The Challenge
You Just Got Promoted. Now What?
The email arrives. You've earned the promotion you've been working toward. You should be thrilled, but instead, you're wondering:
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How do I lead people who used to be my peers?
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What if my technical skills aren't enough anymore?
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How do I balance being liked with making tough decisions?
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Can I really do this?
You're not alone. 70% of first-time managers feel unprepared for their new role, and most organizations provide little more than a congratulatory email and updated business cards.
The Solution
A Leadership Journey You Can Actually Follow
SDSS™ Leadership Volume I takes you inside Alex Crawford's first year as a Product Development Manager, from the coffee-spilling moment of his promotion announcement to confidently leading a global team through crises, conflicts, and crucial decisions.
This isn't another theoretical leadership manual filled with corporate jargon. It's a practical, story-driven guide that shows you exactly how to:
✓ Develop your authentic leadership identity
✓ Navigate the shift from peer to manager
✓ Make difficult decisions with confidence
✓ Build trust across diverse and virtual teams
✓ Manage stress while maintaining performance
✓ Turn feedback into continuous growth
Each chapter blends compelling narrative with actionable SDSS™ Leadership Lessons, frameworks you can implement immediately, whether you're leading your first team meeting or navigating your hundredth crisis.
Available now on Amazon Kindle.
A Milestone Achievement
The 8th Title in the Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ Library
This release marks a special moment: as the seventh book in the SDSS™ collection, it arrives exactly two years after the publication of our inaugural title. What began as a mission to help professionals stop making avoidable mistakes has grown into a comprehensive library of practical wisdom, and this leadership volume represents our continued commitment to providing actionable guidance where you need it most.
Who This Book Is For
Perfect for:
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New Managers leaping from individual contributor to leader
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Aspiring Leaders preparing for their first management role
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Technical Professionals (developers, engineers, analysts) transitioning to leadership
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HR & Learning Leaders seeking resources for leadership development programs
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Experienced Managers mentoring first-time leaders
What You'll Learn
10 Chapters. 10 Transformative Lessons.
Through Alex Crawford's first-year journey, you'll master the essential transition from technical expert to confident leader. Learn to develop your authentic leadership identity, shift fluidly between different leadership styles, and build trust across diverse and virtual teams. Discover practical frameworks for crisis management, stress resilience, and making difficult decisions with clarity. Most importantly, you'll understand that leadership isn't about perfection or having all the answers; it's about creating the conditions for your team to thrive, learning from every challenge, and embracing continuous growth as the foundation of lasting success.
Why This Book Works
📖 Story-Driven Learning
Follow Alex Crawford's authentic journey, with all the mistakes, victories, and everything in between
🎯 Immediately Actionable
Every chapter includes practical frameworks you can apply the very next day
🌍 Globally Relevant
Addresses the realities of leading diverse, virtual, and cross-cultural teams
🧠 Research-Backed
Grounded in leadership science while remaining accessible and engaging
💡 SDSS™ Framework
Part of the proven Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ methodology used by organizations worldwide
Perfect for:
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New Managers leaping from individual contributor to leader
-
Aspiring Leaders preparing for their first management role
-
Technical Professionals (developers, engineers, analysts) transitioning to leadership
-
HR & Learning Leaders seeking resources for leadership development programs
-
Experienced Managers mentoring first-time leaders
Meet the Authors
Tim Keefe | Andreas Wieman | Kevin Shields | Anne Stephanie Cruz | Dr. Kemal Özkan Yılmaz
A collective force in leadership development, the SDSS™ Global team brings decades of experience in organizational psychology, executive coaching, and leadership training. Their work has helped thousands of first-time managers successfully navigate the challenging transition from individual contributor to confident leader.
Ready to Start Your Leadership Journey?
Available now on Amazon Kindle
Whether you're stepping into your first management role next week or preparing for a future promotion, SDSS™ Leadership Volume I gives you the practical tools and authentic insights you need to lead with confidence.
More titles coming soon.
Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ Books
"Stop Doing Stupid Stuff" (SDSS) isn't just a book—it's a guiding methodology that underpins our business consulting approach. This method, co-authored by our CEO, Tim Keefe, and Andreas Wieman, is more than mere theory; it's a living framework of best practices and actionable insights from extensive real-world experience.
Welcome to the book that will transform the way you work, connect, and lead. Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ Soft Skills by Andreas Wieman provides you with the practical tools and strategies to master the human side of success. Whether you’re an aspiring leader, an experienced professional, or someone committed to personal growth, this book will help you unlock your potential and thrive in a world that demands more than technical expertise.
Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ Turista is not just another travel guide—it's a movement towards smarter, more enjoyable travel. Whether you're a first-time traveler or a seasoned nomad, our book equips you with nuanced insights and straightforward tips from Charisse's budget mastery, Len's business travel hacks, and Arlene's luxury experiences. It's time to travel smart and create memories without mishaps.
Discover the Story Behind Smarter Security
SDSS™ Cyber Liability Guard transforms the dry world of compliance into a gripping, story-driven journey that follows veteran IT consultant Dan Hernandez as he helps a struggling nonprofit conquer preventable cybersecurity threats.
Blending real-world best practices with a fictional narrative, this book introduces the SDSS™ framework and is your roadmap to turning compliance from a burden into a competitive advantage.
Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ ScorecardIQ isn’t about tracking more metrics—it’s about tracking the right ones. Follow Jack Reynolds as he takes the helm at Avalon Technologies, a company hitting its KPIs but losing its soul. This gripping business fable reveals how misaligned goals and broken scorecards can sabotage even the smartest teams—and what it really takes to turn things around. If you’ve ever hit your targets and still felt off-course, this book is your reset button.
Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ Data Analytics is your no-BS guide to turning ambitious data projects into real results. Through the fictional story of Astra Health, industry veterans expose the common pitfalls—overhyped tech, bad assumptions, and misaligned teams—and show how true success comes from clear goals, strong leadership, and smart execution. Ready to ditch the hype and do data right? Start here.
Stop Doing Stupid Stuff™ CRM is your no-nonsense guide to fixing (or avoiding) the CRM disasters that drain time, money, and morale. With decades of hands-on experience, David Trzupek and Tim Keefe expose why so many CRM projects fail—and how to lead one that actually works. Clear, practical, and refreshingly hype-free, this book shows you how to align teams, drive adoption, and turn your CRM into a true engine of growth.
SDSS™ Leadership Volume I takes you inside Alex Crawford's first year as a Product Development Manager, from the coffee-spilling moment of his promotion announcement to confidently leading a global team through crises, conflicts, and crucial decisions. This isn't another theoretical leadership manual filled with corporate jargon. It's a practical, story-driven guide.
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