Instructional, with ample data to back up the propositions. The book promised to change the way some conventional management 
principles were viewed and it did. The text contains valuable and even sometimes counter-intuitive insights about the role of managers in developing the work environment. There is a discussion on Talent, Skills and knowledge that is a must read for young managers. The book is based on this discussion.
Overall the book was a bit boring. Maybe the authors being pollsters from Gallup had something to do with the writing style. The discussion on the methods of sampling could have been moved to the Appendix or made down-loadable online, then the core would have been a short hand book a la Strengthsfinder style.
So far this is the only business book I have read that uses extensive primary data to back up claims. I recommend the book to any new manager and for others I suggest reading the sections selectively.
Tags: book, curt coffman, First Break All The Rules, Management, Marcus Buckingham
