The New One Minute Manager

A new edition based on the timeless business classic—updated to help today’s readers succeed more quickly in a rapidly changing world.

For decades, The One Minute Manager® has helped millions achieve more successful professional and personal lives. While the principles it lays out are timeless, our world has changed drastically since the book’s publication. The exponential rise of technology, global flattening of markets, instant communication, and pressures on corporate workforces to do more with less—including resources, funding, and staff—have all revolutionized the world in which we live and work.

Now, Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson have written The New One Minute Manager to introduce the book’s powerful, important lessons to a new generation. In their concise, easy-to-read story, they teach readers three very practical secrets about leading others—and explain why these techniques continue to work so well.

As compelling today as the original was thirty years ago, this classic parable of a young man looking for an effective manager is more relevant and useful than ever.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ken Blanchard, PhD, is one of the most influential leadership experts in the world. He has co-authored 60 books, including Raving Fans and Gung Ho! (with Sheldon Bowles). His groundbreaking works have been translated into over 40 languages and their combined sales total more than 21 million copies. In 2005 he was inducted into Amazon's Hall of Fame as one of the top 25 bestselling authors of all time. The recipient of numerous leadership awards and honors, he is cofounder with his wife, Margie, of The Ken Blanchard Companies®, a leading international training and consulting firm.

REVIEWS:

An update to the classic that replaces one portion, the one dealing with how handling individuals mistakes, should be done. Instead of letting the individuals know about the mistake and just a mistake, the one minute manager job here is to redirect them on to the appropriate path. He calls it tough but good. It's a short read and if you're looking for something to kill an afternoon or two and perhaps see things from a different point of view it's a classic.
-Joe G Kushner

The One Minute Goal! The more important the position, the less valuable this concept becomes. Assuming everything remains the same, I prefer an individual with integrity. Only for routine jobs could a series of One Minute Goals be set. And if a series of goals can be set, when will a robot do that job. For a manager or executive, you need a feel for what needs to be accomplished and the integrity to do it properly.

Second, criticizing an individual, per the One Minute redirect, is also a bad idea. It is the employee review done more frequently. Instead, find employees doing things right. Offering to show them a simpler or faster way of doing things is positive teaching. Who wants to be criticized?

To me, it seems as if the New One Minute Manager is in danger of not knowing what is really happening in his organization. It is better to manage by wandering around (MBWA). Ask your people how you can make their job easier. Find out what the issues are (not to solve them) so you can better understand what they are facing.

Maybe, since I'm now retired (CFO, COO, Army officer), the simplistic views of success are not as appealing as they once were.
-Gary T.