Lecture Notes: The One Minute Manager

Introduction

• Purpose: To share insights from medicine and behavioral sciences on effective people management.
• Concept: The One Minute Manager is an allegorical compilation of wisdom from various sources.
• Importance: Understanding the essence of using knowledge in daily management as per Confucius.
• Impact: Increases productivity, promotes fair treatment, and enhances job satisfaction.
• Result: Users of the One Minute Manager experience more promotions, less stress, and greater enjoyment in work and family life.

The Search for an Effective Manager

• Protagonist: A young man seeking to learn effective management.
• Observations: Encountered tough, autocratic managers and nice, democratic managers.
• Finding: Neither type is fully effective; each focuses solely on results or people.
• Ideal Manager: Manages self and others for mutual benefit.

Discovery of the Special Manager

• Opportunity: Hears of a special manager with a successful and happy team.
• Approach: Visits the special manager, initially skeptical due to his availability.
• Encounter: Learns about simple yet effective management techniques.
• Insight: Good feelings lead to good results.

Three Secrets of One Minute Management

1. One Minute Goal Setting

• Process:
  • Agree on goals.
  • Clarify what good performance looks like.
  • Write goals succinctly on one page.
  • Review frequently for a minute or so.
  • Compare performance with goals.
• Principle: 80/20 rule; focus on 20% of goals that yield 80% of results.

2. One Minute Praising

• Steps:
  • Inform upfront about feedback.
  • Praise immediately upon good performance.
  • Specify what was done right.
  • Share positive feelings about performance.
  • Pause for a moment of silence.
  • Encourage repeated good behavior.
  • Physical affirmation (e.g., handshake).

3. One Minute Reprimand

• Steps:
  • Immediate feedback on mistakes.
  • Specify the error clearly.
  • Share feelings about the mistake.
  • Include a moment of reflective silence.
  • Reaffirm the person’s value.
  • Confirm the reprimand is just about the behavior.
  • End on a supportive note.

Practical Applications

• Empowerment: Encourages self-management and independent problem-solving.
• Feedback: Essential for motivation and improvement.
• Culture: Promotes a balance between results and people-focus.

The Ripple Effect

• Organizational Impact: Increases effectiveness and satisfaction throughout the company.
• Personal Development: Former young man becomes a one-minute manager, sharing the knowledge further.
• Sustainability: Emphasizes teaching and passing on management skills.

Conclusion

• Objective: Share the One Minute Manager secrets with others.
• Vision: Create a positive, productive work environment that values results and people equally.