The management textbook market is crowded, so why did we write another one? The answer, quite frankly, is that a huge gap exists between what managers actually do or think about and what the existing gaggle of management books say are contemporary practices. Some topics that managers say are important (such as strategizing and shaping corporate culture) need much more attention in management courses; other concepts and practices long forgotten by most managers shouldn’t be required reading in a college management course. Management theory has also moved forward, and in some cases has become well-established practice in the corporate world. Again, we were surprised by the gap in what students have been reading. So, this book was crafted to close that gap, to help students have a more realistic understanding about what managers actually do and what management theory actually recommends. We offer this relevant view of management in a way that has a logical flow of content, is succinct and clear in its writing style, rich in real-world examples, and remains focused on the role of managers.