The following contains excerpts from the book, The New One Minute Manager (Ken Blanchard).
At our music school in Odessa, Texas we believe that music is more than sound, it is relationships. Understanding the role of Leaderhsip is necessary to understanding how relationships work.
This book is an upgraded version of the popular book the author wrote in the 1980s. He recognized some concepts needed to adapt to the changing culture.
“Today, organizations must respond faster, with fewer resources, to keep up with ever-changing technology and globalization…In these changing times…the most effective managers manage themselves and the people they work with so that both the people and the organization profit form their presence…Customers demand quicker service and better products, so we need everyone to contribute their talent. The brainpower isn’t only in the executive office- it can be found throughout the organization. Since speed is a currency of success now, leading with collaboration is far more effective than the old command-and-control system.”
The book is written as an allegory with a young man looking for a better way to manage. He comes across an organization that he is skeptical about at first, but comes to appreciate its unique and effective culture. The book is divided into six basic sections. The young man learns 3 Secrets to successful management, then is taught why the 3 secrets work in succeeding chapters.
Secret 1
One Minute Goals
- Plan the goals together and describe them briefly and clearly. Show people what good performance looks like.
At our music school in Odessa, Texas we help students define goals that are well-matched to their capabilities, as well as demonstrating for them how to successfully accomplish these goals.
- Have people write out each of their goals, with due dates, on a single page.
- Ask them to review their most important goals each day, which takes only a few minutes to do.
- Encourage people to take a minute to look at what they’re doing, and see if their behavior matches their goals.
- If it doesn’t, encourage them to re-think what they’re doing so they can realize their goals sooner.
Secret 2
One Minute Praisings
Perhaps one of the most important things we can do for students at our music school in Odessa, Texas is to give them honest and sincere encouragement when they do things well.
The first half-minute
- Praise people as soon as possible.
- Let people know what they did right- be specific.
- Tell people how good you feel about what they did right, and how it helps.
Pause
- Pause for a moment to allow people time to feel good about what they’ve done.
The second half-minute
- Encourage them to do more of the same.
- Make it clear you have confidence in them and support their success.
Secret 3
One Minute Re-directs
When students at our music school in Odessa, Texas need re-direction, we give them the knowledge they need in order to see the path forward in their continual development, as well as giving them immediate and honest feedback in a way that they can take responsibility for their progress.
The first half-minute
- Re-direct people as soon as possible.
- Confirm the facts first, and review the mistake together- be specific.
- Express how you feel about the mistake and its impact on results.
Pause
- Be quiet for a moment to allow people time to feel concerned about what they’ve done.
The second half-minute
- Remember to let them know that they’re better than their mistake, and that you think well of them as a person.
- Remind them that you have confidence and trust in them, and support their success.
- 7. Realize that when the Re-Direct is over, it’s over.
Why One-Minute Goals Work
“Many managers assume wrongly that the people on their team know what to aim for…the number one motivator of people is feedback on results. They want to know how they are doing.”
Key encouragement to people: “Take a Minute to Look At Your Goals. Then Look At What You’re Doing and See If It Matches Your Goals.”
Why One-Minute Praisings Work
“The most important- and natural- thing to do to help people become winners is to catch them doing something approximately right in the beginning. Then you move on toward the desired result…Most managers wait until people do something exactly right before they praise them. As a result, many people never get to become high performers because their managers concentrate on catching them doing things wrong- that is, anything that falls short of the final desired performance.”
“Rather than punish inexperienced people who are still learning, we need to re-direct them. That involves resetting clear One Minute Goals to make sure they understand what’s expected of them and what good performance looks like.”
Bringing clarity of goals and desired end-results helps students in our music school in Odessa, Texas have a mindset of continual learning, ultimately bringing them to a place of autonomous learning.
Why One-Minute Re-directs Work
“To begin with, the feedback happens in small doses, because you catch the mistakes early on…The goal is not to tear people down, but to build them up…When people become defensive, they don’t learn. So you want to separate their behavior from their worth. Reaffirming them after you’ve addressed the mistake focuses on their behavior without attaching them personally.”
“When you walk away, you want the person aware of and concerned about what they did, instead of turning to a coworker and talking about how they were mistreated or what they think of your leadership style.”
“If you are first tough on the behavior, and then supportive of the person, it works better.”
“It is very important when you are leading people to remember that behavior and worth are not the same things. What is really worthwhile is the person who’s managing their own behavior.”
“Your job is to show people how to manage themselves and enjoy it. You want them to succeed when you’re not around. That is why it is so important to let people know up front what you are doing and why.”
“Goals begin behaviors. Consequences influence future behaviors.”
When students at our music school in Odessa, Texas become able to teach themselves through a lifetime of continuous learning, their autonomy allows them to make exponential progress, where they then can mentor and teach others.