Is it possible to be a One Minute Manager?

I have been on the receiving end of managers who are truly gifted in teaching both skills and character. Mangers who have poured life giving support and encouragement into my life. God has used them to speak truth into my life. Especially in times when I did not believe or see the gifts and talents I was capable of implementing. I began walking towards the potential they saw in me, hoping and praying it was true. The more I tried the more I was able to see what they were talking about. I have begun to stop, look outside of my box and begin to see other problem solving areas I have potential to help solve. Each new attempt, leads to quicker problem solving and brings more problems to solve. I love it!

I desire to give this precious, priceless gift to others. I want to be someone who helps others connect with the people, products or services they need to implement the gifts and talents God has given them. I want to be a person who gives a leg up, who turns a lamp on in the darkness and walks the hard road of life with those in my life. Life is often more messy than it is smooth sailing, it is in the trenches, dirt and mud that relationships happen.

Last summer as I was finding treasures at garage sales I stumbled on a book called The One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson. For $.25 I bought a book I hoped would inspire me. What I didn’t realize was how it would impact me as not only a business owner, but as a parent. The principles can be applied to both (I have found this to be true with other areas I have learned about business).

One of my favorite things about this book is the way it is taught. Rather than a nine ways to do this better, it is told in story form. It invites you into a young mans journey to learn the secrets of better management. Rather than give a simple formula, the book invites you to see how it works in real business life.

There are five managements skills you will be able to implement after reading The One Minute Manager. You will be able to give one-minute praising, one-minute reprimands, one-minute goal setting and ways to help your team separate themselves from making a mistake and being a mistake.

In our house we have a saying that says “I made a mistake, I am not the mistake”. The difference this mindset can make in a persons personal and business is huge. It prevents them from spending precious time fixing themselves. There may be times when the mistake involves them realizing they need to change in their character, but if it’s a simple mistake, they can easily bounce back. Problem solve, brainstorm and keep going. No wasted time in plummeting into depression because they don’t measure up. Instead inspiring them, coaching them and building them up to succeed. I love it!

As a parent I appreciated the gentle hand on the shoulder and the moment of silence to let what you said sink into my kids. The authors say one of the keys to successful reprimanding or praising is an appropriate, gentle touch to their shoulder.  Here is what the authors say,

It goes along with the say, “they don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care”. It matters especially if I am applying this with my kids. It is not enough to be their parent so they do what I say. We have learned the hard way this only breeds rebellion, it not now, later down in their life when they are free from our rules and boundaries. They will binge on what was kept from them. It’s human nature whether we like it or not.