“Make Me the Boss” by Emily Tsitrian

Make Me the Boss: Surviving as A Millennial Manager in the Corporate World

Emily Tsitrian
Mar Chiquita Publishing LLC (2022)
ISBN 9780578971834
Reviewed by Jill Rey for Reader Views (09/2022)

Author Emily Tsitrian nails management advice in the age of Millennial leaders in her book “Make Me the Boss.” playing to her audience through the use of creative memes, non-traditional career advice, and a re-write of the outdated corporate career ladder. Her experiences as a first-time manager across various teams, industries, and leadership positions held, allows her to offer actionable advice, useful tips and tricks, and much needed reassurance for Millennials at this stage in their career.

“Make Me the Boss” comes at the perfect time, with the working population of the Millennial generation, those born between 1981 and 1996 as set within the constructs of this read, smack dab in the middle of their thirties and entering a point in their career where they are likely seeking or have recently acquired a management position. Having had trouble finding books tailored to help her in her own experiences as a first-time people leader, Tsitrian decided to use her successes and failures to craft her own inclusive guide to help others where she struggled.

There are so many complexities to the current business environment, from the social movements (#MeToo and #BlackLivesMatter), to the changing work landscape brought on by COVID-19, to the variety of personalities and generations you are likely leading (Gen Z, Gen X, Baby Boomers, etc.), this read successfully grasps each of these complexities and offers readers the confidence to tackle them effectively.

Despite the nature of this read, and the seriousness of the topic at hand (leading people is no joke, individuals’ lives are in your hands), Tsitrian makes this a fun and engaging read. Cheering readers on through the most emotional and distressing topics, using phrases such as “It’s officially time to boss up, buttercup!” (p. 6) her words jump off the page as she speaks directly to the reader as a friend and as a presenter of critically useful information. No topic is off limits in this complete guide to first-time management as everything from the basics including hiring, PTO, and the ultimate transition from individual contributor to manager, to the not so fun pieces like performance reviews, escalations, and meetings/feedback. “Make Me the Boss” is so complete in fact that it even houses a chapter and discussion regarding diversity and inclusion and the responsibility/importance of this concept for new managers, as well as how managers can play a part in dismantling the systemic racism present. 

This easy read is jam-packed with targeted knowledge, helpful guidance, and successful career advice, rolled into the guise of being delivered by a friend and trusted confidant. For Millennials and other first-time managers alike, this should be the FIRST read you pick up as you accept or consider a promotion to a manager’s role.