New Leadership Book Cuts Through the Noise on Hiring and Firing—With Brutal Honesty

Albany, New York Jan 28, 2026 (Issuewire.com) - In an era where business books often sugarcoat the realities of management, retired executive Michael Bender offers something refreshingly different: straight talk, hard-earned wisdom, and practical advice for leaders at every level. His new book, Interview Right, Hire Right, and Fire Right, draws on thirty years of experience managing teams across continents and industriesdelivering a field manual for anyone whos ever struggled with the hardest parts of being a boss.

Benders approach is no-nonsense. Your job isnt to be liked. Its to make the right decisions for your team, he writes, challenging leaders to own their choices and care fiercelyeven when it means letting someone go. The book tackles the biggest questions managers face: how to fire with fairness, what to do when your team disagrees, and why real leadership means showing up when it matters most.

What sets Bender apart from other management gurus is his willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. He doesnt shy away from the messy emotions that come with hiring and firing, nor does he pretend theres a one-size-fits-all formula. Instead, he shares candid stories from his decades in the trenchesmoments of misjudgment, regret, and, ultimately, growth. These personal anecdotes dont just humanize the author; they make his advice all the more credible.

Interview Right, Hire Right, and Fire Right is not just for those in the corner office. Benders writing resonates with new managers eager to find their footing, seasoned executives looking to avoid complacency, and HR professionals tasked with building resilient teams. He lays out step-by-step strategies for conducting interviews that reveal a candidates true character, making hiring decisions that strengthen company culture, and handling terminations with dignity and respect. Practical checklists and self-assessment tools appear throughout, making the book as actionable as it is readable.

Another strength of Benders work is its relevance for job seekers and employees, not just leaders. By pulling back the curtain on what really matters to managers during interviews and performance reviews, he equips readers on both sides of the desk to communicate more effectively and advocate for themselves. His advice on preparing for tough conversationswhether youre the one delivering or receiving difficult newsis both compassionate and clear-eyed.

Ultimately, Benders book stands out because it acknowledges management for what it truly is: a demanding, sometimes lonely, but deeply meaningful calling. He doesnt promise easy fixes or overnight transformations. Instead, he offers a roadmap for developing the judgment, resilience, and empathy that great leaders need. Whether youre grappling with your first hire or facing the prospect of letting a long-time employee go, Interview Right, Hire Right, and Fire Right is a resource youll want within arms reach.

The book is available now from Amazon.com.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GJZQJTW1