The One Minute Manager, by Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson.
This book has become a best seller, and there are now many other titles in the series. If you want a short read, with some simple but powerful ideas to apply, then "The One Minute Manager" is a great place to start.
Written in story format, the book reveals three secrets to effective managing:
One Minute Goals;
One Minute Reprimands; and
One Minute Praising.
Blanchard and Spencer Johnson have distilled the essence of effective management into this short but potent story. By talking with an older, wiser, manager and to those who report to him, a novice manager discovers the best way to manage.
Just click on the image to the right to read more or purchase The One Minute Manager.
Short and powerful, The One Minute Manager emphasises the importance of tacit knowledge. People in organisations look to good managers as sources of wisdom. This book reminds us that some of the best management resources are on our doorstep - the managers and people around us!
As a short book, The One Minute Manager also lends itself ideally as an audio book. Regardless of whether you read it or listen to it, there is much for new and experienced managers to learn from this pithy book. Its principles may take time to apply and adapt to your approach and style, but it will be time well spent.
The One Minute Manager defined the short story/parable genre of management books. These focus on a few essential lessons, taught through the medium of fiction. Since its publication in 1982 it has continued to be a best seller and could thus be considered as a classic of its type. As such, the Happy Manager is happy to recommend the One Minute Manager to all of our readers.
Some Suggestions to Get the Most From This Book.
Why not think about buying this book along with Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman’s excellent book “First Break all the Rules”?
First Break all the Rules focuses on research conducted by the Gallup group into what great managers do. The two books will give you an excellent combination. A short, focused, thought-provoking read (the One Minute Manager), combined with many counter-intuitive insights gleaned from great managers (First Break All the Rules).
Three Great Articles to Go With Two Great Books
We've created this site to try and help managers find a different way to manage. A way which creates happy and productive workplaces. As you build your management library, hopefully you'll find some of our pages to be useful additions to your reading. Try these articles in conjunction with our recommended books:
What's the value of a good manager, if people leave managers not companies? How can you become a manager people really want to work with?
At the end of each article you'll find a handy pdf file to print and keep. Alternatively we've put the free pdf links at the bottom of this page.
To reinforce the impact that good managers can have on organisations, our article "What Makes a Happy Company" concludes with a great short video of Tom Peter’s reflections on Dee Hock's advice to all managers. Well worth the two minutes it will take you to watch.
Interested in Other Leadership Books?
Interested in other books on leadership and management? Then click on our Happy Manager Leadership Books in the left hand margin on this page. You'll find many of the books on offer, with up to 30% discount off list price.
One final thought. Good-value management or self development doesn't need to cost a fortune. If you want a new copy of our recommended books, just follow the links to Amazon and look for a bargain. Of course many charity shops also stock books like “The One Minute Manager”, so you may find an even better bargain there. Why not build up your professional library whilst contributing to some worthy causes?
Ken Blanchard has built on the success of The One Minute Manager with a whole series of spin-off titles. If you're interested in other books in the One Minute Manager series, look at our selection below.
Alternatively click
here
to view and download our growing list of articles available as pdf downloads. You'll also find some useful suggestions on how to get the most out of these articles, and the rest of the site.