The One Minute Manager (1982)

I can see how this is a very influential book, with clear principles of management that are memorable. It is also an interesting social commentary on the 1980s. ( )

The struck me as insincere manipulation techniques. I like much better [b:The 59-Second Employee: How to Stay One Second Ahead of Your One-Minute Manager|630143|The 59-Second Employee How to Stay One Second Ahead of Your One-Minute Manager|Rae Andre|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348280609s/630143.jpg|616468] ( )

Since its initial publication in the early 1980s, The One Minute Manager has taught generations of leaders about effective, person-centered management. It's a quick book to read (I read it in under an hour), and is filled with wisdom regarding dealing with others, both at work and outside it. This original edition is a little dated (today, one would hope that managers would refrain from touching subordinates while giving reprimands) but is still recommended. ( )

There is this genre I call business fiction. The characteristics of the genre are as follows:

1. A Simple contrived narrative with a pedantic plod.
2. An aim at communicating common sense wisdom for the business world.
3. A healthy overlay of positive thinking.
4. characters you could care less about because they are one dimensional, mindless automatons sent by the author to fulfill his didactic purposes but do not breath, bleed, or have any life of their own.
5. Lots of slogans that would look nice on a plaque over your desk. Maybe a nice motivational poster.

Well truth be told, some authors in the genre have more quality than others. Not this one, but it distinguishes itself as providing the template for all such books that followed. Written thirty years ago, this New York Times bestseller, follows the adventures of a young man in search for the greatest management model in the universe. Presumably this is to rule the galaxy (though this is more implied than said). Some of the managers he observes are focused on people but not results. Others focus on results but screw people over. That is until he discovers the 'One Minute Manager.' A manager so named because he doesn't have to spend much time with his people. At all. A minute here and there will suffice.

Actually there is some helpful management advice:

1. Have employees write out a 250 word summary of their goals (main objectives) which you both keep on file. The process of clarifying things so that both managers and employees know what their objectives are means greater success and less communication is necessary.
2. The One Minute praise-Catch your employee doing something right and specifically praise them for that action and let them know how valuable it is for you.
3. The One minute reprimand-when employees do something wrong, immediately and specifically reprimand them for that action, though put it in the context of their overall good work.

This is all helpful advice in managing people. That way, they are clear on objectives, feel valued and know exactly where they screw up without having to deal with an angry build up. But really this is the entire substance of the book. Along the way the characters, spout off the same advice and show each other motivational messages on plaques. There is also a lot of advice about touching people to communicate you care. It isn't normally the case, but my guess is that this book would be much better as a movie. Wait for it. ( )

For more than twenty years, millions of managers in Fortune 500 companies and small businesses nationwide have followed The One Minute Manager's techniques, thus increasing their productivity, job satisfaction, and personal prosperity. These very real results were achieved through learning the management techniques that spell profitability for the organization and its employees.

The One Minute Manager is a concise, easily read story that reveals three very practical secrets: One Minute Goals, One Minute Praisings, and One Minute Reprimands.

The book also presents several studies in medicine and the behavioral sciences that clearly explain why these apparently simple methods work so well with so many people. By the book's end you will know how to apply them to your own situation and enjoy the benefits.

That's why The One Minute Manager has continued to appear on business bestseller lists for more than two decades, and has become an international sensation. ( )