While sipping our drinks at True Black Coffee’s The Loft branch, we naturally drifted into the usual banter about work; yes, sometimes we boys do bitch about those pain in the ass colleagues. It’s almost a rite of passage to vent a little, isn’t it? But amid the laughter and playful complaints, our conversation took a deeper turn towards career growth and self-improvement.
That’s when two books on a nearby shelf caught our eye: Harvard Business Review’s 10 Must Reads on Managing People and 10 Must Reads on Managing Yourself. Both of us love reading about leadership and personal growth, so we were hooked straight away.
What “Managing People” Got Us Talking About
Flipping through it, the idea that stayed with us was simple:
Good managers don’t just manage tasks. They look after people’s hearts and minds too.
That one landed. Managing people isn’t only about delegation or deadlines; it’s about empathy, motivation and connection.
What “Managing Yourself” Got Us Talking About
The second book pushed the conversation the other way:
Leading others starts with leading yourself.
That made us pause. How often do we focus so much on leading others that we forget about our own growth and self-awareness?
A Thought to Take Away
Looking back on our chat, the mix of work gossip and career talk reminded us that personal and professional growth go hand in hand. Laughing about difficult colleagues is one thing, but real progress starts with managing yourself and learning to lead others with compassion.
So whether it’s over black coffee or a hazelnut cappuccino, sometimes the best conversations mix a little gossip with big ideas. True Black Coffee isn’t just a place for great brews; it’s a space where ideas wake up too. (My first visit there is in The Perfect Blend: Coffee and Ambiance at True Black.)
Your turn
Who was the best manager you’ve ever had, and what made them good?
or your favourite coffee-chat moment
Tell me in the comments →
