Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

Unfortunately, we've all seen it happen. When faced with a problem, rather than working cooperatively to come up with a solution, your manager or colleagues come swooping in, squawking loudly, dump orders riddled with formulaic advice, and then take off, leaving you and everyone else to clean up the mess. Or—let's be honest: there may have been a time (or three) when you have been guilty of doing that very thing yourself.

While this happens in every workplace worldwide more frequently than ever, it doesn't have to. Through the story of Charlie, a seagull who doesn't understand how his management actions are holding back his flock, Travis Bradberry, Ph.D., reveals the three virtues of great leadership that he has used to help thousands of people and organizations deal with seagull managers in the workplace and, just as important, to avoid being one themselves.

Charlie the seagull is a well-intentioned manager who, when faced with new challenges after previously leading his flock to success, fails to understand how his management style is holding back, rather than helping, his team. Through our bird's-eye view of Charlie, overconfident Scott, quiet Maya, practical Yufan, and skinny, shy Alfred, we see them and the rest of the flock struggle to solve their problems while absorbing the three virtues of great leadership and teamwork along the way. This entertaining and illuminating fable will help make us all more productive, less prone to depositing messes on the heads of those around us, and more able to work effectively with those who continue to squawk at us every day.

Average Customer Rating:

Nothing really new and exciting

Customer Rating:

It took me about 2 hours to read this book. I had hoped by the title and the book cover that it would be interesting and have some new and innovative management ideas to offer. A silly story that, for me, did not, even with really stretching my imagination, apply to my work environment or employee issues. The basic management principles this book outlines are Management 101. I would recommend that you borrow not purchase this book if you want to read it.

All my managers have to read this book

Customer Rating:

Squawk! does an incredible job of putting the heart and soul of good management into a fun and entertaining story. In an hour or two of reading it drives home lessons you can spent days trying to cut through the chaff to get through in other books and training programs. Suffice to say, it's mandatory for anyone in a management position in my company, and many choose to have their teams read it too, since they benefit from knowing how their relationship with their manager changes as a result of this remarkable book.

What valuable lessons can we learn from a seagull?

Customer Rating:

Squawk!, a fable that introduces us to `Charlie' the Seagull and how he learned the Three Virtues of Great Leadership. Readers who enjoyed the parable; "Fish! A Remarkable Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results," by Stephen C. Lundin will also enjoy Squawk!. Readers seem to enjoy fables and parables because they are able to read their story as its related to someone else. Squawk! is about Charlie the seagull, who's the manager of his flock. Charlie is disorganized, lacks experience and `seagull skills.' He likes to manage by swooping in make a quick uninformed decision then exits as fast as he came leaving behind carnage and a situation worst than it was before he arrived. You probably know a manager just like Charlie don't you?! Squawk! gives three simple but effective techniques that a manager or anyone seeking the cooperation of others can learn. Set full-fledged expectations - "Ensure that employees' efforts are spent doing the right things the right way. This means thoroughly exploring what will be required of the employees, how their performance will be evaluated in the future, and getting agreement and commitment to work toward established goals. There is a big difference between telling people what is expected of them and making sure that they what they'll be doing is completely understood." (Page 55) Communication that clicks - "Observe what employees say and do, and speak openly with them about their work. A manager's interaction with his or her employees delivers the resources, guidance and recognition they need to succeed. Communication clicks when it is frequent and in a language that everyone understands." (Page 79) Paws on Performance - "Pay attention to each employee's performance, and offer praise as frequently and emphatically as you do constructive feedback. Keep your paws on performance pushes your team to new heights by positively reinforcing successful endeavors and realigning efforts that become misdirected." (Page 97) Squawk! is a fast and enjoyable read. You'll relate to this fable and it's that relationship that will make you want to read more. You'll recognize `Charlie.' He might be you, your co-worker or a direct report. The lessons learned are simple and have been taught before. What this fable did was present them in memorable way. Squawk! is a worthwhile read for all ages including students and parents as well as managers.

The go-to management book for those who seek results

Customer Rating:

I came across Squawk! in a newspaper article that mentioned it was chosen as the best business book of 2008 by USA Book News. So, I decided to give it a read. The story itself is deeply entertaining. It sucks you in such that you don't realizing you are learning. But by the end of the story, Charlie's transformation transforms you. The lessons are very, very sticky. They are easy to recall and easy to apply. They've helped me to get more from my team, work better with them, and my performance is on the up. Also, I feel better about my work because I'm getting more done. I can't recommend Squawk! enough. Get yourself a copy and start reaping the benefits.

Basic	Customer Rating:
Three very simple yet important steps to effective supervision.A bit silly, but a quick read, and useful revision.