Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman compile qualitative research representing the opinions of 80,000 managers and one million professionals to demonstrate how the best managers defy business common sense to inspire their employees.

What do the best managers do differently to create effective teams?

Written by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman, First, Break All the Rules was originally published in 1999 and updated in 2016, reflecting the work of late Gallup chair Donald Clifton.

Both former Gallup employees, Marcus Buckingham is a leading business researcher and author, and Curt Coffman is a business consultant and psychologist.

Clifton and Buckingham co-created the StrengthsFinder assessment, which evaluates the top strengths of business professionals.

Analyzing decades of marketplace research, the Gallup team expanded on Buckingham and Coffman's insights using the most recent data available.

The researchers and writers found that focusing on employees' strengths instead of weaknesses is the best way to foster productivity and growth.