Top 10 Takeaways from “The One Minute Manager” by Ken Blanchard
I. One Minute Goals
II. One Minute Praising
III. One Minute Reprimands
IV. One Minute Meetings
V. One Minute Planning
VI. One Minute Delegation
VII. One Minute Listening
VIII. One Minute Relationships
IX. One Minute Follow-Up
X. One Minute Appraisal
One Minute Goals
One of the most important things a manager can do is to help their employees set clear, specific goals. When employees know what they’re working towards, they’re more likely to be motivated and productive.
The One Minute Manager suggests that goals should be SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
For example, instead of saying “I want to increase sales,” a goal could be “I want to increase sales by 10% by the end of the quarter.” This goal is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
One Minute Goals are a powerful tool for managers to help their employees achieve success.
III. One Minute Reprimands
One Minute Reprimands are a way to deal with negative behavior in a positive way. They consist of three steps:
- Catch the person doing something wrong.
- Tell the person what the specific behavior is that you don’t like.
- Tell the person how you would like them to behave instead.
One Minute Reprimands are important because they allow you to address negative behavior in a way that is constructive and doesn’t damage the relationship between you and the other person.
IV. One Minute Meetings
One Minute Meetings are short, focused conversations that allow you to quickly address issues and get things done. They’re based on the principle that most problems can be solved in a matter of minutes, if you’re able to focus on the key issues and get everyone on the same page.
To hold a One Minute Meeting, follow these steps:
- Set a clear goal for the meeting.
- Invite the right people.
- Start and end the meeting on time.
- Focus on the key issues.
- Get everyone on the same page.
- Take action.
One Minute Meetings are a powerful tool for managers and leaders who want to be more productive and get things done. By following these simple steps, you can hold effective meetings that will make a real difference in your organization.
V. One Minute Planning
One Minute Planning is a process for setting goals and creating a plan to achieve them. It involves setting a clear goal, identifying the steps needed to achieve it, and creating a timeline for each step. One Minute Planning is a simple but effective way to stay focused and motivated on your goals.
Here are the steps involved in One Minute Planning:
- Set a clear goal.
- Identify the steps needed to achieve your goal.
- Create a timeline for each step.
- Review your plan regularly and make adjustments as needed.
One Minute Planning is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your goals faster and more easily. By taking the time to plan your goals, you can increase your chances of success.
One Minute Relationships
The One Minute Manager believes that relationships are the foundation of all successful businesses. He suggests that managers should take the time to get to know their employees as individuals, and to build strong relationships with them. This can be done by spending one-on-one time with employees, listening to their concerns, and praising them for their accomplishments.
The One Minute Manager also believes that it is important to maintain a positive attitude and to be supportive of employees. He encourages managers to be patient and understanding, and to help employees learn and grow. By building strong relationships with employees, managers can create a positive work environment where employees are motivated and productive.
VII. One Minute Listening
One Minute Listening is about giving your full attention to the other person, without interrupting. It means listening to understand, not to reply. When you One Minute Listen, you are showing the other person that you value their thoughts and feelings.
To One Minute Listen, you need to:
- Make eye contact
- Avoid distractions
- Listen without interrupting
- Summarize what the other person has said
- Ask questions to show that you are interested
One Minute Listening is a powerful tool that can help you build stronger relationships and improve communication at work. When you One Minute Listen, you are showing the other person that you care about what they have to say. This can make them feel more valued and respected, and it can also help you to resolve conflicts more easily.
If you want to learn more about One Minute Listening, I recommend reading the book “The One Minute Manager” by Ken Blanchard. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the One Minute Manager philosophy, and it includes a chapter on One Minute Listening.
IX. One Minute Follow-Up
One Minute Follow-Up is about checking in with employees to see how they are doing and to offer support and encouragement. It is important to be specific and focused when providing feedback, and to make sure that employees understand what is expected of them. One Minute Follow-Up can help to improve employee performance and engagement, and it can also help to build strong relationships between managers and employees.
One Minute Follow-Up is the final step in the One Minute Manager’s process. It involves checking in with employees to see how they are doing with their goals, and providing support and encouragement as needed. This step is important because it helps to ensure that employees are staying on track and making progress towards their goals.
The One Minute Manager suggests that managers should follow up with employees on a regular basis, but that the frequency of follow-ups should be tailored to the individual employee. For some employees, a weekly check-in may be sufficient, while for others, a daily or even hourly check-in may be necessary.
The key to effective One Minute Follow-Up is to be brief and to the point. Managers should focus on asking questions and providing feedback, rather than giving lectures or long-winded speeches. They should also be sure to listen to what employees have to say, and to be supportive and encouraging.
One Minute Follow-Up is an important part of the One Minute Manager’s process, and it can help to ensure that employees are staying on track and making progress towards their goals. By following up regularly with employees, managers can provide support, encouragement, and guidance, and help them to achieve success.