by Kirkus Indie Editors.)
— Kirkus Reviews (November 2019)
________________________________________________
Kirkus Book Review:
"In this debut business book, Oshiro shares leadership lessons he learned over more than three decades working for the technology company EDS, founded by Ross Perot and later acquired by HP. The author recounts his evolution from entry-level programmer to manager, overseeing the work of nearly 200 colleagues."
"The book recounts the author’s best and worst moments at work, along with providing a thoughtful discussion of what readers can learn from his experiences. Oshiro is an excellent storyteller, and he presents a vivid picture of corporate life with an enthusiasm that even the most cynical reader will appreciate."
“Oshiro is an engaging narrator who comes across as an authoritative and ethical mentor who is willing to work hard to ensure the next generation of corporate leadership meets his high standards in all aspects of the job."
"An effective guide to succeeding in corporate leadership and bringing integrity and determination to work."
(Selected among the top 10% by Kirkus Indie Editors.)
— Kirkus Reviews (November 2019)
________________________________________________
San Francisco Book Review, Star Rating: 5 / 5
"Oshiro provides a straightforward blueprint to professional individuals looking to advance and improve as supervisors in the workplace. Oshiro’s concise design is based on years of experience in a variety of professional roles that have thoroughly honed his perceptions of successful leadership in places of business. He captures snapshots of his experiences and shares them through various examples and scenarios, thereby demonstrating the real-world application of his advice. These thoughtful personal examples clarify and expand on the instruction provided, which makes his guidance all the more accessible and user-friendly."
"...text remains focused and well-organized. His information flows naturally, and clearly comes from an informed perspective."
“Oshiro’s Individual Performer to Manager: A Practical Guide to Career Advancement into Management is an invaluable text that will assist readers to avoid professional blunders and address concerns in a constructive, productive manner to ensure continued professional growth and success.”
"The approachability and implications of Oshiro’s book garner a resounding 5 stars." (5 Stars: Reviewer considers the book to be something that everyone should read. Reviewer would read it again.)
— San Francisco Book Review (December 2019)
________________________________________________
Publishers Weekly/BookLife Talks with Norm Oshiro (June 29, 2020): https://booklife.com/news/authors/06/29/2020/booklife-talks-with-norm-oshiro.html
Publishers Weekly/BookLife Review:
“Debut author Oshiro’s straightforward, sensible guide to excelling as a manager contains a wealth of valuable advice from his decades-long career in leadership. Taking the tone of a trusted mentor, Oshiro sets out to impart hard-won knowledge and help aspiring executives...”
“Oshiro's clear account of his career—including both achievements and failures—gives readers confidence in his advice...”
“...focuses on the positives of his former employers, and he is especially generous in praising his time at Ross Perot’s company Electronic Data Systems..”
“Suitable for executives and would-be managers at all levels and stages of their careers, Oshiro’s practical guide will serve as a handbook for success for those who follow its wise advice...his empathetic tone and well-paced narrative will easily draw readers in...”
“Takeaway: Managers at any stage of their careers can benefit from this mix of thoughtful memoir and timeless business advice.”
"Great for fans of Bill George’s True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership, Peter F. Drucker’s The Effective Executive."
— Publishers Weekly/BookLife Review (January 2020)
==============================================
Full Reviews:
Publishers Weekly/BookLife Review:
https://booklife.com/my/projectid/4bdfe330-127c-11ea-a97b-547275647911
“Debut author Oshiro’s straightforward, sensible guide to excelling as a manager contains a wealth of valuable advice from his decades-long career in leadership. Taking the tone of a trusted mentor, Oshiro sets out to impart hard-won knowledge and help aspiring executives get ahead.”
"Chief among his lessons are investing in one’s own training, learning how to understand and please one’s superiors, and battling through overwhelming tasks."
“Once readers take their first steps onto the leadership ladder, Oshiro counsels them on how to keep growing – emphasizing the importance of maintaining scrupulous business ethics, doing due diligence when hiring and firing, and dealing straightforwardly with complaints and discontent."
“Oshiro's clear account of his career—including both achievements and failures—gives readers confidence in his advice, and he advocates for readers, advising them to believe in themselves and to move on from employers who don’t sufficiently value them.”
"He shows managers how to encourage top performances and balance work and life demands."
“Oshiro also offers an unflinching and realistic look at doing what one must do to stay afloat during hard times…”
“Admirably, Oshiro focuses on the positives of his former employers, and he is especially generous in praising his time at Ross Perot’s company Electronic Data Systems, singling out Perot as a guiding light in his working life.”
“Suitable for executives and would-be managers at all levels and stages of their careers, Oshiro’s practical guide will serve as a handbook for success for those who follow its wise advice. His own sterling ethics are on display throughout, and his empathetic tone and well-paced narrative will easily draw readers in and invite them to soak up his knowledge.”
