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See Inside This Book

You don’t need to be a perfect manager – you don’t even need to be great. We believe the manager that everyone wants and needs simply needs to be good.

The reality is, most managers are handed the title with little training and overwhelming expectations. And the path forward can feel impossible when you’re told to be a charismatic leader, a visionary, a strategist, and the go-to technical expert all at once.

But what if management didn’t have to be so complicated?

This book offers a different approach. Based on research and a survey of almost 1,000 employees, this book introduces The Essential Five – a framework that distills management down to the practices that actually matter. No endless lists. No superhero expectations. Just five core essentials that, when practiced consistently, create engaged teams, drive results, and transform workplaces.

The Essential Five will help you:

  • Lead with clarity about your role and priorities
  • Create a positive, engaged team culture
  • Build trust and connection with your people
  • Enable performance without burning people out
  • Strengthen your impact across the organization

Each chapter offers relatable stories, actionable tools, and practical guidance – not theory, but what to actually do.

We don’t need more management heroes. We need average people stepping up to the plate with clear priorities, effective practices, and a deep commitment to why their work matters.

We believe good is transformational. We believe good is sustainable. And we believe you can be a good manager.

If you’re ready to move from overwhelm to impact, You Can Manage will help you become the manager your team wants – and your organization needs.

Bulk Orders

Libraries: Order from Baker & Taylor or directly from ACHIEVE Publishing. Contact [email protected] to order.

Bookstores: Contact [email protected] to order.

About the Authors

Daniel Anthony Doerksen

Daniel is a professional communicator, organizational development consultant, leadership coach, and group facilitator. He is a Certified Organization Design Professional (CODP), has a master’s degree in organizational leadership, and has experience leading and investing in others for over 20 years.

His skill set and experience include working in the areas of workplace culture, employee engagement, organizational design, leadership development, and leading change.

As ACHIEVE’s Director of Training and Consulting, Dan partners directly with clients to build custom solutions for training and organizational development. He is passionate about helping organizations realize their vision and discover how to create workplaces where people like to work.

Chris Downey

Chris is ACHIEVE’s Vice President of Consulting Services, working directly with clients to create healthy, productive workplaces.

Throughout his 25 years working in the private and public sectors, Chris has developed and executed strategies and succession plans for a variety of workplaces. He always keeps practicality in mind when it comes to organizational planning, and his extensive experience in operations, compliance, and organizational development has shaped how he approaches coaching leaders and working with teams.

Chris understands that a healthy work environment is the ideal condition for success that goes beyond the individual and ripples throughout the organization. Foundational to his work is the belief that leaders have a direct impact on the health and wellness of the people they serve.

Reviews

“At last, a common sense approach to management that’s evidence based and easily applicable! This is the guide that every manager needs on day one.”
– Michelle Wallace, Author of Hybrid but Better

“Daniel and Chris have loaded this book with practical tools, habits, and simple yet profound advice that forms the foundation of good management. This book gives clarity without complexity – exactly what all leaders need.”
– Jordan Friesen, Founder of Mindset Mental Health Strategy

Have questions?

Contact Us

Tyler Voth – ACHIEVE Publishing Coordinator
email: [email protected]
tel: 204-789-2452
Address: 1-710 Westminster Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3G 1E6

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