Book Summary: The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard & Spencer Johnson

Adam Kreek

Overview:
The One Minute Manager is a concise and practical guide to effective management, emphasizing three key techniques: One Minute Goals, One Minute Praisings, and One Minute Reprimands. These principles help managers increase productivity, empower employees, and create a positive work environment.

Key Concepts & Lessons

1. One Minute Goals

Set clear and specific goals with employees.
Each goal should take about one minute to read and be written down.
Employees should understand what success looks like and take ownership of their tasks.
Managers provide clarity on expectations and encourage employees to track their own progress.

💡 Why it works: Employees are more motivated and focused when they know exactly what is expected of them.

2. One Minute Praisings

Catch employees doing something right and acknowledge it immediately.
Praise should be specific and tied to a particular action or behavior.
Express how their good work positively impacts the team or company.
Pause after the praise to let the employee absorb the recognition.
Encourage them to continue their good work.

💡 Why it works: Positive reinforcement builds confidence and encourages employees to maintain high performance.

3. One Minute Reprimands

If an employee makes a mistake, address it immediately—don’t wait.
Clearly explain what went wrong and why it matters.
Express concern for their performance, not them as a person.
After giving the reprimand, reaffirm your confidence in them and their ability to improve.
Keep it brief—don’t dwell on the mistake.

💡 Why it works: Direct and immediate feedback prevents small mistakes from escalating into bigger issues while maintaining respect and trust.

Core Message:

Managers should be efficient yet human-centered, balancing clear goals, quick positive reinforcement, and immediate course correction. The book emphasizes that "People who feel good about themselves produce good results." A great manager sets employees up for success through clarity, encouragement, and accountability.

Final Takeaway:

By applying the One Minute Manager approach, organizations can foster a productive, engaged, and high-performing workforce while minimizing unnecessary meetings, confusion, and frustration.

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Adam Kreek is on a mission to positively impact organizational cultures and leaders who make things happen.

Kreek is an Executive Business Coach who lives in Victoria, BC, near Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and Seattle, Washington, USA, in the Pacific Northwest. He works with clients globally, often travelling to California in the San Francisco Bay Area, Atlanta, Georgia, Toronto, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec. He is an Olympic Gold Medalist, a storied adventurer and a father.

He authored the bestselling business book, The Responsibility Ethic: 12 Strategies Exceptional People Use to Do the Work and Make Success Happen.

Discover our thoughts on Values here.

Want to increase your leadership achievement? Learn more about Kreek’s coaching here.

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