“Takeaway: Managers at any stage of their careers can benefit from this mix of thoughtful memoir and timeless business advice.”
"Great for fans of Bill George’s True North: Discover Your Authentic Leadership, Peter F. Drucker’s The Effective Executive."
— Publishers Weekly/BookLife Review (January 2020)
________________________________________________
Individual Performer to Manager, San Francisco Book Review, Star Rating: 5 / 5
https://sanfranciscobookreview.com/product/individual-performer-to-manager-a-practical-guide-to-career-advancement-into-management/
"Oshiro provides a straightforward blueprint to professional individuals looking to advance and improve as supervisors in the workplace. Oshiro’s concise design is based on years of experience in a variety of professional roles that have thoroughly honed his perceptions of successful leadership in places of business. He captures snapshots of his experiences and shares them through various examples and scenarios, thereby demonstrating the real-world application of his advice. These thoughtful personal examples clarify and expand on the instruction provided, which makes his guidance all the more accessible and user-friendly."
“Through this approach, readers will find that although it covers some of the hard business management aspects, it covers more of the day-to-day interactions and challenges, and ‘soft’ aspects, things that are generally not covered in an MBA program.”
"His overview covers everything from things to keep in mind when donning sensible casual attire, and the importance of acting as a professional outside of work, to addressing difficult concerns with a subordinate or superior. His chapter on expecting uncomfortable, overwhelming, and, at times, terrifying situations encourages readers to prepare for worst-case scenarios and recognize these situations as opportunities..."
"Despite covering such a broad spectrum of topics and areas of concern, Oshiro’s text remains focused and well-organized. His information flows naturally, and clearly comes from an informed perspective. Applying even a few of Oshiro’s suggestions, readers will quickly see the positive results in their own day-to-day experiences."
“Moreover, readers will obtain a deeper understanding of past professional experiences, those considered triumphs and those deemed blunders. So often moments occur within business that lack closure or clarity. As professionals, we are sometimes left feeling as though a business meeting or interaction could have gone better, but struggle to see where things could improve. Oshiro's work will provide insight into those past professional pitfalls and misunderstandings, and coach readers on how to avoid future missteps.”
"Outside of the business environment, readers will readily apply Oshiro’s wise words across personal activities and events. This speaks to the relevancy of Oshiro’s work in a variety of day-to-day interactions. The approachability and implications of Oshiro’s book garner a resounding 5 stars."
“Oshiro’s Individual Performer to Manager: A Practical Guide to Career Advancement into Management is an invaluable text that will assist readers to avoid professional blunders and address concerns in a constructive, productive manner to ensure continued professional growth and success.”
(5 stars: Reviewer considers the book to be something that everyone should read. Reviewer would definitely read it again.)
— San Francisco Book Review (December 2019)
________________________________________________
Kirkus Book Review:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/norm-e-oshiro/individual-performer-to-manager-a-practical-guide-/
“A retired executive offers insights from his decades in the corporate world.”
"In this debut business book, Oshiro shares leadership lessons he learned over more than three decades working for the technology company EDS, founded by Ross Perot and later acquired by HP. The author recounts his evolution from entry-level programmer to manager, overseeing the work of nearly 200 colleagues."
"Illustrating general principles of management with stories from throughout his career, Oshiro shows how demonstrating responsibility, integrity, and drive is crucial to succeeding as a manager, both of people and projects."
"The book recounts the author’s best and worst moments at work, along with providing a thoughtful discussion of what readers can learn from his experiences. Oshiro is an excellent storyteller, and he presents a vivid picture of corporate life with an enthusiasm that even the most cynical reader will appreciate."
"Much of the book’s advice for aspiring managers (“Always take on your assignments with a sense of urgency,” for instance) is broadly applicable to both traditional corporations and less formal office settings, making it useful to a wide audience.
“The more buttoned-down aspects of working at EDS are less applicable to 21st-century aspiring managers, but the author has an eye for detail and does a great job of depicting a world where employees were not allowed to leave their cubicles in shirtsleeves.”
“Not all readers will embrace Oshiro’s arguments in favor of a hierarchical organization where workers are ranked and appearance matters, but many will appreciate the holistic approach of EDS, where ‘employees could have failures that do not define their overall and long-term value to the company.’”
“Oshiro is an engaging narrator who comes across as an authoritative and ethical mentor who is willing to work hard to ensure the next generation of corporate leadership meets his high standards in all aspects of the job."
"An effective guide to succeeding in corporate leadership and bringing integrity and determination to work."
(Selected among the top 10% by Kirkus Indie Editors.)
— Kirkus Reviews (November 2019)
________________________________________________