All but ignored by management theory, more and more employees are being asked to combine management and production responsibilities – to become a player manager. Millions of workers are trying to lead teams while maintaining their own performance, often without management training. The result is too often stress, unnecessary workloads and feelings of helplessness. This volume aims to help those overburdened with such responsibilities manage a team while keeping their edge as a producer. Using a blend of historical analysis, personal experience and detailed case studies, the Rise of the Player Manager is a practical guide to the dilemmas faced by the ambitious “player managers”.