TLDR; The First 90 Days

Who has time to read? Obviously, I encourage it, but TLDR exists to help you choose the best materials.

The First 90 Days is not a book on automation, but it is a book useful for career transitions in general. It talks about limiting the amount of time it takes you to "break-even" at an organization- that is, when you start bringing more the firm than what you take out of it.

Some of the information is fairly general, like managing expectations. Other sections talk about building coalitions, getting early wins, and evaluating the styles of organizations. Specific examples are given for each.

To me, the most useful section is the STARS analysis, where you try to figure out the basic situation your new role is in. Is the position a...

• Start up

• Turn around

• Accelerated growth

• Realignment

• Sustaining success

The challenges and opportunities for each are listed. It is quite interesting to read this, right after getting promoted, but would not have been if I read it prior to joining management. 6.5/10 if you are not in management, 7.5/10 if you are (or want to be) promoted internally to management, 8.5/10 if you want to switch firms or take on a vastly different position.